QuestionThe past two days went along like this;
I started my teaching intership last Thursday. So when my first full week started up yesterday (Monday) I drank some coffee and went off to school. I know that coffee can irritate me, so I went around each teachers room asking for tums or rolaids or whatever--pepto bismal, something! I figured it was just the coffe. I stayed in the bathroom for a very long time that day (though my supervising teacher understood; it's the beginning of the year and anyone without kids that's immersed into a room full of them is going to have a spastic immune system.) When I got home.. I started freezing. (Note; It's July in deep south USA.. it was about 90's on Monday.) I was wearing layered clothing but I curled up into my sheets anyway. I was still very, very freezing. We took my temp and it was at a 102 *F. (My normal body temperature has always been 96, 97.) I was cramping and in the toilet for a very long time. On Tuesday I was still cramping but with no fever--the cramps were like PMDD cramps only they were in the intestine--or they were intestine-bound anyway!)
Accompanied by nausea whenever I stood and if I sat up and those cramps if I ever changed position. Stomach flu I assumed!
So.. I stayed home. I felt a LOT better minus some dull cramps and the next day (today) I returned to school.
My tonsils were hurting this morning but a sore throat should never be an excuse to not go into work. By about mid-day I started getting migraine-like headaches and my throat felt like it was being rubbed against sandpaper everytime I swallowed. (I assume.. because I've never done that before.)
I started getting chills again around 2:45. I slapped on some layers and waiting til teacher-go-home-time at 3:30.
I came home and these chills are just messing me up so bad. I got under the cover with all my clothes still on to warm myself up. My body is so hot to the touch but my internal thermometer is telling me to seek out some socks. I couldn't sleep last night but for 5 hours. (Not my choice.)
Boyfriend advised me to nap but my neck won't comply with any bending or comfortable positions.
I'm still extremely bloated from the stomach flu and as I type this, nausea has began to find its way up my throat.
I know the flu is so far away.. and I want to assure you that if I feel any bit like this tomorrow morning, I am going to the doctor. I just was curious to seek out your medical opinion.
Oh.. my eyes are so heavy right now, and I wish I could sleep but something is keeping me away. (No caffeine since the whole stomach virus thing, but also.. no pain around my right hip, either.)
AnswerHello Tegan,
Wow, you do sound like your body is fighting a strong virus or bacteria. I am glad you're going to the doctor as that would be my first recommendation.
I am concerned about your stiff neck however, does it hurt if you try to put your chin on your chest? If yes, this could be serious and you need to go to emergency and tell them about your neckpain and other symptoms.
Hopefully your GP will identify the cause and offer a treatment to help it clear up in the near future. It certainly is bad timing too starting a new job and all, but people get sick and it can't be helped.
Wishing you a speedy recovery and continued good health,
Margot
