<p>I’d rather not fight about the merits of tamiflu, vaccines and the like. We all view the situation through different filters here.</p>
<p>In our case, I consulted the DW’s specialist first with regards to the effectiveness of tamiflu with DW’s condition before going to the Primary Care. Specialist’s office recommended it for me as well. When I asked whether I should be taking tamiflu as well, he told me not even to bother paying the co-pay for a visit and happily wrote out the script. </p>
<p>And our family experience with retro-virals (I believe this is how they classify tamiflu) has been postive as opposed to flu vaccines. Goaliegirl has has both the flumist (gave her the flu for 3 days, ugh!) and the vaccine (flu symptoms for 2 days, ugh!). It has been suggested to us that she has a very active immune system and that her illness from the vaccine is a sign of that. It is your immune system reaction that generally causes many of the side-effects of the flu. </p>
<p>The family had the experience of having the flu (they type that affects your ability to ingest liquids) together (my 1 and only time having the flu - and I always seem to be the caregiver for those who get it) about 10 years ago. Wiped the kids out for a week. Almost killed my DW(before the onset of her current immune system disorder), as I had to hospitalize her. They hung 4 bags before she would out-process any liquid. She was about ready to shut down. OTOH, I had it 5 days (M-F) and was able to work a full day on Tuesday and Thursday at the office (with yellow tape outside my cube). </p>
<p>So in our family, everyone has a different take on the flu. DW gets flu shots as soon as they are available to her (can’t use flumist due to immune problems). Unfortunately, this year it was too late. The rest of us either don’t tolerate the shot well or don’t seem to benefit from it (I actually had it the year we all had flu - so much for prevention).</p>
<p>As to the important things, DW finally came down for some soup at lunch today after sleeping 24 hours. Was up and around about an hour while the bed was changed and she bathed. Back to bed for some more sleep. Better than yesterday, but by no means through with the flu. So far, other than being run ragged taking care of her and my in-laws house/dog (they just came back from a trip a couple hours ago), I am hanging in.</p>
<p>Will post more when things change. </p>
<p>Peace.</p>