It’s been a doozy of a week. Last Thursday I went to work and started feeling a bit clammy and woozy. I rarely get sick, but felt bad enough to take the afternoon off. I went home and literally crashed in bed. I started getting chills and couldn’t seem to get warm enough no many how many blankets I piled on top of myself. When the chills subsided, my body seemed to be on fire and I didn’t want anything covering me. When I finally took my temperature, it was 103.6 😞
I spent the weekend feeling awful, sleeping a lot and drinking SO much water. My appetite was effectively gone. Ted was a sweetheart and checked on me, but wasn’t able to do anything to make the pain go away. Finally after taking acetaminophin every four hours to keep the fever at bay all day Saturday and Sunday, I decided that I would go to Urgent Care as soon as they opened Monday Morning.
Monday morning came and I was optimistic that I would finally have answers to what was going on with me. I went in and waited a bit before the RN took me back to an exam room. He was very attentive and repeated my symptoms back to me. The RN left and the PA came in. He was pleasant and friendly. I told him my symptoms and said that it felt very similar to years back when I had a UTI. A skeptical look crossed his face, and he asked if I had a “burning sensation” when I peed. I said no, and before I had a chance to say that I didn’t the previous time I had a UTI, he shook his head back and forth and said it definitely wasn’t that. Looking back, I should have requested that he order a UA, but I was a bit in shock. He went on to say that he thought it might be COVID. He kept pressing me about having respiratory symptoms. I said that I hadn’t had any, but he ordered a nasal swab and tested for COVID, RSV, Influenza A and B. Before I left, he said that when I received the test results, if they were negative, it would probably just be 3 or 4 days, and I’d be feeling better. All tests came back negative.
At the end of the day, you know yourself best.
Abigail Johnson
Tuesday morning I woke up with a fever once again. I took more acetaminophin. I KNEW something was wrong, so after working for half the day, I called my primary care physician, hoping I could get in to see her. Fortune smiled on me and I was able to get in the following afternoon. After speaking to the nurse and giving her my symptoms, the doctor came in. She was genuinely concerned about my fever lasting as long as it did. She ordered a stomach x-ray, a UA and a white blood cell count. When I left the office, I felt as if my concerns had been heard and I felt better already just knowing that I would soon be able to get to the bottom of this.
Thursday late morning I received a call from the nurse at my provider’s office. She said that my white blood cell count was “dangerously” high and told me the doctor recommended coming in for a shot of antibiotics to be followed up with oral antibioties for seven days. I came in for the shot and she told me then that if I felt any worse, I should immediately go to the ER. My WBC was at 24.9 and the refrence range was 4.5-10.5. I was immensely frustrated that I had wasted so many days that I could have been recovering. I do plan to write a letter to the Urgent Care facility expressing my dissatisfaction with the treatment I received and to request that the staff, especially the PA, learn to l
The lesson I learned from this ordeal is that I know myself better than any medical professional and next time I feel my concerns are not being taken seriously, I will speak up right then and not allow my concerns and questions to be dismissed. Thanks to my amazing PCP, I am feeling 100% better at the beginning of this week. 🙂
picturingpositive 
Yikes! Glad you’re feeling better. Maggie
Thanks so much, Maggie! 😊
That did sound pretty scary for fever and all to last so long. Glad you finally got some medicine that worked and are feeling better. 🙂
Thanks so much!! 😊 It was a huge relief to finally be listened to! Hope you have a fantastic week!
Thanks! 🙂
I am so glad to hear you got results & yes, eventhough they are the professionals, we have to know & listen to our own bodies.
I’m dealing with a similar situation that I was told is vertigo, but can tell something deeper is going on. So I’ve had to be firm with Healthcare staff because people simply aren’t doing their jobs these days. Especially depending on the type of insurance coverage. Praying for a speedy recovery my dear.
I think for sure it has to be up to us to keep insisting. I have heard far too many stories where people’s concerns were brushed off for too long and by the time they sought another opinion, it was too far gone. I am definitely blessed that I have pretty decent insurance, but I truly feel for those that seek a diagnosis at Urgent Care, are dismissed, and can’t afford to seek a second opinion. That’s why I am going to be writing to the clinic to voice my concerns. I pray for a quick resolution to your concerns as well. All the very best to you! 🙂
That’s is what stood out & I appreciate you writing in. Not giving up & taking that next step regardless of how challenging, is worth it. I have & will continue to do the same, thank you.
Sorry to hear you were unwell Beth and glad you are better. We all have to advocate for ourselves. health workers have been so busy for so long, they need any help we can offer. Stay well. Allan
Thank you so much, Allan! 🙂 I definitely feel for our health care workers and appreciate all their hard work. I need to make sure from here on out that I do advocate for myself and insist on being heard. 🙂 Hope your week is off to a wonderful start!
Beth, So glad you are feeling better and finally got the results that you needed. Bernadette
I am glad you finally got the treatment you needed. That could have gone into sepsis which is really scary.
Thank you, LuAnne! 🙂 I can’t even imagine feeling worse, so I am very grateful to my awesome PCP who took my concerns seriously. 🙂 Thanks so much for taking the time to comment!