Migraine

Morning ladies-
I’ve been MIA for a while from some illnesses. I don’t post often in the support folder, but I could really use some support right about now.

My migmons are going OK-thankfully, but I’ve been diagnosed with asthma. Not normally a biggie, but with me, it’s complicated and it’s gotten me really un-nerved. It looks like my asthma is allergy and illness induced. If I get ANY kind of illness, it settles in my chest and the asthma flairs up.

Almost all of the meds on the market for allergies-both OTC and prescription-contain either pseudoephedrine or phenelephedrine, both of which cause severe bronchospasms for me. Not exactly what you want to cause when you have them already from the asthma. So we’re having to baby step with new meds-ped. dosing and keeping an epi pen with me. So far, no luck. Everything is working backward and increasing the bronchospasms. Dr/boss put me on singulair yesterday, which so far, hasn’t given me any problems. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. It will be 2-3 days before we know if it’s going to work at reducing the inflammation in my lungs.

The secondary problem is controlling the asthma. I need a steroid to reduce the bronchial inflammation. Dr/boss tried me on 2 different inhaler-type meds, but both worked backwords and I ended up with shots of epinephedrine and about 45 min. of oxygen. Not pretty. Apparently I can’t tolerate inhaled steroids. He put me on 10 days of prednisone yesterday in addition to the antibiotics I’m on to clear out any remaining URI components.

We have managed to find 1 inhaler that works about 4 hours, but that’s if I don’t do anything strenuous. If I do, the bronchospasms, wheezing and coughing start again. I literally can’t walk 6 feet without wheezing and gasping for air. I swear, I sound like I have TB or something. The chest x-ray was clear yesterday, so that was good news.

There is no rescue inhaler he can give me because I had reactions to them all. He told me the bottom line yesterday was that under no circumstance was I to stress my respiration system right now until we get this under control-or at least the inflammation under control. I ask what would happen if I do (you guys know me-I don’t stop for anything) and his reply was that it would more than likely end in a full blown asthma attack with no rescue inhaler and it would get bad quickly. He said my respiration system is stressed to the max right now just trying to breathe and the extra exertion would push it over the edge.

I felt better this morning, but after 2 trips up stairs to get the kids going, 2 down the stairs to the garage and finishing up my usual morning breakfasts, lunches and cooking dinner, I wasn’t in great shape when I got to work. I hit the inhaler and within about 20 min. was doing better. I’ve lost 16 pounds because nothing tastes good and I just don’t feel like eating. All I eat is pills-prednisone, singulair, inhaler, antibiotics plus the usual migmon meds.

This has really un-nerved me and not much does that. I guess I just needed to get it all out. DH has been working really late, so he doesn't know half of what's gone on and there's no one I can talk too.

Thanks for letting me get this all out
Lynn

Lynn my heart goes out to you! This is very scary and difficult. I hope you find some answers soon. I have medication allergies and about 6 1/2 years ago went into anaphylactic shock twice before we figured out what I was allergic to. It sound like Dr/Boss is taking good care of you but it may be a good idea to see an allergist also. I learned when I had my severe reactions that when the system is very stressed we can become "hyper-reactive" and react to things which may be okay for us later on when things are more calmed down, but an allergist can help assess whether or not to take the risk of trying things.

You have so much on your plate already... know that we are here for support!

It sounds like you need to cut way back on your normal routine for the time being. Limit those trips up and down stairs! I know you're very organized, you can figure out a way to organize this. Get the boys helping - they're old enough and I know kids often feel good to know they are helping, especially when we're feeling badly. Maybe breakfast could be really simple and they could be in charge of it, or some other solution that has you running round less! They can live without hot biscuits better than they can live without Mom! the chance of an uncontrollable asthma attack is not something to fool around with!

Good luck hon, keep sharing!

- Megan

I vote you get to catch a really HUMONGOUS break very soon. Sheesh, but you've gone through the ringer lately!

I know what you mean about being a "not stop for anything" kind of person. I'm very much the same way. It's not easy to dial things back when it's not in your nature. You can ask Teri. She knows I've been horrible about dialing back and "pampering" me when I've got Things To Do. I've been better at practicing this skill, though, since a couple of nasty periods of exhaustion I've gone through. I think your system's telling you it's time to focus on you. You need to just let it have some time to heal. I know it's not easy, but if I can do it, I know you can. You don't want to push things over an edge you can't come back from by overdoing. Time to give yourself permission to take care of YOU first for a change. We'll all back you on doing that, and it looks like dr. boss is even backing you on dialing things back.

You need more smooshes!

Lynn I am so sorry your health has been so awful. I would have to agree with Droolie that looking at your routine is in order to see how you can simplify it as much as possible.

Does your school have a lunch program that would allow them to buy lunches for a few days? Pull out your crockpot for dinners. It's so much simplier to just throw stuff in there, add water and like magic you've got dinner.

You might be surprised at how much your son's would help with things that require you going up and down the stairs. That has got to be hard on your system. This might also be a good time to get a one or two time person to come in and do the vacuuming and dusting for you. With this being allergy related also, the pet hair can't be helping alot. I know when I had bronchitis last year the pets bothered me.

Can you take a couple of days off this week? Stay home. Work can call if necessary. You are in much better shape than when you went to Florida this summer and they lived.

Lynn, please rest as much as you can. That lovely recliner you have in your family room is calling your name. Heed the call!!

Cindy

Sorry to hear about the asthma Lynn,

I won't repeat what the others have said, but do wonder if the kids are old enough to take care of the stairs for themselves in the am. Maybe a family meeting is in order to explain that mom needs some extra help til your asthma is under control. They (the kids) will have to deal with the stairs, carry the laundry and whatnot.

How does that sound?

Thanks guys-
I am in hopes that today is better than yesterday. Those of you that know me will be surpised at the quick changes I made. I got hit with the 2x4's enough from you guys for taking care of myself with the migmons!

As for the kids and stairs, they do wonderful already. The only trip up the stairs for me is to wake them up in the mornings. The boys have taken their own laundry up and down, made up beds, cleaned bathrooms etc. for several years now. They understand that until I can breathe, if they have a problem upstairs, they will have to bring it downstairs for me to help with.

They have also been doing the laundry for almost a year, so I don't have to be around laundry detergent. That was one thing they just ask if I'd show them how about a year ago, and they've done it ever since.

After yesterday, DH is carrying things to the truck(down another flight of stairs) for me. In the evenings, I'm telling him what to get out of the freezer for me to cook for supper the next night so I don't have to get it the next morning-saving yet another trip of stairs. I'm pretty much doing what has to be done and that's it.

DH vacuumed last night and changed all of the air filters to the good hepa ones. One dog is a short hair, so she doesn't shed much and the other(the saint), I was brushing regularily, so she's about done shedding. DH is keeping that done and vacuumed up for me.

Immediate changes have happened, now it's just matter of finding some meds that I don't have reactions too. The cough med is keeping me from coughing, so that is helping. A patient came in reeking of cig. smoke and it sent me outside. I didn't start coughing, but I simply couldn't breathe!

I'm still pretty freeked out, but I think if I can have one good day, I'll settle down. DH is staying pretty close until we see how any new med is affecting me, which is helping.

You guys are wonderful-I know this isn't migmon related, but I didn't have anyone else to turn too.

thanks for everything
Lynn

Lynn - You know you are brilliant, don't you? Really, you should be a General! Your talent for strategic organization is spectacular! If only you could use it on something more fun than a new ailment...

Hang in there!

- Megs

Hi Lynn...

Sorry I'm late. I haven't been on the forum much (I'm working hard to correct that!)

I wanted to send you some hugs and a big thumbs up for getting things worked out so fast! Though after what you did on Saturday, I'm still keeping the 2x4 handy!

Have you seen a specialist? I really hope you can find some relief for this soon. I think with migraines we should get a "get out of jail free" for all other illnesses, though the opposite is usually the case...

Feel better! Kelly

Hi Lynn,

Sorry, I am late on this thread too. So sorry you have been having a rouhg time. Sounds like you have taken steps in the right direction!! My daughter has allergys and son has allergy induced asthma. You may have already done this, but one of the things we did and may help is we bought allergy covers for thier beds and pillows. You can get them at any Target or wallmart and they are pretty cheap. They reduce the dust and allergians from your matress. Just thought I let you know.

Hang in there girl, more hugs to keep you going

Dar