Salmonella | hippieheart's Blog

After being mysteriously ill for the better part of three months now, and after a half dozen or so doctor visits, and after a multitude of tests, my doctor began treating me for anxiety and panic attacks.  Ok, that has ended up being valid and I am grateful to finally have the clarity (thank you, Zoloft) to begin to get that all under control.  But, for almost 4 months now, I have had diarrhea.  That's right.  Every day, usually for the first 4 - 6 hours of my day.  Then there was the nausea, which lasted for another couple of months.  Then there was the vomiting, which came and went for the better part of three weeks.  I lost about 10 pounds in two weeks.  And then there was the dehydration and the sudden drop in my blood pressure when I stood up.  I was very weak, sleep deprived, dehydrated, nauseated and felt like I was seriously ill.  Even after I began all of the medications (Zoloft, Nexium, Klonopin), I still felt BAD.  So, again, back to the doctor I went.  I asked her if maybe it could be Salmonella.  She didn't dismiss me at all.  Instead, I had the distinct pleasure of submitting a stool sample. 

Today, Sunday, I got a call from a doctor...early in the morning.  But I missed the call.  When I listened to the voicemail, he gave me his name and asked me to call him on his cell phone.  OK...a doctor calling me on a Sunday morning and leaving me his personal cell phone to call him back immediately.  I knew it couldn't be good news.  

I tested positive for Salmonella.  I could hardly believe it.  I was so shocked.  Hell, I am still really shocked.  

So, on top of all of the other medications I am taking, I begin 1,000 milligrams of Cipro tomorrow.  And then it's back to my doctor AGAIN a week from tomorrow.  

Wow.