I think I have the flu « Back to Group Discussions

[Ninetales]

Thursday after my chiropractor appointment I noticed I was having a lot of back pain. I assumed it was from rushing through my appt to get to work on time and/or working extra this week. Then at my sil's baby shower yesterday I noticed I was really cold while everyone else was hot. Then after getting home the coughing started. It's phlegmy, not dry, though.

I've only had it once before and it was like seven years ago and of course I wasn't pregnant then. I'm not sure what to do. My dr's office is closed for the weekend and my insurance is changing tomorrow. I don't want to have to deal with inevitable screwups, especially since I'd have to go to a clinic. But if I'm in actual danger here I don't want to take chances.

?

[IntuitiveJamie]

Oh no, I'm so sorry. The flu is so yucky feeling!

I'm personally in the camp that is unafraid of the flu. I've had it several times when I was younger. I'm not sure when it became this really big deal in this country. But that's just my belief. 

If I were you, I would eat as much fresh garlic as you can get down, obviously fluids. I don't know how you feel about bone broths, but I do believe in the healing power of them. I would normally recommend a raw honey syrup mixture with some herbs, but I'm not totally sure of safety during pregnancy of the diff. herbs. Can you get in touch with a naturopath?

I would also try homeopathics, but you need to get them and start dosing up regularly now.

I hope it's not the flu, cuz that feels so terrible, but if it is, here's to quick healing!

[Ninetales]

I don't have the foggiest idea of how to find a naturopath. Or things like herbs, unfortunately. I don't have a fever and the aches and chills seem to have subsided so for now I think I'll wait and see. It doesn't seem like there's anything to be done before 12 weeks anyway. I just have a cough now and it's not dry so hopefully it's on its way out.

[Knitting Mama]

For me, the flu is a huge deal. Both my sister and I have been hospitalized from it. I get a flu shot every year because I really don't want to end up in the hospital again. So far, so good. If I get it this year I will be going in ASAP, because I can't imagine being pregnant and being as sick as I was.

[eleuthia]

If I suspected I had the flu, I'd call my ob/gyn office & see if it was possible to test for it and then discuss the risks vs benefits of Tamiflu. I had the flu pretty badly a couple years ago and missed about a week of work. I can't imagine how much worse it would be while pregnant. I missed my chance to get the flu shot before getting pregnant (because I was having a hard time finding the preservative-free version) and now I want to wait until 10-12 weeks. So I have to hope I'm not exposed before it takes effect (& hope the strains going around this year are covered by the vaccine). 

[LilyTiger]

NineTales, my understanding (and I am not a doctor, this is just what I found doing independent googling) is that the flu is only dangerous if you have complications.  So, normal run of the mill flu is not dangerous to the pregnancy, though fevers are tricky.  I got the flu shot at my 6 week appt, and I wish I hadn't, but I tend to trust my immune system more than medical interventions.  I have had the flu in the past, but only a pretty mild version.  Those who have had serious cases are wise to take precautions. 

At any rate, my feeling would be just hang on and see if it passes.  If you start having serious vomiting, fever or whatever, then I would see a doc, but you would anyway.    Hope you're feeling better!  Being sick on top of being pregnant is no fun at all.