TGIF

Saw the pulmo. Same old, same old. Not quite as dismissive of the edema this time, but not wanting to prescribe meds for it yet, which is fine. I just don't want to bloat to death. Basically, I need to buy a bigger shoe for those days when my feet have swollen past their usual size 9 so I can still exercise. That will be interesting.

Energy continues to be better on 10mg. I don't really 'wake up' until it hits my system. I also still get some residual weakness/fatigue, especially at the end of the day when the steroids have worn off.

However, I baked muffins (pumpkin-cranberry), did the dishes, washed the cabinet faces, wrote an article, played badminton with my hubby and visited my house guest's new apartment.

(Why is it the house guests we like always leave and the ones we can't stand stay forever?)

That's, like, a pretty normal day for me. It was exciting.

My plan with the steroids is 5 days x 10mg, 5 days x 7.5mg, 5 days by 5mg and then alternate days until I don't need it. (More likely I'll ping pong all over the place because it won't be linear.)

I'm not sure why I'm doing so badly. I don't think I suppressed again. I used steroids, but kept the doses very low because:

1) High dose steroids don't control the asthma any better in my experience. By the time I've outpaced the five different meds I have in my arsenal, no amount of steroids is going to be a cure. In fact, the 125mg I got in the ER only lasted a few hours, it's impact had faded by the time I was discharged.

For the record, I go to the ER for the nebulizer treatments. Ones with more meds in it than I have at home, which did not happen. Actually, the ER flubbed too. I saw in my discharge papers that I supposedly got 2 neb treatments 30 minutes apart, which is a lie! I wish that had happened! ER Fail.

2)Not breathing is easier than HPA axis suppression. I have said that before and I was so not kidding. I was/am/always will be desperate to protect myself from suppression.

So 125mg solumedrol was the most I got. I metabolized it very quickly--the steroid withdrawal hit me not even 12 hours later, which I thought was strange. Usually it lasts more than 24 hours before assaulting me with full body muscle cramps.

Going back to my original theory--I didn't stress dose enough and put myself in the hole. That one is fairly plausible. I was stingy with the steroids and suspect this is the price I pay for that. Let's hope my payment plan is enough for the piper.

Read More

My Email Address and Newly Discovered Allergies

For the reader who asked, my email is pissedoffpatient AT gmail DOT com.

Energy was okay yesterday. No steroids. Tried to take it easy, but probably overdid it judging by how pooped I was at the end of the day. We went to the park and I had a mom friend over. Chatting with her, I didn't get lunch until almost 2, with only 1/2 cup of yogurt for breakfast and it being the first day without steroids this week (which means even lower blood sugar than normal). I finally had to come clean that if I didn't eat,I would probably pass out. I offered her a salad, but she ran away when she saw how many greens were involved.

Later the hubby drove me around for some errands. Gah. I HATE THIS FATIGUE! I also dislike the heat edema that came to the party and failed to take a picture--just put my legs up and tried to stay cool which helped.

I have continued to work with the digestive enzymes with good success. Any failures are due to, I think, food allergies/sensitivities. So far on the list: chocolate (sob), peppers, cabbage, cucumbers and tomatoes (yet they are sometimes okay). Some of these I've had issues with even on Nexium, but I attributed it to GERD. 'Oh, the GERD is just bad today.'

With digestive enzymes to treat the GERD, I'm fine so long as I don't eat any offending items--this is the distinction that makes me consider it a food sensitivity or allergy.

Well.

Knock me over with a feather.

I had no idea that I had any food sensitivities, but it is becoming very clear that I am reacting to several foods the second they hit my stomach. When that happens, I have to resort to Nexium and even then it takes hours and hours for it to kick in and give me any relief.

Huh. My body can still surprise me.

This news article about a nurse who denied medical care to a student in the throes of acute asthma brought back memories. None of them good. I had one asthma attack in High School. The gym teacher ignored me. The kids laughed at me. The school nurse rolled her eyes.

I marched into the doctor's office the next day and demanded to be excused. Even at 15, I was incensed and the doctor handed a letter over no problem (I note that because it's somewhat unusual for any physician to listen to me, let alone give me what I ask for, I must've been quite persuasive).

For years, I worried they would come take my High School diploma away because I didn't have any gym classes. But I'm glad I did it. I could've easily been that student, gasping for air as a nurse locked me in the room, not even bothering to call 911 let alone dispense any medicine.

Ironically, I had an ER experience that was a lot like that once.

Today we are going out of town for a graduation party. I'm packing a picnic because I don't want to eat any crap food that might make me sick. The few restaurant meals I've had recently have not gone well. Processed restaurant food has actually been burning my mouth.

Wish me luck that I have good energy today. I need it!

Read More

Rush

I woke up yesterday, very clear in my lungs. No tightness. Didn't need any albuterol and, as a result, I decided to stop the steroids. Still congested in my nose though with a productive cough, but I think I'm winning the war. Finally, 20 days later.

Since I felt so much better, I did the 'Rush' Zumba workout which is 20 minutes. I didn't go full force, kept it light but worked up a sweat.

Being sick reinforces my decision to do the DVDs over signing up for a class. It's vital that I go at my own pace, in my own time. Strict schedule adherence is impossible for me still and sometimes I modify things in a way that would make me very awkwardly stand out in a group class.

It feels so so SO good to use my body again. I hate being sidelined (doesn't everyone?). I think a lot of my ability to even do this much so soon stems from the IV nutrition therapy. I'm a total convert, about to become a zealot.

By the way, I did find one study on IV therapy for asthma. They hyped magnesium but there's also mention of nutrients like B12."Patients who received longer-term therapy (average duration of 12.58 months) for chronic asthma demonstrated an overall average improvement of 95%." That's pretty interesting. If there's a way I can better manage this stuff with less disruption of my life, I'm all for it.

As for the rest of the day post-Zumba... I overdid it a little bit. Ran three errands and my lungs got a bit raw and reactive. That tired me out and I was happy to go to bed.

Read More

Better Than Expected

I only made it to one store yesterday and then I had to rest a bit. However, my legs were strong and I didn't feel overly strained by the trip to Costco. I was happy to sit down after, though.

Then I did a very very very low key, low impact Zumba work out. It seems the asthma accumulates overnight and I spend most of the day trying to recover,and by evening I start to improve, just in time to start the cycle all over again.

I don't know if anyone reading this recalls that I tend to buy things when I don't feel well? I call it retail therapy for asthma.

I feel so godawful, that buying things is a welcome distraction and source of pleasure--it brings me outside the prison of my body. Hence the Zumba dvd.

This latest episode, I have also bought:

1.Clothes for the toddler.

2.Shoes for the toddler.

3.A zumba DVD set (which was planned, I just hadn't gotten around to it).

4.Books.

5.Vitamins for the toddler. Fancy ones.

Do I have the money for all this? No, not really, but it made me feel better and I just can't see beating myself up about it right now. Of course, I really need to get better before I talk myself into a new car or some other financial stupidity.

You know, I could totally see myself doing that. Buying a new car. Just because I can't breathe.

How strange.

I think the hubby needs to take the credit cards away when I'm sick in the future.

Read More

Tired Monday

I must be getting better if my body can finally muster the energy for PMS. I'm about a week late, I assume due to the stress of illness.

Breathing is still not super great. Lots of pressure and tightness--often can't 'pinch an inch' on my chest. I continue to need to go slow--that includes not talking so much because that makes me pant. But I'm trying to stick with just the albuterol inhaler and not do the nebulizer. So far so good.

In the name of stupidity necessity, I plan to hit 4 stores later today to get some errands dealt with while the hubby is home to drive me around and pick me up if I fall down.

Hallelujah the hubby is home. OMG. So glad to have another sane adult (we have a surplus of crazy living with us) home to help out.

I haven't weighed myself, finding that to be counterproductive during PMS, but my stomach is quite flat and I would estimate about a 10lb weight loss. I have no appetite. Even being on steorids. None. I even forgot to feed the toddler a few times--I just don't care about food. So it's back to forcing myself to eat at regular intervals. Fortunately, my appetite likes salad this time.

Read More

Please Just Stop Already

I still can't breathe.

But there's nothing I can do about it.

I hate the fact that I'm on my own as a parent right now. I've called in family and sitters to help so I can rest. But I wish we had cancelled the hubby's trip. I thought I would be fiiiine though. Instead I'm no better than I was yesterday and I'm using the nebulizer and taking steroids--I'm not playing around.

Took the toddler to the park twice today. I can't push her on the swing, can't walk around the duck pond and it's hard for her to understand WTF is wrong with mommy.

It's frustrating.

Being Mommy never stops.

Being sick never stops.

It's impossible for me and unfair to her.

Read More

I Need More Rest

Ended up back in Urgent Care, this time one with an x-ray as I was advised. They turfed me to the ER, which was hosting an 'I-cut-my-head-open' playdate with the three and under set. I entertained myself trying to peg the drug seekers.

My main complaint was extreme weakness with shortness of breath. I caught my eyes closing as I was driving to the ER, which is not normal. I did not think it was asthma, but a nebulizer treatment (in the waiting room) really helped.

O2 was 100% but dropped into the mid and low 90s whenever I moved which led me to the insight that I need more rest.

I keep thinking I'm getting better and so I push push push. I dance with the toddler. I take her to school. I go to the grocery store and suddenly feel like I'm going to pass out because my oxygen has tanked.

The problem is the toddler won't let me rest and the hubby is not great about letting me rest. It's not that he doesn't help, he does but it's hard because he's in school and I'm the center of the home--he has no idea what to do. This is something we really need to work on as it's a fine line for me to stay out of the hospital any more.

I'm also having more asthma than I realize. I don't know why I'm so disconnected from my asthma symptoms. Is it just that I'm so used to not being able to breathe? Was it that I didn't wheeze much or have much congestion? That it was more chest pain and pressure making it off-pattern for me? I don't know, but I really was not in touch with how bad I was breathing.

The resolution from here is to take more steroids for a while. I'm a single parent for the weekend (of course!) and I need to be on top of my game and manage things more proactively. I've also added 'weakness' to my list of asthma symptoms that warrant a nebulizer treatment. I need to start smoking first, dithering second.

Of course this is all going to suck monkeybutt for the adrenals. I am so screwed there.

Read More

The Thermometer Has Been Fired

I'm pretty sure this post is full of clunkers. Enough to make a writing junkyard. Sorry. You'll understand when you read it.

So I don't feel better. Yesterday was not great. I tried not to stress does and ended up driving so erratically, I hit a curb on a straight road. Had a hard time responding to changes in lanes. Just really out of it with fatigue.

And oh, lookey at who else showed up? Asthma. Big time. Felt like an elephant sitting on my chest. It's possible I wasn't fully oxygenated on top of everything else.

I took 10mg while the toddler was at OT and my breathing eased almost immediately. The energy bit lagged, but at least I didn't feel like I was armed and dangerous behind the wheel.

At preschool drop-off, my daughter's teacher greeted me with "You don't look great. Are you okay?" And she was not the only one who asked me if I was okay, apparently, I had the death-warmed-over look down (which I thought was strange because I dressed up in pretty fancy clothes--people would ooo and aah over my skirt and then tell me I looked awful. It was weird.)

From there, it dawned on me that this is/was a lot like walking pneumonia. Ah, a clue! I got one!

I began making phone calls trying to get into a doctor. Set up an appointment for today and then realized I could not wait that long, my breathing had deteriorated to the point of no return--the asthma had become acute.

(Pauses to glare at magazine containing 'you will die of antibiotics' article that convinced me to hold off seeing my doctor.)

But I had another alternative medicine appointment, an anti-oxidant infusion.

And I so did not want to go to the ER. Please, not that.

By sheer force of will, I hauled my gasping lungs out to the far East side of my town for the alternative medicine infusion. I was breathing so badly, I didn't have enough air to talk even if I wanted to, which was unfortunate as I managed to alarm everyone at the clinic. I could only take panting, shallow breaths. Faking normal was not possible. Bad ju-ju. Very bad.

Basically, what I'm saying is, I really should not have been out in public yesterday in any capacity other than seeking immediate medical care to ensure I continued to breathe. Duh. Live and learn.

I began to think I'd made a terrible mistake and toyed with leaving to go straight to the ER. Especially since it took them almost an hour to get a vein.

But I stayed. Mostly because the idea of more people trying to find a vein was just too much.

And, to my surprise, the infusion helped. Immensely. It saved me from an ER trip. It wasn't a cure, for that I needed antibiotics, but it was a huge huge OMG huge help and game changer yesterday. For the better. It was way better than a nebulizer treatment too.

So, take that, mainstream medicine.

However, one of the things I don't like about my alternative care is there's not much proactive disclosure. If I don't ask what's in the IV bag, I won't be told. That bothers me. I don't think that's a 'best practice'.

However, of course, I asked and it was Alpha Lipoic Acid and something-something-choline. I never made it to the L-glutathiamine (I think that's spelled right) because I 'over-oxidized' or, in other words, my system was full up on anti-oxidants and didn't need any more. You know when this happens because you turn red somewhere on your body. I got a hive-y rash on my arm near the infusion site. Other people get red faces, ears or necks.

I also had a B12 shot.

For the record, I have taken oral Alpha Lipoic Acid for years without coming even close to the positive effects of receiving it by IV. It even helps my blood sugar--if I eat bad, I don't get woozy sugar highs.

From the infusion, I went straight to urgent care, because I knew this bug wasn't dead without antibiotics and once the anti-oxidants wore off it would be ER time.

Turns out my thermometer at home isn't working properly because I did have a fever. And maybe walking pneumonia. For now my label is bronchitis, but I have to go back if I don't get better, to one of their sites that has an x-ray machine.

Just to make it more miserable, the antibiotic is Augmentin, which has been known to chain me to the toilet in the past. The doc said I might avoid that with a probiotic and some yogurt. I hope they're right. I'm due for a little less misery. I've been fighting this bug for 15 days now (I realized the day I had immense sinus and ear pain was the warning shot, so this started a little earlier than I began complaining about it).

Read More

High as a Kite

Nine times out of ten, vitamins kick the bug's ass.

The tenth time?

The bug kicks my ass.

Even if I just had a mega IV infusion of vitamins.

I feel like I'm floating, a ghost in my own life. Loopy and swirling like a kite trick.

I don't think the doc believed me Monday when I said I was sick. It wasn't overt, in-your-face-sick. Yet. It was all gummed up in gooey lumps in my lungs, held in suspension.

By Tuesday you couldn't miss it since I'd lost my voice and had begun hacking like a lab pig forced to smoke 24/7. (They use smoker pig lungs in Anatomy and Physiology classes around here. Poor piggies.) My lungs feel like glass about to shatter every time I cough.

The asthma is a bit more serious than it's been, although I have hope it will resolve without any drama.

I am becoming progressively more tired and weak. Since I have to work tonight, that may mean steroids.

Which are not alternative medicine physician approved.

Ha.

I love the irony of my medical care. Mainstream medicine thinks there's nothing wrong with me, but since they can't empirically rule out adrenal weirdness and I have a decently documented medical history, they give me steroids just to be safe (after much complaining on my part).

Alternative medicine totally agrees with my view that the steroids royally messed me up and my system is not right. But they don't want me to take anything mainstream medicine has to offer.

Neither extreme partners with me or values my feedback. They all just want mute compliance from their patients--no matter the personal cost to the patient.

I feel like Goldilocks. Too hot, too cold, and never just right.

By the way, vegan and 'raw' vitamins taste like ass. Why is that? Is raw food veganism a masochism thing?

Read More

Inspired Stupidity

Exercise yesterday did not go so well.

There was a cat at a play date, which confirmed that yep, I'm still allergic. The ol' asthma hack started pretty quick.

A walk/run later was preceded by albuterol that didn't do much. My lungs seized up anyway and, despite more albuterol, didn't relax enough for me to do anything but a slow walk.*

I came home and messed around with a Wii fit thing. That went okay, it wasn't too aerobic.

But then the adrenal stuff came into play. Very tired. Very cold and unable to get warm. I went to bed as soon as the toddler was asleep.

We'll see how today goes.

By the way, I stopped at the drug store to get a spacer, having identified the model I wanted online. Oddly, I can buy spacers like an addict online, but in real life? You need a prescription. So dumb.


*This reminds me of the time I lived in Central America and stayed at a boarding house with two Navy Seals sent down to learn Spanish. Two gorgeous hunks of men. I went running with them, despite not being a runner and having uncontrolled asthma--they were hot enough to inspire stupidity.

So off we went, running along a dormant volcano. My left lung completely seized up and swelled shut not even a quarter of a mile in. It was so weird, because the right side was fine, but I couldn't get any air movement on the left.

Of course, I had to stop and gasp my way home because my stupid lung had a wedgie. In front of hard core Navy Seals. So wimpy. So humiliating.

They were amazing guys. Too bad my lungs couldn't keep up.

Read More

This and That, Chernobyl Edition

I don't know why I'm posting every day of late, although the big pile of dreaded editing giving me the hairy eyeball likely explains it. Anything but that.

The asthma is not controlled. It's yanking me out of sleep with symptoms. Not sure what the cause is other than the weather has been up and down a lot. Yesterday we had snow.

My spacers died. Note the plural. Yes, they both died at the same time. Apparently, rubber/silicone cracks after a decade. I have yet to replace them because I really like their design and they don't seem to be available anywhere. So that may be a factor in the poor control as well. Especially considering I'm having a hard time inhaling fully until about noon.

It's unpleasant, but not serious. It serves only to alarm physicians who are stuck with me as a patient and make daily life more irritating for me. It will go nowhere because my main trigger is not present--no germs on board makes for mild asthma.

The toddler fell down the stairs yesterday. She's scraped and bruised, but fine. Just to stay on theme, my attack furniture impaled my hip as I rushed to her. And all I can say is I felt a sense of victory that it wasn't my knee.

Our house guest has noted the toddler falls a lot. So we are not yet to where it's at a normal, not worthy of commentary level. Fatigue is a trigger. The day she had Tae Kwon Do (which is an adult work out, I would huff and puff in that class), walked a mile and ran the playground, she began falling and tripping all over the place. Three bloody scrapes in total.

My fatigue is still there, but the iron supplements definitely blunt it. I really think I had maybe slipped into anemia there for a second. It would also help if the toddler would sleep past 7am. She used to sleep until 8:30, but now with daylight savings time we are up at the equivalent of 6am. Ow.

We are working on a cancer care package. So far, a soft, warm blanket, a bag to carry it and a plan to buy lots of favorite candies that aren't available where they live. Hubby wanted to arrange a visit, but the surgery is happening so fast, we can't pull it off.

Hubby asked me if stress could give you cancer. I sort of rolled my eyes. I hate the New Age idea that our feeeelings can kills us. It victimizes people who have done nothing other than try to live their lives. So they get sick and then we tell them if they just had better emotions they wouldn't be doing this to themselves. Ugh. Hate that.

Do our emotions impact our biochemistry? Yes. Do they impact our behavior? Yes. So, on some level, how we feel and what we do about it have a physiological impact that could enhance an infection or help foster cancer. But it's more than that. Look at Henrietta Lacks, her cancer cells march on even though her emotions died a long time ago.

The hubby's family was exposed to Chernobyl. They were not in the Ukraine, but it hit their city anyway. Chernobyl hit a lot of places. So did Japan.

We are braised in a toxic stew and some of us cook faster than others.

Read More

Knowing cough variant asthma

Cough Variant Asthma is an important consition to note. Cough variant Asthma is unlike the normal asthma ,it has nothing to do with sneezing or shortness of breath. Cough variant asthma is more like a chronic cough ailment. Sever chronic cough which lasts as long as 6 to 8 weeks is termed as Cough variant asthma.

Coughing which occurs in this kind of asthma is usually dry cough not accompanied with sputum.

People suffering from cough variant asthma usually have no association with other asthma symptoms of breathlessness or sneezing.

Chronic coughing which goes on for a long period of time as long as 6 to 8 weeks. Coughing spells are known to occur either in the day or night.
Patients with night cough variant asthma are known to have sleepless nights ,as constant cough can interrupt a good restful night.

Cough variant asthma is known to increase with exposure to dust ,strong smell even cold air can sometime revoke cough asthma.Blood pressure medicine like Beta-blockers which are used even for heart disease migraine and palpation are also known to begin a cough which can lead to cough variant asthma.

Sometimes aspirin allergy can also lead to cough resulting later into asthma.Patients suffering from cough variant asthma are not recommend excess physical activities like running jogging or exercise ,as this has said to increase the ailment.

Chough variant asthma is more common in young children especially those who are suffered from common asthma when they were younger.Cough variant asthma can further lead to sneezing as well as breathlessness.

There is no particular cause for cough variant asthma ,its not viral any person prone to allergies or excess exposure to cold air can develop his asthma.Many people with the prevailing problem of sinusitis are known to develop cough variant asthma in the long run.

Its not easy diagnosing cough variant asthma ,as physical examination and chest X-ray will not detect anything. For diagnosing cough variant asthma you need to take a spirometer test ,if your symptoms and spirometer test does not mention asthma then doctors advice a special test ,called methacholine test ,this test requires special facilities. In this test ,patients are required to inhale methacholin ,if you have asthma the methacholin will cause spasm In your airways and narrow the passage of air. After the test a bronchodilator is given to the patients to open the airway which had narrowed due to methacholin.

Doctors also use regular asthma medicines to treat cough ,if the patient responds to the asthma medicine for their cough they are diagnosed with cough variant asthma. Cough variant asthma requires the same medication and care required for regular asthma ,an asthma inhaler with albuterol ipratropium and some anti-inflammatory agents are given to inhale on.

Cough variant asthma takes it own time course ,so precaution and care is required to keep it at bay. Recovery from cough variant asthma is a slow gradual process , minimum time of 6 weeks is required for the medicines to start showing results.
Cough Variant Asthma - ask your physician to learn more today.

Read More

The Road to an Updose

One thing I wanted to write down before I forget it happened was after the Wednesday work out, I was sneezy and kind of flu-ish the next day. Similar to what happened when I accidentally worked out for three hours that one time. Just really run down.

So I worked out again Saturday. Not because I wanted to or felt up to it, but something needed to be done to change the path my body was on. Which was one of sugar supernova explosion and Oompa Loompa salt bloat.

It's funny how I can eat my weight in sugar and it's therapeutic, but then I can barely have any and I feel like I'm being stalked by a ninja named Diabetes. Who wants to do the three year death* move on me.

I don't know.

We had Thai food at a mediocre Thai restaurant. I am super duper salt sensitive anymore and really have to watch salt intake (except for those times I need extra salt to stay upright--I'm just full of contradictions!). I don't feel that I ate all that much, some chicken satay, a few lettuce wraps and some wonton.

Maybe they used MSG or I was reacting to something else in the food? Whatever it was, it compounded the fatigue.

After that, I propped up my bleary eyes to bake cookies and make turtles, which involved heavy sampling of the mini Milky Ways.

At that point, I'd already started drinking lots of water to flush out any extra salt, but the sugar hit me hard for some reason. So I put on some music and bopped around the house while the cookies baked in an effort to sweat it out and give the sugar high something productive to do.

I couldn't do squats as I was still sore from Wednesday. I had changed my squat technique to target my hamstrings better and it was almost too successful. My abs were also pretty sore still as I'd added 10lb weights to my routine. Just because that's what you do when you're chronically ill and haven't worked out in a while, amiright? There's no way that's ever a bad idea!

So between the bopping and a high impact day with no time to rest, by the time it was all over, I had collapsed on the couch. The hubby covered me with blankets and I just lay there for a couple hours, trying to get warm. I was D.O.N.E. Stomach pain and the adrenal gang came to beat me up.

Then I had an asthma attack because surprise! The inhaler was empty and I didn't notice. Who knows how many doses I missed? Check stupid in your dictionary to see a picture of me.

The asthma made it so much easier to swallow a 10mg updose Sunday morning.

*Three year death...maybe I'm mis-remembering the name but it's a sequence of (mythic?) martial arts moves that causes death years later.

Read More

Oh, To Be 11 Again

I remember how I felt with an am cortisol of 11. This is not as good as that. Nor is it as bad as last year. I went back and read the posts. I'm better than that, or maybe I'm just bad in a different way this time given that, Friday, I had to lay in bed for several hours and pray I didn't end up in the ER.

Before things got dodgy, I called the endo and requested an am cortisol draw. The thinking is, if I am low now, let's document it in case I later gain ground. (Or lose ground as the case seems to be.)

They never called me back, which is unfortunate as things are much more serious than when I initially contacted them.

If I had to guess, I would say cortisol is below 10 but above 5. (Let's see if I'm right! What's your bet?)

The recovery feels very adrenal, but is it because I was on steroids and went through my infamous version of withdrawal or because I had a crisis? It's hard to know.

The weight loss makes me lean more toward a crisis. The duration of the symptoms makes me lean toward a crisis as well. It's been over a week, acute withdrawal should be gone by now. I should not be in fear of a crisis, but I am because my body keeps going there.

Friday was frightening. I am glad I held my own.

The other thought nagging my intuition is not a good one, but it's just my intuition, so we don't have to listen to it. Could this be some kind of cancer? All these growths? All these symptoms? Strange (for me) weight loss?

I've lost weight. Those pants I bought? The ones that fit me now? Don't need to be unbuttoned to be pulled down.

Then I think maybe we should check for diabetes. Although I'm not peeing and had a non-fasting blood sugar of 93 in late September (go low carb!). It seems unlikely and the PCP was not concerned when I brought it up, but, I don't know, it's just one of those gut things that nags at me.

There is zero family history of diabetes, on either side. I'm hoping those genetics are strong enough to counter the impact of steroids. Pre-diabetic I can live with, but diabetes scares the pants off me.

Can you imagine? Asthma, diabetes and adrenal weirdness all in one body? That would be a death sentence.

Before things nosedived Friday, we put up our snowflake mobile and did some light Christmas decorating. Already? Yes, already. It's a happy thing for both me and the toddler. We won't break out the big guns until the day after Thanksgiving,which is about as long as I can stand to hold off.

Some people even have lights up and we did our first light drive Saturday night. I don't mind people decorating early. I hate the Christmas before Halloween retail push, but people enjoying the season a bit early are okay in my book.

Saturday I was tired and doing the sad zombie shuffle. Had some stomach and flank pain along with nausea, but the other GI stuff, while continuing to threaten me, has calmed down--Thank you all that is holy. Dropped off cars at the mechanic, went out to a delightful lunch with the hubby, to the store, and then to bed. No appetite for dinner, but I managed to filch some of hubby's chicken wings... and then couldn't finish them.

Read More

Between Asthma and Gerd (gastroesophageal reflux disease)

There are several theories put forward about the relationship of gerd and asthma include: Stimulation at esofagolaringeal reflex, reflex of the distal esophagus stimulates the vagal reflexes that cause bronchoconstriction (reflux theory). Another mechanism is reflux esfagobrokhial; acid from the esophagus could stimulate acid sensitive receptors in the upper respiratory tract, causing bronchospasm.

Gastroesophageal reflux was found in 45-89% of patients with asthma, this may be caused by esophageal reflux, refluksesfagopulmoner and the smooth muscle relaxant that is betha adrenergic group, aminophylline, inhibitr phosphodiesterase causing Esophageal LES incompetence. The clinical presentation of gerd is a sour taste in the mouth, heartburn, and disfagi. If the substance of the pharynx and mouth reflux will cause laryngitis, hoarseness and aspiration pneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis and chronic asthma.

The researchers still disagree about the treatment of gerd can reduce the dose of the treatment of asthma and improve lung physiology. The goal of treatment is to treat asthma and gerd esfageal while reducing reflux and protects esophageal mucosa. Asthma and gerd should be treated together to avoid more serious complications.

Read More

Knowing reactive airway disease in children

Reactive airway disease in children is usually caused by infection, viruses, allergies to environmental stimulus. Air pollution could be one of the main causes and not contagious.

Symptoms similar to asthma caused. Children with this disease will have swollen due to respiratory irritants, This will cause the narrowing of small airways in the lungs. As mentioned in asthma emedicine, Asthma is a chronic disease that attacks the respiratory tract where there is inflammation in the lung cavity wall bronchiale causing constriction of the airways

Symptoms

Some of the most common symptoms of asthma include: Coughing. Cough usually occurs at night, early morning, when the weather is cold, and during exercise. Breath that sounded like a whistle are also having trouble breathing.

Asthma symptoms will last for 2-3 days, or even more. After an asthma attack improved, the child will need a reliever attack (reliever) 3-4 times per day until coughing and wheezing disappeared.

Triggers

The cause of asthma is often not known.  It is often runs in families. And Type of asthma may be associated with other conditions such as eczema (eczema) and allergies. Some triggers of asthma attacks are as follows: Flu. The most common asthma triggers are respiratory tract infections caused by viruses. Viral infections are common in children about 6-8 times a year. If a child susceptible to asthma, he will experience wheezing and coughing at these times.

Viruses can not be killed by antibiotics, because antibiotics were not required at this asthma attack. Physical activity, weather changes, tobacco smoke, fleas were found in house dust, pollens, pet. Asthma attacks can be prevented by avoiding triggers. Therefore, if the trigger is known, these triggers should be avoided wherever possible.

Preventing

In most children, asthma can be controlled with proper medication. Two types of drugs used in children are: Attack reliever. This type of medicine works fast and is useful in acute attacks. An example is Ventolin. This type of medicine called a bronchodilator (broncho-: airway, dilator: who makes the width). As the name implies, these drugs dilate the airways that narrow more easily through the air. These provide an optimal effect by inhalation (inhaled through the nose). In acute attacks, the child will need Ventolin every 2-4 hours. If your child needs more than the dose, you should contact your pediatrician.

Read More

3 Classification Types of Asthma

Based on the cause, asthma can be classified into 3 classification types, namely:

1. Extrinsic (allergic)

Characterized by allergic reactions this classification of asthma caused by factors specific trigger, such as dust, pollen, animal dander, drugs (antibiotics and aspirin) and fungal spores. Extrinsic asthma is often associated with the presence of a genetic predisposition to allergies. Therefore if there are specific trigger factors such as those mentioned above, there will be extrinsic asthma attacks.

2. Intrinsic (non allergic)

Characterized by the presence of non allergic reaction that react to triggers that are not specific or unknown, such as cold air or it could be caused by respiratory tract infections and emotions. This classification of asthma attacks are becoming more severe and frequent over time and can develop into chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Some patients will experience asthma combined.

3. Combination of both

The most common form of asthma. This classification has the characteristics of this form of allergic and non-allergic.

As mentioned in asthma emedicine, Asthma is a chronic disease that attacks the respiratory tract where there is inflammation in the lung cavity wall bronchiale causing constriction of the airways. Asthma is most common in developed countries, especially those high air pollution levels from either fumes or dust.

Read More

Asthma emedicine

As mentioned in asthma emedicine, Asthma is a chronic disease that attacks the respiratory tract where there is inflammation in the lung cavity wall bronchiale causing constriction of the airways. Asthma is most common in developed countries, especially those high air pollution levels from either fumes or dust.

Until now the cause of asthma is not known with certainty, even after a lot studies by experts. Theory or hypothesis about the cause of a person suffering from asthma, has not been agreed upon by experts in the world of health. In patients with asthma, respiratory tract have distinctive properties that are highly sensitive to various stimuli such as air pollution (smoke, dust, chemicals), pollen, cold air, food, furry animals, mental stress, odor / aroma stinging and exercise.

• Respiratory sounds (wheezing), especially when breathing out (exhalation). Not all asthmatics have respiratory sounds, and not everyone who heard her breathing (wheezing) is an asthma sufferer!
• Shortness of breath due to narrowing of the bronchi tract.
• Prolonged cough at night or in cold weather.
• Feeling the narrow chest ..
• Severe asthma attack caused people unable to speak because of difficulty in breathing.

At the age of the children, initial symptoms may include itching in the chest cavity or neck. During an asthma attack, a sense of excessive anxiety can worsen the condition of the patient. As a reaction to anxiety, patients will also be spending a lot of sweat.

How to Avoid Asthma Attacks

The right steps can be taken to avoid an asthma attack, is away from the underlying factors that trigger. Each patient generally has its own characteristics to things that trigger asthma attacks.

Treatment of Asthma

Asthma has yet to be treated completely, this means that attacks can occur in the future. Handling and delivery of medicines to patients is an act of the attacks that arise, which adjusted to the severity of signs and symptoms. The basic principle of treatment an asthma attack is by the provision of drugs, both injections (Hydrocortisone), syrup, Ventolin (Salbutamol) or nebulizer (gas salbutamol) to help loosen respiratory tract.

In mild cases where the perceived existence of a complaint that lead to the symptoms of an asthma attack, or to prevent further attacks, the medical team or doctor will prescribe tablets as Aminophylin and Prednisolone. For patients, it is recommended to them to provide / keep inhaled medications (Ventolin Inhaler) wherever they are, who can help loosen respiratory tract where they have the attack occurred.

Read More

If toddler coughing at night, Beware of asthma!

Do not take for granted if your toddler coughing at night. Do not assume that a normal thing, it could be a symptom of asthma.

Coughing asthma in toddlers has another characteristic, heavier at night or early morning, and when he wakes up. Sometimes, differences in the intensity of coughing, between day and night is very extreme. By day no symptoms of coughing at all, whereas at night coughing so great. In infants and toddlers, this terrific coughing sometimes followed by vomiting containing mucus.

Because not diagnosed as asthma, when the toddlers coughing at night, given a coughing suppressant medicines (antitussives), and the cough becomes more precisely. "Patients with asthma should not be given antitussives, due to suppression of coughing reflex in asthma would prejudice. Cough asthma will subside if given asthma medication.

The majority of allergic asthma based on a factor. Thus, asthma is one form of allergic disease. In family history, usually encountered family members who have asthma, or other forms of allergic diseases like eczema, drug allergies, food allergies. Derived is the talent of allergy, whereas allergy manifestations can be different.

Other triggers are foods such as ice, food and cold drinks, candy, chocolate, instant savory foods with preservatives, MSG, peanuts. Asthma can also be triggered by the flu, fatigue, stress, excessive emotions, weather changes, acute respiratory infections, and the cold.

Asthma is usually triggered by a combination of various precipitating factors.

Asthma is not curable and the drugs that exist today in fact serve only relieve symptoms. However, by controlling your asthma in toddler, through medical consultation, if asthma is still a mild degree. Your toddlers can be free of asthma symptoms that interfere, so that they can live a good life activity.

There should be a paradigm shift of thinking, if found toddlers coughing at night. First, consider the possibility of asthma in the direction, not towards tuberculosis. The diagnosis of asthma if encountered at, among others, coughing in children with asthma would arise if he is exposed to trigger factors.

Read More

Deja Vu

Hey,it's Fall. We're going to the pumpkin patch tomorrow.

Except I'm sick.

Hey, I was sick last year.

This year, the toddler is sick too.

So. Much. Fun. that I can't quite find the right swear word for it.

The gallbladder/gut kept me most of the night and that was all the opening the germs needed.

My gut hurts, the adrenals are acting like they are somehow relevant, the asthma has been activated and my sinuses are full of gunk.

You wish you could have this much fun in just one body, don't you? Come on. Admit it.

Well, come hell or high water or whatever medical mayhem ensues, we are going to the pumpkin patch tomorrow.

So there.

Read More