Re: C-reactive Protein

August 16, 2007

Hi Dawn, I found this in case you didn't.....it mentions excerise specifically. Hope it helps Deb C-Reactive Proteins: The Body’s Inflammation Indicators Although the concept of silent inflammation is not widely used in medicine, the body has other indicators of inflammation that aren’t so silent. C-reactive proteins are measured to show inflammation in the body. They are elevated in people who have heart disease, arthritis, or other chronic illness and they may identify people who may be at increased risk for chronic illness. A CRP test analyzes a simple blood sample for the level of C-reactive protein that is present. But a CRP test is general, not specific. Elevated CRP levels suggest that there is

inflammation in the body, but the measurement alone won’t tell you where the inflammation is; elevated levels could mean a variety of conditions including cancer, pneumonia, tuberculosis, or infection. And just to make things more complicated, birth control pills can cause elevated CRP results, as can the last half of pregnancy. Normal CRP values vary from one lab to another, but in general a healthy person has no noticeable elevation of CRP in the blood, but if you are at risk for heart disease, your doctor can use a more highly sensitive CRP test (called the hs-CRP) to look more closely for elevated CRP levels. According to the American Heart Association your risk for heart disease is associated with the following levels: -Low-risk: A hs-CRP level of less than 1.0 mg/L -Moderate risk: A hs-CRP level between 1.0 and 3.0 mg/L -High risk: A hs-CRP level higher than 3.0 mg/L Exercise: The Double-Edged Sword Of Inflammation Exercise is the double-edged sword of inflammation research. Exercise releases endorphins, which can soothe inflammation, and it also reduces body fat, which can reduce chronic inflammation. But, exercise causes inflammation while you’re doing it. In fact, a muscle enzyme called creatine phosphokinase (CPK) is elevated after running or a similarly intense activity. This

inflammation is short-term, but if you had your CPK measured immediately after a marathon, the level of inflammation would suggest that you were having a heart attack. Similarly, if you had a liver function test right after a marathon, you would have elevated levels of an enzyme called aspartate aminotransferase. Most people aren’t having their enzymes checked right after a marathon, but the point is that measurements of proteins and inflammation in the body is a tricky business, and it’s important to talk to your doctor about any test results and be sure to tell your doctor about your diet and exercise habits. Hormones May Play A Role In Chronic Inflammation Chronic inflammation means that the body’s immune system is going into overdrive. During menopause, estrogen levels drop, and research has shown that post-menopausal women are at increased risk for chronic inflammation compared with pre-menopausal women. In addition, many women gain weight during menopause, and it’s possible that the increased number of fat cells could promote chronic inflammation, because fat cells are a source of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Although there are studies in progress to assess what role, if any, estrogen might play in reducing chronic inflammation in post-menopausal women, there is not enough information to promote hormone replacement therapy as a way to control chronic inflammation. If you are concerned about estrogen and you are interested in hormone replacement therapy for any reason, be sure to discuss the risks and benefits

with your doctor. How To Assess Your Silent Inflammation Status If you are curious about whether you have some level of silent inflammation, ask your doctor about the AA/EPA test. If you get this test, here’s how to interpret the results: -Ideal: An AA/EPA ratio of 1.5 -Good: An AA/EPA ratio of 3 -Headed for chronic disease: An AA/EPA ratio greater than 10 -Existing chronic disease: An AA/EPA ratio greater than 15 The ratio is based on the average AA/EPA in the Japanese population overall because of the average longevity of

many Japanese people. The average AA/EPA ratio among Americans who have been measured is 11, which suggests than many Americans have chronic health problems that put them at risk for future disease, but data are limited and only a few laboratories in the U.S. and the world conduct the specific type of fatty acid analysis needed to come up with the AA/EPA ratio. Caveat: The AA/EPA test is only available in limited research facilities in the U.S. If you want more information about the test, contact a company called Your Future Health by calling and they will arrange an AA/EPA test for you.Dawn Wolthuis wrote: I have asthma, specifically exercise-induced asthma. Over the past30+ years, I have become convinced that there is no amount of exerciseI can do that makes it at all possible to do more than a small amountof exercise. I can ride my bike 2 miles, but cannot possibly get past3 miles, for example. Even if I ride a bike 2 miles a day for 3months (I have done that), I cannot get further. I go to Curvesbecause a light 30-minute routine is all I can do, and it takes meabout an hour to recover from it so that I actually have to reservemore like 2 hours each day for this exercise, while I get no apparentbenefit from it (but figure it should be

better for my heart than notexercising).I started a couple of years ago to try to get to the bottom of thisafter 30 years of simply taking the doctor's advice on it. I havetried many things, but so far to no avail.Right now in my research I am going to zero in on the fact that I testpositive for the C-reactive protein. This is apparently an indicatorof inflammation. I am going to do more googling of this, but thoughtI would ask this group first. I am wondering if all astmatics testpositive for this, given that asthma is an inflammatory disease, or ifonly some do.Additionally, I am wondering if anyone has tested positive for thisprotein and then later been "cured" so that they no longer testpositive for it. If so, how did they get from positive to negativewith this? I found a web site with a fruit juice that is supposed toremove the c-reactive protein, which sounded like a scam, but I'minterested in

any leads that anyone has.Thanks for any pointers related to the c-reactive protein. I am juststarting to try to learn more about it. --dawn

Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you sell.

August 16, 2007

Wish I could give info about the protein, but like you I'd have to do

research. But it's an interesting topic.

Re: exercise. When I was 24, I went back into horseback

riding--specifically dressage. I couldn't ride more than 10 minutes

without having to stop at first. But I gradually built up (VERY

gradually) until I was finally riding more than two hours without

having an attack. And the odd thing was that the riding arena was

often dusty, there was hay all over the place--all sorts of

allergens--yet I was doing great. I ultimately moved on to teaching.

I'd estimate it took me two years to build up, though. And that's

hard...was dying to ride longer (I was training a young horse) and got

so frustrated at having to quit. Perhaps it just takes a lot of

patience. And we asthmatics ought to be used to being

patient...goodness knows my doctors tax my patience.

marty

On Thursday, August 16, 2007, at 12:10 , Dawn Wolthuis wrote:

> I have asthma, specifically exercise-induced asthma. Over the past

> 30+ years, I have become convinced that there is no amount of exercise

> I can do that makes it at all possible to do more than a small amount

> of exercise. I can ride my bike 2 miles, but cannot possibly get past

> 3 miles, for example. Even if I ride a bike 2 miles a day for 3

> months (I have done that), I cannot get further. I go to Curves

> because a light 30-minute routine is all I can do, and it takes me

> about an hour to recover from it so that I actually have to reserve

> more like 2 hours each day for this exercise, while I get no apparent

> benefit from it (but figure it should be better for my heart than not

> exercising).

>

> I started a couple of years ago to try to get to the bottom of this

> after 30 years of simply taking the doctor's advice on it. I have

> tried many things, but so far to no avail.

>

> Right now in my research I am going to zero in on the fact that I test

> positive for the C-reactive protein. This is apparently an indicator

> of inflammation. I am going to do more googling of this, but thought

> I would ask this group first. I am wondering if all astmatics test

> positive for this, given that asthma is an inflammatory disease, or if

> only some do.

>

> Additionally, I am wondering if anyone has tested positive for this

> protein and then later been " cured " so that they no longer test

> positive for it. If so, how did they get from positive to negative

> with this? I found a web site with a fruit juice that is supposed to

> remove the c-reactive protein, which sounded like a scam, but I'm

> interested in any leads that anyone has.

>

> Thanks for any pointers related to the c-reactive protein. I am just

> starting to try to learn more about it. --dawn

>

August 16, 2007

Thanks, Debbier for the information. I had not yet seen that material.

Thanks, Martha. It sounds like your experience was better than mine

in building up to a better level of activity. I have often been told,

by relatives, doctors and others that I simply need to exercise more,

for a longer period of time. But now with more than 30 years of

working at it in various ways with considerable consistency including

20 years of tennis (even when one set of low movement is all I could

do), biking (no more than 3 miles at a time), aerobic classes (when

the old ladies in the class could keep up and I would have to stop),

working with a trainer for several years, etc I'm not so sure I have

another 30 years of patience, or at least think it wise to take a

different strategy than exercise and patience at this point.

What works for many (persistent exercise) does not work for me. I

have kept records so I was certain of this and not jumping to

conclusions quickly. I have only done Curves just over 100 times, so

I am gave for going another 4 years or so without any noticable

progress, just in case, but odds are very good that this is just like

all other exercise I have done over the years.

I'm open to any and all suggestions, however. I will know by next Feb

if taking Azithromycin (starting last Feb for 11 weeks under the care

of doctors doing a clinical trial) was successful. So far nothing,

but it makes so much sense that this is a bacterial infection that I

keep hoping.

I was striken with this at age 17 and am now 51, so I've been through

all doctor suggestions and am game to try almost anything that others

suggest has rid them of exercise-induced-asthma or even helped them

make an ounce of progress.

Thanks. --dawn

> Wish I could give info about the protein, but like you I'd have to do

> research. But it's an interesting topic.

>

> Re: exercise. When I was 24, I went back into horseback

> riding--specifically dressage. I couldn't ride more than 10 minutes

> without having to stop at first. But I gradually built up (VERY

> gradually) until I was finally riding more than two hours without

> having an attack. And the odd thing was that the riding arena was

> often dusty, there was hay all over the place--all sorts of

> allergens--yet I was doing great. I ultimately moved on to teaching.

> I'd estimate it took me two years to build up, though. And that's

> hard...was dying to ride longer (I was training a young horse) and got

> so frustrated at having to quit. Perhaps it just takes a lot of

> patience. And we asthmatics ought to be used to being

> patient...goodness knows my doctors tax my patience.

>

> marty

>

> On Thursday, August 16, 2007, at 12:10 , Dawn Wolthuis wrote:

>

> > I have asthma, specifically exercise-induced asthma. Over the past

> > 30+ years, I have become convinced that there is no amount of exercise

> > I can do that makes it at all possible to do more than a small amount

> > of exercise. I can ride my bike 2 miles, but cannot possibly get past

> > 3 miles, for example. Even if I ride a bike 2 miles a day for 3

> > months (I have done that), I cannot get further. I go to Curves

> > because a light 30-minute routine is all I can do, and it takes me

> > about an hour to recover from it so that I actually have to reserve

> > more like 2 hours each day for this exercise, while I get no apparent

> > benefit from it (but figure it should be better for my heart than not

> > exercising).

> >

> > I started a couple of years ago to try to get to the bottom of this

> > after 30 years of simply taking the doctor's advice on it. I have

> > tried many things, but so far to no avail.

> >

> > Right now in my research I am going to zero in on the fact that I test

> > positive for the C-reactive protein. This is apparently an indicator

> > of inflammation. I am going to do more googling of this, but thought

> > I would ask this group first. I am wondering if all astmatics test

> > positive for this, given that asthma is an inflammatory disease, or if

> > only some do.

> >

> > Additionally, I am wondering if anyone has tested positive for this

> > protein and then later been " cured " so that they no longer test

> > positive for it. If so, how did they get from positive to negative

> > with this? I found a web site with a fruit juice that is supposed to

> > remove the c-reactive protein, which sounded like a scam, but I'm

> > interested in any leads that anyone has.

> >

> > Thanks for any pointers related to the c-reactive protein. I am just

> > starting to try to learn more about it. --dawn

August 16, 2007

hi there, your story sounds similar to mine. it hit me last year, i'm now 23, out of the blues. i've been tested for everything serious but it mostly leads to asthma. i too would exercise a lot before, like twice a day from weights and cardio. and now i cant even do a stairclimber for 10 minutes without getting an attack. its super scary esp. when drugs don't help me. i just have to wait it out. i think ive heard of this c reactive protein but dont know too much about it. can you tell me how you got tested and what not? i'm also looking into candida big time because i started having digestive problems and food allergies and heard it can cause asthma. i've had to control my diet a lot since then because i noticed i started gaining weight since i had to cut back on exercise. hope all is well. shefyDawn Wolthuis

wrote: Thanks, Debbier for the information. I had not yet seen that material.Thanks, Martha. It sounds like your experience was better than minein building up to a better level of activity. I have often been told,by relatives, doctors and others that I simply need to exercise more,for a longer period of time. But now with more than 30 years ofworking at it in various ways with considerable consistency including20 years of tennis (even when one set of low movement is all I

coulddo), biking (no more than 3 miles at a time), aerobic classes (whenthe old ladies in the class could keep up and I would have to stop),working with a trainer for several years, etc I'm not so sure I haveanother 30 years of patience, or at least think it wise to take adifferent strategy than exercise and patience at this point.What works for many (persistent exercise) does not work for me. Ihave kept records so I was certain of this and not jumping toconclusions quickly. I have only done Curves just over 100 times, soI am gave for going another 4 years or so without any noticableprogress, just in case, but odds are very good that this is just likeall other exercise I have done over the years.I'm open to any and all suggestions, however. I will know by next Febif taking Azithromycin (starting last Feb for 11 weeks under the careof doctors doing a clinical trial) was successful. So far nothing,but it

makes so much sense that this is a bacterial infection that Ikeep hoping.I was striken with this at age 17 and am now 51, so I've been throughall doctor suggestions and am game to try almost anything that otherssuggest has rid them of exercise-induced-asthma or even helped themmake an ounce of progress.Thanks. --dawn> Wish I could give info about the protein, but like you I'd have to do> research. But it's an interesting topic.>> Re: exercise. When I was 24, I went back into horseback> riding--specifically dressage. I couldn't ride more than 10 minutes> without having to stop at first. But I gradually built up (VERY> gradually) until I was finally riding more than two hours without> having an attack. And the odd thing was that the riding arena was> often dusty,

there was hay all over the place--all sorts of> allergens--yet I was doing great. I ultimately moved on to teaching.> I'd estimate it took me two years to build up, though. And that's> hard...was dying to ride longer (I was training a young horse) and got> so frustrated at having to quit. Perhaps it just takes a lot of> patience. And we asthmatics ought to be used to being> patient...goodness knows my doctors tax my patience.>> marty>>> On Thursday, August 16, 2007, at 12:10 , Dawn Wolthuis wrote:>> > I have asthma, specifically exercise-induced asthma. Over the past> > 30+ years, I have become convinced that there is no amount of exercise> > I can do that makes it at all possible to do more than a small amount> > of exercise. I can ride my bike 2 miles, but cannot possibly get past> > 3 miles, for example. Even if I ride a bike 2 miles a

day for 3> > months (I have done that), I cannot get further. I go to Curves> > because a light 30-minute routine is all I can do, and it takes me> > about an hour to recover from it so that I actually have to reserve> > more like 2 hours each day for this exercise, while I get no apparent> > benefit from it (but figure it should be better for my heart than not> > exercising).> >> > I started a couple of years ago to try to get to the bottom of this> > after 30 years of simply taking the doctor's advice on it. I have> > tried many things, but so far to no avail.> >> > Right now in my research I am going to zero in on the fact that I test> > positive for the C-reactive protein. This is apparently an indicator> > of inflammation. I am going to do more googling of this, but thought> > I would ask this group first. I am wondering

if all astmatics test> > positive for this, given that asthma is an inflammatory disease, or if> > only some do.> >> > Additionally, I am wondering if anyone has tested positive for this> > protein and then later been "cured" so that they no longer test> > positive for it. If so, how did they get from positive to negative> > with this? I found a web site with a fruit juice that is supposed to> > remove the c-reactive protein, which sounded like a scam, but I'm> > interested in any leads that anyone has.> >> > Thanks for any pointers related to the c-reactive protein. I am just> > starting to try to learn more about it. --dawn

Ready for the edge of your seat? Check out tonight's top picks on Yahoo! TV.

August 16, 2007

>

> hi there,

>

> your story sounds similar to mine. it hit me last year, i'm now 23, out of the

blues. i've been tested for everything serious but it mostly leads to asthma.

Back in '73, they tested me for mono and other virus infections,

without a match, so they told me to rest and it should go away. When

I moved to North Carolina in '82, I continued to try to get my couple

of games of tennis in each week and I could not make it through a

single game. They then diagnosed exercise-induced asthma at Duke

Medical Center.

From that point, I have done everything that any GP or asthma

specialist has suggested and the exercise-induced asthma is not one

iota better than it was, although the " regular asthma " (which I was

eventually also diagnose with) is better from the following:

singulair (each night)

advair if and only if I get to a point where my regular breathing is

deteriorating

claritin-D daily (each night)

> i too would exercise a lot before, like twice a day from weights and cardio.

and now i cant even do a stairclimber for 10 minutes without getting an attack.

its super scary esp. when drugs don't help me. i just have to wait it out.

If what you have is anything like what I have, then I hate to tell you

that waiting it out doesn't get you there.

> i think ive heard of this c reactive protein but dont know too much about it.

can you tell me how you got tested and what not?

I had not heard of it either, but apparently the doctor requested it

on a blood test that I took.

> i'm also looking into candida big time because i started having digestive

problems and food allergies and heard it can cause asthma.

I've looked into the candida thing to no avail too.

> i've had to control my diet a lot since then because i noticed i started

gaining weight since i had to cut back on exercise.

Your situation might be different, but I am quite certain that I

gained weight because of whatever hit me and not because I was

exercising less. I weighed 95 when it hit and I have gained weight

steadily since that time. I experimented with a lot of approaches to

diet and exercise and found exactly one option in the past 30 years

with which I lost weight. I had to cut out all sugar (not just reduce

it) and all wheat (including whole wheat). It was incredibly hard to

do, especially since I eat out a lot in a small town without good

restaurants, but after 3 months, I started to lose weight and ended up

losing 38 pounds. I then reintroduced whole wheat and a small amount

of sugar, just enough to live reasonably normally without always

obsessing about the ingredients in my food and the weight came back

just like that.

>

> hope all is well.

And I truly hope that you find a cure for this ailment without having

to live with it for another 30 years or more. Whatever attacked me

(which might be what attacked you) is a disease that medical science

has apparently not figured out yet.

I have been able to live quite normally, but I think this disease does

cause one to put on weight (perhaps as allergic reactions to

ingredients like wheat), to have to stay inside when others are

outside at times, to skip activities like hiking and other things that

one ought to be able to do, and to look perfectly normal while working

harder than others just to keep going and not seem too finicky or like

a hypochondriac. I was told that my brother-in-law told my kids that

I was crazy and that it was all in my head. Ah well. In that case,

let's cure my brain, 'cause my body doesn't work like it does for

others whether the problem lies in my brain or elsewhere in my body.

Best wishes, shely. --dawn

> shefy

>

> Dawn Wolthuis wrote:

>

> Thanks, Debbier for the information. I had not yet seen that material.

>

> Thanks, Martha. It sounds like your experience was better than mine

> in building up to a better level of activity. I have often been told,

> by relatives, doctors and others that I simply need to exercise more,

> for a longer period of time. But now with more than 30 years of

> working at it in various ways with considerable consistency including

> 20 years of tennis (even when one set of low movement is all I could

> do), biking (no more than 3 miles at a time), aerobic classes (when

> the old ladies in the class could keep up and I would have to stop),

> working with a trainer for several years, etc I'm not so sure I have

> another 30 years of patience, or at least think it wise to take a

> different strategy than exercise and patience at this point.

>

> What works for many (persistent exercise) does not work for me. I

> have kept records so I was certain of this and not jumping to

> conclusions quickly. I have only done Curves just over 100 times, so

> I am gave for going another 4 years or so without any noticable

> progress, just in case, but odds are very good that this is just like

> all other exercise I have done over the years.

>

> I'm open to any and all suggestions, however. I will know by next Feb

> if taking Azithromycin (starting last Feb for 11 weeks under the care

> of doctors doing a clinical trial) was successful. So far nothing,

> but it makes so much sense that this is a bacterial infection that I

> keep hoping.

>

> I was striken with this at age 17 and am now 51, so I've been through

> all doctor suggestions and am game to try almost anything that others

> suggest has rid them of exercise-induced-asthma or even helped them

> make an ounce of progress.

>

> Thanks. --dawn

>

> > Wish I could give info about the protein, but like you I'd have to do

> > research. But it's an interesting topic.

> >

> > Re: exercise. When I was 24, I went back into horseback

> > riding--specifically dressage. I couldn't ride more than 10 minutes

> > without having to stop at first. But I gradually built up (VERY

> > gradually) until I was finally riding more than two hours without

> > having an attack. And the odd thing was that the riding arena was

> > often dusty, there was hay all over the place--all sorts of

> > allergens--yet I was doing great. I ultimately moved on to teaching.

> > I'd estimate it took me two years to build up, though. And that's

> > hard...was dying to ride longer (I was training a young horse) and got

> > so frustrated at having to quit. Perhaps it just takes a lot of

> > patience. And we asthmatics ought to be used to being

> > patient...goodness knows my doctors tax my patience.

> >

> > marty

> >

> > On Thursday, August 16, 2007, at 12:10 , Dawn Wolthuis wrote:

> >

> > > I have asthma, specifically exercise-induced asthma. Over the past

> > > 30+ years, I have become convinced that there is no amount of exercise

> > > I can do that makes it at all possible to do more than a small amount

> > > of exercise. I can ride my bike 2 miles, but cannot possibly get past

> > > 3 miles, for example. Even if I ride a bike 2 miles a day for 3

> > > months (I have done that), I cannot get further. I go to Curves

> > > because a light 30-minute routine is all I can do, and it takes me

> > > about an hour to recover from it so that I actually have to reserve

> > > more like 2 hours each day for this exercise, while I get no apparent

> > > benefit from it (but figure it should be better for my heart than not

> > > exercising).

> > >

> > > I started a couple of years ago to try to get to the bottom of this

> > > after 30 years of simply taking the doctor's advice on it. I have

> > > tried many things, but so far to no avail.

> > >

> > > Right now in my research I am going to zero in on the fact that I test

> > > positive for the C-reactive protein. This is apparently an indicator

> > > of inflammation. I am going to do more googling of this, but thought

> > > I would ask this group first. I am wondering if all astmatics test

> > > positive for this, given that asthma is an inflammatory disease, or if

> > > only some do.

> > >

> > > Additionally, I am wondering if anyone has tested positive for this

> > > protein and then later been " cured " so that they no longer test

> > > positive for it. If so, how did they get from positive to negative

> > > with this? I found a web site with a fruit juice that is supposed to

> > > remove the c-reactive protein, which sounded like a scam, but I'm

> > > interested in any leads that anyone has.

> > >

> > > Thanks for any pointers related to the c-reactive protein. I am just

> > > starting to try to learn more about it. --dawn

>

> ________________________________

Ready for the edge of your seat? Check out tonight's top picks on

Yahoo! TV.

>

--

Dawn M. Wolthuis

Tincat Group, Inc. tincat-group.com

Take and give some delight today

August 16, 2007

It's so refreshing to me to hear from other asthmatics who struggle

with EIA. (Misery loves company.) Every time I have started an

exercise program I have become, gradually, day by day, more asthmatic

than I was before. I get my medication adjusted, upwards, repeatedly,

but I always wind up so sick I just drop all exercise for a while,

till I get back to " normal. " This happens faster if the exercise was

badly chosen (swimming in chlorinated pools, jogging in flower-

infested meadows, etc.), but it always happens eventually. I will be

delighted if they really get a handle on what the offending chemicals

are and what to do about them!

> > >

> > > > I have asthma, specifically exercise-induced asthma. Over the

past

> > > > 30+ years, I have become convinced that there is no amount of

exercise

> > > > I can do that makes it at all possible to do more than a

small amount

> > > > of exercise. I can ride my bike 2 miles, but cannot possibly

get past

> > > > 3 miles, for example. Even if I ride a bike 2 miles a day for

3

> > > > months (I have done that), I cannot get further. I go to

Curves

> > > > because a light 30-minute routine is all I can do, and it

takes me

> > > > about an hour to recover from it so that I actually have to

reserve

> > > > more like 2 hours each day for this exercise, while I get no

apparent

> > > > benefit from it (but figure it should be better for my heart

than not

> > > > exercising).

> > > >

> > > > I started a couple of years ago to try to get to the bottom

of this

> > > > after 30 years of simply taking the doctor's advice on it. I

have

> > > > tried many things, but so far to no avail.

> > > >

> > > > Right now in my research I am going to zero in on the fact

that I test

> > > > positive for the C-reactive protein. This is apparently an

indicator

> > > > of inflammation. I am going to do more googling of this, but

thought

> > > > I would ask this group first. I am wondering if all astmatics

test

> > > > positive for this, given that asthma is an inflammatory

disease, or if

> > > > only some do.

> > > >

> > > > Additionally, I am wondering if anyone has tested positive

for this

> > > > protein and then later been " cured " so that they no longer

test

> > > > positive for it. If so, how did they get from positive to

negative

> > > > with this? I found a web site with a fruit juice that is

supposed to

> > > > remove the c-reactive protein, which sounded like a scam, but

I'm

> > > > interested in any leads that anyone has.

> > > >

> > > > Thanks for any pointers related to the c-reactive protein. I

am just

> > > > starting to try to learn more about it. --dawn

> >

> > ________________________________

> Ready for the edge of your seat? Check out tonight's top picks on

> Yahoo! TV.

> >

>

> --

> Dawn M. Wolthuis

> Tincat Group, Inc. tincat-group.com

>

> Take and give some delight today

>

August 17, 2007

Dawn, This is probably very obvious but I am new to asthma being just diagnoised at 48...but one of the guys I work with wife has the same thing "excersise induced asthma" and she puffs on an inhaler before doing her workout and has no problems. DebDawn Wolthuis wrote: Thanks, Debbier for the information. I had not yet seen that material.Thanks, Martha. It sounds like your experience was better than

minein building up to a better level of activity. I have often been told,by relatives, doctors and others that I simply need to exercise more,for a longer period of time. But now with more than 30 years ofworking at it in various ways with considerable consistency including20 years of tennis (even when one set of low movement is all I coulddo), biking (no more than 3 miles at a time), aerobic classes (whenthe old ladies in the class could keep up and I would have to stop),working with a trainer for several years, etc I'm not so sure I haveanother 30 years of patience, or at least think it wise to take adifferent strategy than exercise and patience at this point.What works for many (persistent exercise) does not work for me. Ihave kept records so I was certain of this and not jumping toconclusions quickly. I have only done Curves just over 100 times, soI am gave for going another 4 years or so without any

noticableprogress, just in case, but odds are very good that this is just likeall other exercise I have done over the years.I'm open to any and all suggestions, however. I will know by next Febif taking Azithromycin (starting last Feb for 11 weeks under the careof doctors doing a clinical trial) was successful. So far nothing,but it makes so much sense that this is a bacterial infection that Ikeep hoping.I was striken with this at age 17 and am now 51, so I've been throughall doctor suggestions and am game to try almost anything that otherssuggest has rid them of exercise-induced-asthma or even helped themmake an ounce of progress.Thanks. --dawn> Wish I could give info about the protein, but like you I'd have to do> research. But it's an interesting topic.>> Re: exercise.

When I was 24, I went back into horseback> riding--specifically dressage. I couldn't ride more than 10 minutes> without having to stop at first. But I gradually built up (VERY> gradually) until I was finally riding more than two hours without> having an attack. And the odd thing was that the riding arena was> often dusty, there was hay all over the place--all sorts of> allergens--yet I was doing great. I ultimately moved on to teaching.> I'd estimate it took me two years to build up, though. And that's> hard...was dying to ride longer (I was training a young horse) and got> so frustrated at having to quit. Perhaps it just takes a lot of> patience. And we asthmatics ought to be used to being> patient...goodness knows my doctors tax my patience.>> marty>>> On Thursday, August 16, 2007, at 12:10 , Dawn Wolthuis wrote:>> > I have asthma,

specifically exercise-induced asthma. Over the past> > 30+ years, I have become convinced that there is no amount of exercise> > I can do that makes it at all possible to do more than a small amount> > of exercise. I can ride my bike 2 miles, but cannot possibly get past> > 3 miles, for example. Even if I ride a bike 2 miles a day for 3> > months (I have done that), I cannot get further. I go to Curves> > because a light 30-minute routine is all I can do, and it takes me> > about an hour to recover from it so that I actually have to reserve> > more like 2 hours each day for this exercise, while I get no apparent> > benefit from it (but figure it should be better for my heart than not> > exercising).> >> > I started a couple of years ago to try to get to the bottom of this> > after 30 years of simply taking the doctor's advice on it. I

have> > tried many things, but so far to no avail.> >> > Right now in my research I am going to zero in on the fact that I test> > positive for the C-reactive protein. This is apparently an indicator> > of inflammation. I am going to do more googling of this, but thought> > I would ask this group first. I am wondering if all astmatics test> > positive for this, given that asthma is an inflammatory disease, or if> > only some do.> >> > Additionally, I am wondering if anyone has tested positive for this> > protein and then later been "cured" so that they no longer test> > positive for it. If so, how did they get from positive to negative> > with this? I found a web site with a fruit juice that is supposed to> > remove the c-reactive protein, which sounded like a scam, but I'm> > interested in any leads that anyone has.>

>> > Thanks for any pointers related to the c-reactive protein. I am just> > starting to try to learn more about it. --dawn

Got a little couch potato?

Check out fun summer activities for kids.

August 17, 2007

Thanks, Debbie. That is worth mentioning. I have been on various inhalers off and on over the years, most likely including those your friend is using. If I am understanding this correctly, the reason these do nothing to help me do any more exercise than the same as without them is that they address " regular asthma " that gets out of control when exercising, rather than whatever flavor of EIA I have. So, they do help with my regular asthma so that breath a little better when exercising, but I can still not go more than 3 miles on a bike, etc.

What I have done to get off from those inhalers is use the reduced-volume breathing techniques, such as those promoted by Buteyko and one that was recently publicized (I forget the name, starts with a P, I think). For that, I try not to breath in through my mouth ever, if I can help it, only through my nose. If I start to breath heavily, I try to reduce my overall volume and I do breathing exercises to improve this. This has resulted in not needing Advair as much, nor flovent and other inhalers.

But, in no case did these help my EIA, only my " regular asthma " as it shows itself when exercising. I don't know if that explains it or not. I suspect that EIA has variations and is really decidedly different from standard asthma, even though it seems to be treated the same. I would be interested if anyone has tried anything that has improved their EIA one iota. By that, I do not mean the heavy breathing or regular asthma that occurs when exercising but the actual ability to make any improvements in your health by exercising and be able to improve your ability to exercise.

Of course, as soon as someone says that they have improved, I say that it must be regular asthma and not whatever this EIA is that I have, since I have worked so very hard to no avail. So, maybe others are making progress with the exact same disease and simply have not succeeded in that. --dawn

Dawn,

This is probably very obvious but I am new to asthma being just diagnoised at 48...but one

of the guys I work with wife has the same thing " excersise induced asthma " and she puffs on an inhaler before doing her workout and has no problems.

DebDawn Wolthuis wrote:

Thanks, Debbier for the information. I had not yet seen that material.Thanks, Martha. It sounds like your experience was better than minein building up to a better level of activity. I have often been told,

by relatives, doctors and others that I simply need to exercise more,for a longer period of time. But now with more than 30 years ofworking at it in various ways with considerable consistency including20 years of tennis (even when one set of low movement is all I could

do), biking (no more than 3 miles at a time), aerobic classes (whenthe old ladies in the class could keep up and I would have to stop),working with a trainer for several years, etc I'm not so sure I have

another 30 years of patience, or at least think it wise to take adifferent strategy than exercise and patience at this point.What works for many (persistent exercise) does not work for me. Ihave kept records so I was certain of this and not jumping to

conclusions quickly. I have only done Curves just over 100 times, soI am gave for going another 4 years or so without any noticableprogress, just in case, but odds are very good that this is just likeall other exercise I have done over the years.

I'm open to any and all suggestions, however. I will know by next Febif taking Azithromycin (starting last Feb for 11 weeks under the careof doctors doing a clinical trial) was successful. So far nothing,

but it makes so much sense that this is a bacterial infection that Ikeep hoping.I was striken with this at age 17 and am now 51, so I've been throughall doctor suggestions and am game to try almost anything that others

suggest has rid them of exercise-induced-asthma or even helped themmake an ounce of progress.Thanks. --dawnOn 8/16/07, Martha <

del-mar@...> wrote:> Wish I could give info about the protein, but like you I'd have to do> research. But it's an interesting topic.>> Re: exercise. When I was 24, I went back into horseback

> riding--specifically dressage. I couldn't ride more than 10 minutes> without having to stop at first. But I gradually built up (VERY> gradually) until I was finally riding more than two hours without

> having an attack. And the odd thing was that the riding arena was> often dusty, there was hay all over the place--all sorts of> allergens--yet I was doing great. I ultimately moved on to teaching.

> I'd estimate it took me two years to build up, though. And that's> hard...was dying to ride longer (I was training a young horse) and got> so frustrated at having to quit. Perhaps it just takes a lot of

> patience. And we asthmatics ought to be used to being> patient...goodness knows my doctors tax my patience.>> marty>>> On Thursday, August 16, 2007, at 12:10 , Dawn Wolthuis wrote:

>> > I have asthma, specifically exercise-induced asthma. Over the past> > 30+ years, I have become convinced that there is no amount of exercise> > I can do that makes it at all possible to do more than a small amount

> > of exercise. I can ride my bike 2 miles, but cannot possibly get past> > 3 miles, for example. Even if I ride a bike 2 miles a day for 3> > months (I have done that), I cannot get further. I go to Curves

> > because a light 30-minute routine is all I can do, and it takes me> > about an hour to recover from it so that I actually have to reserve> > more like 2 hours each day for this exercise, while I get no apparent

> > benefit from it (but figure it should be better for my heart than not> > exercising).> >> > I started a couple of years ago to try to get to the bottom of this> > after 30 years of simply taking the doctor's advice on it. I have

> > tried many things, but so far to no avail.> >> > Right now in my research I am going to zero in on the fact that I test> > positive for the C-reactive protein. This is apparently an indicator

> > of inflammation. I am going to do more googling of this, but thought> > I would ask this group first. I am wondering if all astmatics test> > positive for this, given that asthma is an inflammatory disease, or if

> > only some do.> >> > Additionally, I am wondering if anyone has tested positive for this> > protein and then later been " cured " so that they no longer test> > positive for it. If so, how did they get from positive to negative

> > with this? I found a web site with a fruit juice that is supposed to> > remove the c-reactive protein, which sounded like a scam, but I'm> > interested in any leads that anyone has.

> >> > Thanks for any pointers related to the c-reactive protein. I am just> > starting to try to learn more about it. --dawn

Got a little couch potato? Check out fun

summer activities for kids.

August 17, 2007

My pulmonary specialist advised that I do that, too, with my Albuterol.

So when I played tennis or rode horses, I'd do that. Made a big

difference and enabled me to do more exercise and gradually increase

it. Finally, I got to the point where I didn't need the spray before

excercise. But now the pharmacist tells me that Albuterol is not

indicated to be used preventatively. But when I went on web sites (and

even looked at the packaging) it said it could be used preventatively.

martha

On Friday, August 17, 2007, at 10:47 AM, Debbie wrote:

> Dawn,

>

> This is probably very obvious but I am new to asthma being just

> diagnoised at 48...but one

> of the guys I work with wife has the same thing " excersise induced

> asthma " and she puffs on an inhaler before doing her workout and has

> no problems.

>

> Deb