Hi Murphs..BookNut has been a lot of help...I use the nebulizer machine with liquid Acetyclysteine 20% about 4 times a day..it really breaks up th mucus..Here in the US you can buy the machine at drug stores..tubing & mouth piece also..I also use Oxygen Meter on my finger...it has been low today 91-92...today sucks..
Glad to be of help. I will keep you posted how my new routine is going. I have only been off pred for a very short time. How I am feeling about mid May should tell the story.
I have been using the saline nebulizer first - before the flutter valve. If you think to ask your doctor about that, let me know what he/she says. Bascially, I do saline, breathing exercises, and then flutter valve.
Just got back from my morning walk. Gorgeous day to be out. I have decided the most efficient thing to so is to get up, do my saline-exercise-flutter valve-sinatrol routine. Then get dressed in my walking gear, go out for a walk, and them come back and get dressed for the rest of the day and eat my breakfast. Darn good thing I am retired. Though - before I retired - my daily walk fit in very nicely from the work parking lot and back again before driving home.
I am taking Clarithromycin 3 times per week to keep infection at bay. I don't think it has had any effect. Not sure why I am not on Arithromycin, since that seems more common. Maybe I can't get it in a dye-free version. i am mmildly allergic to yellow dye and extremely allergic to red dye.
The other thing that I have added over the past 6 months is monthy Solair shots to keep my allergy response tamped down. It is a bit of a scary drug. It did give me 8 weeks feeling good. The longest single stretch I have had in 4 years. But then the cycle seemed to get going again. Not sure I will continue beyond the next 6 months.
I too am glad to have found this group. SO helpful to get other ideas. Often others with the same condition are more help than our doctors!!
Just another thought. I wonder if you can take something to boost your immune system? I hate to think of you quitting a job you love if you can get this under condtrol. I retired 4 years ago from my job as a school librarian, and immediately got sick. So - you might quit for no reason. I loved my job, and would have worked longer - but for a variety of reasons it was probably a good idea. I am 67 now. I had high school students. I can tell you, they are just nursery school students in big bodies. We used to do all kinds of "baby" activities with them and they loved it. The time we colored Easter Eggs, when we were done they said "if we go away and come back in an hour, will you HIDE the eggs? So much fun!! I miss my kiddies every day. But at least now I can be on Facebook with them which is fun!
Thanks Cynthia! I am interested in the nebuslized Acetyclysteine. My doctor yesterday seemed to think it would do better for me than in pill form. I have heard that the neb version smells bad. Does it? I will see my allergist soon and will run it past her. The pills have done wonders so far for my post-nasal drip, which I think is the root cause of my cycle of infections followed by breathing exacerbations. How long have you been taking it? Does it help when you are having episodes of wheezing/sob? Very interested to hear more. Thanks!
BookNut...now I know where the name comes from..I retired from a Gift Shop I worked at here along the Texas Coast...I live between Galveston & Houston..I am 64 yrs. old....it was just time for me to...my 8 hours was begining to feel like 12 hours...I am on FB if you ever want to connect...(Cindy Schmidt)...
Hi, Just a thought about boosting your immune system...I have been juicing every morning to reduce inflamation and boost the immune system, just giving it a try;
5 carrots (1lb weight)
1 green apple
1 stick celery
1 raw beetroot
piece of tumeric,
piece of ginger
wash everything and juice...I have a glass with my husband every morning, you can adjust the amount of ginger for a flavour that you prefer.
Blessings,
Lesley
I would love to connect via FB...but there are quite a few Cindy Schmidts. Maybe you could search my name and send a friend request. I think there is only me with my name...Jacquie Hedworth Henry.
Unless you are really poorly dont give up the job as a teacher.I myself love my work(as a nurse) and have not felt the need to give up.Perhaps I may be wrong but we are all living in a too clean society and a few germs will help us to boost our immunity.Stay away from viral diseases like flu and measles and chicken pox but simple colds will be always around.You will probably develop an immunity to the childrens "germs" but if you give up your job you may soon become more depressed at leaving.You need the day to day activity to help you stay "sane".
I can remember going potatoe picking with my mum when a child in the 50's and in the fields we were unable to wash our hands before eating our sandwiches sat next to the potato sacks.The only bacteria you need worry too much is the bowel bugs which cause all the problems in wounds and bladder and food poisoning.
Good luck Murphs.
Hi Murphs
I was given my Acapella at a hospital visit. It works the same as a Flutter, except a Flutter you have to be upright to use it, whereas the Acapella you can use lying down which helps to bring up the mucus easier. I've never had a massage, but if you fancy one then go for it, if nothing else it will relax you and make you feel sooooooo chilled.
Hi BookNut....The Acetyclysteine comes in small bottles like vials...it does smell bad..like rotten eggs...but boy does it work fast..couple of puffs into my lungs and I get phlem up...i have to do it every few hours...might be because it is spring and allergies are and pollen are bad here in Texas...I think post-nasal drip is a big problem of mine also...I have been on it since last November...I went to ENT for a yeast infection in my throat..He wrote me a RX for it and said this might help you.....it did...Yes it does help with the wheezing..and it is cheap...I hope I was able to answer your questions....
Thanks BookNut I will do...Have a good evening...
Hi Lesley, I wil try that! Must get a juicer, I have a blender but I don't think it's up to raw carrots. Thanks for the great idea!
Do you use probiotics? I'm thinking about taking those also.
Thanks , Wendy
Hi Cynthia, That's really good to know. I will check walgreens or CVS. I'm seeing doctor this Friday bc I have new lung infection and will ask her about the saline and the Acetyclysteine.
Do you use the nebulizer with ACetyclysteine everyday? Even when you don't have an infection?
I hope that you're oxygen is higher today and that you have a much better day. Wendy
Hi Booknut, kids are great , always, all ages! Love the Easter egg story!
I know it seems rash , I've taught different grades for the past 21 years, but I am always catching the germs they bring in , and I've read that the more infectons you get , the worse the disease becomes. I found that very upsetting. I'll see what happens next year.
I'm also an oil painter which is probably not the best for Bronch. I keep a window open.
Is mowing the lawn a problem? Someone said it was.
I'm am going to copy your morning regime once I get the neb and flutter valve. Love long walks.
I will let you know what doc says!
Thanks Dancing Queen. It's prettty confusing. So thankful to have you and the others helping me through this!
Lawn mowing can be a big problem if you are as allergic to fresh cut grass as I am. Creates a stream of post nasal drip runny nose and red, itchy, streaming eyes. Bad news. Good luck with upcoming appointment.
I'm allergic to trees and grass. You're right, I would always need to run inside to blow my nose a few times while mowing! It makes sense. Seems like we all have allergies.
Yea...I think the allergies contribute over the years to the eventual lung damage caused by this symdrome. Mucus is the enemy. We have to mobilize all our weapons against it!!!
...I have used probiotics, they replace the good bacteria that antibiotics kill.
I am thinking the juice may help to reduce the inflamation in my lungs, and it builds up the immune system. (also great for fighting cancer). You are right, a blender is different than a juicer...juicers are made for the job, but get a good one as you get what you pay for, as always.
Blessings,
Lesley
Thank you Charles, I appreciate what you are saying and I will miss the children very much, it makes me sad to think about it. They sit on my lap and hug me, say the cutest and funniest things, and I love it. 4 year olds. I've had this age-group for about 20 years. But they bring in flus, stomach bugs, you name it. Their parents send them in sick, they really do. It's insane.
Every year I've been getting sicker for longer periods of time. Now that I have been diagnosed w Bronch I know why it takes me so long to get better. This year I was out for 3 months. I've been back for a month and now have another lung infection. I feel afraid sometimes.
I'm going to finish out the year and then really focus on my oil paintings. That's got to be bad too, but I keep room well ventilated. I play the piano, and love to garden. I will try to keep busy. Maybe get another job.
Thank you for your insight Charles, you're right. I'm just afraid.