Heads up to all members...

[Heather3418]

There is a new strain of flu going around that is resistant to the vaccine that many of you HOPEFULLY got.  The vaccine that most of us did get, should help lessen the severity of this new strain.  BUT...I had temperatures around 102 and I was flat on my back for 16 straight hours.  Barely enough energy to get out of the bed to piddle.  When I say that I felt like I had been run over by a Mac truck, I really do mean it.  I couldn't eat, drink and was even too sick to take a drag of a cigarette...which is not a bad thing.  I couldn't even stand to be touched.  A cold rag on my forehead felt like torture, so this is a mean virus.

This virus has been on the news.  Any of you that come down with the flu need to make sure you protect yourselves and others, by frequent handwashing and if you've had it, make sure you sterilize your bedsheets and such, to try and prevent spreading.  

I heard that this virus is now making it;s rounds in some nursing homes in the Virginia, Maryland area and is revelant out in the mid-west.  So do all that you can to prevent exposure in the first place.  Door knobs in public places, public bathrooms, etc.  If you have children that has the flu, please keep them at home and do not send them back to school, until you are sure that they are not contagious.  You as parents are smart enough to know what to do...

Five children in Virginia have died thus far, since this flu outbreak.  I do not know the number of senior citizens.

But PELASE take care of yourselves and take come extra precautions with frequent handwashing when out in public places....I was one sick lady and certiainly do not want to see anyone else here, have to go through this virus.  It's a toughie.

I love you all and I just don't want to hear about any of you becoming sick.  I know how many of you suffer from terrible problems with MS and even those without a diagnosis of MS...I don't want you sick...you have enough to deal with.  I know we have a resident "den mother," (Quix) but I need to play mommie here and want to protect all of you with some head's up advice.  BE CAREFUL.

I love you all.  Much more than you probably realize....

Big (((HUGS)))))

Heather

[Heather3418]

I thought the flu bug was over, but started getting sick again last night.  Was up all night and still cramping like you know what this morning, so I guess this bug is NOT over.

Geeeshhhhh!  Am looking for a break here.  My body has had enough.  Hope you all miss this dern thing...it's not pleasant at all.  I would rather give birth a hundred times over than keep going through this thing.

Heather

[young at heart]

THIS FLU STRAIN HAS ALREADY HIT OHIO,MY BROTHER IN LAW WAS TERRIBLY SICK WITH IT FOR A FEW WEEKS.

MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER HAD IT,IT WASN'T ANYTHING TO FULL AROUND WITH

HEATHER I HOPE YOU ARE FEELING BETTER.

I WAS ON CHANTIX FOR 6 WEEKS IT DONE A GREAT JOB ON THE SMOKING SENSATION,I HAD TO STOP IT BECAUSE IT RECKED HAVOC ON MY STOMACHE AND IT INCREASED MY SPASMS.

MANY OF MY FRIENDS HAVE DONE VERY WELL AND HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL WITH IT.

T

[LLWB]

I have to throw in a comment about the smoking. I am now in week 3 of taking Chantix..It is the best thing I have ever tried. You smoke for the first 7 days taking it, then quit. I  do not even have a desire for a digarette, even if I smell it. I only think about it maybe twice a day. I took Wellbutrin before, but Chantix beats it hands down, for me anyway. It is expensive, and insurance won't cover it, but at 2 packs a day I figured cigs......pills......cigs........pills....the pills won.They recommend 3 months minimum, but am going to try only 2, can't afford more.
Good luck to you both.....I didn't get flu shot either, am crossing my fingers...toes...legs...etc.....Maggie

[doni54]

I'm sorry you have been so sick, but like always you are still worrying about all of us.

Thanks for the warning, I had heard something about this new strain on the news too.  Scary!

You take care of yourself and I hope you feel better soon.

Lots of Hugs
doni

[kitten o]

SO SORRY YOU GOT HIT WITH THAT BAD A-S FLU.
THANKS FOR LETTING US NO ABOUT THIS.
PLEASE FEEL BETTER SOON.
YFA   KITT

[Eliza3]

Thanks for the warning. My son had a virus back in Sept. His doctor said it was not contagious. He had a fever of about 102 for 3 to 4 days his eyes turned beat red he could not breath. I went to see him. In October I came down with it even though his doctor said it was not contagious. I had the same symptoms fever and eyes turning beat red I looked like your eyes were bleeding. He and I both ended up on antibiotics. When I went to see my doctor I gave it to him. Once we got on antibiotics in about 3 days we both were up feeling great but very tired.

I have to tell you a funny story about feeling like you have been run over by a Mac truck.
When I was 4 I wanted my mom to fix me a peanut butter sandwich. She told not right now she felt like she was just run over by a mac truck. So I went to our neighbor and I told her my mom was just run over by a mac truck and I want a peanut butter sandwich. Of course she called my mom to find out what happened. We all had a good laugh.

Take care of yourself
You are in my prayers
Elizabeth

[dowma]

I'm so sorry to hear that you were so ill, I hope your feeling better.  I live in New York and haven't heard of this terrible strain of flu going around.  I haven't been officially diagnosed with MS but my doctors recommended that I not get the flu vaccine this year or the previous year.  I guess it's because they thought I had a "viral syndrome" not too sure.  
Well I hope your recovering and thats great advice you have given us.  
Your right it's not too bad about the smoking, I'm currently beating my head against the wall trying to quit, started Wellbutrin again and hoping that helps.
Feel well and big hugs sent out to you!
Mary Beth