Am Not In New York
Have contracted a flu. No, I don't know which one. I went to the doctor and saw some new guy, who asked ME if I thought I needed Tamiflu? I dunno. Anyway, I said no. I did, however, request prednisone, and helped him the dose.
I cannot breathe for anything, seriously, and today is day 2 on steroids and the best day yet for flu symptoms. If I don't refill every 16 oz glass of water as soon as I finish drinking it, I can't breathe.
Pfft. Says I.
What I learned today, though, during the worst of it was actually sort of awesome. I've been well for so long (relatively speaking) asthma-wise, that I no longer know when I need emergency care. I used to be able to time it to the hour, right? Now, I was sitting for a bit on the couch thinking, "Um. What do I do now? I'm struggling, I'm in grave discomfort, my intercostal muscles are on fire, I'm a bit anxious, heart rate's up...am I bad enough for ER? I can't just go to the doctor's, I went yesterday. But I can't take any more meds, either. Hmmmm. Maybe I should call the pulmonologist's office? Or email my doc? Find that business card she gave me with the number of the on-call pulmonology resident? Where would that be?"
So, um, wow.
I think I need an appointment with my pulmonologist to discuss this problem. I guess we need a more explicit plan.
I cannot breathe for anything, seriously, and today is day 2 on steroids and the best day yet for flu symptoms. If I don't refill every 16 oz glass of water as soon as I finish drinking it, I can't breathe.
Pfft. Says I.
What I learned today, though, during the worst of it was actually sort of awesome. I've been well for so long (relatively speaking) asthma-wise, that I no longer know when I need emergency care. I used to be able to time it to the hour, right? Now, I was sitting for a bit on the couch thinking, "Um. What do I do now? I'm struggling, I'm in grave discomfort, my intercostal muscles are on fire, I'm a bit anxious, heart rate's up...am I bad enough for ER? I can't just go to the doctor's, I went yesterday. But I can't take any more meds, either. Hmmmm. Maybe I should call the pulmonologist's office? Or email my doc? Find that business card she gave me with the number of the on-call pulmonology resident? Where would that be?"
So, um, wow.
I think I need an appointment with my pulmonologist to discuss this problem. I guess we need a more explicit plan.