Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Stupid lung stuff

For the first time ever, prednisone did me no good.

My lung function test was the worst ever, which is saying a lot. At the same time, it means nothing to me, because I don't feel like it's bad. I'm not short of breath. I can climb stairs without gasping.

But I can't have my allergy shots until it's better.

So it's back on the testing/specialist/more money treadmill.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Betty said...

I'm sorry that the wonder drug didn't work for you this time... does the doctor now agree with you that it's NOT asthma?

So, what's next? I know that you hate to have to give up your allergy shots, since they were working so well.

rita said...

No, he's convinced that it IS asthma. He's sending me to RMH next week for a complete lung function workup, which won't tell him a thing, I'm sure. Then if nothng shows up, I'm off to another pulmonologist. I think I'll ask for one in Richmond this time; I won't go back to the one in town, and I went to one at UVA a few years ago. More money. At least he didn't insist that I take Symbicort; I guess it wouldn't work anyway since prednisone didn't. GEEEEEZZZZZZZ!!!!

rita said...

Oh, he said that once this is worked out, I can start allergy shots again. 3.5-5 years is ideal, he said, and I've been on maintenance shots for 3.5 years. So I might be okay anyway.

Debbie T said...

I can so relate Rita! I have never had to use my nebulizer so much before in my life as I have lately. I was born with Asthma, outgrew it for many years when I was about 2, it reappeared when I was 19 and hasn't gone away since. Ugh!
Hope the docs get this sorted out for you soon!!!

Anonymous said...

Betty said....

I'm sorry you have to do all those tests again...how many times will the doctor make you repeat the same tests?? I guess I'll just keep using my Advair and hope I don't get the dreaded death side effect.

Good luck with the tests next week...let me know how they go. Just what does a lung function workup involve?

rita said...

I think that it's basically blowing into a machine, but a woman from the hospital called this morning to "preregister" me for my "procedure". I think it's the same one I went through at UVA a few years ago.

I think I'll try a specialist somewhere else this time.