Asthmatic Expectations
I know what expectations are realistic if you are diabetic. I had gestational diabetes. I stayed off all blood sugar meds by sticking to a careful diet and exercise plan. The plan was more rigorous than I could commit to indefinitely. I didn't go to a conference because the thought of trying to eat when and what I should, not to mention take four scheduled 10-minute walks, while attending various sessions was just too much to contemplate. I know that if I were to develop diabetes again that it would be likely that I would go on medication and that medication would mean that I would not have to follow as strict a regimine, but that I still couldn't have the cake.
Well, not very much cake anyway.
The point is that it is unrealistic to expect that treating your diabetes means getting to live as though you aren't diabetic. You still have to follow the diet.
So is it similar for asthma? If your asthma flairs up when you do deep cleaning or dog washing does that mean that your asthma is not well-controlled, or that you should avoid deep cleaning and dog washing?
I really don't know. I do know that if I have to give up deep cleaning and dog washing for the sake of my health, then that is a sacrifice I am willing to make.
And yes, I am going to make an appointment with the doctor and get some feedback on this.
Forgive me. I'm tired and grumpy. I've had electricians cutting into plaster raising dust on and off for three weeks and I still don't have ceiling lights in my dining and living room. Since last night I have either been coughing or dealing with the trembly, irritable feeling the inhaler produces.
And I don't have any chocolate in my office.
Grumble, grumble.
My guess is that the added dust and debris of your electrical work is having a huge impact on your asthma. Hope you feel better soon!
ReplyDeleteFWIW my mother convinced me when I was 9 that due to her hysterectomy she could never vacuum again! LOL I truly believed her, right up until my wife had the same operation when she was 36!
Without doubt cutting into ~100 year old plaster is going to have an impact on your asthma. At the very least, hold off on other activities that would also trigger the asthma until the plaster dust dies down.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, having an allergy (that's what asthma is, an allergic reaction) means that you have to manage that allergy and avoid the things that trigger it. If you're allergic to bee stings and you carry an atropene injector just in case you get stung, don't take up beekeeping as a hobby on the theory that the emergency medication covers you. Just don't.
Also, if the dog fur is a problem for you, I hear good things about the Furminator. Just get somebody else to use it! :)
I'm worried your asthma may not be well-controlled. FosterEema has very bad asthma, and if she's not taking her medications correctly, she's been known to end up in the emergency room because she spent too much time in a house with a cat.
ReplyDeleteFor the most part, Eema is able to deep clean the house and be around furry animals for short periods of time. Usually, she'll start sneezing long before she has any asthmatic breathing difficulties, so you might want to check things out with your doctor.
The dog I am allergic to is the Shih Tzu which is supposed to be hypoallergenic. That actually means "non-shedding" and that does help. Generally as long as the furnace filter isn't clogged he doesn't bother me. What seems to get to me (sometimes) is the grooming. I'm going to have to ask Roland to help with that chore or just take the dog to the professional once a month.
ReplyDeleteThe Furminator wouldn't be a good idea on the Shih Tzu just because he doesn't shed (much).
The Cattle Dog is NOT hypoallergenic. I don't know if I am not allergic to her, or if she doesn't give me symptoms because she doesn't need to be groomed and isn't allowed on the furniture.
Anyway, the dust is settling. I think it will be getting better.
Thanks again everyone.
I have no experience with asthma so no helpful advice but I would change the furnace filter once a week for 2 or 3 weeks to try to hurry some of the debris out of the house. Some of the debris and plaster dust will seep through the filter but changing it more often might help.
ReplyDeleteCould you wear one of those really attractive ;-)face masks for a bit to see if it helps?
Hoping today finds you feeling much better!
Side effects suck. You have my sympathy.
ReplyDelete