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Dr. Caelus wrote:

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Wow, Caelus, just... wow. Did you get his name so you can file a complaint (and possibly have him tested)?

We still had his business card, so we were able to give TN Health Department all his info.

I finally had some breathing issues yesterday. Very brief and no problems today, but freaked me out at the time, because it was not what I expected. I expected it to feel like my chest was full of mucus congestion - thick, heavy feeling that woul elicit coughing.

Instead, my lungs felt *fine*, but when I breathed it felt like the oxygen had been removed from the air. Closest thing I can liken it to was hiking uphill at about 12,000ft, but I was in bed at like 850ft. My wife had complained that it felt like we were back in Colorado, but I didn't really grok what she meant until then.

That's one of the major things about Covid. Anecdotal evidence seens to show it isn't a respiratory virus. It's hematological. It inhibits the blood's ability to carry Oxygen. The shortness Of breath comes from that, not from mucus secretions. It changes the ion Charge of iron molecules that normally carry oxygen. your body needs to make new blood cells. Ask your nurse about iron supplementation when you Speak to her next.

Dr. Caelus wrote:

First-Aid wrote:

Dr. Caelus wrote:

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Wow, Caelus, just... wow. Did you get his name so you can file a complaint (and possibly have him tested)?

We still had his business card, so we were able to give TN Health Department all his info.

I finally had some breathing issues yesterday. Very brief and no problems today, but freaked me out at the time, because it was not what I expected. I expected it to feel like my chest was full of mucus congestion - thick, heavy feeling that woul elicit coughing.

Instead, my lungs felt *fine*, but when I breathed it felt like the oxygen had been removed from the air. Closest thing I can liken it to was hiking uphill at about 12,000ft, but I was in bed at like 850ft. My wife had complained that it felt like we were back in Colorado, but I didn't really grok what she meant until then.

That's one of the major things about Covid. Anecdotal evidence seens to show it isn't a respiratory virus. It's hematological. It inhibits the blood's ability to carry Oxygen. The shortness Of breath comes from that, not from mucus secretions. It changes the ion Charge of iron molecules that normally carry oxygen. your body needs to make new blood cells. Ask your nurse about iron supplementation when you Speak to her next.

FUN thing - last fall, before all of this started my GP was raising concerns because my red blood cell count was very, very high (has been ever since we moved to TN, if not before then). I kind of wonder where I'd be now without my freakish blood.

I know who to stick in front for the vampire apocolypse now....

Glad to hear no long lasting ill effects, man!!

We are approaching a flux...a point where the damage from the shut downs will do more damage than the illness itself. Data in the UK is seeing a couple hundred Covid deaths a week but the overall shutdowns of medical screenings, surgeries, and other scans is being measured at 2000 to 3000 deaths a week. The WFD is estimating that the number of people in extreme poverty is going to triple due to the shutdowns with food supply chain damage resulting in full famine in some 3 dozen countries. We have hit a point where it's either let the disease run its course and maybe lose a couple 100000 people or continue with the shut down and lose tens of millions.

Let me say this: the vaccines are safe and effective. Unfortunately, the media shot the world collectively in the foot with their handling of the vaccines. They continued to push "Emergency Approval" in an effort to create headlines and stress the importance. It backfired, giving people the idea that "emergency approval" meant that corners were cut, shortcuts were taken, and safety was compromised to get the vaccination out.

THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

What "emergency approval" did was strip away layers upon layers of red tape, fees, and bureaucracy that normally occurs before a new pharmaceutical is approved for release that delays that release a year or two. The research was all done, peer-reviewed, and analyzed by infectious disease experts the same as they normally are. They just shortened the contact that the bureaucrats had the paperwork; it didn't sit on people's desks for weeks, signed in triplicate, sent in, sent back, lost, found, queried, subjected to public inquiry, lost again, and finally buried in soft peat for three months and recycled as firelighters. It was simply analyzed and approved. Period.

I just spent three years completing my Master's Degree for the purpose of becoming a family NP and we reviewed the new data and studies in class every week. Covid is rapidly evolving into an annoyance rather than a full blown threat. I myself have had three great examples of recoveries: one stage four lung cancer with advanced COPD, one 91 year old female, and one 96 year old male with a hole in his foot the size of my fist that I've been treating for wound care. The first two were hospitalized briefly and released, recovering completely. The third was completely asymptomatic. The latter two had the "delta variant" and were both vaccinated. What's changed? We know a Sh#t ton more about the virus now than we did 2 years ago when it hit US shores (Red Cross blood donation showed the virus starting in September 2019 in the US) and we have effective, evidence-based and researched treatments that are safe, have minimal side effects, and have reduced the mortality of the disease. The biggest weapon is the vaccination, and The Lancet's recent research study demonstrated, unequivocally, the positive effects of the vaccine. It may not prevent Delta variant, but it reduces it to the equivalent of a sinus infection or cold (note that those with advanced lung diseases or weak immune systems remain at higher risk for disease-stimulated pneumonias after recovery).

In the end, get your shot. It helps, and maybe we'll eventually hear the end of this in 3-5 years. In all likelihood, though, you should expect annual Covid boosters in the same way we get flu vaccinations- probably combined down the road.

Jelze Bunnycat wrote:In the small hiatus this thread had, I got my second shot in mid-June. I admit, I was late, but I didn't have anything that put me at high risk, so I wasn't a priority unlike my parents, wife and in-laws.

I did hope it would facilitate my plans to travel back to the Netherlands, but with the way things are handled here resulting in travel bans and quarantines upon arrival... Speaking of which, masks here in the state of Texas are recommended, not mandatory, so hardly anyone is wearing them. Worse, we're more than likely being pulled into a legal tug-o-war between Abbot and Biden. *sigh*

There are two issues with masks. First, the politicization of the topic, as you said. Second is that for every study that comes out saying they are effective, there is a matching study that says they aren't. In medicine, this usually indicates that it's a 50/50 shot. For example, the blood pressure medications metoprolol and lisinopril are both equally effective so it's a 50/50 shot which one to prescribe. Now, in both cases there are certain conditions that would push you one way or another. Example: metoprolol can also slow down heart rate so giving it to someone who already has a low rate is wrong, pushing you towards the alternative of lisinopril. BUT in someone with a-fib who has an elevated heart rate regularly, you would lean TOWARDS that med. It's the same with masks. The Lancet's recent article demonstrated very, very, VERY low risk of breakthrough infection is vaccinated so not wearing a mask is also very, very, very low risk. HOWEVER, the breakthrough infection risk is HIGHER in those with multiple diseases (heart disease, diabetes, COPD, etc) who already have weakened immune systems. So THESE people would be better served wearing the masks. Making everyone wear a mask was originally thought to be a good, evidence-based idea....until the data was analyzed more in-depth and the spread rates for the disease were demonstrated as virtually identical (about 0.7-1% lower in Mask-mandated areas) in mask-mandating regions vs non-mask-mandating regions. In the end, the data is a toss up.

Here are several major concerns that are popping up in healthcare communities now. First, history has shown that a normal pandemic will run about two years in length before the general population develops enough resistance to reduce it to a minor annoyance (Spanish Flu 1918-1920, Hong Kong Flu 1968-1970, Swine Flu/H1N1 2008-2010). Some infectious disease experts are now theorizing that the use of shutdowns and masks may have dramatically PROLONGED this pandemic by as much as 400%- meaning a pandemic length of 8-10 years. A second concern is that there is considerable research that demonstrates that prolonged use of respirators and masks have adverse effects on the body, notably increased serum CO2 levels and, worst of all, severe increases in blood pressure; hypothesis is that the use of masks is putting people at increased risk of fatal cardiac events, misdiagnosed hypertension, and overmedication resulting in injury from falls. Lastly, a relatively recent school of thought called Hygiene Theory is coming to light. It postulates that the constant exposure to normal surroundings are needed for the human body to maintain an adequate immune system. Over the last 1 and half years, the surroundings have been far more "clean" with less exposures to normal, day-to-day pathogens, which the Hygiene theorists believe will result in considerable overreactions of the immune system to normal pathogens when they are finally re-exposed. Anecdotal evidence is already showing signs of this in pediatrics with sudden, severe outbreaks of hand, foot, and mouth disease, bullous impetigo, and far more severe bacterial infections than had been seen in recent memory. More research is needed, obviously, but the results could be catastrophic and include dramatically increased deaths from normal influenza in age groups where the flu does not normally kill, pneumonia deaths, sepsis in groups not normally known to be susceptible, and widespread spread of otherwise rare contagious diseases.

The disease does kill, but since we know so much more about it now and have developed good ways to treat it, the mortality rate has dropped from the original estimates of 4-6% to less than 1%- even lower in those vaccinated. So GET THE DAMNED VACCINATION. As for masks, just be smart about them. If you are at increased risk or are frequently around those who are, wear them. If you are a normal, healthy, vaccinated person, make your own decision.

Just curious: any other healthcare professionals around on here? Nurses? NPs? PAs? MDs? DOs? Sound off on your experiences.

Rodimus Prime wrote:The last thing that entered my body through a needle was a Tetanus shot 16 years ago, and it's going to stay that way. I'm not a conspiracy theorist who has any misconceptions about the vaccine, I just simply don't need it. I'm a healthy adult who generally takes good care of himself, and I haven't had to deal with more than a cold since I was a small child.

You want to get the vaccine? By all means, do it. It's your freedom of choice. Whether it's for your peace of mind or if it actually helps you, doesn't matter. My only problem with it is when I'm told I should get it for "the greater good." Let those worried about themselves get vaccinated. Personally, I don't believe it will do anything for me, even if I get it. I will have symptoms, I may even get sick for a few days, but I have 100% confidence in my immune system's ability to combat it without any outside help that's more than OTC cold medicine. So I WILL NOT GET THE DAMNED VACCINE. I don't need it. I hope this decision will be respected by both my government on all levels and my employer in the future. Everyone else who disagrees can take a long walk off a short pier.

As for masks, I also believe they should be a choice, and I even changed jobs over it this spring, as my previous employer was forcing me to wear one. I agree completely on the aspect of keeping a normal environment for my body, instead of over-sanitizing everything. I still wash my hands regularly like I have always done and I still try to physically stay away from people in general, but that's a personal choice I made years ago, and has nothing to do with this "pandemic." My only real risk is through the contact I have with my girlfriend, as I cannot (and would not presume to) control with whom and to what extent she interacts throughout the day. If I go into an establishment that requires masks, I will put 1 on for a short time in order to get my business done there, if they have them. Otherwise, I don't wear them because just as with the vaccine, I don't need it.

I've heard the argument that the masks are for the protection of others, and we should wear them in consideration of them, but for me that's not a good enough reason to cause myself constant discomfort. Does it make me selfish in the view of others? If it does, so be it. The only people I think should be required to wear masks are those working in the medical or food preparation industries, where intimate contact with vital material to others is inevitable. But I have thought that long before this "pandemic." If workers in the food industry are made to wear hairnets for safety, then why not something that guards against the air they potentially breathe onto the food they're preparing?

I have not, do not and will not go around telling others what choice they should make regarding their own health, and in return I expect the same. If I see someone behaving in a way or in the condition that makes me uneasy, I will simply make accommodations to ease my concerns (i. e. walk the **** away from them at the earliest possible moment) instead of trying to force my views and opinions on others, just because I think my view on a certain matter is correct. But this applies to more than just the mask and the vaccine, and it's something I have lived by for years before this "pandemic" was ever conceived.

Not trying to be bossy dude. It's my job as a health care provider. There are a lot of people who believe as you do, and I absolutely agree it is your right. I do point out the complete disappearance (until recently) in the US of a number of disease such as polio, measles, mumps, and smallpox. Unfortunately I have to add "until recently" as there are now significant resurgences in measles and mumps due to declination of vaccines. Here are a couple additional things to keep in mind for the future though: there is now legal precedent for charges of involuntary manslaughter related to refusing vaccines for non-medical reasons. At least one case of death related to a spread of measles by an unvaccinated child to several elderly individuals with compromised immune systems resulted in charges of involuntary manslaughter for the parents as they chose not to vaccinate and that choice directly led to the death of another person. I believe you're going to see more of these cases in the future, so just keep an eye out for those legal ramifications. Last thing, I'm just going to post the Webster's Dictionary definition of herd immunity and say this is what we are trying for.

noun
resistance to the spread of an infectious disease within a population that is based on pre-existing immunity of a high proportion of individuals as a result of previous infection or vaccination.
"the level of vaccination needed to achieve herd immunity varies by disease but ranges from 83 to 94 percent"

Something to think about. But I absolutely agree 100% that it is your choice and SHOULD be your choice (including masks, btw). As a provider, I say think about it. As a fellow Seibertronian, I just say stay safe and smart and don't get sick (and congratulations on staying as healthy as you have been, I'm actually quite jealous!)...you've got friends on here!

Rodimus Prime wrote:Well I wasn't trying to come off like a jerk towards you, so if that's how it seemed, I'm sorry. I am a fierce advocate if the rights of an individual, Regardless of the choices they make. Just because I don't agree with something, I don't believe I have a right to tell someone else not to do it.

That's funny cuz I thought I was the one coming across as "jerk-y". Gotta hyphenate...not talking about dried meats here...

Rodimus Prime wrote: I'm also not what the media or some extreme "pro-vaxer" might jump to conclusions and label an "anti-vaxer."

As I said, the media, in its quest to help, has actually done more damage to the cause than anyone. Their "stories" usually focus on one or two sentences in a study, then they bring in experts to tell you what to think. And it's ALL news agencies, not just Fox or MSNBC or CNN. SOmetimes I wonder if they saw the 007 movie "Tomorrow Never Dies" and decided it was a blueprint rather than a fictional tale with gadgets and an extremely attractive female agent of Southeast Asian decent (Michelle "YOWZA"!). Best thing to do is talk to health care professionals, especially PCPs; the way we are trained now is more of "We're here to give you the information to make an informed decision best for you" versus "I'm a doctor/NP/PA and I'm God and know better, so do what I say." The times they are a-changin...

Rodimus Prime wrote: I think it comes back to individuals making choices and being held accountable for them, as it should be in all aspects of life.

THIS. A MILLION TIMES THIS. I blame Freud.

Rodimus Prime wrote: So once this is achieved and our government sets it as the goal line and the standard by which we are to comply, if I never get the vaccine and belong in the 6-17 percent, am I still looked at as a menace, or at best a nuisance? And do I also get so.e kind of paperwork like the vaccinated get their cards that says im in that small percentage? Or will it just be assumed since I won't have a proof that I was vaccinated?

This IS the government we're talking about. Do you honestly believe they've thought that far ahead? If so, I have some oceanfront land to sell you. Lovely view of the Ozarks...

Rodimus Prime wrote: But I also realize it was just as much preparation through good hygiene and a sensible diet keeping my body in good general health (I'm not a fitness nut by any means, and I do occasionally eat "bad" food.) as it was through chance.

I wish all my patients thought this way. I'll put the actual percentage at about 5-10%.

Rodimus Prime wrote:Anyway, I do hope this will be brought under control (it will most likely be never eliminated) soon enough. In the meantime, we should all use common sense (not as common as it used to be) and take care of ourselves. It's the best method of defense. As for you First Aid having the profession that you do puts you at a greater risk, Regardless of masks and vaccines. So be extra cautious and keep up the good work.

Thank you for the kind words. I agree that this will be an annual thing, similar to the flu shots. I put money down we will see them combined eventually. However, there is a more likely change of Covid going away than the flu. This is a specific virus that, while having some mutations (Delta and Mu for example), is still primarily a single structure and genome. The influenza, on the other hand, has NINE distinctive genomes which is why the flu shot is usually only 40% effective. They attempt to predict which of those genomes will be prevalent during the "flu season", choose three or four, then combine them in the vaccine. This is why H1N1 was controlled so quickly (incidentally, we are STILL 20 MILLION INFECTIONS short of the single year total for H1N1), because we already had a vaccine for it; it just needed to be produced in a hurry. Covid was a "start from scratch" vaccination; the technology was there, but the decision on which proteins would promote the best response had to be studied. AS long as the government stays out of it, doesn't shut things down again, and encourages the vaccination (again, not pushing you dude...just saying) it will be controlled.

As for providers, please everyone be as considerate as possible to those in healthcare. The retirement rate right now is through the roof, higher than it ever has been, because of burnout from this pandemic, and the idiots in charge....err, the government decided that the best way to reduce the spread was to shut down testing boards, residencies, and clinical programs for upcoming healthcare providers in school, so nearly 200,000 providers are behind schedule and delayed from graduation and testing that could replace the retirements. (Of course, these are also the people that shut down the plants making the most effective and prescribed diabetic medication metformin as being non-essential... ). Maybe give them a little extra time, support them if you can. Buy them a drink or six...

Good for you!

Its good to see that Wisconsin mortality rate for Covid has dropped below 0.5%. Omicron may spread like wildfire, but its mild and its spreading immunity like Wildfire too.

Jelze Bunnycat wrote:

First-Aid wrote:Good for you!

Its good to see that Wisconsin mortality rate for Covid has dropped below 0.5%. Omicron may spread like wildfire, but its mild and its spreading immunity like Wildfire too.

Never thought someone would give a silver lining to that. Not sure if the whole "going out to get COVID" on purpose will rise because of that, I've seen people eat crow afterwards though.

I know it's the ultimate irony to say that. I think I've earned it though...I've diagnosed about 45 people in the last 3 weeks, most of them being at-risk individuals, and they are flying through the disease process. Will there be exceptions? Yes, there always are. People die from the flu- I just lost one- and other causes. The downside is that the focus is SO MUCH on Covid that triage nurses are instantly running to is and missing other respiratory conditions like COPD exacerbations, CHF, and- in one particular care- pulmonary embolisms. The overwhelming focus is forcing PCPs and other practitioners into tunnel-vision, and that is dangerous.

The data we received from the CDC this morning indicates that Omicron is not only prevalent, but ridiculously so...to the extent of 97.8% of cases on average. The data also demonstrates that Omicron imbues immunity to previous versions of Covid. In the end, Omicron may be the death knell for this pandemic. ANd no, I'm not encouraging parties for everyone to get it...it doesn't NEED those parties to spread. What I DO tell my patients is to eat healthy, take at least 2000 iu of Vitamin D daily, push fluids, and treat the symptoms as they occur. The incidence of Long Covid Syndrome is also dramatically reduced in Omicron. All of this is really good news from a medical standpoint. Between vaccination and Omicron exposure, we are RUSHING towards herd immunity levels with considerably fewer fatalities than at any point in this pandemic.

The MOST concerning issue at this point is that the collective immunity of the human population seems to be reduced. We are seeing severe cases of diseases that are normally mild (e.g. hand, foot, and mouth disease), and seeing adults getting childhood illnesses. Suddenly RSV is being seen in adults for the first time in decades. Hypothetically speaking, it's not Covid, but the suppression of the immune systems from reduced exposures over a 1.5 to 2 year period. The use of masks and chemical sterilizing agents may be the cause. Hygeine Theory of Medicine is still a relatively new field (this is theory tied to reduction of allergies in children by early exposure to allergens...studies have verified its effectiveness) but hypothesizes that the immune system does need daily exposures to maintain its strength. We are normally exposed to 30,000-40,000 pathogens and allergens daily. Estimates of these exposures during the pandemic is 10,000-20,000 instead. The end result is a "twitchy" immune system that is not robust enough to handle normal pathogen exposures and overreacts when exposed, resulting in significantly increased S/S with illness. I'm attaching a link to a PubMed (National Library of Medicine) article with the basics of hygeine theory at the bottom.

As a provider, I believe we may have finally reached the point where we are through the worst and that mask usage can be eased further. Decreased need for hospitalization, decreased use of ventilators and ICU admissions, and increased immunity are the reasons. Are hospitals still full? Yep, but the shift is now AWAY from Covid and towards these other diseases. Are there still Covid cases in the ICU? Yep, but they aren't Omicron patients...they are Delta and Long Covid Syndrome patients. In addition, the hospitals are not all PHYSICALLY FULL but they are at staffing capacity. This pandemic has encouraged a lot of people to leave hospital care and enter other healthcare fields and staffing is suffering. My hospital is a 42 bed facility. We are at capacity right now...EIGHTEEN PATIENTS. We don't have the staff for beyond that. Staffing is also being complicated by medical and nursing school delays in graduation of 2-3 years because of the pandemic; facilities stopped allowing clinical rotations despite the fact that it would provide additional help. This, in my opinion, was the second stupidest decision made during the pandemic...an event that sped up retirements but is delaying new staff graduation. The first stupidest decision was hospitals- under pressure from the court of public medicine (aka the media)- shutting down regular screenings for cancers for almost a year.

In the end, I have two "words" of wisdom:

First, hang in there....we're nearly through this.

Second, make sure the doctor swabbing you for Covid isn't an OB/GYN...they tend to swab the wrong area out of habit...

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2841828/