Neva

I would like to add something to all these thing to improve energy. Get your vitamin D levels checked. Mine were very, very low. My doctor prescribed a high dose supplement. I really didn't expect anything. To my surprise I started sleeping better and getting a more restful sleep and as a result I felt better. After talking with someone else I worked with they had the same results. I don't need the prescription anymore but I still make sure to take a supplement, especially in the winter.
Take Extra Good Care,
Neva

Thanks for the encouragement Claire. I plan on loading up the ipod for some motivational music to help. I am going to get a small tv hooked up in the basement for help with the boredom of walking on it too. One friend says he reads while walking on the treadmill but somehow I can't see me doing that.
Darrell I am hoping my schedule might allow for a chance to meet up with you while I'm there. Right now it all seems so jam packed..... When I take these trips people say well how was Chicago or Atlanta etc. I rarely get to see anything but the inside of the hotel. I always enjoy myself but never get much sight seeing in.
Well I guess today will be spent cleaning house..... has to be done.
Take Extra Good Care,
Neva

I like this topic. Low energy is why I had to quit working. My boss accommodated me for several years but in the end I just stayed exhausted. When you are exhausted it is hard to take care of yourself the right way.

Darrell I was reading up on the posts here and see where you tried some of the newer meds. I have heard from a couple of people that they preferred Advair to Symbicort. I asked my doctor about it a while back and he said he thought I would do better with the Advair so I didn't even try. Now hearing from others I'm glad I didn't. Sometimes new isn't always improved.
Take Extra Good Care,
Neva

Well it looks as though the fine folks at Apria will be getting some doughnuts. I will get my liquid while in DC. The person I talked with at my local branch called the branch manager at the facility that serves the DC area and got approval. Sometimes you just need to keep going up the chain of command. I am happy. I just wasn't willing to settle on this. I pay for a service and I want what I want. Breathing can be hard enough without any extra obstacles. Getting things ready to fly with portable oxygen has been a challenge. Almost as much paperwork as when you buy a car. What a pain. I've heard from a few people to make sure I keep copies of what I need to present at the airport. Sometimes they take them. If they do that on the way there I might be in trouble coming back..... I'll be making lots of copies.
My big concern at this point is all the walking. I haven't really rebounded from all that I had going on this winter. I think I'll need to try and hit the treadmill some before the trip. Hopefully that will help.
I did see that doctor this week. He is having me finish up this round of antibiotics and prednisone and then he prescribed a Zpak. I don't take it the normal way. I will take one pill every other day for a month. I can't say I'm real happy about this. I am treating the symptoms but not really knowing the real source of the problem. I will comply this time but next time I will insist things be done differently much earlier on. I think I will insist on some blood work and a sputum test next time. Let's face it, there will probably be a next time. I will also get to talk with a doc, Dr. Sandhaus, whose specialty is Alpha-1 at the conference. I'm sure he can point me in the right direction.
I had lunch with some people from the office this week. It was so good to see them all. It was bittersweet though, it made me miss work so much. I did get caught up on all the gossip though.
Well nothing else really going on in my neck of the woods. It's been a pretty quiet week. The yard is looking so nice and the tomato plants are healthy looking. My husband put in the beans this week. He also planted some cucumber. Makes me hungry just to think about it. The weather so far has been nice. I'm not looking forward to those really hot days. Maybe they will skip us this year. A girl can dream......
Take Extra Good Care,
Neva