This thread is for the discussion of my latest article, Chrome Moxicillin, The Obligatory Regionals Report. We would be grateful if you would let us know what you think, but please keep your comments on topic.
I see that you realized after siding out Cloudthresher against a mono black Rogue deck that it was a mistake. Why didn't you side them back in for game three? Or did you notice it after the tournament? I played mono black rogues at City Champs (this was before Shadowmoor mind you) and it was a shame that mana ramp decks ran 4 threshers in the main. boo! Actually it's funny because I ran more of a Goblin build that would be less susceptable to thresher and only ran Bitterblossom and Oona's Blackguards as my flyers. Thresher is still a 7/7 surprise block and can take down the Earwig Squad. If you had the chance to do it again, how would you sideboard against Mono Black Rogues?
I see that you realized after siding out Cloudthresher against a mono black Rogue deck that it was a mistake. Why didn't you side them back in for game three? Or did you notice it after the tournament? I played mono black rogues at City Champs (this was before Shadowmoor mind you) and it was a shame that mana ramp decks ran 4 threshers in the main. boo! Actually it's funny because I ran more of a Goblin build that would be less susceptable to thresher and only ran Bitterblossom and Oona's Blackguards as my flyers. Thresher is still a 7/7 surprise block and can take down the Earwig Squad. If you had the chance to do it again, how would you sideboard against Mono Black Rogues?
In retrospect, Cloudthresher should probably stay in (as well as that stray Makeshift Mannequin). I just had extreme prejudice against cloudthresher that day since he had been largely irrelevant on the whole and dies to cheeky stuff like Terror and Slaughter Pact.
I wasn't really prepared for this matchup anyway and probably won't play this deck again, but if I did I suppose there are worse options than keeping in Cloudthresher.
I greatly enjoyed reading this article, although I guess I was hoping for a super duper long one like your Dredge article, since I'm bored and I was reading on a train (with Internet).
What's your Constructed rating? Losing 11 points for going 8-3 is pretty crazy.
The initial diagnosis was indeed based on history/practitioner's visual analysis. Bad call, obv.
Making a diagnosis of strep on history and physical is basically equivalent to flipping a coin, only time the physical truly helps is if there is purulent tonsil exudate and this is always treated with antibiotics. Otherwise, it is nearly impossible to tell viral vs bacterial pharyngitis.
Feel free to skip this post if you are interested in Magic related content.
It sounds like you may have had infectious mononucleosis/EBV or an adverse drug reaction from the antibiotic, although it is difficult to say without seeing the rash and knowing when it occurred. If you didn't have any other physical exam findings such as an enlarged spleen or prolonged course, giving antibiotics would have been correct provided you had a high enough pre-test probability for making the diagnosis of bacterial pharyngitis (strep throat). As Tom said the diagnosis is primarily clinical with several criteria for treating. If you had enough of these criteria (fever, painful lymphadenopathy, absence of a cough, or tonsilar exudate) many physicians would not have tested you via a rapid strep screen and prescribed antibiotics based on the sensitivity and specificity of the test.
Because of the emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria there has been a big push to avoid antibiotic use in diseases that are primarily caused by viral etiologies, so there must have been some evidence to treat you. Developing a rash after antibiotic use is pretty classic for Epstein Barr Virus or "mono", which would require no specific treatment other than avoiding contact sports and supportive care.
With that said, I am glad you are feeling better. Don't let this experience sour your opinion on the medical community as a whole as hindsight is 20/20. Most cases of pharyngitis that are untreated will resolve spontaneously with a longer clinical course, but certain related diseases may occur such as retropharyngeal abscesses, rheumatic fever, kidney disease, etc. in rare situations, so it is hard to criticize someones medical decision making in this instance. If you are prescribed antibiotics again let your health care provider know that you developed a rash after being given penicillin based antibiotics and describe the scenario you wrote about in detail.
Thanks for the health info/concern. At a follow up exam, I got negative results for both strep and mono, and both the rash and throat symptoms went away is about a week.
As for Hunter, he was pretty terse and used a lot of colorful language. I'll try not to judge him based on the way he interacts with other players.
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In retrospect, Cloudthresher should probably stay in (as well as that stray Makeshift Mannequin). I just had extreme prejudice against cloudthresher that day since he had been largely irrelevant on the whole and dies to cheeky stuff like Terror and Slaughter Pact.
I wasn't really prepared for this matchup anyway and probably won't play this deck again, but if I did I suppose there are worse options than keeping in Cloudthresher.
What's your Constructed rating? Losing 11 points for going 8-3 is pretty crazy.
I WANT YOUR DEATH BARONS! Message me if you want to get rid of them!
The initial diagnosis was indeed based on history/practitioner's visual analysis. Bad call, obv.
1900. Went 8-3-1, the draw cost me 2 points...^_^;
Making a diagnosis of strep on history and physical is basically equivalent to flipping a coin, only time the physical truly helps is if there is purulent tonsil exudate and this is always treated with antibiotics. Otherwise, it is nearly impossible to tell viral vs bacterial pharyngitis.
Cheers,
Tom
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It sounds like you may have had infectious mononucleosis/EBV or an adverse drug reaction from the antibiotic, although it is difficult to say without seeing the rash and knowing when it occurred. If you didn't have any other physical exam findings such as an enlarged spleen or prolonged course, giving antibiotics would have been correct provided you had a high enough pre-test probability for making the diagnosis of bacterial pharyngitis (strep throat). As Tom said the diagnosis is primarily clinical with several criteria for treating. If you had enough of these criteria (fever, painful lymphadenopathy, absence of a cough, or tonsilar exudate) many physicians would not have tested you via a rapid strep screen and prescribed antibiotics based on the sensitivity and specificity of the test.
Because of the emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria there has been a big push to avoid antibiotic use in diseases that are primarily caused by viral etiologies, so there must have been some evidence to treat you. Developing a rash after antibiotic use is pretty classic for Epstein Barr Virus or "mono", which would require no specific treatment other than avoiding contact sports and supportive care.
With that said, I am glad you are feeling better. Don't let this experience sour your opinion on the medical community as a whole as hindsight is 20/20. Most cases of pharyngitis that are untreated will resolve spontaneously with a longer clinical course, but certain related diseases may occur such as retropharyngeal abscesses, rheumatic fever, kidney disease, etc. in rare situations, so it is hard to criticize someones medical decision making in this instance. If you are prescribed antibiotics again let your health care provider know that you developed a rash after being given penicillin based antibiotics and describe the scenario you wrote about in detail.
He doesn't have a black soul. He is actually a really cool guy. I know personally because I am friends with him.
He made the deck on site bringing no cards to the event with him along with no money.
He hardly plays the game.
As for Hunter, he was pretty terse and used a lot of colorful language. I'll try not to judge him based on the way he interacts with other players.