Channel Islands - The Holiday That Never Was!

Today I was due to fly with my Cousins to Jersey, to spend some time with my Aunt Helen and her family; something we had planned for many months! Like most things in my life, things didn't go to plan, and I am laid up in bed at home. Not only would it have been wonderful to see all of my family, but three relaxing days on the Channel Islands was also something I was looking forward to. I have never travelled there before and had long booked and paid for this short break, including a trip to Sark; yet another disappointment, in a life full of disappointments. That sounds bitter doesn't it? It is however how I feel, especially today!

A few weeks ago I went to the Doctors for a check up after my trip to ASIA, when I happened to mention I had a bit of a chest infection. The Doctor did all the usual diagnostics including listening to my chest and I was issued with a course of standard Amoxicillan, that would last five days. As chest infections go, it was stubborn and the constant coughing was getting me down, but over the next few days I did begin to finally feel better and was looking forward to getting back to normal.

On Sunday, two days after my course of antibiotics had finished, I suddenly went down with what I thought was flu and literally couldn't get out of bed and my cough was back. After two days incapacitated I phoned 111 on Tuesday morning who suggested I contact the GP surgery and request more antibiotics to help shift the cough. Instead they told me to come in for an assessment, just before I started work!

The Doctor was concerned about my holiday to ASIA and suspected I may have acquired an infection while travelling through the region. I filled a specimen tube with sputum and hoped to get some answers in a few days. Meanwhile at work I spent a difficult few hours working. My body wasn't coping well; I had been run down for days and was feeling worse and worse!

On Wednesday I was due to start work at the pub and despite feeling terrible made a decision to go in as I didn't want to let the boss down. Whilst getting ready in the bathroom, I took a pee, when I felt an almighty pain in my abdomen, after passing what looked like large clots of blood. I literally collapsed with the pain and passed out for a short period of time. I managed to make a call and was given immediate help. Once again more antibiotics, some of the strongest medicine I have ever had, which seems to at least be clearing up the diagnosed UTI. The flu symptoms I had experienced were actually linked to this infectionI; the two are very similar and I wouldn't have known any different until I collapsed with severe pain at home. Each day was just going from bad to worse.

Today I am still suffering, although did manage to go out briefly to get supplies. The UTI is much better, the cough that I still have no answer for, is still there and I am just waiting for a call from the surgery with the results from the sputum test. The medication however has knocked me for six, prompting me to cancel my holiday to Jersey.

I have been prescribed Nitrofurantoin, which is as strong as antibiotics get. My head is elsewhere and I generally feel unwell. The medication doesn't allow me to sleep at night. I am restless, suffer with extreme night sweats and have been left in a state of confusion. I would never want to take these pills again, in fact I would decline them if they were offered, they are horrendous. I looked them up online, in forums and searches and the difficulties I am experiencing appear to correspond with everyone else's story. Try to avoid this antibiotic if you can, always ask for something else. I have had to change my plans and miss out on a family holiday, not specifically because of the UTI I have, but because the medication is just too much to cope with at the moment. Even after I finish the course I can't drink alcohol for two or three days, because I will likely end up in hospital, these little pills quite simply make you feel like you are dying!

I would like to wish my family well and hope they all enjoy their time in Jersey and Sark and once again appologise I can't be there; I will be following your adventure online!

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