Ooof, poor smonster.

Jilli, I'm just going to put this out there and then step away from the conversation - I think you need a second opinion.

Hmm, that's an interesting article, thank you for pointing me at it! I will re-read it when I'm not dealing with the aftermath of a flooded basement. I will say that my doctor has talked about how she doesn't think open-ended rounds of antibiotics are the answer, which is part of the reason we're doing another round of even more specific tests for co-infections, and look at seeing what can be done to specifically treat those, then look at diet/exercise/supplements to get the other issues under control.

When I first got the diagnosis, I went head-first into Google, and read some things based off of the article you linked me to. So I am going into this at least quasi-informed.

But again, thank you for giving me that link. Because the more information I have, the better.

Goodness, it sounds like everyone's health is suffering at the moment. Much, much health~ma, Bitches.

Anything that would prop up my shantytown of an immune system? Like...supplements/vitamins/whatever? I am just so goddamn tired of feeling this shitty.

I like echinacea. You can buy it in health food stores. It's a herbal thing. Does seem to help.

I haven't been deliberately neglecting myself; it's just easy to forget about the neti pot, or to not get enough sleep because I want to read just one more chapter (or continue cruising the interwebs), or not get enough fluids because I'm busy reading just one more chapter (or the interwebs). But yeah, I need to take better care of myself, especially until whatever this is abates.

I can completely relate. I'm supposed to get a LOT more rest than I do. But it's just so boring. I hope you can get more sleep, fluids etc, Teppy, and wishing you less cold soon.

Jilli, I hope the meds help with the chronic stuff. Does not sound fun. I agree with Jessica that it's worth getting it looked into further, too. I had post-viral fatigue syndrome for two years, and was on the wrong medication for a while. I hope they can sort it out soon for you.

Hil, I hope your asthma attack wasn't too bad. Are you affected by the cold?

I am always tired and creaky! But I think it has to do with not sleeping well. Though apparently my mom has fibromyalgia (in addition to both parents having sleep apnea), who knew?

Ooh, definitely worth getting it looked into, meara. My fibromyalgia causes major sleep problems. I can't hit the deepest level of sleep, which means tiredness all the time. There are meds that help, so it's worth getting it looked into if you think it could be a problem for you.

smonster, wishing you much less itching soon. You poor thing.

Well, my health is surprisingly good this week (I blame sleep meds!) so I'm hoping to get lots and LOTS of work done. I am a terrible procrastinator at the moment. I need to find ways to pretend I have deadlines. This whole "submit work when you get round to it" approach from my supervisor is adorable, but not good for me.

Tons of health~ma to everyone! Yikes people. Smonster, I hope the itchies pass soon.

As for when you could have been bitten by a critter, is it possible, timing-wise you could have been bitten during the picnic in the cemetery in New York? How long ago was that?

Safety~ma to all the snow-bound Buffistas. Stay safe, sound, and snug as a bug in your warm houses.

I lurked a bit today. But my memory is crappy so suffice it to say ~ma to those with health problems, life problems, home problems, etc. I hope things get on an even keel for everyone soon.

I spent my day going to a Victorian event at the LA Arboretum. I was a bit underwhelmed by the Victorian stuff, but happy to get to go into buildings that only get opened twice a year.

I spent my early evening tagging and uploading the last couple weeks' worth of pictures including todays pics from the Arboretum. [link]

THEN I spent the last hour or so paying for an upgrade to 1Password because my address seems to have been one of those compromised in the Anonymous leak from Gawker.com And then I went on to change passwords for about 6 of my major sites. Not that they used the same password as anything I would have used on the Gawker family of sites but because my ignorance of what is and what isn't possible in the hacking world has me probably overdoing it. I currently have a hate-on for 4chan.

I have made myself an appointment for first thing in the morning. The swollen tonsils have gotten out of control, which is what I expected after having to be out in sub-zero weather (in spite of keeping face covered). What annoys me is that I'm seeing the nurse practitioner, who likes to test for strep. I wonder if I can successfully argue that with no fever present, the strep test is unnecessary. Then again, if I win that argument, will I lose by not getting the antibiotic that I think I need for the tonsils.

Hil, I hope your asthma attack wasn't too bad. Are you affected by the cold?

It wasn't too bad. Used my inhaler and got better almost immediately. The cold affects me, but my biggest trigger is going back and forth between the cold outside and the heated inside -- going in either direction tends to trigger attacks. Probably doesn't help that the couch where I was napping is right beneath a really drafty window -- I love living in a Victorian house, but I really need to find something to block these drafts.

I hope you get some help for the tonsils soon, WS.

Anything that would prop up my shantytown of an immune system? Like...supplements/vitamins/whatever? I am just so goddamn tired of feeling this shitty.

I like echinacea. You can buy it in health food stores. It's a herbal thing. Does seem to help.

I have a lot of pollen/plant life allergies, so echinacea and I don't always see eye to eye, unfortunately.

I hope you get some help for the tonsils soon, WS.

Thanks.

I love living in a Victorian house, but I really need to find something to block these drafts.

Don't want to do plastic? You could maybe find a window quilt, or insulated curtains.

I wonder if I can successfully argue that with no fever present, the strep test is unnecessary. Then again, if I win that argument, will I lose by not getting the antibiotic that I think I need for the tonsils.

I don't get much of a fever with strep anymore, unless I let it go. Luckily (?) , I know what it feels like so get the test ans if I want it -- it always coms back positive