anyone want to play doctor?

[StopTheMorans]

no, not like that you sick, box-turtle loving freaks. I've been sick for the past few days, don't have a clue what it is, and don't want to go to the doctor. The symptoms: chills (and alternately, sweats), headache, stomache/ abdominal pain (localized on the right side under my rib cage towards the back), and a fever (which i think for the most part ended two nights ago). oh yeah, and fatigue. it's the summer, and i never (ok, almost never) get sick (even in the winter). anyone have any ideas what it might be (noone around me is sick that i know of)? thanks in advance...

[shoelace414]

1. well

Either your appendix is about to explode or you are just sick

[specter]

3. Diddo

Appendix is probably the cause. Get to the doctor immediately and get it checked out. It can be LIFE and DEATH!!!! Once it inflames you wont be able to move or get to the phone, I know it happened to me.

[StopTheMorans]

4. a coworker mentioned that

i.e. appendix, but i think that's towards the front of your body and not the back :shrug:

[specter]

8. It

can be anywhere in that location dont take the chance and dont be stubborn about it, if it gets any worse get to the doctor

[shoelace414]

11. first hit on Google

http://www.medicinenet.com/Appendicitis/article.htm

What are the symptoms of appendicitis?

The main symptom of appendicitis is abdominal pain. The pain is at first diffuse and poorly localized, that is, not confined to one spot. (Poorly localized pain is typical whenever a problem is confined to the small intestine or colon, including the appendix.) The pain is so difficult to pinpoint that when asked to point to the area of the pain, most people indicate the location of the pain with a circular motion of their hand around the central part of their abdomen.

[shoelace414]

14. and there was a second page

As appendiceal inflammation increases, it extends through the appendix to its outer covering and then to the lining of the abdomen, a thin membrane called the peritoneum. Once the peritoneum becomes inflamed, the pain changes and then can be localized clearly to one small area. Generally, this area is between the front of the right hip bone and the belly button. The exact point is named after Dr. Charles McBurney--McBurney's point. If the appendix ruptures and infection spreads throughout the abdomen, the pain becomes diffuse again as the entire lining of the abdomen becomes inflamed.

Nausea and vomiting also occur in appendicitis and may be due to intestinal obstruction.

How is appendicitis diagnosed?

The diagnosis begins with a thorough history and physical examination. Patients often have an elevated temperature, and there usually will be moderate to severe tenderness in the right lower abdomen when the doctor pushes there. If inflammation has spread to the peritoneum, there is frequently rebound tenderness. This means that when the doctor pushes on the abdomen and then quickly releases his hand, the pain becomes suddenly but transiently worse

[StopTheMorans]

19. damn it, now you're worrying me:)

it's probably a good thing, i HATE going to the dr. tho (haven't been to one since my college physical 7 years ago). i guess it's probably time.

[Mizmoon]

2. bubonic plague ... no doubt

I'm almost certain, anyway.

[StopTheMorans]

7. well, it's least it's not pulmonary

or septicaemic, they both have way lower survival rates!

[TX-RAT]

5. Advise

Never ear Mexican food in Tijuana.

[StopTheMorans]

10. did that once 5 years ago, no lie

a woman noticed me looking at a fajita stand in Tijuana and started talking to me ("you guys are American, aren't you?"). she was from San Diego, and claimed she ate at the place all the time. told me what to get, even ordered it for me. ate it, was delicious. the next day, i thought i was going to die. for 3 weeks, i couldn't eat anything without being within a 30 second walk/run of the bathroom. lost 10 pounds, and i'm a skinny guy. believe me, i know all about that:)

[TX-RAT]

16. The Tijuana 2 step

[StopTheMorans]

17. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!

never heard that one before:)

[Robb]

6. Ah. Congratulations!

You have flu-like symptoms. Which means any number of things, interestingly enough including the flu. A doc might be in order, especially since you're saying it's persisting... although if the fever has run its course, you may be on the tail end of things. If it is flu, don't expect to be your normal self until a few weeks have passed.

[StopTheMorans]

12. flu takes a couple of weeks to recover from?

ahh nuts! how does one even go about getting flu in the summer damn it; it's not even flu season! thanks for the advice tho dingbat:)

[TrogL]

9. Had any mosquito bites lately?

Check Lymes disease.

[shoelace414]

22. Lyme Disease comes from Ticks

[sleepyhead]

13. under rib cage at the back?

Your kidneys are there. RUN to the doctor and get checked out for a kidney infection. I had that once - no fun at all!

[drdon326]

15. Gallbladder...ie Gallstones

Right upper quadrant pain with fever.

get right upper quadrant ultrasound.

[Stew225]

18. I'm no doctor but

I did play one on TV. (true) It sounds to me like you have the dreaded Schnauzzer Disease characterized by the symptoms you mentioned plus the total inability to wiggle your ears.

[shoelace414]

21. Gallbladder pain goes away in minutes/hours

[dr.strangelove]

20. Its the pain associated with being a Red Sox fan.

It has several names:
1) RuthCursitis
2) 1918 disease
3) NoNoNanettecephilitis

It usually comes on once the Yankees lead over the Sox hits 8 games or one week before they clinch the AL East. Its a bit early this year, but it will pass once the Yankees trade for Vlad and Randy Johnson since they needed a few more All Stars and get GOD to play second base.

Seriously, sounds like should go to the doc. I had the same symptoms on March 17 1997 and my appendix ruptured. 10 days in ICU with massive sepsis.

[ohiosmith]

23. Box turtle disease resulting from:

Foreign Body Ingestion: The intestinal impactions occasionally seen in desert tortoises are rarely a problem in box turtles. However, eating snail shells occasionally causes intestinal tract damage in box turtles. Certain individuals seem to be plagued by this problem and should not be fed whole snails. Most box turtles can safely eat snails and snail shells.

[fishnfla]

24. could be a kidney infection

is the pain in your lower back/

[Hoping4Change]

25. You should take your temperature you see if you have low

grade fever because chills are normally associated with fever. A persistent fever suggests the presence of an infection, if its a bacterial infection you may need antibiotics.