just not sure....

ladybug · Sep 20, 2009

Thanks, Nightwriter!! Great info and I will check into it. I actually have my first appt. with an allergist Thursday so look forward to discussing inflammation and reflux and what can be done. I am noticing claritin does NOTHING to help. I also notice, which is really strange, that a course of prednisone really does nothing either. I usually don't feel any different except a bit more energy.

I just want to get to the bottom of this and it terrifies me that my lung function is down so much in so little time. It gives me comfort to check into other things such as reflux, allergies, etc. and see how all of this plays into my sob and lower pfts, but I also feel extremely nervous not going on abx with such low pfts. My doc is adamant that we try these other things first and I sorta agree, but this is such a new approach for me (usually straight to abx) that I'm really freaking out and thinking I'm scarring my lungs every day I wait. Urgh.

Oh, my recent culture only showed the usual suspects of two strains of pseudo (both moderate amounts), which is pretty typical for me, sick or not. So, this also gives me pause with regard to the infection "angle".

Does anyone know why I'd have only a dry cough though? I'm really afraid that all that stuff is just laying in my lungs and not getting out cause of inflammation, but again, when I take prednisone to reduce this, I don't cough any more and when the doc listened to my lungs, she said I sounded pretty "normal" with just a couple crackles. If a lot of junk was down there, wouldn't she hear that??? Does anyone know?

Thank you...

ladybug · Sep 20, 2009

Thanks, Nightwriter!! Great info and I will check into it. I actually have my first appt. with an allergist Thursday so look forward to discussing inflammation and reflux and what can be done. I am noticing claritin does NOTHING to help. I also notice, which is really strange, that a course of prednisone really does nothing either. I usually don't feel any different except a bit more energy.

I just want to get to the bottom of this and it terrifies me that my lung function is down so much in so little time. It gives me comfort to check into other things such as reflux, allergies, etc. and see how all of this plays into my sob and lower pfts, but I also feel extremely nervous not going on abx with such low pfts. My doc is adamant that we try these other things first and I sorta agree, but this is such a new approach for me (usually straight to abx) that I'm really freaking out and thinking I'm scarring my lungs every day I wait. Urgh.

Oh, my recent culture only showed the usual suspects of two strains of pseudo (both moderate amounts), which is pretty typical for me, sick or not. So, this also gives me pause with regard to the infection "angle".

Does anyone know why I'd have only a dry cough though? I'm really afraid that all that stuff is just laying in my lungs and not getting out cause of inflammation, but again, when I take prednisone to reduce this, I don't cough any more and when the doc listened to my lungs, she said I sounded pretty "normal" with just a couple crackles. If a lot of junk was down there, wouldn't she hear that??? Does anyone know?

Thank you...

ladybug · Sep 20, 2009

Thanks, Nightwriter!! Great info and I will check into it. I actually have my first appt. with an allergist Thursday so look forward to discussing inflammation and reflux and what can be done. I am noticing claritin does NOTHING to help. I also notice, which is really strange, that a course of prednisone really does nothing either. I usually don't feel any different except a bit more energy.

I just want to get to the bottom of this and it terrifies me that my lung function is down so much in so little time. It gives me comfort to check into other things such as reflux, allergies, etc. and see how all of this plays into my sob and lower pfts, but I also feel extremely nervous not going on abx with such low pfts. My doc is adamant that we try these other things first and I sorta agree, but this is such a new approach for me (usually straight to abx) that I'm really freaking out and thinking I'm scarring my lungs every day I wait. Urgh.

Oh, my recent culture only showed the usual suspects of two strains of pseudo (both moderate amounts), which is pretty typical for me, sick or not. So, this also gives me pause with regard to the infection "angle".

Does anyone know why I'd have only a dry cough though? I'm really afraid that all that stuff is just laying in my lungs and not getting out cause of inflammation, but again, when I take prednisone to reduce this, I don't cough any more and when the doc listened to my lungs, she said I sounded pretty "normal" with just a couple crackles. If a lot of junk was down there, wouldn't she hear that??? Does anyone know?

Thank you...

ladybug · Sep 20, 2009

Thanks, Nightwriter!! Great info and I will check into it. I actually have my first appt. with an allergist Thursday so look forward to discussing inflammation and reflux and what can be done. I am noticing claritin does NOTHING to help. I also notice, which is really strange, that a course of prednisone really does nothing either. I usually don't feel any different except a bit more energy.

I just want to get to the bottom of this and it terrifies me that my lung function is down so much in so little time. It gives me comfort to check into other things such as reflux, allergies, etc. and see how all of this plays into my sob and lower pfts, but I also feel extremely nervous not going on abx with such low pfts. My doc is adamant that we try these other things first and I sorta agree, but this is such a new approach for me (usually straight to abx) that I'm really freaking out and thinking I'm scarring my lungs every day I wait. Urgh.

Oh, my recent culture only showed the usual suspects of two strains of pseudo (both moderate amounts), which is pretty typical for me, sick or not. So, this also gives me pause with regard to the infection "angle".

Does anyone know why I'd have only a dry cough though? I'm really afraid that all that stuff is just laying in my lungs and not getting out cause of inflammation, but again, when I take prednisone to reduce this, I don't cough any more and when the doc listened to my lungs, she said I sounded pretty "normal" with just a couple crackles. If a lot of junk was down there, wouldn't she hear that??? Does anyone know?

Thank you...

ladybug · Sep 20, 2009

Thanks, Nightwriter!! Great info and I will check into it. I actually have my first appt. with an allergist Thursday so look forward to discussing inflammation and reflux and what can be done. I am noticing claritin does NOTHING to help. I also notice, which is really strange, that a course of prednisone really does nothing either. I usually don't feel any different except a bit more energy.
 
 I just want to get to the bottom of this and it terrifies me that my lung function is down so much in so little time. It gives me comfort to check into other things such as reflux, allergies, etc. and see how all of this plays into my sob and lower pfts, but I also feel extremely nervous not going on abx with such low pfts. My doc is adamant that we try these other things first and I sorta agree, but this is such a new approach for me (usually straight to abx) that I'm really freaking out and thinking I'm scarring my lungs every day I wait. Urgh.
 
 Oh, my recent culture only showed the usual suspects of two strains of pseudo (both moderate amounts), which is pretty typical for me, sick or not. So, this also gives me pause with regard to the infection "angle".
 
 Does anyone know why I'd have only a dry cough though? I'm really afraid that all that stuff is just laying in my lungs and not getting out cause of inflammation, but again, when I take prednisone to reduce this, I don't cough any more and when the doc listened to my lungs, she said I sounded pretty "normal" with just a couple crackles. If a lot of junk was down there, wouldn't she hear that??? Does anyone know?
 
 Thank you...

Nightwriter · Sep 21, 2009

Hey Sonia,

Do you know that many people who do not have CF and have a dry cough have undiagnosed asthma? Inflammation causes irritation -- which may cause a cough. BTW, inflammation also causes scarring. People with untreated asthma have X-rays that may show scarring. So it ias important to get inflammation under control in terms of avoiding lung damage.

Also remember the inflammation causes the airways to swell and/or constrict and for some people they can get a dry cough. So why couldn't a CF'er also get a dry cough?

I've had dry coughs happen after an exposure (similar to your move). I get either a dry cough, thick mucus, and/or bleeding. All from inflammation.

I understand what you mean about relying on antibiotics. When I first went to my doctor and I got sick, I would really also think I needed antibiotics. But I learned that
antibiotics are prescribed unnecessarily. My doctor always says tries to find the source of the exacerbation. Was there an unusual exposure within the past 48 hours of onset of symptoms. For example --If I am exposed to smoke and then get sick -- chances are it's inflammation.

But she also looks for many signs to distinquish between the infection and inflammation. Sometimes clues are in the blood tests, cultures, and FEV1 numbers. Over the years, I saw that many exacerbations were due to inflammation. And the bonus of not taking antibiotics is that all my sensitivity to them returned! So they are there when I do have an infection.

Because I am not on Tobi, I have used it to treat P.A. infections. With something like Cipro. No IV's. And now I haven't needed Tobi in maybe two years. I believe this is due to many things.

Not taking antibiotics does not mean doing nothing. My doctor calls it going into an aggressive protective mode. If my lung functions drops 10% I get a cortisone shot. Because cortisone can make pseudomonas grow, at times she has had me start Tobi first for a day or two before the shot.

I have to add treatments, sometimes change meds -- depending if it's mucus, cough, or blood -- the routine changes. I must avoid other exposures and mostly stay inside. Must do diligent mucus clearance. Take ginger tea (not if there is blood). Avoid sugar.

What has your doctor told you to do?

My last 3 cultures have not picked up any pseudomonas -- which is amazing. But when I have an exacerbation, recently she has given me a cortisone shot (I have even had 2 shots if needed) and a Z-pak for a couple of weeks (or even a month) Z-Pak, an antibiotic is also an anti-inflammatory --also works indirectly on Pseudomonas (google it). A reason that I don't take it regularly.

With this routine, my FEV1 goes back up fast and no damage to my lungs. I told you my doctor cannot believe the improvements over the years in PFTS and CT scans regarding the airways, aveoli, and holes appearing smaller in my lungs.

When you go to the doctor, ask these questions: Is your throat red/ or are capilaries in the back of your throat very red. Are your eardrums swollen with pressure and/or red? Is the inside of your nose red or partially occluded? If the answer is yes, it is likely that your lungs are red and irritated also.

Ask for complete allergy testing for food/environment (around 300 skin tests). Do not do them all on the same day (3 different days or they can make you worse). Get an IGE test. And remember you can be negative on all tests, still have an allergy that there is no test for -- or have multiple chemical sensitivities -- which means you have an alleric-type reaction. For instance pollen is irritating although you many not actually be allergic to it.

Pseudomanas -- it frequently does nothing. It is colonized and is always there. But also remember inflammation is a great breeding ground for bacteria. And when you don't reduce inflammation and don't get the airways open and the mucus out -- the P.A. can flare up and infection sets in. So you want to make sure this doesn't happen.

Your doctor would hear it if you had a lot of "junk" in your lungs.

I can't remember if you take Singulair, H.S., NAC, fish oil, nasal rinses, nasal rinses, cromolyn sodium -- or how your mucus clearance works for you? What is your vitamin D level? When I was getting a lot of inflammation -- I checked mine -- it was 11 which was pitifully low.

I kinda remember you cleaning up your home environment. Am I right?

If Claritin doesn't work -- you can ask for another like Allegra, or Zyrtec. For me Allegra gave me a reaction. We are all different.

I do so many things to reduce inflammation and have described what I do instead of antibiotics -- you can search to get ideas. You are SO lucky you have a doctor that isn't over-prescribing antibiotics. But you must treat the inflammation aggressively.

Nightwriter · Sep 21, 2009

Hey Sonia,

Do you know that many people who do not have CF and have a dry cough have undiagnosed asthma? Inflammation causes irritation -- which may cause a cough. BTW, inflammation also causes scarring. People with untreated asthma have X-rays that may show scarring. So it ias important to get inflammation under control in terms of avoiding lung damage.

Also remember the inflammation causes the airways to swell and/or constrict and for some people they can get a dry cough. So why couldn't a CF'er also get a dry cough?

I've had dry coughs happen after an exposure (similar to your move). I get either a dry cough, thick mucus, and/or bleeding. All from inflammation.

I understand what you mean about relying on antibiotics. When I first went to my doctor and I got sick, I would really also think I needed antibiotics. But I learned that
antibiotics are prescribed unnecessarily. My doctor always says tries to find the source of the exacerbation. Was there an unusual exposure within the past 48 hours of onset of symptoms. For example --If I am exposed to smoke and then get sick -- chances are it's inflammation.

But she also looks for many signs to distinquish between the infection and inflammation. Sometimes clues are in the blood tests, cultures, and FEV1 numbers. Over the years, I saw that many exacerbations were due to inflammation. And the bonus of not taking antibiotics is that all my sensitivity to them returned! So they are there when I do have an infection.

Because I am not on Tobi, I have used it to treat P.A. infections. With something like Cipro. No IV's. And now I haven't needed Tobi in maybe two years. I believe this is due to many things.

Not taking antibiotics does not mean doing nothing. My doctor calls it going into an aggressive protective mode. If my lung functions drops 10% I get a cortisone shot. Because cortisone can make pseudomonas grow, at times she has had me start Tobi first for a day or two before the shot.

I have to add treatments, sometimes change meds -- depending if it's mucus, cough, or blood -- the routine changes. I must avoid other exposures and mostly stay inside. Must do diligent mucus clearance. Take ginger tea (not if there is blood). Avoid sugar.

What has your doctor told you to do?

My last 3 cultures have not picked up any pseudomonas -- which is amazing. But when I have an exacerbation, recently she has given me a cortisone shot (I have even had 2 shots if needed) and a Z-pak for a couple of weeks (or even a month) Z-Pak, an antibiotic is also an anti-inflammatory --also works indirectly on Pseudomonas (google it). A reason that I don't take it regularly.

With this routine, my FEV1 goes back up fast and no damage to my lungs. I told you my doctor cannot believe the improvements over the years in PFTS and CT scans regarding the airways, aveoli, and holes appearing smaller in my lungs.

When you go to the doctor, ask these questions: Is your throat red/ or are capilaries in the back of your throat very red. Are your eardrums swollen with pressure and/or red? Is the inside of your nose red or partially occluded? If the answer is yes, it is likely that your lungs are red and irritated also.

Ask for complete allergy testing for food/environment (around 300 skin tests). Do not do them all on the same day (3 different days or they can make you worse). Get an IGE test. And remember you can be negative on all tests, still have an allergy that there is no test for -- or have multiple chemical sensitivities -- which means you have an alleric-type reaction. For instance pollen is irritating although you many not actually be allergic to it.

Pseudomanas -- it frequently does nothing. It is colonized and is always there. But also remember inflammation is a great breeding ground for bacteria. And when you don't reduce inflammation and don't get the airways open and the mucus out -- the P.A. can flare up and infection sets in. So you want to make sure this doesn't happen.

Your doctor would hear it if you had a lot of "junk" in your lungs.

I can't remember if you take Singulair, H.S., NAC, fish oil, nasal rinses, nasal rinses, cromolyn sodium -- or how your mucus clearance works for you? What is your vitamin D level? When I was getting a lot of inflammation -- I checked mine -- it was 11 which was pitifully low.

I kinda remember you cleaning up your home environment. Am I right?

If Claritin doesn't work -- you can ask for another like Allegra, or Zyrtec. For me Allegra gave me a reaction. We are all different.

I do so many things to reduce inflammation and have described what I do instead of antibiotics -- you can search to get ideas. You are SO lucky you have a doctor that isn't over-prescribing antibiotics. But you must treat the inflammation aggressively.

Nightwriter · Sep 21, 2009

Hey Sonia,

Do you know that many people who do not have CF and have a dry cough have undiagnosed asthma? Inflammation causes irritation -- which may cause a cough. BTW, inflammation also causes scarring. People with untreated asthma have X-rays that may show scarring. So it ias important to get inflammation under control in terms of avoiding lung damage.

Also remember the inflammation causes the airways to swell and/or constrict and for some people they can get a dry cough. So why couldn't a CF'er also get a dry cough?

I've had dry coughs happen after an exposure (similar to your move). I get either a dry cough, thick mucus, and/or bleeding. All from inflammation.

I understand what you mean about relying on antibiotics. When I first went to my doctor and I got sick, I would really also think I needed antibiotics. But I learned that
antibiotics are prescribed unnecessarily. My doctor always says tries to find the source of the exacerbation. Was there an unusual exposure within the past 48 hours of onset of symptoms. For example --If I am exposed to smoke and then get sick -- chances are it's inflammation.

But she also looks for many signs to distinquish between the infection and inflammation. Sometimes clues are in the blood tests, cultures, and FEV1 numbers. Over the years, I saw that many exacerbations were due to inflammation. And the bonus of not taking antibiotics is that all my sensitivity to them returned! So they are there when I do have an infection.

Because I am not on Tobi, I have used it to treat P.A. infections. With something like Cipro. No IV's. And now I haven't needed Tobi in maybe two years. I believe this is due to many things.

Not taking antibiotics does not mean doing nothing. My doctor calls it going into an aggressive protective mode. If my lung functions drops 10% I get a cortisone shot. Because cortisone can make pseudomonas grow, at times she has had me start Tobi first for a day or two before the shot.

I have to add treatments, sometimes change meds -- depending if it's mucus, cough, or blood -- the routine changes. I must avoid other exposures and mostly stay inside. Must do diligent mucus clearance. Take ginger tea (not if there is blood). Avoid sugar.

What has your doctor told you to do?

My last 3 cultures have not picked up any pseudomonas -- which is amazing. But when I have an exacerbation, recently she has given me a cortisone shot (I have even had 2 shots if needed) and a Z-pak for a couple of weeks (or even a month) Z-Pak, an antibiotic is also an anti-inflammatory --also works indirectly on Pseudomonas (google it). A reason that I don't take it regularly.

With this routine, my FEV1 goes back up fast and no damage to my lungs. I told you my doctor cannot believe the improvements over the years in PFTS and CT scans regarding the airways, aveoli, and holes appearing smaller in my lungs.

When you go to the doctor, ask these questions: Is your throat red/ or are capilaries in the back of your throat very red. Are your eardrums swollen with pressure and/or red? Is the inside of your nose red or partially occluded? If the answer is yes, it is likely that your lungs are red and irritated also.

Ask for complete allergy testing for food/environment (around 300 skin tests). Do not do them all on the same day (3 different days or they can make you worse). Get an IGE test. And remember you can be negative on all tests, still have an allergy that there is no test for -- or have multiple chemical sensitivities -- which means you have an alleric-type reaction. For instance pollen is irritating although you many not actually be allergic to it.

Pseudomanas -- it frequently does nothing. It is colonized and is always there. But also remember inflammation is a great breeding ground for bacteria. And when you don't reduce inflammation and don't get the airways open and the mucus out -- the P.A. can flare up and infection sets in. So you want to make sure this doesn't happen.

Your doctor would hear it if you had a lot of "junk" in your lungs.

I can't remember if you take Singulair, H.S., NAC, fish oil, nasal rinses, nasal rinses, cromolyn sodium -- or how your mucus clearance works for you? What is your vitamin D level? When I was getting a lot of inflammation -- I checked mine -- it was 11 which was pitifully low.

I kinda remember you cleaning up your home environment. Am I right?

If Claritin doesn't work -- you can ask for another like Allegra, or Zyrtec. For me Allegra gave me a reaction. We are all different.

I do so many things to reduce inflammation and have described what I do instead of antibiotics -- you can search to get ideas. You are SO lucky you have a doctor that isn't over-prescribing antibiotics. But you must treat the inflammation aggressively.

Nightwriter · Sep 21, 2009

Hey Sonia,

Do you know that many people who do not have CF and have a dry cough have undiagnosed asthma? Inflammation causes irritation -- which may cause a cough. BTW, inflammation also causes scarring. People with untreated asthma have X-rays that may show scarring. So it ias important to get inflammation under control in terms of avoiding lung damage.

Also remember the inflammation causes the airways to swell and/or constrict and for some people they can get a dry cough. So why couldn't a CF'er also get a dry cough?

I've had dry coughs happen after an exposure (similar to your move). I get either a dry cough, thick mucus, and/or bleeding. All from inflammation.

I understand what you mean about relying on antibiotics. When I first went to my doctor and I got sick, I would really also think I needed antibiotics. But I learned that
antibiotics are prescribed unnecessarily. My doctor always says tries to find the source of the exacerbation. Was there an unusual exposure within the past 48 hours of onset of symptoms. For example --If I am exposed to smoke and then get sick -- chances are it's inflammation.

But she also looks for many signs to distinquish between the infection and inflammation. Sometimes clues are in the blood tests, cultures, and FEV1 numbers. Over the years, I saw that many exacerbations were due to inflammation. And the bonus of not taking antibiotics is that all my sensitivity to them returned! So they are there when I do have an infection.

Because I am not on Tobi, I have used it to treat P.A. infections. With something like Cipro. No IV's. And now I haven't needed Tobi in maybe two years. I believe this is due to many things.

Not taking antibiotics does not mean doing nothing. My doctor calls it going into an aggressive protective mode. If my lung functions drops 10% I get a cortisone shot. Because cortisone can make pseudomonas grow, at times she has had me start Tobi first for a day or two before the shot.

I have to add treatments, sometimes change meds -- depending if it's mucus, cough, or blood -- the routine changes. I must avoid other exposures and mostly stay inside. Must do diligent mucus clearance. Take ginger tea (not if there is blood). Avoid sugar.

What has your doctor told you to do?

My last 3 cultures have not picked up any pseudomonas -- which is amazing. But when I have an exacerbation, recently she has given me a cortisone shot (I have even had 2 shots if needed) and a Z-pak for a couple of weeks (or even a month) Z-Pak, an antibiotic is also an anti-inflammatory --also works indirectly on Pseudomonas (google it). A reason that I don't take it regularly.

With this routine, my FEV1 goes back up fast and no damage to my lungs. I told you my doctor cannot believe the improvements over the years in PFTS and CT scans regarding the airways, aveoli, and holes appearing smaller in my lungs.

When you go to the doctor, ask these questions: Is your throat red/ or are capilaries in the back of your throat very red. Are your eardrums swollen with pressure and/or red? Is the inside of your nose red or partially occluded? If the answer is yes, it is likely that your lungs are red and irritated also.

Ask for complete allergy testing for food/environment (around 300 skin tests). Do not do them all on the same day (3 different days or they can make you worse). Get an IGE test. And remember you can be negative on all tests, still have an allergy that there is no test for -- or have multiple chemical sensitivities -- which means you have an alleric-type reaction. For instance pollen is irritating although you many not actually be allergic to it.

Pseudomanas -- it frequently does nothing. It is colonized and is always there. But also remember inflammation is a great breeding ground for bacteria. And when you don't reduce inflammation and don't get the airways open and the mucus out -- the P.A. can flare up and infection sets in. So you want to make sure this doesn't happen.

Your doctor would hear it if you had a lot of "junk" in your lungs.

I can't remember if you take Singulair, H.S., NAC, fish oil, nasal rinses, nasal rinses, cromolyn sodium -- or how your mucus clearance works for you? What is your vitamin D level? When I was getting a lot of inflammation -- I checked mine -- it was 11 which was pitifully low.

I kinda remember you cleaning up your home environment. Am I right?

If Claritin doesn't work -- you can ask for another like Allegra, or Zyrtec. For me Allegra gave me a reaction. We are all different.

I do so many things to reduce inflammation and have described what I do instead of antibiotics -- you can search to get ideas. You are SO lucky you have a doctor that isn't over-prescribing antibiotics. But you must treat the inflammation aggressively.

Nightwriter · Sep 21, 2009

Hey Sonia,
 
 Do you know that many people who do not have CF and have a dry cough have undiagnosed asthma? Inflammation causes irritation -- which may cause a cough. BTW, inflammation also causes scarring. People with untreated asthma have X-rays that may show scarring. So it ias important to get inflammation under control in terms of avoiding lung damage.
 
 Also remember the inflammation causes the airways to swell and/or constrict and for some people they can get a dry cough. So why couldn't a CF'er also get a dry cough?
 
 I've had dry coughs happen after an exposure (similar to your move). I get either a dry cough, thick mucus, and/or bleeding. All from inflammation.
 
 I understand what you mean about relying on antibiotics. When I first went to my doctor and I got sick, I would really also think I needed antibiotics. But I learned that
 antibiotics are prescribed unnecessarily. My doctor always says tries to find the source of the exacerbation. Was there an unusual exposure within the past 48 hours of onset of symptoms. For example --If I am exposed to smoke and then get sick -- chances are it's inflammation.
 
 But she also looks for many signs to distinquish between the infection and inflammation. Sometimes clues are in the blood tests, cultures, and FEV1 numbers. Over the years, I saw that many exacerbations were due to inflammation. And the bonus of not taking antibiotics is that all my sensitivity to them returned! So they are there when I do have an infection.
 
 Because I am not on Tobi, I have used it to treat P.A. infections. With something like Cipro. No IV's. And now I haven't needed Tobi in maybe two years. I believe this is due to many things.
 
 Not taking antibiotics does not mean doing nothing. My doctor calls it going into an aggressive protective mode. If my lung functions drops 10% I get a cortisone shot. Because cortisone can make pseudomonas grow, at times she has had me start Tobi first for a day or two before the shot.
 
 I have to add treatments, sometimes change meds -- depending if it's mucus, cough, or blood -- the routine changes. I must avoid other exposures and mostly stay inside. Must do diligent mucus clearance. Take ginger tea (not if there is blood). Avoid sugar.
 
 What has your doctor told you to do?
 
 My last 3 cultures have not picked up any pseudomonas -- which is amazing. But when I have an exacerbation, recently she has given me a cortisone shot (I have even had 2 shots if needed) and a Z-pak for a couple of weeks (or even a month) Z-Pak, an antibiotic is also an anti-inflammatory --also works indirectly on Pseudomonas (google it). A reason that I don't take it regularly.
 
 With this routine, my FEV1 goes back up fast and no damage to my lungs. I told you my doctor cannot believe the improvements over the years in PFTS and CT scans regarding the airways, aveoli, and holes appearing smaller in my lungs.
 
 When you go to the doctor, ask these questions: Is your throat red/ or are capilaries in the back of your throat very red. Are your eardrums swollen with pressure and/or red? Is the inside of your nose red or partially occluded? If the answer is yes, it is likely that your lungs are red and irritated also.
 
 Ask for complete allergy testing for food/environment (around 300 skin tests). Do not do them all on the same day (3 different days or they can make you worse). Get an IGE test. And remember you can be negative on all tests, still have an allergy that there is no test for -- or have multiple chemical sensitivities -- which means you have an alleric-type reaction. For instance pollen is irritating although you many not actually be allergic to it.
 
 Pseudomanas -- it frequently does nothing. It is colonized and is always there. But also remember inflammation is a great breeding ground for bacteria. And when you don't reduce inflammation and don't get the airways open and the mucus out -- the P.A. can flare up and infection sets in. So you want to make sure this doesn't happen.
 
 Your doctor would hear it if you had a lot of "junk" in your lungs.
 
 I can't remember if you take Singulair, H.S., NAC, fish oil, nasal rinses, nasal rinses, cromolyn sodium -- or how your mucus clearance works for you? What is your vitamin D level? When I was getting a lot of inflammation -- I checked mine -- it was 11 which was pitifully low.
 
 I kinda remember you cleaning up your home environment. Am I right?
 
 If Claritin doesn't work -- you can ask for another like Allegra, or Zyrtec. For me Allegra gave me a reaction. We are all different.
 
 I do so many things to reduce inflammation and have described what I do instead of antibiotics -- you can search to get ideas. You are SO lucky you have a doctor that isn't over-prescribing antibiotics. But you must treat the inflammation aggressively.

ladybug · Sep 21, 2009

Nightwriter...

I don't have time to respond right now, but wanted to say YOU ROCK!!! Thank you thank you for taking time to answer my questions and give suggestions. You have no idea how much you help. I'm really starting to believe a lot of what is going on with me is inflammation causing a host of other issues.

More later...

ladybug · Sep 21, 2009

Nightwriter...

I don't have time to respond right now, but wanted to say YOU ROCK!!! Thank you thank you for taking time to answer my questions and give suggestions. You have no idea how much you help. I'm really starting to believe a lot of what is going on with me is inflammation causing a host of other issues.

More later...

ladybug · Sep 21, 2009

Nightwriter...

I don't have time to respond right now, but wanted to say YOU ROCK!!! Thank you thank you for taking time to answer my questions and give suggestions. You have no idea how much you help. I'm really starting to believe a lot of what is going on with me is inflammation causing a host of other issues.

More later...

ladybug · Sep 21, 2009

Nightwriter...

I don't have time to respond right now, but wanted to say YOU ROCK!!! Thank you thank you for taking time to answer my questions and give suggestions. You have no idea how much you help. I'm really starting to believe a lot of what is going on with me is inflammation causing a host of other issues.

More later...

ladybug · Sep 21, 2009

Nightwriter...
 
 I don't have time to respond right now, but wanted to say YOU ROCK!!! Thank you thank you for taking time to answer my questions and give suggestions. You have no idea how much you help. I'm really starting to believe a lot of what is going on with me is inflammation causing a host of other issues.
 
 More later...

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