Campfire

[Bethers]

Linda, please don't wait if it's Lyme. Much more serious things could still happen and then become too late to do anything about. Bite the bullet, your health is too important.

[BarbaraRose]

I second what Beth said. I know someone personally who died from Lymes Disease because it was diagnosed/treated too late. He had an agonizing, miserable death. Nothing to mess with! The sooner it is treated, the less long term damage is done to your nervous system. And yes, you can get the bullseye in a different place than the actual bite area.

[bikerchic777]

Thanks for your concern! I love the sistahs You have helped me through a lot over the years. Velda...Glad you got to read the article. I still can't believe it, sometimes. I do hope that I inspire other solo women to follow their dreams, though.

Medical update: Went back to the Dr., yesterday. She said, obviously the Z pack isn't working, so she referred me to an ENT, here in Campbellsville. I called and they squeezed me in. The Dr. looked like he should have retired years ago, but most of the gals in the office were mature and so personable and fun. He suctioned out my ear and did a few tests. Had the audiologist do her thing and her report was as I suspected. Pretty much flat lined hearing in the left ear. Dr. said from fluid. He could see where there had been a perforation, but it is closed over. Probably from a few nights ago, when a bunch of fluid drained out. Unfortunately, it filled back up by morning. He put me on Mucinex, Cephalexin, and Prednisone. I have some anti nausea pills, in case I need them. Have had a lot of nausea, especially in the evening. I'm taking probiotics to keep my flora in balance. Seems to be working. Can't have my yogurt, or any dairy with the antibiotic, as it won't let it work. I refused nasal sprays and allergy med, which made the geezer a bit snappy Gave me and the gals in the office a good laugh! You know how I hate Western medicine, so taking all this crap is desperation. He said that if I do have Lyme's Disease, this antibiotic will take care of that, also. Haven't researched that. I'm coughing more, today, so hope I don't break my ribs, again. I tend to do that with colds. Feels like drainage from sinuses. I have an appt for next Wed., to follow up at the ENT and audiologist. He said I should have huge relief by Friday. So far, not! Praying a day makes a huge difference, which I know it can. I need to get back to work on Saturday!

On the bright side...The sun has finally come out. Rained all day and the night before. Will have to tolerate the wind. It is pretty, looking out at the lake. So glad I'm not looking out at other RVs and gravel.

[bikerchic777]

Oh, almost forgot to tell you....I went in to Amazon and filled out worker's comp paperwork, yesterday. They made an appt at the hospital for x-rays. I made it over there, before heading home, and got the x-rays done. Should hear the results by tomorrow.

[MandysMom]

Linda, you and a whole lot of other gals are an inspiration to me! I do hope the meds do their thing and soon you are on the road to recovery. Wow that had to be painful having your eardrum perforate! I am not one for any more western medicine than I have to either, but it has it's place. I will say though, be sure you take the prednisone exactly as ordered. Probably has a larger dose then a wean off dose and the longer you need to take it, the more important it is that you follow that weaning exactly as it can have side effects if you don't and they are not pretty. Been there ,done that, about 20 years ago when I got really sick with pneumonia and had to be on pretty high dose for weeks for my lungs. Took several tries and a very gradual wean down to keep side effects at bay as my body gave them up. Thankfully have not had to be on them in a lompng while. They are great drugs but to be respected. Praying you feel better soon. I also had a rib fracture from coughing. The lung specialist had me take Naprosyn for the pain. I like the generic Naprosyn gel caps for the rare occasion when I need pain relief with anti-inflammatory effect. There are some nasty bugs going around this fall. I got sick with a very nasty virus a few weeks ago but fortunately was able to keep from it going into a bacterial infection using Mucinex generic to keep sinus draining. But I'm still coughing and some drainage weeks later, though no longer sick. Do take care. It's awful to be soick. Chicken soup with a little cayenne does help. I forget if you said, are you doing saline sinus rinse? I think that is what has helped me keep that virus I had from blocking me up so my sinus could brew into a bacterial infection. I use my Neil Med salt packets in water twice a day and if it's real bad once in a while toss two packets into the 8 oz of water. Burns so bad if I'm raw it makes my eyes water, but does draw off swelling and let sinus drain. Only do that once in a lom
NG while though.
Velda

[bikerchic777]

Velda...That scares me about the Prednisone After what I went through, with the withdrawal from generic Zyrtec, not sure what to expect. I did tell the Dr. I was nervous about taking a steroid. He said to take it for a couple of days and if it bothered me, stop. He recommended taking it to reduce inflammation, quickly. I do use a net pot, with purified water and sea salt. Probably why I didn't get a sinus infection. That burning is from too much salt. I know whenever I forgot if I put the salt in or not, it burns like you-know-what!!! I have to stop right away, and make a new mixture.

I have to tell you, this sick thing is for the birds I'm not used to it and it seems that it's everything at once! I got the whammy I swear I need to come up with an alternate plan to working here, for Amazon, in the fall. I have got sick every year and this is the second year I've had an injury to my foot. Last year wasn't at work, but the day before I started. Geesh!

[MandysMom]

Prednisone is Really helpful when needed. I don't like it but have come to know when it's best to just go ahead and take the darned stuff. I just know I need to be careful if I have to take it very long, like months which I had to do a few times. A few days to a week should help you turn the corner. Yes I know why the added salt burns. I follow the directions in the Neil Med box on that as they actually make double strength packets for this purpose. I never could see why buy the special packets when I could just,use two packets the rare occasion I need it. I know when I need it when I feel pressure build and the single use of the double stuff does the trick. I find Prednisone makes me feel a little queasy but that goes away in hours. And yes it will help quickly to reduce inflammation and that is a good thing with your ear problem and drainage.
I know what you mean about hating being sick. I'm the main caregiver in our family and whether I'm sick or well that job does not change. But taking care of yourself is what you need to do and if that area does not do your health good then you are right you need to think about an alternative for future. Hope you feel better soon. Don't stop the antibiotic when you feel better, finish it all unless otherwise instructed by the doctor.
Hugs
Velda

[JudyJB]

Good that you went to the doctor and ENT specialist. Yes, you can get addicted to prednisone, but it is unlikely he will keep you on it long enough to do that. Also, the addiction is not quite like other addictions--its just that your body will stop making its own prednisone after several weeks or months. That isn't going to do that in a few days. Most of the time, you will get a dose which gets less each day, but right now you probably need it to reduce the inflammation.

I get a lot less sick now that I don't have to go into an office every day. Hanging around other people at Amazon is probably what causes it so just be anti-social!

[bikerchic777]

Yes, it's just a couple of weeks of the Prednisone. I think I caught the darned bug when I was in VA, for my son's wedding. Lots of people, hotel, prepared foods (by who knows who). Plus, my son said he had a fever on his wedding night, but hung in there, with the best of em. After he said that, I sadly tried not to kiss him on the lips I haven't heard how he has felt since they left on their Hawaiian honeymoon. Hopefully, better than me!

Rented another movie, tonight. Last night I watched "Silver Linings Playbook", which I liked. Tonight, something a bit sillier, "A Million Ways to Die in the West". It was OK, but glad I rented it at Redbox for cheap. I really don't get to see many movies, but I get no major TV channels, here. Already took the boys out and they have gone to bed. It was windy, cold, and misty out. Good night to be inside. Think I'll turn on the electric blanket before I get ready for bed. Brutus and I like it all warmy

[BarbaraRose]

... so just be anti-social!...

Linda anti-social??!! Never gonna happen!

[snowball]

Hope the meds take effect soon Linda and that you start feeling better...
haven't been on the computer for so long so far behind
have a friend here in Q that says if I didn't have bad luck I wouldn't have any luck
friends towed me down to Q got me set up and find out that the genny isn't working and the inverter wants to charge
so it's back to the battery powered lanterns and no computer or tv time.. need to get it fixed the genny that is!!! and then heard
about the truck it's the transmission!!! dang guess from what I understood them to say when I had it done last fall it wasn't done well something
left in it didn't understand it all just the bottom line lots of money!!!
but right now in Phoenix enjoying some gal time
sheila

[RitaMc]

Linda, be sure and follow up on the Lyme's treatment. John was diagnosed with it last fall and was still being treated for it this last May. He still has some lingering side effects from the disease. It is not a disease to ignore. It is hard to diagnose as it mimics so many other diseases. His Dr recommended that if he still has symptoms he will be sent to an infectious disease specialist. The last round of antibiotics seems to have worked.

[avalen]

unwinding here and trying to work up my "tired" to go to bed. Its been a struggle all day for me to remember this was
just a day off and not Saturday and tomorrow I have to get up and go to work. Its one of those moments I can honestly
say....I can't wait until retirement, two more years after I get through this school year, and I can decide what I'm going
to do. In the meantime....I'm stressing because I need to get to bed so I can get up early and I'm not tired. I did a lot of
minor chores today, nothing big but little things that needed doing. Weather was nice and I took Scout for a walk, then I
took Maggie for a walk. Scout is easier to walk cause I don't have to worry about him being unsocial, Maggie is afraid and
very wary of others when we go for a walk so she is more stress to walk unless I walk on the outside perimiter. But
today I was on the inside just being social myself. Did a few weeds today, poop patrolled the yard and raked up a little
gravel too. Eventually I will have all the gravel in the back yard raked out. Did a little organizing in the shed, tossed
some stuff out and consolidated some other things. Also did the litter box today, a job I don't like but it has to be done.
I could sit here and ramble on and on but being on the computer isn't helping me get sleepy.

[BarbaraRose]

Ava, I make litterbox duty easy by using clumping litter and removing the clumps each day and putting them into a ziplock freezer bags (they don't smell in the garbage can like the regular baggies do) and throwing them away. That way, no lingering smell and the cat is much happier too, having a clean box to go in.

I've been tired lately. I think hibernation is setting in... Can't stand it getting dark so dang early!

To get relaxed and sleepy, I read, or make some cinnamon toast, or have some cocoa with Baileys in it. Or all three!

[Redetotry]

I've been tired lately. I think hibernation is setting in... Can't stand it getting dark so dang early!

To get relaxed and sleepy, I read, or make some cinnamon toast, or have some cocoa with Baileys in it. Or all three!

Having all three sounds like a good plan Barbie. I haven't had Baileys in ages. I used to like Kalua and cream on a cold night.