Do I Need To See A Doctor? Or Can I Tough This One Out At Home?

Terisa

New member
I hope someone with more knowledge on the matter can help me. I have very poor health coverage so I want to know if it's necessary to visit the doctor regarding my symptoms :(.

It all started Tuesday morning (3/31) at about 6:30am. I woke up about an hour before my alarm and felt the coming of what I considered a nasty cold. I felt chilly and extremely tired. Even walking to the bathroom took a great deal of energy. I turned off my alarm and decided to sleep it off. I ended up not going to class later that morning and didn't get out of bed until 3:30pm! Well, excluding bathroom trips; I was told to drink lots of fluids when I'm sick so I did exactly that. I also had a headache but I'm not sure if that was later that night or the following night. One Advil took care of the headache though.

Later that night I felt much better but still had a mild "light headed" feeling. I knew I wasn't 100% better yet but I figured I was on the road to getting better :).

On Wednesday (4/1) I either developed a a sore throat (or if I had one already, it got worse). I cough occasionally but had to cringe a little to swallow. I wasn't tired or chilly like I was on Tuesday, so these were new symptoms that seemed to have replaced the ones from the day prior.

Thursday (4/2) I still had the sore throat. I don't think it was getting better, but more of me getting used to it. My voice was deepened and I had to use more energy to project my voice. I also started getting nose bleeds which were pretty rare for me to get. I was surprised I didn't have a runny nose since I figured that was a common symptom. That night my ears started to feel a little clogged (primarily my left ear but both were affected). My hearing was impaired by this. That evening I went to bed at midnight (which is the normal bedtime for me) but awoke 45 minutes later with pain in my left ear. This pain kept me from sleeping. I eventually got out of bed and took one and a half Advil. (It's uncommon for me to take Advil or any medication so this is rare to need them twice in one week). I tried to go back to bed but with no luck. I then powered on the computer and did a little research. It said that warm steam can help the ears so I took a hot shower and kinda felt better. (Well, better enough to fall asleep anyway.) I also took a third of a Vicodin just to help me sleep. First time I ever took Vicodin but I had a prescription lying around from a few weeks ago from stubbing my toe. I probably fell asleep around 3am ish.

Friday morning (today) I woke up at about 1:30PM (I turned the alarm off last night and called out of work). My ears are still clogged, my hearing is still impaired, my throat is still sore, and I had a very short nose bleed in the shower this morning.. or rather at 1:30pm :rolleyes:. I figured enough was enough and I need some advice, but I really only want to see the doctor if it's necessary. If I need medication I will go, but if he's only going to give me information that I can find online, I may just relax at home and save the money. I know I need better health coverage but I'm a student and beggars can't be choosers. I'm lucky my dad's insurance takes me still.
 
I understand that the doctor's visit will not be cheap for you, but i think you really should go see him. you can get plenty of information off the internet but you can't get checked or diagnosed and you cannot be given a prescription. it sounds to me like you need antibiotics. ear and throat pain can become excruciating, you don't want to get to that point, you probably have an infection, please go see the doc, it will be worth every penny.
 
It sounds like you are fight at the minimum a sinus infection and an ear infection and probably strep if not an upper respritory infection. So, as a mother of boys who hate to admit that they need to see a doc, please got and see one! Ear infections are nothing to mess with and neither are sinus infections.

If nothing else he will get some of the gunk out of you...go and make us feel better, 'K?
 
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