Diane - asthma

[Guest guest]

> Using nasacort, azmacort, Tessalon Perles, and nebulizer tmnts. 4x

> day; drinking black coffee; trying to avoid having to go for steroid shot, but

> ribs and belly are sure taking a beating and I am ready to kill something!

Any

> more suggestions from listers?

> Love and Hugs,

> Diane

>

Hi Diane - as a life-long asthmatic, just reading about what you are

going through is making me wheeze a little! I assume you have some

kind of humidifier going if you live in a dry area, and are forcing

fluids to keep the bronchial fluids loose? As for the rib pain -

BTDT. In fact - since I have acute osteoporosis, I have been known to

crack ribs just by coughing! Boy - talk about ouchies!!!

I find that ice helps the sore spots. I have one of those ace

bandages with a pouch in one end which holds a gel pack, which can be

heated or frozen. I keep the gel pack frozen, as well as several

little ice packs that came with some medication I got. When the ribs

get to hurting I just slip an ice pack into the ace bandage and wrap

it around my ribs with the ice in the right place. There is velcro to

hold the elastic bandage in place.

Just don't wra[ it *too* tight and restrict your breathing.

Then, if there are other sore spots, I slip one of the ice packs

under the bandage there too. And I brace myself with a firm pillow

when I cough.

If you can't find one of the ace bandage wraps (I think they are

sold in drugstores for sore throats, stiff necks, etc). ~ you could

just use a regular ace bandage, and slip in ice packs made from

plastic sandwich bags (double-bagged to prevent leaks) under the

elastic bandage. Hope this makes sense

.. I also find it helps to hold a wide-mouthed mug of hot tea, or

boullion under your nose and sip it slowly thru a straw, as you

inhale the soothing steam. Actually - my favorite beverage for this

is apple juice with a little cinnamon and sugar added... Hope

this helps. Hugs -