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Aussie Barb
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| Joined: | Thu Jul 22nd, 2004 |
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Posted: Sun Sep 18th, 2005 22:33 |
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Links to information related to breathing problems
Use of inhalers and nebulizers
Immunopathology can affect breathing
Helpful measures to improve breathing
Breathing exercises
Lung conditions
What should I know about respiratory immunopathology?
My doctor thinks I have an upper respiratory infection. What should I do? Sinus infection, cold, flu, pneumonia, bronchitis
My respiratory function is poor. How can I prevent an acute lung infection?
My breathing is worse. What should I do?
What should I know about supplemental oxygen?
What can I do for my intolerable cough?
Is it an allergy or is it immunopathology?
How can I control my anxiety?
What is the best way to assess lung function?
SARCOIDOSIS
CAUTIONARY WARNING FOR SARCOIDOSIS PATIENTS WHO MAY BE HOSPITALIZED
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Barb: Dx Inflammatory Disease Endocrine Imbalance 2003| 24+ years not Dx| ABCofMP
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Aussie Barb
Research Team
| Joined: | Thu Jul 22nd, 2004 |
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Posted: Sun Oct 23rd, 2005 17:36 |
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(filelink)
Breathing Exercises
Pursed lip breathing
Pursed lip breathing helps endurance.
A gentle exercise
I have been looking for some kind of exercise I can do with my limited lung capacity. Walking leaves me too far away to feel safe and currently is too strenuous.
The other day I was sitting on the side of the bed with my arms crossed on my lap next to my abdomen and I bent the trunk of my body over my arms while exhaling and sat back up while inhaling.
I discovered this felt pretty good. I have found I can do this repeatedly at about my normal breathing rate for 1/2 hour and I actually appear to get pinker instead of turning blue as I usually do with exertion.
After I am finished I find that I am mentally relaxed and physically tired (in a good way). I have been doing this for about a week now each day. Sometimes I do a little at bed time and it helps me get to sleep. I have also found I can lean further back and do almost a full sit up. I throw a few of these in, but not too many. ~Morris W. Milnes
Respiratory exercise
-Sit up straight and breathe in thru your nose as deep as possible...hold your breath (if possible) for up to 10 seconds.
-Then...blow out thru your mouth and blow and blow and blow as far out as you can like when you take a breathing test.
This will get most of the carbon dioxide out of your lungs thus allowing for more oxygen in your lungs. You should repeat this 10 times in a row slowly (we do not want you to pass out). Do not repeat too fast. This can be done at least 4 times a day. This can be done almost anywhere you are.© ~Barney
The Buteyko Breathing Technique is a holistic health philosophy, primarily for the treatment of asthma, that includes a set of breathing exercises developed by the late Russian doctor, Konstantin Pavlovich Buteyko. The method is taught as a complementary therapy and several small clinical trials have shown that it can safely reduce asthma symptoms and the need for reliever medication in some people, as well as increasing quality of life scores. However, improvement takes time and commitment, requiring daily exercises over a period of weeks or months and tuition can be expensive. This page explains the actual method in full. Unlike most other Buteyko sites, its not trying to sell you anything.
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Barb: Dx Inflammatory Disease Endocrine Imbalance 2003| 24+ years not Dx| ABCofMP
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Aussie Barb
Research Team
| Joined: | Thu Jul 22nd, 2004 |
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Posted: Thu Feb 16th, 2006 14:39 |
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(filelink)
Helpful measures to improve breathing
Chest Physiotherapy(click here)
Cupping the hand for percussion creates a cushion of air which may help to loosen secretions. A therapist told us to do this on the back, sides and around where the lungs were. The goal was to loosen the stuff in the lungs. It may or may not work for you on the area where you feel clogged, but it is worth a try.
Cup your hand, a little arch where the knuckles are. (If you clap your hands like that it makes a weird poppy noise not a clap.) Then, not hitting hard (goal is not to bruise), but still firm, move around the lung areas on back, sides and where possible in the front, too. We did this several times a day... It helped loosen the gunk in her airways and lungs. She would cough productively after that.
You might enlist the help of co-worker for your back at work. Might want to do a more thorough 10 min session proactively a.m. and p.m. around work hours with help of husb. as opposed to short session just reactively when clog appears at work. ~jrfoutin
Postural drainage
-One thing you might try is an adaptation of postural drainage, assuming different positions using gravity to help drain the lungs and airways. Even if you are not coughing up sputum, posturing can sometimes help with a "clogged up" feeling.
As long as you have days now and then that you still get that "cloggy feeling" in your airways, you might try doing the postural drainage every day, just to keep it under control. That's a pro-active approach I found was useful.
In case anyone missed it, postural drainage relies on different positions to use gravity to help drain the lungs and airways. Even if you are not coughing up sputum, posturing can sometimes help with a "clogged up" feeling.
If you don't have any problem with dizziness, and you are strong enough,you might try a few yoga stretches, especially the downward dog for several seconds at a time. Don't push yourself, but see if you can find postures that will use gravity to help your airways open. ~Belinda Fenter
-When I was a teenager (40+ years ago), my Allergy Specialist was treating me for Asthma and upper respiratory allergies. His method for clearing the lungs was for the patient to lay on their bed from the waist down and have the upper part of the body resting on their arms/hands against the floor...then cough. It's the same basic position as the yoga one you mention, but you can't fall over and a forward fall would not have the whole body falling collapsing on the face. When the congestion was really bad, he said to have someone in the room with me in case I passed out. The "gunk" came up really well." ~DNStog
Yoga
-If you don't have any problem with dizziness, and you are strong enough,you might try a few yoga stretches, especially the downward dog for several seconds at a time. Don't push yourself, but see if you can find postures that will use gravity to help your airways open. ~Belinda Fenter
A technique that opens my airway
-While I was waiting to see if I could get my glasses fixed at Eye Masters, that cloggy feeling in my chest came and of course the coughing started. My manager who is a RN and who also has asthma showed me this technique to open my airway when I feel like I need to push whatever is clogging (or feels like its clogging) my airway.
You can bend at your desk to open the airway or get on the floor w/your behind in the air, (on your knees w/your upper torso lower than your behind kind of like a cat stretch) this is supposed to open your airway. And it does work.
So anyway, there I was trying to figure out how to do this without attracting attention. Eye Masters is at the mall and even though it was really early in the morning I wasn't the only one there waiting, so I pretended to bend over and look at some ornaments at a store that wasn't open yet which put my torso lower than my buttocks (not on my knees of course) and commenced to cough up a storm and it worked.
I didn't see paramedics running towards me so I don't think anyone really paid attention. I can just imagine what people would have been thinking if I would have got on my knees and stuck my butt in the air and started coughing!" ~Wytnez (saj) sarcoidosis/lung involvement
Elevate the head of the bed elevated 4 to 6 inches
You may use either 4x4 pieces of wood or plastic pre-cast lifts under the legs at the head of your bed. This keeps the mucus from becoming such a severe problem for your breathing at night.
Pace activities
Rest is a very important part of managing and healing. It is important for all to make sure of having adequate rest. By being pushed to the limit of tolerable immunopathology our body is working to capacity.
Bi-Pap or C-Pap
Atelectasis can be caused by obstructions or fibrosis. Atelectisis refers to collapse of a lung or a portion of one, due to incomplete filling with air. A PFT with parts of the lung deflated will not be apt to show much improvement. Check with your doc about the possibility of using BiPAP or CPAP until the lung better re-inflates.
Avoid fragrances and chemicals
-When medical professionals are trained, they are (or used to be) taught that fragrances were not allowed in the offices, hospitals, ICU and other places like that, however, the people today think they have rights and do not care if it affects you or not....a lot of them think it is all in your head anyway.
I have had all these Multiple Chemical Sensitivity for so long, I have almost become angry with the nurses, doctors, etc because of it. I actually talked with my eye doc and explained I was going to have to leave before he could finish my eye exam. He asked how he could correct that and on his way home he stopped and got the fragrance free laundry aids I suggested, and all is well now (he wears no fragrance either).
You should write a letter to your pulmo and explain how her fragrance made you feel and ask him either to redo the test (PFTs) or explain you feel that was the problem and that you feel you are breathing ok to you. Explain to him that his office is not a place for fragrance on any of his employees, in your opinion. Said nicely, a lot of docs will make that change. (or not)
Use fragrance free detergent and fragrance free softener. etc.
(Do not sleep in a bed of perfume all night. It is best to wash the entire family's laundry in fragrance free. Perfume in soaps and softeners hinders breathing.)
Unscented means: they still add a 'masking fragrance' to supposedly block the 'raw materials' smell.
Fragrance free means they add NO fragrance at all. The only smell you would (supposedly) get from this would be the materials used to make this item. ~Barney
Multiple Chemical Sensitivities
Will the MP treat MCS?
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Barb: Dx Inflammatory Disease Endocrine Imbalance 2003| 24+ years not Dx| ABCofMP
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Meg Mangin R.N.
Research Team (on leave)
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Posted: Mon Aug 21st, 2006 03:53 |
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(filelink)
Use of inhalers and nebulizers
Inhalers are used to deliver medications that control respiratory symptoms — some assist with long-term control and others provide quick relief of symptoms.
Bronchodilators
A bronchodilator delivered by Medicated Dose Inhalers (MDI) or Dry Powder Inhalers (DPI) may be useful to reduce shortness of breath (dyspnea). It is okay and sometimes essential to use bronchodilators while on the Marshall Protocol.
Click here for information on how to use an inhaler. Generic inhalers are less expensive than their brand name equivalents.
Short-acting bronchodilators provide immediate relief of respiratory symptoms and have a short-term (several hours) effect. These medications, include:
-albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin, Accu-Hale)
-pirbuterol (Maxair)
-levalbuterol (Xopenex)
-formoterol (Oxis, Oxese)
Long-acting bronchodilators relieve symptoms for longer periods of time (12-24 hours). They include:
-salmeterol (Serevent)
-formoterol (Foradil)
-metaproterenol sulfate (Alupent)
-tiotropium bromide (Spiriva)
Note that side effects of all bronchodilators include increased heart rate, hyperactivity, feeling nervous, shaky, or over-excited, upset stomach or difficulty sleeping. If necessary, you may counteract them with anti-anxiety medication.
Ipratropium (Atrovent) is an anticholinergic drug administered by inhalation for the treatment of obstructive lung diseases. It acts by blocking muscarinic receptors in the lung, inhibiting bronchoconstriction and mucus secretion. It is okay to use this medication on the MP but it is to be used cautiously in those with angle closure glaucoma.
Steroid inhalers
Steroid inhalers are contraindicated and include:
-beclomethasone dipropionate (Vanceril, Qvar)
-fluticasone (Flovent, Flixotide, Seretide, Advair)
-budesonide (Pulmicort)
-triamcinolone acetonide (Azmacort)
-flunisolide (Aerobid).
-symbicort (budesonide w/formoterol)
All inhalers that deliver a steroid medication are contraindicated for use while on the MP.
Cromolyn and nedocromil are nonsteroidal medications used long term to treat inflammation in the lungs. They are not reccomended for use on the MP.
Combination products
Be sure you know what is in any combination inhaler so you can avoid medication you do not need or that is contraindicated.
Combination products include:
-Combivent (albuterol/Proventil/Ventolin and ipratropium bromide/Atrovent)
-Duoneb (albuterol/Proventil/Ventolin and ipratropium bromide/Atrovent)
-Seretide (salmeterol/Serevent and flutacasone/Flovent)
-Advair (salmeterol/Serevent and flutacasone/Flovent)
-Symbicort (formoterol/Oxis and budesonide/Pulmicort)
The medications in red are contraindicated steroids.
It may be cheaper to get separate generic inhalers of the albuterol and/or Atrovent (ipratroprium).
Nebulizers
A nebulizer (sometimes called updraft) is a compressed air machine used to administer liquid respiratory medication in the forms of a mist. Some fnd it easier and more pleasant to breathe their respiratory medications with a nebulizer than with an inhaler. Nebulizers may deliver a dose more accurately and the cost is paid for by Medicare (unlike inhalers)
Here is information on how to use and clean a nebulizer.
A variable oxygen-concentration high flow nebulizer provides variable concentrations of humidified oxygen and delivers aerosal medication such as albuterol or Mucomyst or Mucosil (acetylcysteine). It is available in a portable unit. They may be more effective for patients who have difficulty with mucous secretions.
Members' experiences
I find myself more SOB with the MP but feel it is herx. As an aside, some allergists and pulmonologists do not realize to use albuterol as a high flow nebulizer and not as a multi dose inhaler in testing because some folks have a reaction to the propellant in the MDI that invalidates the test. I happen to know this because MDIs make me have an upper airway reaction, whereas high-flows do not. ~PB R.N.
I can tell you from personal experience that I too had to get off my steroid inhaler when I started the MP. I was SO scared to do this, as my asthma was so bad. Much to my relief, the Benicar was better than the steroid inhaler! I also used a long acting non steroid inhaler (12) hour that after 1 year on the MP, I no longer needed. I do still use the short acting inhaler 4 times a day, but only 1 puff. My asthma is triggered by MCS. The MCS has also improved on the MP. I actually once left the house without my inhaler, and the Benicar stopped my asthma attack with in 10 minutes. I should have chewed and put it under my tongue, but I was not thinking. This allows for quicker absorption. I was so impressed that the Beni could do this. Hope this gives you some reassurance. ~Lori
"I have pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, and had sarcoidosis in both lungs. Mostly the MP takes care of it, but if that is not enough (seldom needed), then I use my albuterol inhaler. Before MP, I was constantly on a nebulizer, which I have not had to use since on MP." ~Barney
I have been using Olbas oil, derived of Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Cajeput, Wintergreen, Juniper and Clove, a product of Switzerland. A few drops helps keep the air passages clear, applied to throat topically. ~MaBear
-I have pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, and had lung sarc in both lungs. Mostly the MP takes care of it, but if that is not enough (seldom needed), then I use my albuterol inhaler. Before MP, I was constantly on a nebulizer, which I have not had to use since on MP. ~Barney
Last edited on Tue Jul 15th, 2008 18:22 by Meg Mangin R.N.
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Nothing contained in this site is or should be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment by your physician.
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Belinda
Research Team
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Posted: Thu Nov 16th, 2006 18:20 |
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(filelink)
Lung conditions
Obstructive lung disease
It's a little-recognized fact that sarcoidosis can cause PFTs results to indicate obstructive lung disease (sarcoidosis is considered a restrictive lung disease). This is because chest lymph nodes may become so enlarged they compress airways and/or granulomas themselves may obstruct airways.
This article explains the difference between restrictive and obstructive lung disease. http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=AN00759
Alveolitis
Inflammation in sarcoidosis does cause fluid in the lungs. Alveolitis is inflammation of the tiny sac-like air spaces where the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen take place. When the alveoli are filled with fluid, there is less exchange of gases.
Crackles
This resource says that crackles are sometimes found in sarcoidosis.
http://www.chestjournal.org/cgi/content/abstract/73/3/333 And interstitial lung disease is listed here as one reason for crackles.
i. Crackles (Rales)
Crackles are discontinuous, nonmusical, brief sounds heard more commonly on inspiration. They can be classified as fine (high pitched, soft, very brief) or coarse (low pitched, louder, less brief). When listening to crackles, pay special attention to their loudness, pitch, duration, number, timing in the respiratory cycle, location, pattern from breath to breath, change after a cough or shift in position. Crackles may sometimes be normally heard at the anterior lung bases after a maximal expiration or after prolonged recumbency.
The mechanical basis of crackles: Small airways open during inspiration and collapse during expiration causing the crackling sounds. Another explanation for crackles is that air bubbles through secreations or incompletely closed airways during expiration.
Conditions:
ARDS
asthma
bronchiectasis
chronic bronchitis
consolidation
early CHF
interstitial lung disease
pulmonary edema
Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis is the abnormal widening of bronchi damaged by infection and the resulting inflammatory cytokines, or obstruction or traction. Sarcoidosis can result in bronchial obstructions from enlarged chest lymph nodes or granulomas. Traction bronchiectasis can occur when there is pulmonary fibrosis that distorts the airway.
Since bronchiectasis can result in little 'pockets' where infections can take hold, one possibility you may want to discuss is perhaps bacteria cultured from a biopsy were secondary, opportunistic infections. If a decision is made to treat them, the primary goal remains to treat the primary cause of disease: sarcoidosis.
You should be concerned if doctors are most concerned about bronchiectasis - seeing it as more threatening than the primary disease. So you may need to be prepared to dig in your heels to begin the MP, instead of palliative treatments (aimed to help you feel more comfortable) and because you will want to ward off recurring complications.
-I have bronchiectasis - identified in my chest radiology - and I've done quite well on the MP! I've had no episodes of pneumonia, visits to the ER or anything like that. The rationale I used with my doc to convince him to try the MP initially was:
1) Since antibiotics are used to treat bronchiectastis, and
2) there isn't a singular well-defined treatment for bronchiectasis,
3) why not monitor a trial of the MP and see if it treats the sarcoidosis, which caused the bronchiectasis in the first place?
We've never regretted the decision to use the MP. ~Belinda
Atalectasis
Atelectasis can be caused by obstructions or fibrosis. Atelectisis refers to collapse of a lung or a portion of one, due to incomplete filling with air. This usually occurs in association with some mechanical blockage of the airway which prevents new air from entering the lung. The air in the lung distal to the block is absorbed by the bloodstream leading to the collapse of the alveoli. Atelectasis can be caused by fibrosis.
Sarcoidosis results in fibrosis and can also result in bronchial obstructions from enlarged chest lymph nodes or granulomas. Sarcoidosis results in fibrosis and can also result in bronchial obstructions from enlarged chest lymph nodes or granulomas. Atelectasis is not a common occurance in sarcoidosis but it does happen. If you google 'atelectasis & sarcoidosis', you will find some cases studies and xrays.
Atelectasis can be caused by obstructions or fibrosis. Sarcoidosis results in fibrosis and can also result in bronchial obstructions from enlarged chest lymph nodes or granulomas. Atelectasis is not a common occurance in sarcoidosis but it does happen. <<
You might check with your doc about the possibility of using BiPAP or CPAP until the lung better re-inflates. This can help some. Sometimes a respiratory therapist can set this up in your home. To my knowledge steroids can not usually help this problem, but sometimes a bronchoscopy can help if a blockage of the lower airways is the cause. Atelectasis can contribute to rise in body temperature.
Positive pressure breathing treatments and even pursed lip breathing exercises might be of some help. Atelectasis is a common consequence of lung involvement and bed rest, and is usually not a permanent set back.
The positive changes on lung x-ray may take more that a couple of years to reveal themselves. As you know lung x-rays or cat-scans will not cure you, and do give you a dose of radiation each time you are exposed; but may be a good idea very occasionally to see if the interventions for partially collapsed lung are working. A P.F.T. with parts of the lung deflated will not be apt to show much improvement. A physician who can help you work on resolving the atelectasis (without using the failed steroidal and immuno-suppressive drugs) might be a good idea. ~PB.
Hyperinflation
A chest x-ray can give a general idea as to whether a patient is hyperinflating, as explained here. Dynamic hyperinflation, discussed here (you will need to register to read the article) occurs in COPD and other diseases. Pulmonary function tests may be used to give more information about this condition.
Hyperinflation is sometimes called "air trapping" and may be helped by measures such as pursed lip breathing. Pursed lip breathing can help release air trapped in the lungs and can help relieve the feeling of shortness of breath, if it's due to hyperinflation.
In some cases, supplemental oxygen might be useful in overcoming hyperinflation. The Medscape article discusses how supplemental oxygen facilitates lung emptying. ~Belinda
Lymph nodes
I personally wouldn't worry too much if lymph nodes are still swollen. Lymph nodes play a criticial role in removing bacteria, abnormal cells and other matter as part of the immune system. That means they are still working. ~Belinda
Enlarged lymph nodes are usually a sign of infection and the way to treat is to treat the underlying cause when possible. ie MP is doing that.
What happens in later stages of sarcoidosis is the lymph nodes shrink down; they stop doing their part. This may be because they become too damaged to function. It's not unusual for lymph nodes to be calcified in sarcoidosis patients.
FAQ My lymph nodes are growing. Is this normal? Should I be concerned about cancer?
Photos of sarcoidosis gross pathology
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Meg Mangin R.N.
Research Team (on leave)
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Posted: Fri Nov 24th, 2006 13:40 |
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(filelink)
Immunopathology can affect breathing
There were several ways my immune system reactions affected my symptoms and breathing:
Your cough is a symptom that flares when you are experiencing immunopathology, and it becomes less intense as you have slowed your immune system reaction. You will be gaining experience by managing your Herx around this signal symptom.
Tolerable immunopathology is sustainable, and is the level to aim for at all times..
1) my throat could tighten so I couldn't inhale correctly. I had to pay attention to the warning signs that would precede "throat tightening." The most obvious signal was that my voice would get tighter and higher-pitched before my throat would tighten.
2) my chest muscles could get slugglish and be hard to move. Chest muscles prompt breathing by expanding to provoke lung inflalation. I found I was more likely to have sluggish chest muscles in the afternoon or evening, when fatigue was more of a problem. Sometimes my chest muscles felt swollen - the swelling was actually visible - and I would get muscle twitches. I learned to rest more and take a nap when I encountered this sort of problem. In early treatment, I had supplemental oxygen which I used during these times.
3) I had enlarged lymph nodes in my chest that pressed on my airways. On some immunopathology days, the pressure from inside my chest was worse and made it harder to breath. It was sort of like that feeling of not having enough "room to breathe" that occurs when you are very pregnant (if you've ever had that experience), although the pressure came from inside my chest instead of from below (as in pregnancy).
4) I was able to wean off supplemental oxygen and use it only when the immune system reaction was severe until I weaned off oxygen completely. I can still get short of breath now, even though I walk 3-4 miles per day. If I walk with a friend and *talk a lot* or walk *and talk* while climbing stairs, I can get SOB. Or if I walk outdoors on a bad ozone day, I feel like I can't get enough air.. so I walk indoors when ozone warnings are in effect.
My experience is with sarcoidosis, which can cause decreased lung volume. But originally, I was "diagnosed" with "asthma" due to complaints of shortness of breath (SOB) and coughing (in spite of the fact that I had a lot of other symptoms that would indicate sarc instead). Sometimes, but not often, I had wheezing or crackling sounds from my lungs. When I breathed, sometimes my lungs felt "squishy," the way your feet feel when walking in wet tennis shoes. Inhalers didn't help me, but unfortunately physicians can assume people don't use inhalers properly. It was only when I had complete pulmonary function tests, with testing before and after bronchodilators were used, that doctors were finally convinced bronchodilators didn't help.
Did you assume you have a decrease in lung volume, or did you get results from pulmonary function tests (PFTs) indicating a decrease in lung volume? It may be that immunopathology might temporarily cause some changes, but they might not show up on any tests. If I had it to do over again, I would insist on having PFTs done before accepting a diagnosis of asthma.
To sum up my experience, before I started the MP, I coughed pretty much all the time. (It drove everyone around me crazy!) That intense coughing left my chest muscles exhausted, and I relied on supplemental oxygen by early afternoon many days. Originally, my PFTs indicated both restrictive (reduced volume) and obstructive lung disease (due to lymph nodes impinging on airways). Now I no longer have obstructive lung disease (the lymph nodes decreased in size) and have only a mildly restrictive pattern on PFTs. My doctor withdrew supplemental oxygen after I was on the MP for about a year and a half.
The fact that bronchodilators didn't change your PFTs is something you probably should bring to your doctor's attention if he persists in wanting to treat you for asthma. It's something you will want to discuss with him. The fact that bronchodilators didn't relieve your problem would seem to indicate your experience may not be asthma.
I still suspect immunopathology is making this old symptom flare. Can you think of any other factors that might be contributing? For instance, I had more trouble breathing when it was very humid, and cool humid air was *the worst*. Also, any upper respiratory problems (like a stuffy nose or sinus blockage) may make breathing more difficult.
Do you monitor the air quality in your area, to see if there are any air quality warnings? If you live in an area with air problems such as smog or high ozone, you should monitor that to see if your symptoms correlate with bad air quality days. The AQI is not something you can tell by looking outdoors. The Environmental Protection Agency calculates the air quality index. Where I live, our air quality has been rated orange lately, which means "unhealthy for sensitive groups." Any time I feel like I have to exhert more energy to breathe, it's because our AQI is either orange or red.
Getting tired makes it more likely to experience the shallow breathing, too. Are you pushing yourself too hard? It's good to rest more when experiencing an immune system reaction. After all, the road to recovery is a long road. So go easy on yourself.
I was on oxygen when I started the MP. Coughing all the time left me very weak and made it almost impossible to breathe.
I found that immunopathology resulted in coughing and breathing difficulties on the MP, it was imperative that I stop and rest. Even if I didn't fall asleep, frequent resting helped improve coughing and fatigue. So, rest.. rest.. rest.
My coughing was usually unproductive. My chest would feel tight, heavy and even painful and the cough came from so deep down it felt as if I might cough up my toes. But more often than not, nothing came up. That's why they say the sarcoidosis cough is unproductive; no phlegm comes up. Unless the mucous is draining from the sinuses, it's probably not in a place you can cough it up.
It may help you to understand that sarcoidosis often inflames the tiny air sacs in the lungs, the alveoli.
Using supplemental oxygen reassured me that my heart and lungs were less likely to be oxygen deprived. I hope you find it reassuring, too.
Belinda
We have data showing PFT improvement during the MP. Most of the improvemnt in PFTs is in two parameters: DLco and FEV1
..Trevor..
A description of the PFTs is in this link: SARCOIDOSIS
____________________
Nothing contained in this site is or should be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment by your physician.
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