Something Very Scary That Happened to Me

I thought I'd share this with everyone about my little scare two Wednesday's ago. It all started the following Monday when I felt pretty bad. It felt like the flu to me, but I hung out and felt better on Tuesday and then even better on Wednesday. That was until when me and my girlfriend had company over for dinner that night. After I ate (which I didn't finish and that's unusual for me) I felt dizzy and nauseous to a level I've never felt.

Next thing I knew I was being woken up and immediately after that I was covered in sweat. I did notice that my girlfriend was on the phone with the 911 operator, and at the time I was thinking that I was O.K. and that I didn't need any help. I didn't say anything at the time and just let the paramedics come on over. I wanted to move to the couch which I did slowly I think. I found out as I'm "waking up" that I passed out for about a minute or two.

The paramedics arrived and there was six of them doing all sorts of tests and to see if I'm fine. They couldn't get a good reading on my vitals due to the fact that I was perspiring pretty heavily. I did notice that they did a blood sugar test, and it was fine. One of them did recommend that I'd be taken to the emergency room. At first I wasn't sure due to the fact that I was thinking "how much is this going to cost?" but then I gave in and said go ahead. It was the first time that I had been taken to the hospital in an ambulance.

When I arrived at the ER they did all sorts of tests on me and I was there for about 4 hours. I had an X-Ray done on my chest to see if every thing's O.K. as well as a CAT scan done on my head. The ER nurse did tell me that I wasn't drinking my Gatorade due to the fact that my potassium level was low and that I was dehydrated. They put me on a saline IV and then later on a potassium drip mixed with saline so that it wouldn't burn going in. I think all of that stemmed from what I was fighting at the beginning of the week. The ER doctor told me that I should follow up with my doctor just in case, and he also told me that my sinuses were clogged from what the CAT scan told him.

I called my doctor and got an appointment for the following Friday which my mother was going to drive me to the doctor's office in case I didn't feel up to driving. I knew I didn't because I still felt rather weak. The clogged sinuses I knew what that was because it hurt when I touched my eyes through my eyelids. I have had these since I was very young which was a sinus infection. I was prescribed amoxicillin and I was taking that twice a day for 2 weeks. My girlfriend got me chicken soup, bananas, and Gatorade since she knew I would be needing them (since she works for a grocery store).

For the beginning to the middle of last week, it was rather rough when I was at work, but I still did my job. By Thursday, I felt like my old self, and I know I shouldn't have stayed as late as I did on Thursday but we had a software problem and we couldn't do any printing of any kind on our high speed laser printers. Even though I felt better I didn't push myself too hard, but we did get everything taken care of and back in business.

Now I feel like my old self even though I know I'm still taking the antibiotics. I know I never want to go through that again. I guess I'm going to have to do everything I can do to keep my potassium level at normal which I though was odd since my last blood work was done only a few months ago and it was normal. All I can say, I'm glad and thankful for all the help from the paramedics and the ER staff at the hospital.

 

I'd be interested in how it turns out. In some ways it sounds like what my Dad had/has. We're still waiting for results from the tests on him.

 

sorry to hear that happen to you i had that happen to me afew times and i hated it. Glad to hear your doing better.

 

Yup, it is scary...been there, done that. You'll get strong again and be able to leave this behind you as history Hang in there!

 

Sorry you got sick, B.T.V.N., but glad you're over it now.

There is a few very virulent Influenza strains going around this year, that seem to attack the sinuses, and of course, that is in close proximity to the brain.

I went through a few bad scares last year as well.

 

Even though your feeling better take it slow for a while, relapses are worse.

 

Must be some nasty viral infections and the likes, floating around the UK at the moment.

Both my parents (in their 70's) returned home recently to a welcome of 2-3 days in bed.

Glad to hear your OK mate!

Don't forget your girlfriend....hehe! good ones are hard to find!

Regards

 

<slaps his forehead> Oh yeah! I must not forget my girlfriend who called 911. How silly of me.

Yeah, I think it was something viral or flu related, but I know I felt like my old self and even played cards last Saturday which I haven't felt like doing that in a while. I just finished off my antibiotics last night and I know I am about 95% better. I still have some congestion, but not what I had a the start of my illness.

I have a follow up appointment from my physical in April so I'll be doing blood tests for the doctor and hopefully my potassium level is okay. I'm hoping it will be okay.

I'll keep y'all posted!
Thanks a bunch!