learned my lesson the hard way
Question:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -It’s called addiction. Precisely…..and my point was, and is, that perhaps if stop investing in the results of an addiction which is the result of poor personal choices, perhaps then society would be able to truly resolve the underlying problem. Cigarettes are a personal choice. I have not met anyone who was forced to smoke 20-30 years. It would seem prudent, in my thinking, to provide necessary care for anyone who started smoking say before about 1965 (that was the time the surgeon general and others began questioning the harm of cigarettes). Anyone smoking after that time period should be held accountable for their choices and paliative care only to be provided. One of the biggest problems we have in health care today is that nobody is held accountable for their poor lifestyle choices. Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die seems to be the adage of the day…..and when the liver disease, emphysema/COPD, diabetes (there are some cases where the patient’s choices factor more prominently), strokes and heart conditions, etc, the "victim" now wants everything done to make things better at a major expense to the public. As I said……wonder how many smokers would want to enjoy that next cigarette if they even remotely thought they would not be given heroic treatment for their lung disease, that they would have to bear the entire cost burden of any treatment associated with their illness/disease…..I think very few would then make those choices…..and the money saved could go to research and fund and TREAT many other medical and social problems.
Scooby, there are two problems with your proposal: 1. MOST diseases, including asthma, have a lifestyle component. At what point do we decide that lifestyle is the predominating factor? Do we apportion cost on some sort of a percentage basis? Does access to, and understanding of, health information have any effect on these decisions? For example, one of the most effective methods of reducing asthma symptoms for people with dustmite sensitivity is to remove carpeting. People who rent may not have any choice . . . do they get a break? What if a family simply cannot afford to remove the carpeting in the house they own? What if this information was not ever clearly and effectively communicated to the asthmatic? What if the asthmatic lived with carpeting for, oh, say, 20 years, then removed it 10 years ago? 2. Many people mke lifestyle choices for reasons that are not fully under their control. Look at all the teenagers who start smoking these days. Now, one would argue that, in this society, it would be nigh unto impossible to not have heard the anti-smoking message. However, this is remarkably ineffective when compared to peer pressure, the typical teenage belief in personal immortality, and the difficulty of getting a fourteen year old to care about the fifty year old stranger who s/he will someday be. IOW, they start smoking when they lack adult judgement as to the true long-term risks. Chris Owens
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It’s called addiction. Precisely…..and my point was, and is, that perhaps if stop investing in the results of an addiction which is the result of poor personal choices, perhaps then society would be able to truly resolve the underlying problem. Cigarettes are a personal choice.
But at the same time, all must remember the subjection of stigma to a child is strong and that to have one addicted by the time they are old enough to make rational mature decisions, is where the tradgedy unfolds. Children are very limited to their choices. I have not met anyone who was forced to smoke 20-30 years.
Might not be forced to smoke BUT at the same time, what about a "gov’t for the people, by the people"… how could such a rightious society continue it’s legitamizing a product to which causes deaths, directs it’s product towards children and continues to add poison to it’s product? It would seem prudent, in my thinking, to provide necessary care for anyone who started smoking say before about 1965 (that was the time the surgeon general and others began questioning the harm of cigarettes). Anyone smoking after that time period should be held accountable for their choices and paliative care only to be provided.
Then all of us should continue unhampered through life and able to make our own decisions. But Scooby, as you said, is sad when folks come along with quakery and promote a medical claim and suggest a cure that is hardly there. I like how you’ve made a stand against them. One of the biggest problems we have in health care today is that nobody is held accountable for their poor lifestyle choices. Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die seems to be the adage of the day…..and when the liver disease, emphysema/COPD, diabetes (there are some cases where the patient’s choices factor more prominently), strokes and heart conditions, etc, the "victim" now wants everything done to make things better at a major expense to the public.
We need to teach and ellicit truth as wisely as those who ellicit false hope lies. Scooby… keep doing an outstanding job… you and Colin and the others. I am new to asthma but I can and do read and am not as naive or subjective as the young ones that can be easily rendered to all those lies. As I said……wonder how many smokers would want to enjoy that next cigarette if they even remotely thought they would not be given heroic treatment for their lung disease, that they would have to bear the entire cost burden of any treatment associated with their illness/disease…..I think very few would then make those choices…..and the money saved could go to research and fund and TREAT many other medical and social problems.
Keep up the goodness for all it is worth… Thanks, pam – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Scooby RCP, EMT-P Perinatal-Pediatric Respiratory Specialist This mail is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.
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LISA wrote the most interesting article about smells in the hospitals. I too am alergic to chemicals and they have the guts to pop pop corn in both hospitals here, this really causes me to have problems, why p0p corn ,? Its been hard enough to live with the regular cleaning supplies they use. Note I care little what people look like when I am sick, I care alot about what they can accomplish in there professions. frannymae
FRAN’SHOME
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they would not. I have actually witnessed a smoker, still on my ventilator asking for a cigarette!
It’s called addiction. Jo.
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It’s called addiction.
Precisely…..and my point was, and is, that perhaps if stop investing in the results of an addiction which is the result of poor personal choices, perhaps then society would be able to truly resolve the underlying problem. Cigarettes are a personal choice. I have not met anyone who was forced to smoke 20-30 years. It would seem prudent, in my thinking, to provide necessary care for anyone who started smoking say before about 1965 (that was the time the surgeon general and others began questioning the harm of cigarettes). Anyone smoking after that time period should be held accountable for their choices and paliative care only to be provided. One of the biggest problems we have in health care today is that nobody is held accountable for their poor lifestyle choices. Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die seems to be the adage of the day…..and when the liver disease, emphysema/COPD, diabetes (there are some cases where the patient’s choices factor more prominently), strokes and heart conditions, etc, the "victim" now wants everything done to make things better at a major expense to the public. As I said……wonder how many smokers would want to enjoy that next cigarette if they even remotely thought they would not be given heroic treatment for their lung disease, that they would have to bear the entire cost burden of any treatment associated with their illness/disease…..I think very few would then make those choices…..and the money saved could go to research and fund and TREAT many other medical and social problems. Scooby RCP, EMT-P Perinatal-Pediatric Respiratory Specialist This mail is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.
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Well stated Eric. Thanks. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m not entirely convinced…I react strongly to many perfumes, have trouble in air conditioned and centrally heated buildings…my experiences at St Thomas’s Hospital (my local) is that staff seem to go easy on the scent and that the building is well vetilated…on the other hand when I spent a day working at a well known medical charity, I was sneered at for arriving slightly sweaty after cycling, nobody would show me to the washrooms, when I found them all the soap was scented, after two hours in a stifling office with two secretaries totally bathed in perfume I started getting complaints about the volume at which I was wheezing…when after several extended walks outside to clear my lungs I finally finished the job, they made sarcastic comments to my employers about my ability to work with them…without saying which charity, it’s worth noting that the company that funds it makes large somes of money out of asthma medications, so one would have thought that their staff might have a modicum of awareness about the condition I think people can get very defensive about things like this and whilst I’d hope you are right, Scooby, I think a lot more needs to be done about raising awareness of the problems scents can cause eric
– Lisa M. DeSavage Hinsbar Laboratories, Inc. www.hinsbarlabs.com
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again I agree….. also…somewhere I read once about an initiative being passed or something in California regarding this very topic….not sure about the details though. Scooby RCP, EMT-P Perinatal-Pediatric Respiratory Specialist This mail is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.
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perhaps…… but do you have any idea of the cost to society when these individuals finally realize that their magic potions did not work, and now they are worse off?? The costs are staggering……perhaps we should make the patient assume all medical care costs once they reject traditional, known and proven medical care. Perhaps then a few folks would wake up at the thought of paying literally thousands each years just to gasp a few additional breaths…..and then perhaps they would not. I have actually witnessed a smoker, still on my ventilator asking for a cigarette! Scooby RCP, EMT-P Perinatal-Pediatric Respiratory Specialist This mail is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.
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Now in all fairness, there is only a very small percentage of the patients which I deal with that have ever complained to me about my deodorant and or cologne (when i wear it to work).
When I was hospitalized last year with asthma I couldn’t believe how many nurses, RTs, etc. would come into my room reeking of perfume or aftershave! Maybe it doesn’t bother all asthmatics but it kills me. When I was in nursing school we were told not to wear perfume to work. I think that is a good idea for caregivers. In fact, I think it should be standard policy at hospitals. CarolR
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I certainly agree with you. I rarely use cologne before coming to work, but even then I have had some folks complain that my "odor-free" soap wasn’t so odor free. My point is that despite all the best efforts there will be something that will cause a problem. There are going to be disinfectants which must be used, floor cleaners which must be used, medications which must be used, ad infinitum. If there is something that is triggering you, just say so…and if the staff gives you grief over saying anything simply pick up your phone and ask to speak to the administrator. you will be heard, and when you get out, contact your HMO or insurance company and let them know what happened and how far you ahd to go to get it corrected. Again, I don’t doubt that some of the folks here have sensitivities to certain odor/fragrances, but the fact is in the overall patient population that we deal with everyday that number is extremely small. Therefore is is very possible encounter such problems when you are admitted……. Hopefully a few well placed requests will have things resolved without resorting to the big guns! :-) Scooby RCP, EMT-P Perinatal-Pediatric Respiratory Specialist I’m not entirely convinced…I react strongly to many perfumes, have trouble in air conditioned and centrally heated buildings…my experiences at St Thomas’s Hospital (my local) is that staff seem to go easy on the scent and that the building is well vetilated…on the other hand when I spent a day working at a well known medical charity, I was sneered at for arriving slightly sweaty after cycling, nobody would show me to the washrooms, when I found them all the soap was scented, after two hours in a stifling office with two secretaries totally bathed in perfume I started getting complaints about the volume at which I was wheezing…when after several extended walks outside to clear my lungs I finally finished the job, they made sarcastic comments to my employers about my ability to work with them…without saying which charity, it’s worth noting that the company that funds it makes large somes of money out of asthma medications, so one would have thought that their staff might have a modicum of awareness about the condition I think people can get very defensive about things like this and whilst I’d hope you are right, Scooby, I think a lot more needs to be done about raising awareness of the problems scents can cause eric
Many perfumes are musk based, a major allergen trigger since it’s related to the scent cats put off. Sue Official Secretary of OSGSL Dogs think they’re human Cats think they’re God
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I can understand the upset at finding yourself diagnosed with a chronic illness and facing life-long medication to stay well. When I got asthma I was very angry – ‘why me? I have never smoked, etc.’. However things got better as firstly I became well (being a good girl and taking the Pulmicort) and I also changed by view from ‘glass half empty’ to ‘glass half full’ – same life, different view. Now I simply get on with life (off to Nepal in November) and take the inhaler when I brush my teeth. I get excellent control with the Pulmicort and almost never need the Albuterol equivalent unless I have a cold. I also needed it when I’d been doing some painting. Of course if I have signs of a bacterial chest infection I’m off to the doctor PDQ. I don’t bother if it’s viral as they can’t offer anything to help. I just double the inhaler, take to my bed and drink plenty of water. When I went for a pre-Nepal visit to the doctor he said it was a most unusual consultation – but then I suspect there are very few people on their list who have ever been up a mountain in the UK let alone anywhere else, whatever their state of health. And whilst we are trekking we could end up higher than anything in Europe. I’m finally getting used to my adult onset asthma (4 months now) and have just recently finally figured out pretty much what triggers my attacks. My inhaled steriods were finally starting to work and my dependancy on my Albuteral was lessoning to the point where sometimes I didn’t need it all day long. I started to feel a little complacent, and that was my first mistake.
<snip — Surfer!
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I certainly agree with you. I rarely use cologne before coming to work, but even then I have had some folks complain that my "odor-free" soap wasn’t so odor free. My point is that despite all the best efforts there will be something that will cause a problem. There are going to be disinfectants which must be used, floor cleaners which must be used, medications which must be used, ad infinitum. If there is something that is triggering you, just say so…and if the staff gives you grief over saying anything simply pick up your phone and ask to speak to the administrator. you will be heard, and when you get out, contact your HMO or insurance company and let them know what happened and how far you ahd to go to get it corrected.
Well, it would be great to be able to talk to the administrator, but in the hospital I was in, the phones weren’t on a switchboard, there’s no phone book, and, the ONE time I tried to find SOMEONE to talk to, there was such a fuss I just gave up, sulled down and decided to concentrate on turning my anger into getting well as fast as I possibly could so I could get-the-flock out of there. One nurse was SO rude my roomie and I asked to talk to the head nurse. The person we asked kept asking us WHY we wanted to talk to the head nurse! We had to really throw a fuss to finally get her in our room (we both were confined to bed) so we could even talk to her! I was on a very restricted diet due to abdominal surgery. It’s a good thing I was lucid and knew what I could or could not eat because my meals were generally the completely wrong thing. All in all, I finally just decided I’d get out of there and never go back. So now we drive twice as far for hospital care. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Again, I don’t doubt that some of the folks here have sensitivities to certain odor/fragrances, but the fact is in the overall patient population that we deal with everyday that number is extremely small. Therefore is is very possible encounter such problems when you are admitted……. Hopefully a few well placed requests will have things resolved without resorting to the big guns! :-) Scooby RCP, EMT-P Perinatal-Pediatric Respiratory Specialist This mail is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.
Sue Official Secretary of OSGSL Dogs think they’re human Cats think they’re God
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I agree Leona:-)
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As I have stated many times before, and others have stated, relying on non-traditional methods to control asthma is dangerous and potentially life-threatening.
Of course it is. But for the few who believe that voodoo and magic spells will do the trick – let ‘em get what’s coming to them. That’s how we thin out the gene pool!
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I certainly agree with you. I rarely use cologne before coming to work, but even then I have had some folks complain that my "odor-free" soap wasn’t so odor free. My point is that despite all the best efforts there will be something that will cause a problem. There are going to be disinfectants which must be used, floor cleaners which must be used, medications which must be used, ad infinitum. If there is something that is triggering you, just say so…and if the staff gives you grief over saying anything simply pick up your phone and ask to speak to the administrator. you will be heard, and when you get out, contact your HMO or insurance company and let them know what happened and how far you ahd to go to get it corrected. Again, I don’t doubt that some of the folks here have sensitivities to certain odor/fragrances, but the fact is in the overall patient population that we deal with everyday that number is extremely small. Therefore is is very possible encounter such problems when you are admitted……. Hopefully a few well placed requests will have things resolved without resorting to the big guns! :-) Scooby RCP, EMT-P Perinatal-Pediatric Respiratory Specialist
I’m not entirely convinced…I react strongly to many perfumes, have trouble in air conditioned and centrally heated buildings…my experiences at St Thomas’s Hospital (my local) is that staff seem to go easy on the scent and that the building is well vetilated…on the other hand when I spent a day working at a well known medical charity, I was sneered at for arriving slightly sweaty after cycling, nobody would show me to the washrooms, when I found them all the soap was scented, after two hours in a stifling office with two secretaries totally bathed in perfume I started getting complaints about the volume at which I was wheezing…when after several extended walks outside to clear my lungs I finally finished the job, they made sarcastic comments to my employers about my ability to work with them…without saying which charity, it’s worth noting that the company that funds it makes large somes of money out of asthma medications, so one would have thought that their staff might have a modicum of awareness about the condition I think people can get very defensive about things like this and whilst I’d hope you are right, Scooby, I think a lot more needs to be done about raising awareness of the problems scents can cause eric
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why…..hmmm?? Perhaps they are too lazy to apply said cologne after work and just before their hot date….. or perhaps it is just out of ignorance. Now in all fairness, there is only a very small percentage of the patients which I deal with that have ever complained to me about my deodorant and or cologne (when i wear it to work). I would have to say I can count only 3-5 people in 10 years that were seriously bothered by it and I then had another therapist care for them. Essentially it is too hard to know what will bother some asthmatics…….for example I just LOVE to smell my sweetheart’s perfume!! MMMM!!! :-) But I hate the flowery, heavy grandma perfume some old ladies wear….tears me up…but yet I can wear men’s colgne without any problem. The bottom line is that all of us caregivers are human beings and want to look our best and feel our best even while at work, and sometimes in that effort we will have someone who disagrees with our choice of deodorant, cologne, etc……simply let them know it is bothering you and I am sure they take care of it…. Scooby RCP, EMT-P Perinatal-Pediatric Respiratory Specialist This mail is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.
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Sorry, have to disagree with you on this one. My asthma is so reactive to fragrances that they put a sign on my private room in the hospital warning people with fragrances and such not to come in. You know what? Everyone thinks it means someone else, not them. My favorite line is "I put in on 4 hours ago." From Respiratory Care to Housekeeping, the signs have been ignored. When I ask them to leave the room, I always get a fight. Hospitals are a place for treating the ill, not for picking up dates. If you are only liked for the way you smell, you should probably find another date. By the way, my initials are A.R.R.T, (R), (MR). I have 20 years in the hospital, X-ray, angiography and mammography. All hospitals should be fragrance free for the benefit of everyone. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – why…..hmmm?? Perhaps they are too lazy to apply said cologne after work and just before their hot date….. or perhaps it is just out of ignorance. Now in all fairness, there is only a very small percentage of the patients which I deal with that have ever complained to me about my deodorant and or cologne (when i wear it to work). I would have to say I can count only 3-5 people in 10 years that were seriously bothered by it and I then had another therapist care for them. Essentially it is too hard to know what will bother some asthmatics…….for example I just LOVE to smell my sweetheart’s perfume!! MMMM!!! :-) But I hate the flowery, heavy grandma perfume some old ladies wear….tears me up…but yet I can wear men’s colgne without any problem. The bottom line is that all of us caregivers are human beings and want to look our best and feel our best even while at work, and sometimes in that effort we will have someone who disagrees with our choice of deodorant, cologne, etc……simply let them know it is bothering you and I am sure they take care of it…. Scooby RCP, EMT-P Perinatal-Pediatric Respiratory Specialist This mail is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.
– Lisa M. DeSavage Hinsbar Laboratories, Inc. www.hinsbarlabs.com
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Sorry, have to disagree with you on this one. My asthma is so reactive to fragrances that they put a sign on my private room in the hospital warning people with fragrances and such not to come in. You know what? Everyone thinks it means someone else, not them. My favorite line is "I put in on 4 hours ago." From Respiratory Care to Housekeeping, the signs have been ignored. When I ask them to leave the room, I always get a fight. Hospitals are a place for treating the ill, not for picking up dates. If you are only liked for the way you smell, you should probably find another date. By the way, my initials are A.R.R.T, (R), (MR). I have 20 years in the hospital, X-ray, angiography and mammography. All hospitals should be fragrance free for the benefit of everyone.
I totally agree. Last time I was in the hospital was for non-asthma related surgery. Worst hospital trip I EVER had. Lousy ill-tempered hateful nursing care AND a nurse who took a bath in perfume every time she came to work. Sue – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – why…..hmmm?? Perhaps they are too lazy to apply said cologne after work and just before their hot date….. or perhaps it is just out of ignorance. Now in all fairness, there is only a very small percentage of the patients which I deal with that have ever complained to me about my deodorant and or cologne (when i wear it to work). I would have to say I can count only 3-5 people in 10 years that were seriously bothered by it and I then had another therapist care for them. Essentially it is too hard to know what will bother some asthmatics…….for example I just LOVE to smell my sweetheart’s perfume!! MMMM!!! :-) But I hate the flowery, heavy grandma perfume some old ladies wear….tears me up…but yet I can wear men’s colgne without any problem. The bottom line is that all of us caregivers are human beings and want to look our best and feel our best even while at work, and sometimes in that effort we will have someone who disagrees with our choice of deodorant, cologne, etc……simply let them know it is bothering you and I am sure they take care of it…. Scooby RCP, EMT-P Perinatal-Pediatric Respiratory Specialist This mail is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects. — Lisa M. DeSavage Hinsbar Laboratories, Inc. www.hinsbarlabs.com
Official Secretary of OSGSL Dogs think they’re human Cats think they’re God
Response:
I certainly agree with you. I rarely use cologne before coming to work, but even then I have had some folks complain that my "odor-free" soap wasn’t so odor free. My point is that despite all the best efforts there will be something that will cause a problem. There are going to be disinfectants which must be used, floor cleaners which must be used, medications which must be used, ad infinitum. If there is something that is triggering you, just say so…and if the staff gives you grief over saying anything simply pick up your phone and ask to speak to the administrator. you will be heard, and when you get out, contact your HMO or insurance company and let them know what happened and how far you ahd to go to get it corrected. Again, I don’t doubt that some of the folks here have sensitivities to certain odor/fragrances, but the fact is in the overall patient population that we deal with everyday that number is extremely small. Therefore is is very possible encounter such problems when you are admitted……. Hopefully a few well placed requests will have things resolved without resorting to the big guns! :-) Scooby RCP, EMT-P Perinatal-Pediatric Respiratory Specialist This mail is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.
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I also have had serious attacks. My puffers had to be within reach at all times during the worst of my asthma & allergy years. It feels absolutely terrifying not to be able to breathe. I remember it well. I learned early on to keep an ample supply at all times no matter how well I felt. But thank God I’m symptom free for 2 yrs now. I hope that you recover too. best wishes nom
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m finally getting used to my adult onset asthma (4 months now) and have just recently finally figured out pretty much what triggers my attacks. My inhaled steriods were finally starting to work and my dependancy on my Albuteral was lessoning to the point where sometimes I didn’t need it all day long. I started to feel a little complacent, and that was my first mistake. Now I’ve been reading this NG long enough to see the verbal jousting between the pro and anti Buteyko posts. I guess in my utter denial of the prospect that I may have to take meds for the rest of my life I started to research the different breathing techniques for Buteyko and I cut back on my Vanceril in an effort to wean myself off these meds I have to take. That was my second mistake. For two days I was symptom free and down to 2 puffs of Vanceril in the morning and I felt really good thinking I was going to be different from everbody else. I was going to beat this thing. I was on my way to visit my parents (another state 1 1/2 hours drive) I felt great and I forgot to bring my Albuterol inhaler (my third and almost fatal mistake) I was about half way there when I felt my throat and my chest tightening up a little. But I didn’t worry, I would just breathe through my nose a bit in shallow breaths and everything would be all right, and I kept driving. Within 15 minutes or so, I started to get severe shortness of breath, a few minutes later I started wheezing and my throat started constricting. I was having a full blown asthma attack and I was 60 miles from the nearest sizable town driving down a country road in the middle of North Carolina and I didn’t have my rescue inhaler. I knew in an instant why this was happening to me. The effects of the inhaled steroid was wearing off ! I frantically found a drugstore in a small town I was passing through and went in to see if there was anything I could buy to alleviate my problem. The only thing that drugstore sold for asthma relief was Primatene Mist, and guess what? Beside costing $16 it doesn’t work. Thank God there was a Pharmacist working there that day who the good sense to immediately called 911. Result: I was flown by Nightingale (helicopter) air ambulance ($785.00) to the nearest Emergency Room ($335.00) and had to stay overnight hooked up to a mask (haven’t got that bill yet, but I know it will be equivalent to the Gross National Product of a small developing country) My Doctor has me on Double Strength Vanceril now after the one hour verbal tongue thrashing he gave for being so stupid. He told me were it not for the actions of that Pharmacist, I most likely wouldn’t be here now. I appologize for the long post, but I have noticed many new sufferers like myself since I have joined and if I can prevent one person from making the same mistake I did, I think it warrants it.
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I can definately relate to that situation, I tried to wean myself off of a 8 puff a day regimend to nothing at all. Because someone told me ginger tea would open up my airways and alleviate the throat tightness. It didnt work and I had a horrible attack /was rushed to the ER. Personally I dont think one can totally cure themselves of asthma with Herbs/breathing/alternative stuff. Coral
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I can definately relate to that situation, I tried to wean myself off of a 8 puff a day regimend to nothing at all. Because someone told me ginger tea would open up my airways and alleviate the throat tightness. It didnt work and I had a horrible attack /was rushed to the ER. Personally I dont think one can totally cure themselves of asthma with Herbs/breathing/alternative stuff. Coral
Hi,I had been fowllowing this thread of weaning one off the inhalers.I know 2 people who just decided to get off the inhalers after the cost was to much.Yes,can you believe that?Well these two are fine.I can only attribute this to they were misdiginosed in the first place.I sat one day and said,How come I cant get off my inhalers?Why do I still some time get short of breath?Anyway,my hubby said,hey you are doing 100% than you did 4 yrs ago so why mess with a good thing.I had to agree with him.I have since decided these people are plain lucky or just are misdiginosed.Cause if the Dr.told me to wean off I think feeling as good as I do I would seek out another Dr.before I would go that route.Asthma is a life long problem and if you get to be Maintained that is the key word with asthma then just be happy you are doing good to keep it under control.That is how I feel about it.Good luck.Leona
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Jim Thank you for the long post. I think that your experience has certainly "opened" our eyes. I only use the medications that my asthma specialist suggests on my son, however in trying to wean him to a lower dose of pulmacort(asthma doctor’s idea, my son is at the maximum dose for his age/size with prelonged high use apparently pulmacort can cause systemic damage in children) I’ve noticed an increase in the severity of his attacks (if not the frequency). So we play the yoyo game with the dosage of his medications…but **boy** can you tell when his steroid level goes down…I mean we nearly rushed over to the ER last night and it was scary…we live only 10minutes to the ER…5 1/2 when you go through all the lights (like we have in a real emergency)….and it was still scary. Makes me think twice about lowering his pulmacort level. This really makes you appreciate what the inhaled steroid is doing for all asthmatics. I really feel that the person/persons who introduced ventalin and inhaled steroids to manage asthma should have recieved a nobel prize. Think of all the lives they have saved!!!!. **** In your case… Thank God to the pharmacist. I’d be letting him know how grateful you are…around here they rarely airlift people so you are very lucky!!! Just be happy you are around to pay the bills! Thanks for sharing your experience and opening our eyes as to how lucky we are. Vicky – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m finally getting used to my adult onset asthma (4 months now) and have just recently finally figured out pretty much what triggers my attacks. My inhaled steriods were finally starting to work and my dependancy on my Albuteral was lessoning to the point where sometimes I didn’t need it all day long. I started to feel a little complacent, and that was my first mistake. Now I’ve been reading this NG long enough to see the verbal jousting between the pro and anti Buteyko posts. I guess in my utter denial of the prospect that I may have to take meds for the rest of my life I started to research the different breathing techniques for Buteyko and I cut back on my Vanceril in an effort to wean myself off these meds I have to take. That was my second mistake. For two days I was symptom free and down to 2 puffs of Vanceril in the morning and I felt really good thinking I was going to be different from everbody else. I was going to beat this thing. I was on my way to visit my parents (another state 1 1/2 hours drive) I felt great and I forgot to bring my Albuterol inhaler (my third and almost fatal mistake) I was about half way there when I felt my throat and my chest tightening up a little. But I didn’t worry, I would just breathe through my nose a bit in shallow breaths and everything would be all right, and I kept driving. Within 15 minutes or so, I started to get severe shortness of breath, a few minutes later I started wheezing and my throat started constricting. I was having a full blown asthma attack and I was 60 miles from the nearest sizable town driving down a country road in the middle of North Carolina and I didn’t have my rescue inhaler. I knew in an instant why this was happening to me. The effects of the inhaled steroid was wearing off ! I frantically found a drugstore in a small town I was passing through and went in to see if there was anything I could buy to alleviate my problem. The only thing that drugstore sold for asthma relief was Primatene Mist, and guess what? Beside costing $16 it doesn’t work. Thank God there was a Pharmacist working there that day who the good sense to immediately called 911. Result: I was flown by Nightingale (helicopter) air ambulance ($785.00) to the nearest Emergency Room ($335.00) and had to stay overnight hooked up to a mask (haven’t got that bill yet, but I know it will be equivalent to the Gross National Product of a small developing country) My Doctor has me on Double Strength Vanceril now after the one hour verbal tongue thrashing he gave for being so stupid. He told me were it not for the actions of that Pharmacist, I most likely wouldn’t be here now. I appologize for the long post, but I have noticed many new sufferers like myself since I have joined and if I can prevent one person from making the same mistake I did, I think it warrants it.
Response:
As I have stated many times before, and others have stated, relying on non-traditional methods to control asthma is dangerous and potentially life-threatening. From 20 years of of experience being a Paramedic and Respiratory Therapist I can assure you, and anyone else reading this newsgroup, that asthma attacks can, and do, often develop so rapidly that the only thing that will ultimately save your life is the immediate use of your medications. To become complacent and think that all is well because you are using some new tea, extract, oil, lotion or even some insanely idiotic breathing method as your first line of defense is to place YOUR own life in jeopardy. Perhaps not today, perhaps not tomorrow, but it can and does happen. To me it’s a crying shame when it happens because it is usually completely preventable. Stated another way, you would be around for your friends, your loved ones, your job, life in general…. if you would have only accepted the fact that you have an incurable illness which is most effectively managed with scientifically tested, approved medications. Thank you for being courageous enough to post your experience. It seems that many of the folks profess to have had wonderful elightening experiences with one or more of the above stated alternative practices…..and as I have stated for years, it is a rare person who will, after embracing the alternative, come back and admit defeat. The lungs you have are yours for life……treat them well and you may get along fine with them for many more years to come……fail them and they will leave you wishing you had not…..and I have seen that wishing take decades to end……terminally. Scooby RCP, EMT-P Perinatal-Pediatric Respiratory Specialist This mail is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.
Response:
I’m finally getting used to my adult onset asthma (4 months now) and have just recently finally figured out pretty much what triggers my attacks. My inhaled steriods were finally starting to work and my dependancy on my Albuteral was lessoning to the point where sometimes I didn’t need it all day long. I started to feel a little complacent, and that was my first mistake. Now I’ve been reading this NG long enough to see the verbal jousting between the pro and anti Buteyko posts. I guess in my utter denial of the prospect that I may have to take meds for the rest of my life I started to research the different breathing techniques for Buteyko and I cut back on my Vanceril in an effort to wean myself off these meds I have to take. That was my second mistake. For two days I was symptom free and down to 2 puffs of Vanceril in the morning and I felt really good thinking I was going to be different from everbody else. I was going to beat this thing. I was on my way to visit my parents (another state 1 1/2 hours drive) I felt great and I forgot to bring my Albuterol inhaler (my third and almost fatal mistake) I was about half way there when I felt my throat and my chest tightening up a little. But I didn’t worry, I would just breathe through my nose a bit in shallow breaths and everything would be all right, and I kept driving. Within 15 minutes or so, I started to get severe shortness of breath, a few minutes later I started wheezing and my throat started constricting. I was having a full blown asthma attack and I was 60 miles from the nearest sizable town driving down a country road in the middle of North Carolina and I didn’t have my rescue inhaler. I knew in an instant why this was happening to me. The effects of the inhaled steroid was wearing off ! I frantically found a drugstore in a small town I was passing through and went in to see if there was anything I could buy to alleviate my problem. The only thing that drugstore sold for asthma relief was Primatene Mist, and guess what? Beside costing $16 it doesn’t work. Thank God there was a Pharmacist working there that day who the good sense to immediately called 911. Result: I was flown by Nightingale (helicopter) air ambulance ($785.00) to the nearest Emergency Room ($335.00) and had to stay overnight hooked up to a mask (haven’t got that bill yet, but I know it will be equivalent to the Gross National Product of a small developing country) My Doctor has me on Double Strength Vanceril now after the one hour verbal tongue thrashing he gave for being so stupid. He told me were it not for the actions of that Pharmacist, I most likely wouldn’t be here now. I appologize for the long post, but I have noticed many new sufferers like myself since I have joined and if I can prevent one person from making the same mistake I did, I think it warrants it.
Response:
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— Andrey Zenovich University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA Disclaimer: "The medical advice and/or health information is provided for purely altruistic reasons. Please consult your physician or other health care provider before applying any of the information towards your personal health condition" 
) Doing so, I think you actually help Buteyko’s cause, showing an outside reader how much you need to be defensive, not having any real good arguments in your hands. This, to my eye, undermines yout credibility, and it is also how I got interested in Buteyko in the first place, seeing calm, sensitive and mature comments from people like Richard and Peter, in opposition to hostile and angry defensive flames. This and the fact that it costs nothing to try a few simple harmless exercices… I do know of someone who tried to follow the Buteyko Method, and it didn’t work for him – in fact, he ended up needing emergency treatment because he was *convinced* it was working and stopped carrying his meds around. 