Dealing with Illness in the USA: My Personal Experience

Recently, I found myself battling a mysterious illness, and I couldn’t quite tell whether it was a virus or bacteria. It all started on Thursday when my throat felt a little scratchy. By Friday, I was experiencing intense pain on the left side of my throat. As someone who’s particularly sensitive to pain, I was at a loss for what medication to take. I consumed a Quick Relief pill that I had brought back from my home country, but it proved ineffective three hours later. I eventually took a dose of a sleeping aid to ensure I could get some rest.

Symptoms and Struggles

By Saturday, I was feeling utterly drained and noticed a slight fever developing. Trying to address my symptoms, I ventured to Walgreens to purchase Cepacol throat lozenges and Advil (Ibuprofen). While I found the lozenges to be somewhat unhelpful, the next day they did assist me in managing my discomfort. I had a tough time getting through the workday and, around 2 PM, I spotted that the store was quiet, so I made a break for it!

At a local Chinese supermarket, I picked up a box of Cephalosporin. It’s puzzling why there seems to be only the first generation of this antibiotic available in the US, and I was warned about its stronger potential for kidney toxicity. Upon returning home, I quickly hit the bed to rest. With a low-grade fever, throat pain, nasal congestion, and a minor cough, I knew simply taking Ibuprofen wasn’t sufficient.

Experimenting with Remedies

After watching a blogger on social media, I decided to get my hands on a different type of combined Advil. I also grabbed some electrolyte packets as an additional precaution. Unfortunately, when I got home, my fever escalated, fluctuating between 100°F and 107°F. I was feeling miserable, and my cough and thick, yellow phlegm were concerning enough for me to take some Cephalosporin, additional herbal medications, and the combined cold relief tablets.

Miraculously, around an hour and a half later, my fever began to drop. Although Advil didn’t bring about relief like the sleeping aid did, the combination of medications definitely knocked me out and allowed for some much-needed sleep.

Return to Work

By Sunday, I returned to work feeling somewhat better. I managed to push through with the help of my medication. The fever had subsided, and the pain wasn’t as unbearable. However, my nasal congestion and cough were still prevalent. After an hour, realizing I didn’t have any appointments, I felt compelled to leave. A colleague suggested a specific medication that was highly recommended. Although a search revealed it contained no manufacturer label, it wasn’t overly priced at $21.

I thought, “Whatever it takes!” Remarkably, after taking this new medication, I experienced relief from my cough and my throat felt significantly more comfortable. After a long afternoon nap, I felt like a new person and decided to share my thoughts here!

Reflections on Illness and Recovery

This experience felt comparably difficult to my initial battle with a serious illness. There were moments when I felt utterly hopeless. My family in North America took great care of me, and I realized I couldn’t just white-knuckle my way through like some others do. It’s a tough reality when you’re barely able to cope.

To everyone out there, please take care of yourselves! Wishing everyone health and wellness, and may illness stay far away! 🥲

Conclusion

My journey through this illness taught me valuable lessons about self-care and the importance of seeking relief, even when it seems challenging. Keep an eye on your health and don’t hesitate to reach out for support when needed. Stay strong and well, everyone! 😊