w30bob wrote: |
Hi Lily,
Sorry you're feeling under the weather, that always sucks. Are cold extremeties and fever the ONLY symptoms? No sore throat, cough, muscle or joint aches? When you had the fever was it consistent or did it come and go? Any issues with output or your stomach? Any headache? When you say you couldn't get your hands and feet warm.....how did you try to warm them up? Just fever and cold hands/feet is a bit odd. Have you been checking your temp routinely, even though you don't feel like you have a fever? Any chance you've been bitten by anything (tick, bedbug, sabre toothed tiger)?
;0) bob
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Hey there, O'mates!
Wanted to post an update:
I'm hanging in here, and my Mom's just fine. I am no longer quarantining.
I saw doctor Saturday, and even after prefacing our conversation with "ileostomy...immuno-compromised", "shingles vaccine last Sunday", "chronic pneumonia" and "forgot mask and breathed in cold air when I took the trash to the curb Wednesday night", all he heard was:
102.3 degree fever
Coughing
So... Doc insisted on performing a COVID test, with results he thinks available either this Wed. or Thurs. Until then, I'm off work with no pay, in spite of my protest: "I was planning to go back to work Monday!"
I think those last two symptoms were "red lights", though, and doc felt it safest to test for my peace of mind - and proper treatment if a Positive result - and that of my employer and co-workers. Yes, in this era of COVID, I can understand his position. Admittedly, I have become so tired of doctors thinking they know my body - and how it's feeling - more than I do. (Granted, if the test comes back Positive, I know my arrogance could be deadly. And, if it's Negative, doc's certainly too busy to think back on our exchange.)
Having thought back on what I was doing, and when, before the fever hit: I did take the trash streetside for pickup Wednesday night. It was cold, and I had fogotten to wear a mask to protect my lungs from the cold. My pneumonia from November never did clear up completely, and I think that cold air hit my lungs hard, leading to the fever about 5 hours later, followed by an increase in productive coughing.
I am on another round of azythromycin(?)/Z-Pak antibiotic - which was the least I was hoping for - and am continuing acetaminophen to help prevent my nighttime fevers, and to knock them down when I do get them. And, he gave me a bronchodilator inhaler for emergencies if I can't catch my breath. Admonished me to get to the ER if I get worse.
Bob, you asked very thought-provoking questions, as always. :) Symptomology: Only cold hands & feet (placed hands on warmer body areas, wore warm socks to bed), intermittent fevers (treated with 500 mg. acetaminophen, as needed, with very large glass of water), and an all-over "ick" feeling in my body, like I've experienced previously with the flu (including last November), intermittent, mild, productive cough (stayed well-hydrated, increased dietary Vit. C., apple juice/cider/sauce/fresh apple as natural expectorant).
No GI issues or headaches. No chance of insect or extinct predator bites - sorry. ;)
As for checking my temp regularly: I haven't. Mid-morning Friday I thought I felt fine, but checked it and had temp of 99.2. Saturday morning I thought I felt feverish, but had temp of 98.2. Maybe I've become hypersensitive to my fever status.
While attempting to warm my cold hands on the opposite upper arms Friday night, I noticed that the injection site for my shingles vaccination was considerably warmer than the areas around it, or the same area on my other arm. This was before I remembered exposing my lungs to cold air Wednesday night, so I thought, "That's it - I'm reacting to the vaccination!"
I hope everyone continues to be safe & healthy. Big, Non-Germy E-Hug to All! : )
Lily17~