Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => The Knowledge => Health & Fitness => Topic started by: peliroja on 19 September, 2008, 06:11:43 pm
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I've managed to get through most of the cold/flu season without a bug, but after the Surrey Hills ride last Sunday and a very stressful day on Monday and Tuesday I started to feel the beginnings of one. It's now in the process of moving onto my chest and is making me wheezy with asthma and weak. It doesn't help my chest that we have two industrial dehumidifiers and two industrial dryers in our bathroom and kitchen drying out the leaks from above.
I have to work in Glasgow and Edinburgh on Monday and Tuesday, so need to get rid by then. Other than rest, water and nutritious food, any advice? My doctor doesn't like handing out antibiotics, ever.
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If it is a proper chest infection and not a cold/flu/bug, then you do need antibiotics. If your chest is full of yack, try doing some steam inhalations to help to loosen it so you can cough it up. Other than that, stay warm, drink lots of fluid, eat well and rest.
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My (almost) mother in law, who is also a biologist, recommends Echinacea (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinacea#Popular_belief_and_traditional_use) for colds and flu.
I'm skeptical* but it it must be worth a shot.
* about most things. :)
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Rest.
Quality sleep.
TLC.
Get well soon.
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Well what does your GP expect to happen if you dont shift it?
Do you have to develop pneumonia and be hospitalized/nearly die before you are prescribed antibiotics?
Giving them out for colds is silly fair enough but a proper chest infection will make you feel like complete shit, you will become desperatley tired and in your run down state you will be prone to other infections as well
I think your doctor is being an arse, go to the local emergency clinic or drop in center and see someone else
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I do have BUPA. I wonder if I should use it for the first time?
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If it doesn't get any better, you could always get a visitor's appointment in Edinburgh or Glasgow. You could give my address and use by GP - they're very good.
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I do have BUPA. I wonder if I should use it for the first time?
If they have one of the private drop in clinics near by then I would go there now, you will be out again in ten minutes with a prescription
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after the Surrey Hills ride last Sunday
:(
*guilt*
Is there any way you can stay elsewhere until you are better as I am sure the air in the flat is not helping?
In my case it has now moved from being a flu / cold type thing to a sort of low grade chest infection. I feel pretty fine but have a bit of a cough. If it has not shifted by Monday I'll be off to my GP.
In your case, with your history of asthma and your current living conditions I'd be very surprised indeed if your GP would not consider antibiotics, under the circumstances, if it has not settled very soon. Consider getting another GP.
In any case I really do think, Peli, that it is totally unrealistic to expect to be able to do what you have planned on Monday without risking making things much worse. This is going to take a week +
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I thought Pluck was about to recommend a hilly 80 km bike ride.
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Aye, and then you could make her ride home afterwards ::-)
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Let's see how I feel tomorrow. At the moment I feel terribly weak with a chilly, achey feeling on my chest but am not hacking up too much muck yet. I've been lying wrapped up outside on the balcony for most of the day to avoid the dry air in the flat.
It's important that I'm better for Monday and Tuesday. Thanks, Kirst, for the offer of help.
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Avoiding the dry air sounds like a good idea. Hopefully your body will sort itself out....
Aye, and then you could make her ride home afterwards ::-)
(http://www.ivy-house.org.uk/images/whistle.gif)
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I am prone to chest infections, asthma etc. The lack of summer given the boost to health that one can normally expect. I have not used antibiotics much to combat chest infections and rely on inhalers and hot drinks which keep the chest warm. I also find going to bed with a hot water bottle or equivalent to hold against my chest to be very helpful as it seems to keep the constant coughing in check.
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Hot drinks and water bottles - thanks Yoyo, will make sure I have those.
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Re hot water bottles; I have to confess I now use a microwavable teddy. It actually retains heat for a long period and is still quite warm in teh mornings.
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If you're coughing a lot in bed, try sleeping on more pillows so you're in a more upright position.
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I am not a doctor, but my nephew has cystic fibrosis.
Yes to calling BUPA.
Also, lie on your side and get Wooly to firmly bang you on the ribs for a few minutes to loosen the crap in your lungs (not a slap but a cupped hand). Cough/hack it up. Then do the other side, then back, then front.
My poor nephew used to have half an hour per position per night just to cope with his permanent illness. It was tedious watching his parents banging away continuously.
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Ohhh, sorry to hear this.
If you need anyone to rub Vic in, than I'm your man. Busy today, but I'm free tomorrow! :thumbsup:
I'll kick Sgt Pluck for you. :)
**Update - I can't kick Sgt Pluck for you - they wouldn't let him on the train. >:(
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All I can say is what a magnificent chest to have an infection in! ;)
Rx: Plenty of fluids, rest and TLC from the Great Dane.
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I'll kick Sgt Pluck for you. :)
:P
Hope you got some sleep - get out into that lovely morning! I'll repeat my offer of a very gentle pootle down to the river???
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Woolly's at work :( and I've been instructed not to faff or move from my bed. Just rest.
Not feeling up to going out. I slept very well, at least, and am not coughing much. It's just all sitting there on my chest and my throat hurts. Bummer.
I am trying to sleep as much as possible until Woolly gets home.
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It's just all sitting there on my chest
Nebuliser?
Have a restful one.
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Thanks.I've not got a nebuliser; never got round to getting one.
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I find that the progression is usually
a) a bit of a sniffle
b) a sore throat from said sniffle
c) descending to the chest.
From previous experience it is best to fight it all the way.
sudafed to kill the sniffle.
At the slightest hint of a sore throat, strepsils, ibuprofen and occasionally antihistamines
And then I don't end up with a coughy spluttery chest infection which knocks me down for two weeks.
..d
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Just had a great two hour sleep, woken up :( by Woolly checking on me. :) Which is allowed.
Still feel rubbish.
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Bah :)
Edit:
Bah :(
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Feel rubbisher and rubbisher today. Bummer.
I think my Scotland work trip might be off. >:(
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hurray \o/ but get well soon my dear
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Hurray to which bit? ;)
I'm off back to sweat it out in bed. :o
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Feel rubbisher and rubbisher today. Bummer.
I think my Scotland work trip might be off. >:(
Oh dear!
Get well soon!
Maybe you doctor will agree to antibiotics for you now. I certainly feel you need to see one again soon.
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Hurray to which bit? ;)
I'm off back to sweat it out in bed. :o
To the bit that you will be home and I can take care of you.
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Hurray to which bit? ;)
I'm off back to sweat it out in bed. :o
To the bit that you will be home and I can take care of you help you sweat it out in bed.
FTFY ;)
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I think my Scotland work trip might be off. >:(
Very wise.
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With asthma ive always find if I get a chest infection they give me antibiotics straight away and steroids. I find not letting cold air near my mouth helps as it takes my breath when walking about and can make the chest infection feel much worse.
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I'm seeing a different doctor this pm, got a cancellation. Let's see what s/he says...
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Whisky. If you can't get to Scotland, make Scotland come to you. :thumbsup:
GWS!
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Whisky. If you can't get to Scotland, make Scotland come to you. :thumbsup:
GWS!
Thanks Wow. But I don't drink!
Saw the doc. He said he hardly ever gives out antibiotics, and as my chest infection is 'over the worst stage' he wasn't going to make an exception for me.
I could have done without my boss emailing me all day and suggesting I might like to dial in for a meeting. No, I'm off sick!! >:(
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Saw the doc. He said he hardly ever gives out antibiotics, and as my chest infection is 'over the worst stage' he wasn't going to make an exception for me.
I don't get this. I understand not giving for colds & flus, but a chest infection?. If it doesn't improve, go to the NHS clinic in Soho Square. Best NHS treatment, I've ever received and that was on a day when they were understaffed due to illness. (It also made me decide that I wasn't going to put up with grumpy local GP's any longer, when I could get treated much better there, by a doctor that at the very least pretended to listen to what I said).
Rant, rant, NHS this, rave, GPs that, rave, etc...
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Maybe you need a new doctor?
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Yeah..when I tried to do that, I was treated like a criminal!
I'm glad to leave the NHS behind. It's one thing I wont miss from the UK.
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Woolly tried to make me sweat it out last night (and I assure you, this is entirely work safe O:-) ) by making sure I wasn't allowed any part of my anatomy save the top of my head outside the duvet.
It was most uncomfortable. :demon:
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With asthma ive always find if I get a chest infection they give me antibiotics straight away and steroids. I find not letting cold air near my mouth helps as it takes my breath when walking about and can make the chest infection feel much worse.
Antibiotics and steroids together can be counterproductive because of their effects. It should be steroids for an exacerbation of asthma, including viral infections.
Chest infections should get antibiotics, and maybe steroids as your symptoms subside, which gives your body the strength to recover.
>:( >:( >:( to Peli's doctor for being such a git.
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I had a horrendous night last night, coughing and unable to breathe. :(
Poor Woolly. I think I'll be sleeping in the other room tonight. :-\
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Not good, rumbling on this long and not improving. Sound case for those damn antibiotics if ever I heard one. I know we need to cut down our prescribing of them, and I'm a bad example, cause I spend most winters spooling through the common ones, but when they're needed, they are needed. </soapbox>
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This is very worrying. My other half had a chest infection earlier this year and was advised by our GP that soon they will not be prescribing for ear infections and chest infections. Which led me to wonder what's going to happen when my next bi-annual dose of bronchitis shows up. Last time, it was so bad within 3 days that I had to get a taxi to the GP's surgery. Will I end up in hospital with pneumonia?
Sorry to hear about this Peli, I hope it clears up soon.
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I've not seen a change of advice from NICE, so the clinical indications still hold. Normal warnings about not over-prescribing apply, of course, and a practice may have its own internal protocols, but that would be worrying news indeed.
I need to draw up a will... :P
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I had a horrendous night last night, coughing and unable to breathe. :(
Poor Woolly. I think I'll be sleeping in the other room tonight. :-\
I hope you stayed off work then?
My own chest is not very good and I'm off to the GP tomorrow - this is the same one as on the Hilly 80 :( Going on far too long - I imagine you have the same bug Peli.
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Yes, stayed off work, but so much is piling up that I need to deal with, so am online at home.
Hope you feel better, Pluckster. Let me know what your doc says.
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How about a nebuliser with just some saline to get the gunk up? Would your doc do that for you Peli?
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Pluck did suggest that. I might go to the drop in centre and see if I can get nebulised soon... good idea, Fi. :)
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I just had a sneaky saline neb here at work - seems to have helped rather a lot.
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Have you not got your own neb, Peli? Handy thing to have. There's a lot of days I've needed it to get out of bed in the mornings. They can be expensive, but you might be able to get one from a health centre or hospital if you're crafty, and there are some decent cheaper ones around if you don't need all the bells & whistles (I don't).
Can be a bugger getting masks, pots, tubes etc...
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i visited a doctor yesterday for the first time in 12 years (!!!) because i've been coughing and have had a cold for the last week, so needed a doctor's note to get an extension for my ma dissertation which is due on tuesday.
he didn't seem to think there was anything wrong with me, if there was it was almost over blah blah blah, he says, while standing there with his arms crossed in a somewhat hostile position.
Then of course this morning I wake up with a runny nose and am coughing >:(
Fecking useless, I bet I'll now have to finish my dissertation with a fever over the weekend >:( >:( >:( >:(
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I don't feel much better today: very weak indeed, and I now have a very odd sensation when I swallow, as if I have a lump in my throat. The slight pressure is there all the time, even when I don't swallow. It's very uncomfortable.
I am seeing the doctor again on Tuesday, as I have to get a sick note for work. :(
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My own chest is not very good and I'm off to the GP tomorrow...
My GP did give me some antibiotics after a listen to my chest etc.
He did mention that the current flavour of chest infection is taking two weeks to run its course for most people.
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Me being an awkward and contrary old bugger, the only time I seem to get chest infections is when I've given up smoking...
...which is the opposite of what should happen.
Chin up, Peli my dear! I would offer to come and rub Vicks on your chest but I'm sure you have a queue of men already waiting - and a Woolly standing guard. ;D
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Me being an awkward and contrary old bugger, the only time I seem to get chest infections is when I've given up smoking...
...which is the opposite of what should happen.
I disagree. Stopping smoking is a big upheaval to the body chemistry - and an enormous challenge to the immune system.
I've coached quite a few quitters since doing the deed myself - and a lot of them report infections of various kinds; many involving the respiratory system, or rather bizarrely, the skin.
It's a phase that passes.
For me - I had six months of terrible mouth ulcers after stopping ::-).
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Doesn't tobacco smoke paralyse the cilia, which effectively clean the lungs of grot?
Stopping smoking starts them working again and suddenly accumulated grot rises to the surface.
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Which led me to wonder what's going to happen when my next bi-annual dose of bronchitis shows up. Last time, it was so bad within 3 days that I had to get a taxi to the GP's surgery. Will I end up in hospital with pneumonia?
This happened to me 3-4 years ago; a year of chest infections every 6 weeks, on the dot. You could set your watch by them.
All treated with antibiotics, but the last one ended in pneumonia, and then 9 months under the surveillance of the local chest clinic, X-rays, lung function tests, etc. God knows what it would have been like without antibiotics. 'Cured' by changing asthma drugs. ??? 3 years later :o I am finally getting round to decent training.
Real chest infections aren't that difficult to diagnose, are they? Get well soon, all of you poor afflicted.
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How is it going now, Peli??
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She was good yesterday but got home very tired. And when I got up this morning she was dead to the world until I called her to check on her at 1400.
I managed to get her out on a little walk to the river and back this afternoon. She is now cooped up on the sofa reading and resting with hot milk and biscuits.
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I managed a day at work yesterday but it totally knackered me. Today was spent sleeping and then a nice walk in the late afternoon sunshine. Not feeling 100% (about 50% in fact) and still yacking up green stuff. :-X
It doesn't help that ready meals every evening are not the healthiest of fodder (we still don't have a kitchen, in case anyone had missed that nugget ::-) ).
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Sounds like Woolly is doing a good job :)
Try a thread asking how to eat healthily without a cooker in the Food and Drink thread - in fact there might already be one. There is bound to be a lot you can do. At least you can eat lots of fruit. Or else just spend a fortune at Deliverance (https://www.deliverance.co.uk/Order/Default.aspx?SectionID=4)? :P
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Trouble is that we don't have anywhere to prepare or store food, or even wash up (except the bath). Our kitchen is an empty shell, and the contents of the old cupboards are on the floor in the lounge, meaning we have very little space to move about anyway.
Otherwise I'd make a lot of salads, etc. :-\ Ready meals and takeaways are the only answer.
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Do you want to borrow our camping stove, Peli? Two burners and a grill are enough to prepare quite a lot of stuff.
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Thanks Wow for the kind offer. Unfortunately we really don't have anywhere to prepare or store food, or wash up, otherwise that would be a good compromise. :(
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I think I've got some sort of chest infection... coughing up green, often very thick mucus, for the last 4/5 days. I've got a doctor's appointment but I'm worrying now that perhaps it's just a cold and I'd be wasting their time - I tend to only feel really bad & cough stuff up in the mornings/when I get up, and seem to get better as the day goes on, though I still cough etc.
Oh and hope you're better now peli! :thumbsup:
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I think I've got some sort of chest infection... coughing up green, often very thick mucus, for the last 4/5 days
I believe that be a chest infection :thumbsup:
Promble is, you'll go to the doctor and he'll say, probably correctly, "ah well, you're over the worst of it now, go home".
Think along the lines of 10 days to run its course completely.
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Coughing a lot the last couple of days. Could be an infection, but I'm gonna try hitting it with oral steroid first. Wouldn't be worth going to doctor for a week or so.
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I think I've got some sort of chest infection... coughing up green, often very thick mucus, for the last 4/5 days
I believe that be a chest infection :thumbsup:
Promble is, you'll go to the doctor and he'll say, probably correctly, "ah well, you're over the worst of it now, go home".
Think along the lines of 10 days to run its course completely.
Yup, that's pretty much what he said - basically that I'm young and fit enough for my body to be able to cope with it, and that if it hasn't gone away by the end of the week to come back, and he'd probably prescribe some antibiotics.