For the past 3-4 weeks I have been battling H1N1 according to the ENT doc that I saw. At the same time, my sfn in my feet has flared up more than it ever has before. In fact, so much that I am wondering if I will ever be able to get the pain back to my baseline level.

When our immune system is compromised, such as with the flu, is is typical for our PN to react this way? I am wondering if this could be the case or if it is just a coincidence. I did bother it somewhat by using a ladder for some work but I have done that before without this severe reaction!

I don't get the flu often...or colds. But I had a mild virus two or 3 years ago, and I had full body burning with it, for 3 days.

I took AlkaSeltzer for it, and that helped. (this blocks histamine receptors).

Then a year ago last Feb, I had a severe cough thing. No fever, just an endless cough. I took guaifenesin with DM for almost 2 weeks, (about 80mg of DM /24hrs) and my feet STOPPED hurting throughout the whole thing. So now I take some only at bedtime, and it seems to help that one hr trying to fall asleep.
I had a post about it back then even.

Dextromethorphan is a NMDA antagonist, and it has been tried for post-surgical pain with mixed success. Nide here tried it at his doctor's and it did not help him. DM is not really going to work for everyone, but I was interested that it worked for me some. The mixture seems to help with sinus drainage for me too.
One cannot use it if on SSRI drugs or other antidepressants.

What medications did you take for this flu if any? Might be a hint there.

Ladders are definitely not good for people with foot issues. Mega painful stress on the bottom of the feet!!

mrsD,

At first my PCP doc thought I had a rip roaring sinus infection so I was given a steroid shot, Allegra D and Bactrim, an antibiotic. After that didn't work, they gave me prednasone to take for 5 days along with Mucinex DM. I was also given a second steroid injection thereafter and inhaled some Dristan 12 hour nasal spray a few times. Right now I am only taking some regular Mucinex plus tylenol. I certainly do agree with you about the ladder. I have learned a very hard lesson.

Another trigger is SHOVELS.... if you push on a shovel with the wrong kind of shoes, you are going to HURT!

Hubby does all that around here now (I won't ever do it again).

If you go on a ladder or have to shovel, wear very thick soled shoes, preferably with a steel shank. This is why workers now use those scaffolds and there are new ladders with extensions creating a scaffold, now to save your feet. You can find them in catalogs.