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Post by Pony on Jun 5, 2007 16:55:40 GMT -5
lol...i thought it was funny, but you're right, it's "goombah" - i'll change it, but i get tired of looking at same pic. I wish everybody used headshots as avatar...i'd like to put face to words!!!
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Post by Ouch on Jun 5, 2007 20:14:56 GMT -5
You don't want to put my face to my words...you don't want blindness/petrification.
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Post by Interloper on Jun 6, 2007 12:38:28 GMT -5
Tony, I'd like to share my experience, because parts of it may be relevant for you.
I'm susceptible to bronchial infections because of asthma. Asthma consists of overexcitable airways that go into spasm and become inflamed at the drop of a hat, along with needless production of thick mucus that tends to plug the very small airways (bronchioles). In the words of one allergist I consulted: "Oh yeah--you're a typical, intermittent, crash-and-burn asthmatic. Your lungs turn to sandpaper the minute you get a cold."
I've found that two types of docs are really interested in lung function, enough to give truly helpful treatment--allergists and pulmonologists. If you don't have an allergic component to your problem, then I would suggest you try to find a pulmonologist. He or she should instantly grasp the pathophysiology of your infections, without your having to gasp your last in explanations.
My allergist has tailored a written treatment plan for me, much like what MrJeffFurz describes for himself. In my case, the minute I think I'm getting a cold, I start on inhaled steroid at a certain dose, to squelch the inflammation. As things devolve, I add or increase albuterol--also by inhalation--to counteract the bronchial spasm. I learned it's important to use a plastic spacer--which looks kinda like a car muffler--because it mysteriously gets about 30% more medication into the lungs.
By the way, American Academy of Family Physicians now recommends albuterol instead of antibiotics for acute bronchitis in adults with no other respiratory problems, because it seems bronchitis causes an asthma-like spasm of the airways in everybody. Not many docs seem to know that. For those otherwise-normal patients, it's apparently even questionable whether antibiotics help, at all. Lots of community-acquired bronchitis is of viral origin, anyhow.
If my mucus production becomes obnoxious--that is, if my head cold starts becoming a chest cold in earnest--I also add guaifenesin cough syrup, which is plain old Robitussin expectorant that you can get over the counter. In combination with drinking LOTS of water, the guaifenesin thins the mucus and makes it a whole lot easier to cough up. This has really helped me turn the corner toward convalescence, on several occasions.
If all that isn't working, I get a nebulizer treatment at the doc's office (which MrJeffFurz also mentioned), which is another inhalation treatment. However, the medication (another agent to counteract bronchospasm) is dispensed through a machine (the nebulizer) that breaks it into very fine droplets. These go farther into your lungs than albuterol can do via a little inhaler.
While all this is going on, I monitor my lung capacity with a plastic flow meter, a couple times a day. The doc calculated my ideal lung function during good health and set the gauge. So I can find out on my own whether I'm getting into the dangerous yellow zone, or worse. If I am, I phone him up. If the receptionist hears me croak, "I've got a cold and I'm in the yellow zone," she fits me in for an appointment at once. That's a fringe benefit of going along with the drill!
Oddly, I've found I can't necessarily tell when I'm getting into trouble, just based on how I'm feeling. Sometimes the gauge reassures me, other times it alarms me. So it's a really useful tool.
All this sounds complicated, but it's really not. It's all written down as a flow chart--if "A" then "B," etc. So, even when I'm feeling crummy, I can plod along and know what to do.
The really good news is that I've managed to avoid antibiotics during several of these infections. I must try to avoid them, because I've had anaphylactic reactions to two classes of them, already. (Like asthma, those reactions go along with being an allergic type of person.)
I hope you can find a lung doc to tailor a written treatment plan for you, for future use. It's terrible to be half suffocated and have to fight for treatment.
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Post by Valkyrja on Jun 6, 2007 17:59:03 GMT -5
Well... I know it's not the place but Tony brought the topic... I put a new avatar with my face. It's a bad photo... an ID photo... but, it's the only one I have (beside the other in the beach). Don't be afraid by the big mouth... I swear... I don't bite! LOL
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Post by Ouch on Jun 6, 2007 20:42:09 GMT -5
"Ahh, my finger...something bit it off!" Only kidding...
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Mark
New Member
Posts: 46
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Post by Mark on Jun 6, 2007 20:51:58 GMT -5
Afraid Valkyr? I'm thinking you're more like a movie star goddess....
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Post by Valkyrja on Jun 6, 2007 21:33:58 GMT -5
LOL!!!.... Wind... let me return your finger!!...
Thanks, Mark... but that is really much! LOL...
See, Tony, now the words have a face. Wind, your turn to post a face!! (Look, I have a big mouth that I seem to be Steven Tayler's sister!!)
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Post by DrH on Jun 7, 2007 4:46:38 GMT -5
Tony, I'd like to share my experience, because parts of it may be relevant for you. I'm susceptible to bronchial infections because of asthma. Asthma consists of overexcitable airways that go into spasm and become inflamed at the drop of a hat, along with needless production of thick mucus that tends to plug the very small airways (bronchioles). In the words of one allergist I consulted: "Oh yeah--you're a typical, intermittent, crash-and-burn asthmatic. Your lungs turn to sandpaper the minute you get a cold." I've found that two types of docs are really interested in lung function, enough to give truly helpful treatment--allergists and pulmonologists. If you don't have an allergic component to your problem, then I would suggest you try to find a pulmonologist. He or she should instantly grasp the pathophysiology of your infections, without your having to gasp your last in explanations. My allergist has tailored a written treatment plan for me, much like what MrJeffFurz describes for himself. In my case, the minute I think I'm getting a cold, I start on inhaled steroid at a certain dose, to squelch the inflammation. As things devolve, I add or increase albuterol--also by inhalation--to counteract the bronchial spasm. I learned it's important to use a plastic spacer--which looks kinda like a car muffler--because it mysteriously gets about 30% more medication into the lungs. By the way, American Academy of Family Physicians now recommends albuterol instead of antibiotics for acute bronchitis in adults with no other respiratory problems, because it seems bronchitis causes an asthma-like spasm of the airways in everybody. Not many docs seem to know that. For those otherwise-normal patients, it's apparently even questionable whether antibiotics help, at all. Lots of community-acquired bronchitis is of viral origin, anyhow. If my mucus production becomes obnoxious--that is, if my head cold starts becoming a chest cold in earnest--I also add guaifenesin cough syrup, which is plain old Robitussin expectorant that you can get over the counter. In combination with drinking LOTS of water, the guaifenesin thins the mucus and makes it a whole lot easier to cough up. This has really helped me turn the corner toward convalescence, on several occasions. If all that isn't working, I get a nebulizer treatment at the doc's office (which MrJeffFurz also mentioned), which is another inhalation treatment. However, the medication (another agent to counteract bronchospasm) is dispensed through a machine (the nebulizer) that breaks it into very fine droplets. These go farther into your lungs than albuterol can do via a little inhaler. While all this is going on, I monitor my lung capacity with a plastic flow meter, a couple times a day. The doc calculated my ideal lung function during good health and set the gauge. So I can find out on my own whether I'm getting into the dangerous yellow zone, or worse. If I am, I phone him up. If the receptionist hears me croak, "I've got a cold and I'm in the yellow zone," she fits me in for an appointment at once. That's a fringe benefit of going along with the drill! Oddly, I've found I can't necessarily tell when I'm getting into trouble, just based on how I'm feeling. Sometimes the gauge reassures me, other times it alarms me. So it's a really useful tool. All this sounds complicated, but it's really not. It's all written down as a flow chart--if "A" then "B," etc. So, even when I'm feeling crummy, I can plod along and know what to do. The really good news is that I've managed to avoid antibiotics during several of these infections. I must try to avoid them, because I've had anaphylactic reactions to two classes of them, already. (Like asthma, those reactions go along with being an allergic type of person.) I hope you can find a lung doc to tailor a written treatment plan for you, for future use. It's terrible to be half suffocated and have to fight for treatment. I believe any physician by way of just understanding the definition of acute bronchitis: inflammation of the airways, wouldn't immediately prescribe antibiotics without any reason. The reason that antibiotics are prescribed in acute bronchitis is that even though it might be of viral origin , often if not very likely there is a secondary bacterial super-infection superimposed on the original causative viral pathogen. SCI patients especially quadriplegics with reduced capacity to self limit a normal viral infection would be candidates in my honest opinion for antibiotic therapy. You seem to be a compliant patient, with an understanding of your condition, wich can benefit you in your psycological, however I must point out that each patient is different, your treatment plan outlined by your consultant is tailored to your personal disease profile and may not be applicable to another patient.
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Post by Ouch on Jun 7, 2007 7:50:51 GMT -5
Actually, Valkyr, you do look like someone I know actually...and both of you are quite pleasant to the eyes (though I wouldn't want to be Steven Tyler's sister...he's kinda' "Out There" (he dressed up like a woman...) (locissimo) I think that's how it's spelled, between Spanish, Latin, and Italian, I get them confused)
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Post by Valkyrja on Jun 7, 2007 8:15:44 GMT -5
LOL... Wind, the word is "Loquísimo" (too crazy) But I'm still waiting for a picture of you. I've saw the picture of a lot of people here (Tony, Brendan, AB, Chan, E, Jason... and others) but I didn't see your picture!!
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Post by Interloper on Jun 7, 2007 10:07:11 GMT -5
[however I must point out that each patient is different, your treatment plan outlined by your consultant is tailored to your personal disease profile and may not be applicable to another patient.[/quote]
Yes, as I said: "parts of it may be relevant for you," "otherwise-normal patients," "I hope you can find a lung doc to tailor a written treatment plan for you."
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Post by Pony on Jun 7, 2007 16:59:19 GMT -5
Sorry, but too much maintenance for me!!! I like to live as free of docs and meds as possible. I have picked up a few things from your treatments that I'll remember for future. Val...ahhhhh YES!!! Glad you added pic...it's great to see you while reading you! As for Steven Tyler, I love that dude!! He's soooo perfectly ROCK N ROLL...wildly disheveled, great range, FUCK YOU-attitude, overly-confident and damn talented!! One of my fav vocalists!! And I like a BIG MOUTH. jaja Dr H...I'm so impressed with how much you know about SCIs. Do you specialize in this field? Was there a reason you became particularly interested SCIs? Tony the Curious
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Post by Valkyrja on Jun 7, 2007 20:14:29 GMT -5
I'm a big fan of Aerosmith too... he is one of the "last rebels"
I don't know what to say about DrH Knowledge... it's really overwhelming!!
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Post by Ouch on Jun 7, 2007 20:19:40 GMT -5
...lol, are we going to get into the 'Johnson' talk again? I like an ol' Irish name for it better though...
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Post by Valkyrja on Jun 7, 2007 22:42:19 GMT -5
First of all: what is "Goombah"? And Fubb... I would like to see a picture of you. Like Tony said... it would be nice to put a face to the words.
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