I’m highly contagious. Please wash your hands after reading this blog post. 😉
I’ve been quarantined all week. When I did venture out to the store to get bottled water, crackers & chicken broth I wore a protective scarf and gloves to keep my mouth & hands covered.
I did the same when I went to the Emergency Room – as much for MY protection as theirs. The lady being treated in the next bed over had Strep Throat. Ack! As a total germophobe, ER is one of the last places on this planet I enjoy “traveling” to. 😛
The CDC calls the Norovirus a travelers disease. It can be transmitted through people, or through contaminated food or water. Lovely! I can’t be 100% sure this is what struck me, but it seems the most likely culprit.
Of course this would have to happen right about the time I finally dipped below 150 pounds, achieving my big weight loss goal. 😐 Such is life, hey? 😛
Something is obviously wrong with me. The jitters, acute abdominal pain, nausea, extreme hot/cold sweats, bad dreams and insomnia, feeling edgy and having no focus. Then there was the violently sick stomach on Monday night, with the pain ever since. It’s possible there is something seriously wrong. I guess I’ve had a very real concern over it to go so far as to prepare a “go bag” for the hospital…
I thought it would pass. I tried to ride it out. I could tell I had a low grade temp from the bone-chilling shakes and hot sweats, and just feeling icky all over.
I was going through lotion and chapstick like a mad woman – literally, applying both every 10 minutes – and sucking down cold water and hot broth too. Dehydration setting in, no doubt. I finally had no choice but to take myself to the Emergency Room. My doctor encouraged me to go late Tuesday afternoon, but it wasn’t until Thursday morning (when my fever started to rise) that I finally gave in.
They did extensive testing, drew 4 vials of blood and took 3 x-rays, and ultimately decided I’m in amazing health… and that it must be viral. The hot/cold sweats, insomnia, night terrors, intense pain, nausea, etc made for a MISERABLE week.
I’ve been on oats, crackers & broth for days. I am NOT looking forward to the restart & keto flu after this! 🙁
This was worse than any food poisoning I’ve ever experienced. The abdominal pain was the most miserable (and scary) part. I was hardly able to move for a few days. Oddly everything was “working” just fine, so I’m not sure what was up with the pain with this thing, unless it’s just terrible inflammation – which would match the bloat & heat in my abdomen, and the symptoms for the Norovirus (aka viral gastroenteritis) which includes inflammation of the intestines. NOT.FUN.
Between the pain and the fever, sleep didn’t come easy.
I woke up every hour or so, sleeping at most a bit over 3 hours at any one time. I had intense nightmares and woke up feeling startled – either drenched in sweat, or shaking so hard it hurt. I felt edgy, shaky, sore, and… scared.
Often I just curled up in a ball with my eyes closed tight waiting for the wave of nausea to pass.
I track my sleep patterns on my FitBit.
They gave me phenergan at the hospital, which helped with the nausea – and also calmed me way down.
They advised me to stick to the crackers & oats, drink plenty of water, and of course rest as much as I could. Which is exactly what I did.
I am up 5 pounds as of today. I don’t really see it, and I’m guessing it’s mainly just water weight and bloating. I’m not worried about it. I threw my vanity out the window for the sake of getting well. 😉 😛 Of course I did TRY to stick to low carb foods at first, until even the thought of meat or eggs or even a vegetable started turning my stomach in a way that just was not helping the cause.
I finally slept 5 solid hours last night, and another 4 solid hours this afternoon – which is a good sign. I’m aiming to get back to my healthy low carb diet tomorrow, and hope to start exercising again too – though I have to make sure the pain is completely gone before I do, as I don’t want to aggravate any lingering inflammation. No rush.
I do feel better. Not well, but definitely better.
This was a scary experience, especially the moments the room started spinning and I was sure I was going to pass smooth out. It’s those moments that being home alone makes you realize how… alone you are.
I tried to be prepared. I packed a “go bag” in case I ended up in the hospital. I had a “walk out the door list” which included extra food & water for the danes, hiding a key in case I needed to call on someone to check on them, etc, etc, etc.
It was definitely not fun. I’m just glad to be on the better side of it now, and calmly recovering with the worst of it behind me.
In the most beautiful timing, we had a massive snow storm this week here in Tennessee. It was cosmic really. A sick day, a snow day, curled up in a big fuzzy sweater just watching the fluffy flakes fall and cover the ground while I sipped on a mug of hot chicken broth. Beautiful. 🙂
What about you – how’s your week going? I’m finally up and around a bit, and would love to catch up with you…
Best,
Lynn Terry,
aka @LowCarbTraveler
p.s. I was quite happy to get such a glowing health report on Thursday, despite feeling my worst. 🙂 That was good news!
(((hugs))) I’m glad you’re finally a wee bit better. Praying for a full recovery soon! My week? Absolute crap. Stress, scary diagnosis for TWO of my children – just this week alone. More less than stellar news on my own health – all this past week. Within a 2 day span, actually. I’m overwhelmed and not handling it all well. But this too shall pass, or at least we will adjust to the new normal.
Lynn, I am so glad you are starting to feel better! Your symptoms sound terrifying. I hope whatever you’ve had does not come back and you are feeling even better yet tomorrow! My week hasn’t been the best either. I hate the cold and snow and here in central IL that’s all we’ve had. I’ve also scheduled surgery in March for s knee replacement and I am not looking forward to that at all. Other than that things are good
My week has been a walk in the park compared to yours. Glad to hear your on the mend. Just please make sure you feel good enough before you start anything. Take your time and be gentle with yourself….. π
Glad to know you’re feeling better. I was wondering about your uncharacteristic silence/absence. Sounds like that was some scary stuff. Good to know you’re on the mend.
Wow I hope you feel better soon!! I started my journey on Monday and I am down 5.5 pounds you have to love the first week π we went to Fort Worth Stock Show today and I asked for a burger with cheese and veggies. They seriously looked at me as if I was speaking a different language LOL but it was good.
Wow! What an experience you had. I really need to get started again. Thank you for your progress. I was so proud for you when u reached below 150. I use to have that goal. It has gone up quite a bit since. I am just not motivated. I wish I had someone to work with me. To keep me accountable. Glad u r better.
Have you eaten any packaged salads from the grocery store? There were many people sickened with Listeria! I’m glad you’re feeling perkier! Don’t push yourself.
Glad you are better. Your absence from here has definitely not gone unnoticed. Missed you, and welcome back. I thought maybe the flu….Know you will have many comments here, SO…how do I track sleep on my Fitbit? Got the CHARGE HR, whatever,three weeks ago and just put it on last week..synced with iPhone. Suppose reading the tutorial again would help..thought it read once that I was awakened 14 times during the night-WHOA-I don’t think so..any tips will help. Thankful you are back to the land of the living and pray improvement for you daily.
Hey Lynn.
So sorry to hear you’ve been so sick. Hoping it gets better soon. I’ve been sick in bed for last 4 days, so I;ve been out of it also. But you said something that really struck a chord, in fact I told my son today, you really feel alone when your awfully sick , and by yourself. First couple nights I had all kinds of strange dreams. But Im glad they found you healthy overall. Feel better soon π
I was so happy when you reached our goal! Congratulations! You inspired me to get back in the low carb groove again. Maybe there is hope…lol. Glad you feel you’re past the worst of your illness. Be kind to yourself and take care.
I am so so sorry you’ve been so sick. I pray for your speedy recovery Sweetheart β‘
Sorry you went through all that! Do you get sick often when you travel? You may want to have your vitamin D checked. Robert and I travel a lot being evangelists and I was getting sick every time we went somewhere. Finally found out my vitamin d was 9 when it’s supposed to be between 30 and 60. Just a thought I had when I was reading your post.
HUGS
Glennette
So terrible! Don’t worry about the weight gain, just work on feeling better. Glad the hospital thinks you are healthy. That’s good news, at least.
So sorry to hear you’ve been feeling so bad, but sounds like you’re on the upswing now. We have been missing your posts, so figured you were laying low and trying to feel better. Take care and keep us posted as to how you’re feeling. You’ll be in my prayers. God will take care of you. You’re never alone. Feel better Lynn.
Please let us k ow the best Atkins products and where to find coupons. Thanks
Hi Amy π
See: http://www.travelinglowcarb.com/9244/atkins-photo-contest/ I listed the products there, with links. There are great suggestions in the comments too. π
Take it easy on, “Living A Life Worth Blogging About”!
Yikes Lynn, hope you feel better soon. Til then, I’m going to wash my eyes and my thumbs lol
With all seriousness, get well soon.
Lynn,
Your symptoms sound so much like what my husband went through a couple of years ago. It’s what sent us on our no grain/low carb/high fat journey. I firmly believe he had an autoimmune response to wheat and had leaky gut. If you read up on the SCD diet, they discuss what happens when toxins break through the intesinal wall. Your body goes into hyper immune response (rightly so) to fight the bacteria. He was sooo sick. We did not go to the doctor as they do not handle and many do not believe in this problem.
We gave him Oil of Oregano to fight infection (a natural antibiotic) and under the tongue doses of B Complex. When the gut is breached it usually does not accept or utilize tablet vitamins.
I only fed him homemade bone broth and the very cooked meat and fully cooked carrots or celery that were cooked in the broth. (All put in crockpot for about 8-10 hrs). Then only scrambled eggs cooked in coconut oil (very healing to the gut) and some whole milk yogurt with fresh banana or cooked apples (very soft and cooked to make them easier to digest while healing)
I learned this from http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info/ This helped him recover much faster, from a very, very scary health crisis. I’m not a doctor, but remember most doctors only get about 6 hours of training in nutrition, and that includes the food pyramid! Your diagnosis of being perfectly healthy is what makes me think you could benefit from what I just shared.
At the very least, the simple foods are easy to digest, and are really good for anyone sick. You don’t need the oats, crackers or other grain foods to heal. I know this is tought to have to cook if you don’t have anyone to help. But they are healing to the body and soul.
Bless you on your healing journey.
Lynda
So Glad your on the uphill now ! You more than likely caught that bug during your trip to Vegas.
Guess the saying is not true that everything that happens in Vegas stays in Vegas π
Aw that’s a shame you were so sick. I hope the pain leaves you soon. Sounds like the stuff that is going around up here in PA. Praying I don’t get it. Don’t worry about that little bit of weight gain. You are probably right it is water and inflammation. Hope you are feeling much better each day.
I knew something was up because you were so quiet all week… sorry you feel so sickly. Stay home, stay warm, stay safe and get well! Pamper yourself, you deserve it.
So worried about you because REALLY!!!…what would this community be without you!? So thankful you are getting better.
Lynn, I’m so sorry you have been so sick. We have had it here too, but not to the extent you have had. I didn’t eat anything for 3 days and still showed an increase of 3 pounds, although I did have a Canada Dry–that’s what my son gave me and I didn’t complain, besides, it tasted so good, also dehydrated. I’ll never understand how we can eat nothing when sick and still gain, but I figure it will be lost quickly as well, at least I’m hoping so. Having lupus and being 66 makes it a bit scary, and I had my flu shot. My son had it much worse, so guess the flu shot was helpful to a degree. I’m glad and relieved you are improving. Be careful and take it slow as this one doesn’t let go quickly. Take care and keep us updated. In the meantime, I’m praying for you. Hugs.
Aww. I was worried about you being absent from fb. I guess everything doesn’t stay in Vegas. Get well and enjoy your snow days the best you can.
So sorry to hear you were so sick. But I’m glade you are back to feeling better. As for me I am still dealing with some stress issues and trying to stay on track. This nasty weather it’s hard for me to get outside and do my walking. So I been doing some exercises inside the house but only some low key because I have a damaged knee that I have a brace on.
Glad you are feeling better… when you start again…. I will be ready to start with you… sometimes you just have to take care of yourself. God Bless!
Lynn, I am so glad you are feeling better and I know how bad the Norovirus can be!
I just want to thank you for sharing everything with us and keeping everything REAL. We all have ups and downs and, I, like many of your readers need the ‘REAL’ part to be successful in our own weight loss journeys. I am getting ready to begin my low-carb journey for the 3rd time so I will be looking all they way back as far as I can to follow your journey with my own to help me stay on track and know I am normal with challenges I may face. I know it will help because I have been following you for about 1.5 years and have always been able to relate to you! For heaven sake, I wish we lived closer to one another and could be friends……we have a lot in common!! π
Anyway, keep posting! You are awesome and I’m thankful to be following you!!
Take care and I pray you will feel back to normal as soon as possible!!
Pam C.
from SC
Hi Lynn,
Glad you are on the mend! Anne’s comment about the packaged salad & Listeria caught my attention. That pain you experienced seems strange to me…and made me think “could be”…anyway, what are your thoughts on increasing protein? I joined another group that follows an “OKL” chart & stresses getting in recommended protein FIRST, and limiting fat (ends up about 45-55% in the macros range)…so that our body will use our body fat for fuel instead of the fats from our food. I’ve been such a slow loser that I’m trying the revised macros. I just have a hard time hitting the protein daily so I don’t know about the results just yet.
My week has stunk; job shadowed for a new job on Monday-Wed., thought I had the job, then was told that the 84 year decided NOT to retire yet. What the heck….so I was truly disappointed. I live in Southern Illinois so we got just a smidge of the snow that you did…about 6″ total last week. Not too bad. I made some soups from IBIH, & stayed on track.
Thanks for your funny spin on life & take care of yourself!
Oh dear Lynn.. what a scary experience!! Glad you are on the road to recovery <3 I don't post much but follow your journey faithfully. feel better soon,.. Susie
Aww so sorry to hear you’ve been feeling terrible! Glad to hear you’re on your way to feeling better!!
I feel for you… I had Norovirus once and it was the most miserable thing I ever had. 10 days of hell. The only reason I didn’t end up in ER was my girlfriend’s husband is an Internist and he kept calling me on the phone and checking in on me…He kept walking me through what I needed to do….
Feel better!
Lynn,
Thanks so much for always showing the downs with the ups. (Or, maybe that’s supposed to work the other way around.) I’m late to join this month because I let a close death in the family take me totally off track. But the things you share are helping me turn it back around. So I wanted to say, Thanks.