I think I have strep. I've been feeling off since Thursday of last week, and this weekend I developed this evil raw throat thing -- I don't cough, I don't feel congested, but I have a weird headache and it literally is too painful to swallow without a mouthful of water (so I've been drinking water like it's going out of style). I can't check for fever and I didn't observe any discoloration, but after Libby's mom swore it was congestion even if I didn't feel congested I took four Mucinex D yesterday and it never made me feel any better or helped the throat pain. I'm not leaking or coughing either. Is it safe to take Ibuprofen or something while Mucinex D is still in my system? How do I know? Why is there no website with a comprehensive digest of what medicines are not safe to take together? It doesn't have to be specific, just, like, "do not take this product with acetaminophen-based medication."

The worst part is that I can't sleep. If I sleep on my back my throat closes up and I choke, if I sleep on my stomach I can't breathe and I have to struggle to breathe and then I choke, and I can't sleep on my side so inevitably I'll fall asleep, get maybe 30-40 minutes of napping, and then turn onto my stomach or back and choke myself away. Repeat all night. It's so frustrating to wake up knowing it's still 4AM like it was the last time I woke up I could almost cry.

I've already taken this testthing, but

haku just did it and reminded me that it was pretty accurate for me. XD

5 - the Observer

"I need to understand the world"

Observers have a need for knowledge and are introverted, curious, analytical, and insightful.

How to Get Along with Me

Be independent, not clingy.

Speak in a straightforward and brief manner.

I need time alone to process my feelings and thoughts.

Remember that If I seem aloof, distant, or arrogant, it may be that I am feeling uncomfortable.

Make me feel welcome, but not too intensely, or I might doubt your sincerity.

If I become irritated when I have to repeat things, it may be because it was such an effort to get my thoughts out in the first place.

don't come on like a bulldozer.

Help me to avoid my pet peeves: big parties, other people's loud music, overdone emotions, and intrusions on my privacy.

What I Like About Being a FIVE

standing back and viewing life objectively

coming to a thorough understanding; perceiving causes and effects

my sense of integrity: doing what I think is right and not being influenced by social pressure

not being caught up in material possessions and status

being calm in a crisis

What's Hard About Being a FIVE

being slow to put my knowledge and insights out in the world

feeling bad when I act defensive or like a know-it-all

being pressured to be with people when I don't want to be

watching others with better social skills, but less intelligence or technical skill, do better professionally

FIVEs as Children Often

spend a lot of time alone reading, making collections, and so on

have a few special friends rather than many

are very bright and curious and do well in school

have independent minds and often question their parents and teachers

watch events from a detached point of view, gathering information

assume a poker face in order not to look afraid

are sensitive; avoid interpersonal conflict

feel intruded upon and controlled and/or ignored and neglected

FIVEs as Parents

are often kind, perceptive, and devoted

are sometimes authoritarian and demanding

may expect more intellectual achievement than is developmentally appropriate

may be intolerant of their children expressing strong emotions

Link: The Quick & Painless ENNEAGRAM Test written by felk on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

If it's not strep it's mono. You need to get tested for both.

If it IS strep they can give you happy good medicines and make you better. If it's mono, you'll just have to deal with the symptoms and suffer through - but the throat hurting should go away within the first week, after that it's just resting.

As for drugs, if you took it yesterday it should be out of your system enough by now for you to take some iubprophen. I recommend Strepsils or something similar that will taste decent whilst NUMBING THE FUCK out of your throat while you suck on them. They made me able to eat again when I had mono.

*HUGS* I hope you feel better soon hon <3

D: Mono, I didn't even think of that. oh so much fail. BLEH. Especially if I just have to suffer through -- I ride a bike to work, and on Monday my ten-minute ride home was HELL, my throat felt shredded and I was in burning agony for hours afterwards. I've had to take the last two days off because I know I can't make it there in this condition.

Maybe I will look up those lozenges you mention. The timing is terrible for the doctor's visit -- again, no car, and there's three inches of snow on the ground, and the doctor's office is JUST close enough that taking the bus would be ridiculous, and tomorrow when the snow might be gone is Thanksgiving, so it'll be closed anyway!

*loves* Thanks for the helpful tips.

If bike is too hard and bus is lame, spring for a cab just this once so you don't stress your throat. =/

And if it IS mono, tell your doctor you need a note to exempt you from work.

Mono is weird because, well, once the sore throat goes away, you'll feel fine as long as you rest. However, if you get up and start doing too much - like going to work - the exertion can cause your spleen to swell and possibly explode. >_>

If you push yourself to go to work or go out and do things you will just get much sicker much faster and have to take even MORE time away to get well later on. I was ill enough that going out to get stuff at Wal Mart with my mom for half an hour almost caused me to faint. Mom found me standing in the clothes, sheet white and looking like I was going to collapse.

Better to sacrifice a week now than a month in future, yah? =/

*HUGS* Hopefully you'll be over it quick if it's Mono (I took about 10-12 days) or better you'll luck out and it will be Strep. ^^;;;

*love*

Well, I don't know what it is, but it isn't strep, and the emergency clinic guy basically told me to ride it out. XD

But it looks like I'll be Thanksgivinging alone. :\

What

lady_zip said. Go get tested. Strep's easy to treat, even if it's miserable to suffer through. The quicker you get it done, the better - not only for you, but also because strep's nasty and contagious. XP

I got to a clinic and they could only tell me that it isn't strep. But whatever else it may be, it's still contagious enough that I can't attend Thanksgiving with weak and sickly relations. XD

They promised to bring me a slice of apple pie though!

Oh man, get better soon .__. ♥

Thank you for the kind words ♥

*hugs* I hope you feel better soon, Kay!

Thanks for the well-wishes~

Oh wow, that sucks. Being sick is no good. A lot of my co-workers have been coming down with stuff lately too. I hope you feel better soon!

Being sick is fail

5 - the Observer

"I need to understand the world"

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