[Cody Dawg]

Hello Everyone:

We just had the hurricane blow through our county (Palm Beach county). We have our roof torn off at one corner. We have massive damage to our yard and exterior. We have no power and may not have power for two weeks. Our streets are blocked with flooding and debris. It is freezing cold and there is a "boil water" order in effect - even though we have no power to boil water with.

But, worst of all is the fact that I think I have food poisoning. I have the worst stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, ever. It started about three hours ago. This morning we'd made Jimmy Dean egg biscuits for breakfast before the power went out and I think that must be what did it. I'm the only one who ate one of them.

Since the hospital does not have power and I'm not sure I can even drive there, does anyone have any suggestions? Or should I just prepare to suffer through it?

This is just great.

Thanks for any advice.

[TETENAL]

Sorry, I have no advice. Hope you get better soon.

Out of curiosity: how do you get on the Internet without power?

[olePigeon]

It shouldn't last for more than 3 or 4 hours. If it lasts longer, I'd recommend seeing a doctor. It could be something else.

[nonhuman]

Don't eat any more Jimmy Dean 'food'.

[SVass]

See a doctor immediately!

[Weyland-Yutani]

Well, food poisoning is usually bacterial exotoxin that is wreaking havoc in your stomach and gastrointestinal tract. It can cause stomach cramps and diarrhea. First of all, a serious risk with diarrhea is that your body can dry up. But it applies to any poisoning, you want the toxin out of your body. Drink water. Do not dehydrate.

Go to a doctor if you are feeling worse already but your life shouldn't be in immediate danger. No need to take any risks though.

Take a look at this page
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/e...on/poison.html

and at the bottom is a table of symptoms and the microorganism or toxin that is causing it.

Be well.

cheers

W-Y

[cjrivera]

Originally Posted by TETENAL

Out of curiosity: how do you get on the Internet without power?

I was wondering that also...

[ghporter]

Been there, done that. It bites big time, but it is survivable. The first and most important rule is to NOT let yourself get dehydrated. If you cannot keep water down, you're in trouble and you NEED to see a doctor NOW. Losing fluids from both ends depletes your hydration level very quickly, and it doesn't take much to become dehydrated. Without sufficient hydration, you can't effectively fight any infection or even properly process and eject the offending microbes.

Drink water or Gatorade in small sips as much as you can. If you can't keep it down, you're in serious trouble and should see a doctor.

Take care!!!!

[Cody Dawg]

How am I on power?

1. PowerBook with battery
2. Dial-up internet

No power.

Thanks. I'll try to drink some water. I really appreciate it guys.

[dcmacdaddy]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

How am I on power?

1. PowerBook with battery
2. Dial-up internet

No power.

Thanks. I'll try to drink some water. I really appreciate it guys.

I was waiting to hear from you in the other Wilma thread. I'm sorry we had to hear from you in this way. When I had food poisoning it was like a nasty stomach that wouldn't go away. Drink LOTS of fluids as the "runs" tend to dehydrate you.

Take care and be safe!

[Scandalous Ion Cannon]

Pray and take pepto.

[olePigeon]

PowerBook + modem. Though, you might only be on the internet for 3 or 4 hours (however long your battery lasts.) Unless you have a generator.

[Pendergast]

Flat carbonated water (7Up), or better: orange juice (1/3) + water (2/3) + a table spoon of salt in one liter container might replace the gatorade IIRC.

[Doofy]

No advice for after the event, sorry.

Advice for before the event: Go veggie. It's really hard to get food poisoning if you're veggie.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

It is freezing cold and there is a "boil water" order in effect - even though we have no power to boil water with.

Cody, living in a hurricane zone would it not be a good idea to purchase (for future use) some portable heat, as in gas-powered camping equipment or even some survivalist stuff from an army surplus store?

[Millennium]

Be careful with the amount you drink; unfortunately you're dealing with an impressive balancing act. Small sips of water relieve thirst, but they're not enough to stop dehydration. However, drinking large amounts of water can pose its own problems, particularly if you're already not well nourished.

Drink water in moderate amounts. Boiling is best, but if you can't do that then filter it through multiple layers of clean cloth; this isn't ideal but it'll filter out some stuff. If you can build a fire, do so; in addition to keeping you warm and letting you boil water, you should be able to produce some charcoal which you can then use to improve your filters (just make sure to remove everything from the charcoal that isn't black). This should help you improvise a rainwater filter, should it rain again (as, sad to say, it well might). It's no good for groundwater, but it'll work for rain.

Finally, if you think you can make it to a doctor, do so. If not, go to a neighbor and let them know your situation; ask them to check on you every few hours. It is also possible that they might be able to take you to a doctor. In any case, medical attention is a Good Thing.

[Mastrap]

Flat coke is a good first aid drink when it comes to food poisoning. Sip slowly.

[Randman]

Originally Posted by Doofy

No advice for after the event, sorry.

Advice for before the event: Go veggie. It's really hard to get food poisoning if you're veggie.

Oh, puh-leeze. Cody, you already have plenty of good advice, the quoted one excepted. Just avoid the warm shrimp and don't do foie gras.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by Randman

Oh, puh-leeze. Cody, you already have plenty of good advice, the quoted one excepted.

What?

18 years + of not having food poisoning says my advice is valid. You know how us Mac users all sort of laugh and get that warm smug feeling when there's another Windows virus taking everyone down? Same deal, but without the laughter and smugness.

[Cody Dawg]

I'm back up this morning.

It seems to have passed. Maybe it was just a bad stomach thing from the stress of the hurricane. I tried to drink some water like you said.

I appreciate it. It sucks here right now. NO POWER.

[Doofy]

We're just glad you're still there Cody, bad stomach or not, power or no power.

[Randman]

30 years + of never having food poisoning says your advice is invalid. As with most anything, moderation is the key. Besides, most veggies I've ever met have terrible immune systems and do quite sick (though you'll never hear a veggie admit that).

Veggies and meat is akin to born-again Christians and sex.

Hang in there Cody.

[Cody Dawg]

Thanks, Randman. I really appreciate it. I'm drinking coffee this morning.

[AKcrab]

Originally Posted by Millennium

Boiling is best, but if you can't do that then filter it through multiple layers of clean cloth; this isn't ideal but it'll filter out some stuff. If you can build a fire, do so; in addition to keeping you warm and letting you boil water, you should be able to produce some charcoal which you can then use to improve your filters

Ahahhahahahahahahahhahah!!!!!!!!
/wipes tear
Ahahhahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahaha!!!!!

WTF Mill?

[Cody Dawg]

You've got it hand it to Millenium: He's a true survivalist.





Millenium, when you feel that way you can't even crawl over to build a fire, let alone find wood to build a fire. Seriously, it's the worst.

Today I feel a little better, though. But I still feel like crap.

[Randman]

Millennium probably uses ice to make fire, or hunts for his own flint chips.

[Cody Dawg]

Millennium probably uses ice to make fire, or hunts for his own flint chips.

I think Millenium probably uses bicycle-powered generator to run his computer so that he can moderate the forums.



At least you guys all keep me laughing.

[ghporter]

You do not 'hunt' for flint chips; you MAKE them from big chunks of flint. It's called 'knapping' flint, and it's a wonderful way to verify your hemoglobin level because "if you ain't bleedin', you ain't knappin'!"

Millenium, my recommendation for the sipping was more aimed at nausea than anything else. If you can get the stomach settled, drinking more effectively usually just comes naturally. As I've said, I've been there (shigella, not salmonella), and did a lot of "after action" research-spending four days hospitalized (and over my birthday!) tends to motivate a person!

Doofy's pretty close on the veggie-food poisoning thing, but you CAN get food poisoning from vegetables that are not stored properly. Botulism likes certain vegetables, though it does leave telltale signs, like gas production in the container. NEVER eat ANYTHING from a bulged can!!!!! And boiling/cooking DOES NOT DESTROY BOTULINUS TOXIN!!! If it ain't fresh, don't trust it!

I second the notion of having a backup cooking source. Not only do I HATE cooking with electricity (with a pluperfect passion!), but it makes a lot of sense to not depend on your utilities to be there 100% of the time. I have a propane grill and keep my tank at least 50% full, so I can cook even if both gas and electric utilities go out.

Water purification is another issue that is often attacked with "boil it" instructions. As Cody says, though, you can't always use your stove. Keep some chlorine bleach on hand, and get a Melita coffee filter holder-the kind you stick on top of a coffee carafe and put a cone filter in. Use coffee filters to block particulate matter (at least TWO filters at a time!!!), and then drop two or three drops of bleach in each liter of filtered water. Stir thoroughly, and then let it sit for at least 30 minutes. It will taste funny and strongly chlorinated, but it will be about as safe as your normal tap water. Remember, this is an emergency action only.

[Cody Dawg]

Yeah, green chile from New Mexico is prone to botulism, actually.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by ghporter

You do not 'hunt' for flint chips; you MAKE them from big chunks of flint. It's called 'knapping' flint, and it's a wonderful way to verify your hemoglobin level because "if you ain't bleedin', you ain't knappin'!"

Interesting turn of conversation! I see this almost every day - my neighbour is the only guy in the country who makes flints for reproduction flintlock rifles (as used in battle re-enactments) and in everything bar totally horrendous weather he's outside chipping away. Yep, big chunks of flint, usually between one and two times the size of one's head.

[Doofy]

Cody:
Cooking.
Water purification.

[wdlove]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

I'm back up this morning.

It seems to have passed. Maybe it was just a bad stomach thing from the stress of the hurricane. I tried to drink some water like you said.

I appreciate it. It sucks here right now. NO POWER.

Hi Cody,

I'm so happy that you are feeling better this morning. Could have just been a 24 hour stomach virus. The stress of Wilma certainly didn't help.

[moonmonkey]

Eat dry toast.
save your power!!!!!