[Hydrophobic1212]

Hello! I have been sick since Wednesday. It started out with a horrible sore throat, that was bad enough to be strep, so we kept an eye on it. But then the cold like symptoms started setting in. Stuffy nose, aching body, sneezing, etc.

Well, at first I thought it was just a cold, but I've had some pretty nasty colds before, but this one is really bad. I have a lot of trouble breathing, I can't sleep at night because I'll wake up having difficulty breathing, I have a constant headache, and my whole body is just tired and weak, more so than it usually gets with a cold.

I've also had a mild fever starting recently and I've just been so out of it, I really can't do too much. Cold medicine isn't helping me much either. I also have asthma, so I've been taking my inhaler a lot recently as well.

I am also starting to develop a cough. It's not bringing up mucus, but I read with "walking" pneumonia, it doesn't have to. It also hurts when I breathe in, in my chest area.

So, my question is, how can you tell if it's just a cold or if it's turned into something more? If I remember correctly, "walking" pneumonia is usually brought on gradually, yes? I'm not sure. I had it once before, but I was little so I don't remember.

I'm thinking I should just keep watching it, and see how it progresses. I can't go to the doctor unless my parents think that something is SERIOUSLY wrong, since we've spent all our doctor's expenses for the year already.

Like I said, it's only been since Wednesday, so I'm going to keep watching it, but I was curious to know how you tell when it's turned into something more?

And any ideas how to help me try and sleep at night?

Thanks!

[skeksi]

When you wake at night because you can't breathe, is it nasal congestion or a tight chest?

If it's your chest, you should go to the doctor to get checked. Shortness of breath/nighttime waking can indicate a chest infection and earlier treatment is better.

[Hydrophobic1212]

Originally Posted by skeksi

When you wake at night because you can't breathe, is it nasal congestion or a tight chest?

If it's your chest, you should go to the doctor to get checked. Shortness of breath/nighttime waking can indicate a chest infection and earlier treatment is better.

It's a bit of both. Taking my inhaler helps a bit, too, which is why I'm wondering if it's in my lungs because I don't think an inhaler would help with a stuffy nose.

I'm having my mom listen to my breathing tonight, so we can see if there's anything wrong with it.

[missbelle]

Sounds like you might have a touch of the flu. Did you get a shot this year?

[Hydrophobic1212]

Originally Posted by missbelle

Sounds like you might have a touch of the flu. Did you get a shot this year?

That's what I was thinking it was this morning. I woke up puking, but still had to go to work. Dx I didn't get the shot. I never do. I think I did once, but that's it.

[yellowted]

I am not sure where you are based, but over in the UK the flu jab is given routinely every October/november time to everyone who has asthma, if i don't make an appointment to get it, the nurse pulls me in when i collect my monthly script for my meds! throwing up wnen i get a cold/flu is a regular occurrance for me, usually it is due to a build up of excessive mucus dripping down my throat during the night, too much for my tummy to process, so within an hour or so of waking up my stomach evacuates it!
having asthma makes you very suseptable to chest infections, you should not mess around waiting, the quicker they are cought the less long term damage is done. a 5 day course of strong antibiotics should halt the infection though it can take weeks for the gunk to clear. i am still coughing up gunk 4 weeks after my last one!

in the absence of going to the doctors, try putting :
1 cinnamon stick
2 inches of root ginger cut in strips
a good pinch of whole cloves (the more you put in and the longer you infuse for the stronger the numbing effect on your tongue and throat)
a teaspoon of runny honey
juice of 1 lemon

into a mug or flask, fill with boiling water, leave to infuse till acceptible temperature to drink, drink the liquid.
every ingredient has healing properties. when i ran a nursery school for 36 kids aged 2-5 years old i drank this like others drink tea or coffee, not once did i get even a sniffle let alone a cold or flu!

hope you feel better soon x take care x

[bebop]

I have bronchitis and pneumonia right now. no stuffy head or anything with it and a very very non productive cough. no body aches..I am thinking what you describe as some type of flu. best to see a dr asap.