Ok, it's been a little all Quiet on the Sparky Front

[sparkindarkness]

Well, this illness isn’t going away, despite me thinkiong I was on the mend - several times only to relapse with a vengeance. In fact, methinks it has gotten worse in some ways. On the plus side eating is now actually possible without a stunning display of projectile vomiting (or, to be more accurate, pathetic dribbling since projectile vomiting would require far more energy than I actually have) but such progress is rather overshadowed by the continued severe shortness of breath and truly terrifying coughing. They’re so uncontrollably powerful that not only is my throat a raw not of pain and my head throbbing quite quite intolerably but that they leave me so dizzy that I actually fall over. I actually am mildly worried walking up and down the stairs alone for fear of falling. Of course this fails to be a problem because the energy required to reach the top of the staircase unaided seems to be more than I have at the moment.

Needless to say, this does not amuse the Sparky. And I’m quite sure the not-amused Sparky most certainly does not amuse Beloved since the Sparky prides himself on being the worst possible patient in the world.

My normal instinct with cold and even this dreaded influenza is to leave it alone and be thoroughly miserable. Regardless of what various elderly relatives insist I am pretty certain there aren’t any actual medicines out there that cure either ailment and precious little the doctor can provide that will make it go away. What the doctor, chemist and various insane elderly relatives who should be burned for witchcraft and most certainly will be if they don’t leave me alone and I can secure a safe supply of fire lighters or possibly a flame thrower, can provide is a number of concoctions that fight the symptoms and make you feel better. Of course, the symptoms aren’t actually the disease so much as your body’s sterling efforts to fight OFF the disease and attempts to feel better are just sabotage. The body wouldn’t make you feel hot and cold, sticky, oozy and generally horrible if it didn’t have a damn good reason. My general tactic is to keep warm, eat and drink as much as I am able and generally whine at people in a most pathetic fashion.

Of course, that could be a whole load of claptrap that stems from my utter revulsion to take any kind of medicine. Because I’m good at making clever sounding excuses for my irrational behaviour. Yes, yes I am. Look, the claptrap my clients come up with? You start expecting more from yourself when it comes to lame excuses.

However I am faced with the irritating fact that a disease that has dragged out for well into 3 weeks without any real sign of going away is probably not something I can ignore. I concede, the elephant is in the room and it’s time to shovel shit and change the carpeting. So I’m off to doctors next week - expect an extra grumpy sparky being compelled to take nasty little pills with nastier side effects in the near future.


I’ll try to catch up on journal/my email/my forums/etc etc as and when I can, but even typing this has been enervating and this is just transcribing my overly active thoughts to keyboard, I doubt I have the attention span to concentrate on reading *holds up Janny Wurts’ unfinished “Grand Conspiracy” as proof* Though it could be that the whole damn series just doesn’t seem to be going anywhere and hasn’t for the last 4 books.

Comments

a wierd american thinks you should do the following

[makarov.livejournal.com]

eat, keep your strength up

Re: a wierd american thinks you should do the following

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

I try, slowly but surely

OMGWTF?!

[semiotic-pirate.livejournal.com]

Ach!

I'm surprised and a bit miffed that it took you THREE FRICKIN WEEKS to realize you need to go to the doctor's office about this. *shocked and worried*

The elephant isn't just in the room, it is stomping on you and occasionally lifting you with its trunk to slam you into the ceiling. You'll be lucky if it hasn't morphed into walking pneumonia at this point.

As you can see, I am giving you the EYEBALL. As a former worker in the medical profession: Medicine is used to help your system fight off the disease. The alleviation of symptoms is a sign that the medicine is WORKING. This includes home remedies of the chicken soup variety, B-vitamins, vitamin C, and echinacea. All of which I highly suggest Beloved get and force feed to you.

When you are all better, remind me to fly over there and smack you with a haddock or two. *strength-giving hugs*

Re: OMGWTF?!

[gnarlycranium.livejournal.com]

See this is something that's sortof puzzled me too-- in particular the stuff that's supposed to reduce fevers. I mean the fever is meant to kill the bad things-- so why does it need to be reduced, short of boiling brain cells? If it actually is reducing fever by doing something USEFUL that would be most reassuring.

Re: OMGWTF?!

[janetmiles.livejournal.com]

I am not a medical professional, but I think part of the rationale for antipyretics (fever-reducers) is to reduce discomfort and allow the patient to rest.

Same with cough suppressants (she says, looking firmly at Sparky). You can hurt yourself coughing, dammit. I can sympathize with the desire to get the crud out of your lungs, but there is a limit.

Re: OMGWTF?!

[gnarlycranium.livejournal.com]

Yeah, my dad managed to crack a rib once, with a cough that lasted a few weeks.

I just hate how the mentality with a lot of people seems to be that the fever IS the problem, they don't even THINK about what bringing it down might do/mean.

Re: OMGWTF?!

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

But I haaaaaates doctors, precious, I really hates them.

And it seems it has morphed into walking pneumonia, which is most most most annoying

Well kinda, but most flu rememdies and the like seem to be just symptom based for comfort's sake more than anything. Vitamins I have a-plenty :)

[gnarlycranium.livejournal.com]

We are beset with the plague. Although mine seems to be improving after 3 days or so, it's still work just to stand up-- and midterms are this week. Yargh. But there's been a cold working its way through the populace here, lots of customers in the video store are shuffling up to the counter looking like the walking dead, because of course what else is a sick person going to do when they're bored at home, but want to see a movie and bear their gift of plague to the hapless employees? One person in my digital photography class said she ended up having to take antibiotics. I'm luckier, but dood... yeah after 3 weeks you oughtta get that looked at.

[gnarlycranium.livejournal.com]

*sudden realization, as one who has never had health insurance in my life, must add* ..........ESPECIALLY SINCE YOU LIVE IN A COUNTRY THAT ACTUALLY LETS PEOPLE HAVE FREEKING HEALTH CARE, DAMMIT.

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

Yes.... doctor is free, medicine is free... It';s all free but I hates them all the same *sigh*

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

Plagueis everywhere these days. The microbes are fighting back

Personally I stay inside and alone when ill - partially for comfort but mainly because if I'm ill I have the good manners to keep my miserable germs to myself and my nearest and dearest (MUAHAHAHA)

[sapphybelle.livejournal.com]

I once waited 3 weeks to be seen by healthcare professionals too. Result: hospitalisation with glandular fever and quinsy (what tonsillitis turns into when you don't get it looked at).

Hope you get better soon, Mr Sparky *hugs*

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

I have no tonsils so I is safe! *clings to deception*
Thankee

[logophilos.livejournal.com]

I think it's time you went to the doctor too - flu is not a trivial illness and should not be ignored.

I was just thinking you'd been very quiet lately - I had hoped you were off having fun :(

Just look after yourself and get well. You're much missed.

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

Aye, it's a nasty gateway disease which lkeads onto other nasty things *sigh* I want to evict them alll!

Alas no, But I will return! Like vengeance!

[baranduyn.livejournal.com]

Pooky!!! **air kisses so you know you're loved but so I don't catch that nastiness**

When I have a particularly tenacious cold or flu on my arse I inevitably resort to chemical warfare. My very delicious chicken soup is replaced by onion soup (I swear all humans of French-Canadian descent believe onions fix everything) is replaced by my own chili. Capsazin (the stuff in peppers) will open up my breathing and produce enough mucous to make any slug jellus. I should think curry would work too.

I just don't know how to make curry. Be well, hon.

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

I'm currently walking the very delicate line between spicy food so I can taste it despite my sinus of doom but food that is gentle on my stomach so it actually stays down, ah the endless battle!

[ladydyani.livejournal.com]

I'm sending calming and relaxing thoughts your way. And if you behave and go to the doctor, I'll send some naughty ones as well.

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

Thank you :) I went to the doc ;)

[ladydyani.livejournal.com]

Naughty thoughts are on the way right now! Sorry if any straight thoughts make their way through, I mostly think of men, so you should be ok.

[home-of-usher.livejournal.com]

Jim Henson decided not to do anything about his 'Cold' and look where it got him when he finally went to the docs. We don't need anymore such tragedies Sparky. You take care of yourself now. If you don't trust the doctors, wizened women and least of all, family members, then get yourself some Moldy bread and some willow bark tea. And remember if you don't get yourself better, yer not going to be gettin any. :P

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

Damn that's an evil threat...

fine I dragged myself to the doc but I reserve the right to be bitchy about it

[meridae.livejournal.com]

does the fact that Dumbledore is gay make you feel just a wee bit better? ::grins:: I don't mind Dumbledore being gay . . . what I mind is that this is going to make all the Dumbledore/Harry shippers even WORSE!

[home-of-usher.livejournal.com]

Dumbledore and Snape is worse >.

[meridae.livejournal.com]

Maybe, but at least they're both of age!!

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

It makes me chuckle with great amusement

[cally7.livejournal.com]

Oh sweetheart, the medicine is there to stop secondary infections, which it sounds like you have, not to cure the 'flu. You silly sod, so glad you are finally submitting to medical intervention, I don't like anyone being ill, least of all people I respect and like.

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

The secondary infection has arrived and annoys me muchly. It can leave any time now *glares at secondary infection*

[tinimaus.livejournal.com]

You could compromise and only take medicine so that it allows you to sleep at night instead of coughing all the time. If you don't get any rest, you are certainly going to take a lot longer to get better.

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

I've given in on that one, being tired all the time is torture!

[hanks-lil-pit.livejournal.com]

Oh my dear, dear boy. I hadn't realized you were that far gone or I'd have ordered you to the physician long ago. If you are that congested, especially with shortness of breath, then you could well be teetering on the brink of something more serious. Treatable, but more serious.

Don't you ever let something like this drag on for three weeks!

Bad Sparky.

I'm sure Beloved's at the end of his proverbial rope with you right about now. Were I closer I'd deluge you with nursing care and proper food, but from this distance all I can do is get after you. Take care of yourself.

I completely understand the no med policy, I am that way myself. I'd just as soon ride it out, but in this case I think you've ridden the horse as far as it should go unattended.

Okay.

Physician+proper medication=much better Sparkster.

Besides, I'm selfish, and I miss you.

Hank

[slice-of-nick.livejournal.com]

Oh look who's talking! And how long did it take to get YOU to the doctor?

Evil bot.

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

I'm stubborn when it comes to medicine and medical care. i like to avoid it, denial is more fun

I know I know, it's bad, it's just, you expect these things to sort themselves out, they usually do

Beloved is disease-phobic :). He does his very very best, but he's really uncomfortable in situations where he is sure he will catch the lurgy

awww, i'll be back soon i'm sure :)

[jerril]

Not all the misery-inducing things are rational responses by your body.

Many of them are caused by the disease itself, either as a byproduct of the toxins in your system, or the disease deliberately trying to make your body a more hospitable place.

Many of them are caused by your body, but not any kind of productive reaction. Your body, while a wonderfully complex and advanced system, is capable of doing some stupid and unhelpful things at times, because they usually help...

I can't think of any circumstance where having your lungs filled with mucus is helpful. Nor is it ever helpful to cough so hard you get anoxia and fall over. I coughed for three weeks and tore my throat up. This made my throat sore, so I coughed even more, and eventually sprained my diaphram. I didn't even know that was possible until it happened.

A mild fever is unpleasent but generally helpful. However, a severe fever is more dangerous to YOU than to the disease. Your body tries it anyways because it doesn't expect ANY help - it's worth it to your stupid immune system to risk cooking your precious brains and organs if it might rescue you from the disease, your immune system figures... but unbeknownst to your immune system you now live in a society that can stop the flu from drowning you in your own mucus and making you vomit up all your food. It thinks you're still living in a cave hiding from saber toothed tigers.

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

It's always been a random thing I've believed, never was really sure how true it was. I just like the idea of letting my immune system get on with it withou meddling

Most of the medicines I've found reduce fever (which I do think is the body fighting) or dry up mucus (which I've always thought as a body's reaction to catching germs) or soothing coughs (which could be useful for sleep if nothing else)

[slice-of-nick.livejournal.com]

In your defense, you are right, there is no pill the cures a cold or the flu. It sounds like some other bug took this opportune time to set up camp in your respiratory system. Now those bugs can be cured with a pill. So take them, get better soon, and return with more amusing stories of relatives bringing 20 cakes to a wedding. That still cracks me up. Best wishes.

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

Damn secondary infections are making me miserable now :(

LOL, thank you. my relatives have given me plenty of fodder!

[ephemera.livejournal.com]

if you don't normally have asthma, the whole coughing-not-able-to-breath thing is a) truly unpleasant and b) a sign you need to go to the doctors. (this is also true if you do have asthma, but I like my get-out-of-doctors-free card so - um - pot! kettle! very dark grey!)

Here's to you getting back to full health soon, sir.

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

Extremely unpleasant and I ahve finally given in to the signs and have gone... I do so hate medicine.

Thankee

[amynnah.livejournal.com]

::hugs to the Spark:: Doctors. Now. Please. <3 People need you for stuff. :)

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

*hugs* thank you. I'll be back and hale soon