Battling For Good Health

spidystrider

Artytarty wrote: »

May I ask why you do not use a preventative inhaler for your mild asthma?
I was like you, coughing, post nasal drip etc for years, I didn't even know it was asthma but now that I use my inhaler I feel so much better.

I do use a preventative inhaler, Flixotide, but it has never kept my cough at bay. My cough originally started back in 1999, after I had suffered from the flu. I had loads of tests for my cough, even a lung function test, which came back showing my lungs were completely normal and showing no signs of asthma. My doctors were left scratching their heads.

As there was asthma in my family they decided to go ahead and give me an inhaler, after 3 days I had my one and only asthma attack. My breathing has never been right since and I still have the cough.

My faith in doctors has gone downhill ever since.

Bigmoney2

spidystrider wrote: »

I do use a preventative inhaler, Flixotide, but it has never kept my cough at bay. My cough originally started back in 1999, after I had suffered from the flu. I had loads of tests for my cough, even a lung function test, which came back showing my lungs were completely normal and showing no signs of asthma. My doctors were left scratching their heads.

As there was asthma in my family they decided to go ahead and give me an inhaler, after 3 days I had my one and only asthma attack. My breathing has never been right since and I still have the cough.

My faith in doctors has gone downhill ever since.

Have you heard of buteyko breathing, you might find it interesting.

http://www.buteyko.info/

spidystrider

Bigmoney2 wrote: »

Have you heard of buteyko breathing, you might find it interesting.

http://www.buteyko.info/

I am embarrassed to say that I did do a Buteyko course when I was first diagnosed with asthma. At the time I had a cough and slightly blocked nose and it did more or less cure both. Unfortunately, I fell by the wayside, as I have done with most things in my life. Because Buteyko concentrates on breathing through the nose, I can not do it now. If I can get rid of these polyps, I would definitely take it up again..

spidystrider

Well today I went to sit up in bed and found my stomach muscles were sore. That's the first time in many years that I have felt them at all :rotfl:

Day Two:

I did another ten minutes on the treadmill. This time the speed was 3 km/hr, which warmed me up and I also felt my heart rate increase. I have decided to stick with this speed for the rest of the week, as I don't want to push myself too far, too quickly.

I then did the half hour Pilates again and found it just as hard. I thought my stomach muscles would have been too sore, but I got through it just fine. I have recorded a half hour yoga session, so might give that a go tomorrow.

After a short break, I used the steamer again, but added just 2 drops of Olbas Oil this time. I coughed a couple of times, but this was far better and will stick with it for now. My nose is just as swollen, but definitely doesn't feel as heavy after steaming.

I did notice one difference today. I love music, always have ever since childhood. I used to love singing along to different songs, but find it near impossible now, as I always start coughing. I sat today and sang the whole of Lynyrd Skynyrd's Simple Man. I actually felt a bit emotional afterwards. It's amazing how you can miss something so small.

spidystrider

Day Three:

Another 10 minutes on the treadmill at 3 km/hr, which did seem a bit easier today.

I then tried a half hour beginner's Yoga class but had to give up within 15 minutes. My body is just not strong enough yet for yoga. I found myself wobbling too much and was worried I could end up injuring myself. I went back to Pilates and found that I managed all the exercises in that pretty well. I decided that I would practice one yoga exercise each day and try to build myself up to the half hour.

I steamed my face again today, but I have noticed that it is making my skin a bit red and irritated afterwards. I will keep doing it for now, but will keep an eye on the effects it's having on my skin.

I am really enjoying drinking water now and I am managing a bit more than the 500ml. I am also drinking a cup of green tea and a camomile tea each day, with a teaspoon of honey, which I find soothing.

I am happy with how things are going and feel that I am coughing slightly less. I look forward to seeing more and more improvements.

heartbreak_star

Try Lush's Dream Cream for your skin after steaming, you only need a tiny bit and it smells and feels divine

HBS x

spidystrider

heartbreak_star wrote: »

Try Lush's Dream Cream for your skin after steaming, you only need a tiny bit and it smells and feels divine

HBS x

Thanks for that, I will take a look. I love Lush products and haven't had any for a while, so this could be a good excuse to buy some goodies.

pink_princess

All probiotics should be kept away from heat so it is often advise to keep them in a fridge or cool place. Heat kills it so do not take it with a hot drink.

Well done for making the changes :-)

spidystrider

pink_princess wrote: »

All probiotics should be kept away from heat so it is often advise to keep them in a fridge or cool place. Heat kills it so do not take it with a hot drink.

Well done for making the changes :-)

Thanks for that information, I hadn't actually known that. I am keeping them in a cool cupboard and swallowing them with cool water, so think they should be fine.

spidystrider

Day Four :

Today has been a bit of a messy day for me. I woke up with a bit of a head ache and it has stayed with me, everything seemed to take longer than usual, but I have managed to get it all done.

Spent another 10 minutes on the treadmill at 3 km/hr, which isn't really a push anymore, so I may speed up slightly tomorrow.

I then did my half hour of Pilates again and I am doing most of the exercises really well now. There are still a couple that could do with improvements though, but I am definitely feeling my abs. I am still practicing the first couple of yoga exercises, from a class I recorded on Fitness TV and feel quite confident that I can do them now. I will start practicing another one or two from tomorrow.

I finally received my delivery with the Tea Tree Oil in it yesterday afternoon. I applied it to one nostril 3 times yesterday and I'm about to do it for the second time today. It's too early to know what's happening, but that nostril is really runny and my nose was less swollen this morning, although it has risen again this afternoon. I am just applying it to one side for now, to see how it goes.

Did my usual steam to help my nose, although still not sure this is doing much to help. I did apply some lovely, soothing vitamin E face mask afterwards from The Body Shop, so my skin felt nice and soft.

I've decided to start taking note of my weight each week. I will weigh myself using the Wii on a Sunday and use my BMI as a guide to how I am doing. Last Sunday I was about 7 stone 5, which is a BMI of 18.16, so underweight. I would love to get above 18.5, as I would then be in the normal range. I won't be obsessing on this though. The most important things on my list are getting rid of my asthmatic cough, the nasal polyps and increasing my stamina.