Common Sense

I think I have an upper-respiratory infection. I’m not a doctor, but the sore throat and the fact that every one of my skeletal muscles is feeling achy seems to point to infection. Probably the only reason I haven’t had a fever is my daily Tylenol regimen. I’m not coughing and dI have minimal mucous production, so I don’t think I have any lung infiltrates or anything else to worry about.
Unlike most of you, I don’t run off to the doctor everytime I’m sick. I’m very opinionated about the overprescribing of antibiotics and the dangers therein, so I tend to try to help myself fight off viruses and bacteria. Plenty of rest, lots of Sunny Delight with all the extra Vitamin C. Maybe a hot shower or some Robitussin to soothe my throat.

Not to mention, it’s kind of like a vacation from my usual pain. Instead of the intense, constant pain in my leg, I’ve got a nice dull ache everywhere. It’s much easier to sleep this way.

Lack of sleep is probably why I picked something up. I was getting 3-5 hours sleep maximum every day because I was so good at lowering my tramadol dosage. And that was really because I was throwing in 6 Tylenol PM every day, too. Less sleep means lowered immune system.

Not only have I diagnosed my own infection, but I think I have found a reason why my leg hasn’t stopped hurting: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. It is a chronic pain condition that has a variety of symptoms that I seem to have. I meant to call today to my primary care physician to get a referral for a pain specialist who can diagnose this, but for the first time in a while, I was actually sleeping. I’ve got to be up in the morning for physical therapy so I’m going to call then.

I totally should have been a doctor.

I think I have an upper-respiratory infection. I’m not a doctor, but the sore throat and the fact that every one of my skeletal muscles is feeling achy seems to point to infection. Probably the only reason I haven’t had a fever is my daily Tylenol regimen. I’m not coughing and dI have minimal mucous production, so I don’t think I have any lung infiltrates or anything else to worry about.
Unlike most of you, I don’t run off to the doctor everytime I’m sick. I’m very opinionated about the overprescribing of antibiotics and the dangers therein, so I tend to try to help myself fight off viruses and bacteria. Plenty of rest, lots of Sunny Delight with all the extra Vitamin C. Maybe a hot shower or some Robitussin to soothe my throat.

Not to mention, it’s kind of like a vacation from my usual pain. Instead of the intense, constant pain in my leg, I’ve got a nice dull ache everywhere. It’s much easier to sleep this way.

Lack of sleep is probably why I picked something up. I was getting 3-5 hours sleep maximum every day because I was so good at lowering my tramadol dosage. And that was really because I was throwing in 6 Tylenol PM every day, too. Less sleep means lowered immune system.

Not only have I diagnosed my own infection, but I think I have found a reason why my leg hasn’t stopped hurting: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. It is a chronic pain condition that has a variety of symptoms that I seem to have. I meant to call today to my primary care physician to get a referral for a pain specialist who can diagnose this, but for the first time in a while, I was actually sleeping. I’ve got to be up in the morning for physical therapy so I’m going to call then.

I totally should have been a doctor.