New Flu Strain

[pehayes]

Normal Flu = aches, pains, headache, fever, coughing, nausea, vomiting, etc.
Forgetaboutit.

New strain = Steamroller

I went to bed last Tuesday night just fine.  Woke up at 3am and was literally paralyzed in bed.  Everything worked OK, but it was like knives stuck in my long muscles if I tried to move.  Couldn't roll over.  Couldn't get out of bed.  After lots of moaning and spousal assistance I got to the loo and back into bed.  Felt perfectly fine as long as I lay there like a slug.  Don't dare move.

Today is day-7 and I can finally spend an extended time typing this.  ER put me on TamiFlu starting Friday night.  It was as if I got run over by a steamroller and he backed up to figure out what he had hit.  Every muscle was in pain.  Not so much the joints.  Never had any cold or intestinal issues.  Just muscles.  After about 4 days the pain subsided and disappeared.  My muscles were useless.  Couldn't stand to get off the loo.  No grip strength.  Couldn't hold a pen to do the crossword.  Couldn't lift a cup of coffee with one hand.  Couldn't dress myself.  Fingers feel like there is a 2-pound weight tied to each.  Just sitting up makes me exhausted.  My son had the identical symptoms starting about 3 days ahead of me and he seems nearly 100% now so I hope it is only a few more days for me.  I can't imagine pulling a clutch handle.  I can't imagine turning the key switch!  Certainly not doing any wrenching.

I did have a Flu shot but it obviously doesn't guard against this one.  If it hits you, start binge-watching TV and don't push it.  You can't speed it up and it will just hurt while you try.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[Chuck in Indiana]

Wow!!

[CalVin2007]

We're all gonna die.

   "Captain Tripps"? 

   Hope you feel better, Patrick....that really stinks.

   Terry

[normzone]

" We're all gonna die. "

Yes, but before that occurs I want to try [pehayes] version of the flu.

There is some new California approved herbal pain medication that I want to try.

[Rich A]

...I think I feel something coming on...(not really)

Yikes, sounds nasty.

Rich

[canuguzzi]

Both of us (no, not my other personality, my wife) had flu shots but right after one of those office parties she got really sick, just now recovering.

Seems like every year the new strains of flu get around the shot and they are worse than the year before. The flu, doesn't sound bad until you get it.

[Nic in Western NYS]

I am NOT a physician but this reminds me of patient reports of dengue fever.  I have no idea whether those mosquitoes are active during January. 

http://patch.com/california/fremont/serious-health-warning-mosquito-carries-dengue-yellow-fever-chikungunya-found-0

[Sasquatch Jim]

  Damn! That sounds like as much fun as a stick in the eye.

[George_S]

Just weakness and muscle issues without other symptoms? Doesn't sound like the flu to me.

I saw a NJ state health dept report less than a month ago and it said the flu hadn't even been reported in the state yet.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I am NOT a physician but this reminds me of patient reports of dengue fever.  I have no idea whether those mosquitoes are active during January. 

http://patch.com/california/fremont/serious-health-warning-mosquito-carries-dengue-yellow-fever-chikungunya-found-0

I've never even seen a skeeter in SoCal.

[jrt]

Sorry to hear Pat.  Hope you feel better soon.
On the upside, it doesn't sound like the type of flu that causes respiratory failure. 

So, you're not dead.  That's good.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Sorry to hear Pat.  Hope you feel better soon.
On the upside, it doesn't sound like the type of flu that causes respiratory failure. 

So, you're not dead.  That's good.

True, true. Not dead is good.. :smiley:Get well soon, Patrick, and when you have the strength, give Regina a hug. 

[acogoff]

     Sounds about like when the Doc put my heavy drinking  neighbor on lipitor. Pretty much seized up the muscles.
   Get well soon.

[elvisboy77]

Get well soon!

[Arizona Wayne]

Well, flu shots give you a dose of flu so your body can build up an immunity to a stronger version of it.   Thing is, there are many flu versions and it's a crap shoot if the shot you give will stop you getting a flu that you are exposed to later.  My wife always got sick after a flu shot and I have not gotten 1 for years and haven't gotten the flu either. We're both retired so don't get mingled with the public that much so I think that's the best way to avoid getting the flu when it's active.  Just my 2 cents. 

[blackcat]

Both of us (no, not my other personality, my wife)

Funny.

[George_S]

Well, flu shots give you a dose of flu so your body can build up an immunity to a stronger version of it.   Thing is, there are many flu versions and it's a crap shoot if the shot you give will stop you getting a flu that you are exposed to later.  My wife always got sick after a flu shot and I have not gotten 1 for years and haven't gotten the flu either. We're both retired so don't get mingled with the public that much so I think that's the best way to avoid getting the flu when it's active.  Just my 2 cents. 

Actually, the way I understand it, the flu shot doesn't give you a slight flu. The - stimulates your immune system to that virus, but somewhere in the process  your immunity lowers in general for a short while and you are susceptible to other illnesses. You probably get a cold. That's why people think the flu shot didn't work since they got sick anyway. But if they looked at it realistically, they didn't get the flu. You KNOW when you get the flu.

[davedel44]

I've never even seen a skeeter in SoCal.

With all the rain and warm weather you very well might.  If you don't I'll be happy to send you some.  When the weather gets even a little cold here ours hide in the storm drains. 

BTW was in LA mid December and had a mosquito buzzing around the hotel room, but that one may have followed me from Texas.

Dave
Galveston

[Texas Turnip]

Get wel soon. Give us an update on your brother that had the accident in Nevada.

Thanks,
Tex

[pehayes]

I'm back to about 90%.  Now, grip strength and fatigue are the only issues.  Should be done by the end of the week.  BTW, for those who are medically knowledgeable, my CK numbers spiked during all of this.  Not rhabdo bad, but enough that they are trying to drown me to help flush and protect my kidneys.  So, this "FLU" apparently actually attacks the muscles for deterioration.  More than just a pain nuisance.

Ken:  Thanks a huge bunch for thinking about my brother.  You will remember he had a 65mph head-on with a crossing pickup on Historic 66 in northern Arizona.  While everything was mashed and stressed, his dominant injuries were a fully detached/dislocated elbow and a crushed foot.  He still has a long way to go, but he's doing really well in his rehab.  He now walks slowly about 250 yards without much of a limp but is then exhausted.  He's tossing a medicine ball with his therapist.  Still a long time before he can get back on his Guzzi or swing a golf club.  All things considered we are thrilled with his progress.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[cruzziguzzi]

If I do get sick, I'm known to have the most abbreviated of afflictions amongst family and friends.

I was laid low last week for about 30 hours with an amazing sneak attack of some form of the epizoodics.

Got past it and moved on. Now, in reading Pehee's post, I'm wondering about my ailment.

Bummer Patrick, the notion of feeling like that for daaaays.... Musta been a bit frightening.


Todd.

[oldbike54]

Hmm...

  Always reminds me of an exchange between a brother and sister , offspring of a friend .
The teenage son went through a stage where hygiene was not a priority and his sister did not approve, Thanksgiving day he attempted to hug her , she said " Get away from me , you smell like a hamster"

  Dusty