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Very Worried
14 years ago
For once, I'm actually worried about myself. I don't do it often, but I can tell when my health is in decline, and I can also tell that things have been bad for a long time.
MY mother was one of those parents where if your knee wasn't bent backwards or you weren't throwing up blood, you were just a wimp. So I've never been diagnosed with anything. Ever. Nor have I ever had any injuries of mine treated.
What's worrying me now is my chronic cough. I've always had it. Some days I would just not breath so much because I couldn't. When I ran the mile, I always got bad times because of the pain I'd experience in my lungs. It's been this way ever since I was young, and since my mom always just said 'you're being a wimp', or 'quit being dramatic', nothing ever got done about it. The only reason my sister was ever diagnosed with asthma was because we were with my grandmother(who is a nurse) when she had an attack, and she was rushed off to the ER when she was about 5.
Well I've had two instances where I've ended up on stretchers. One of which my mom made a halfhearted attempt to find out what was wrong(even though she didn't bother coming to get me when my band director called and said that I was lying passed out in a tent), and the other time when I was in Savannah and tried to go to the SCAD clinic, but they turned ma away and told me that I should have made an appointment cuz it's appointment only after like, 11am.
Anyway, today has been a fairly similar day to that, though by this point, I suppose I've had it beaten into my head that I shouldn't tell people about my ailments cuz they'll just call me a wimp and tell me to walk it off, so yeah. In addition to stuttering today when I got under stress, I had another asthma attack that I had to fight through because there were still lots of customers in drive through and only two people working, the other one being busy with front counter.
So when I managed to get home thanks to the weather being forgiving and my window being down, but I couldn't keep it up when I got home.
I imagine my grandparents were pissed at me and thought I was napping. For a little while it might have been, but I took to my bed this afternoon. I don't have an inhaler, any insurance, or anything like that. Are there over-the-counter inhalers? Or do I need a prescription? How much would it cost for a prescription?
Because I really, really hate this, and I'm pretty worried that something is going to happen and I'm just not going to make it one of these days. At the least I managed to avoid doing much around the house once I got home this way, but I'm really miserable when I don't do things during the day.
I'm really sorry to everyone who talks to me and expects me to be online. I've been flaky lately, but hopefully soon I can get something to at least regulate my breathing so I'm not suffocating myself. At the very least though, other than my usual feelings of worthlessness, self-hate, and the worry that I'm slowly killing myself, I'm emotionally a bit better. Been taking Vitamin D and standing in the window at Dunkin's so maybe it'll help, I dunno.
MY mother was one of those parents where if your knee wasn't bent backwards or you weren't throwing up blood, you were just a wimp. So I've never been diagnosed with anything. Ever. Nor have I ever had any injuries of mine treated.
What's worrying me now is my chronic cough. I've always had it. Some days I would just not breath so much because I couldn't. When I ran the mile, I always got bad times because of the pain I'd experience in my lungs. It's been this way ever since I was young, and since my mom always just said 'you're being a wimp', or 'quit being dramatic', nothing ever got done about it. The only reason my sister was ever diagnosed with asthma was because we were with my grandmother(who is a nurse) when she had an attack, and she was rushed off to the ER when she was about 5.
Well I've had two instances where I've ended up on stretchers. One of which my mom made a halfhearted attempt to find out what was wrong(even though she didn't bother coming to get me when my band director called and said that I was lying passed out in a tent), and the other time when I was in Savannah and tried to go to the SCAD clinic, but they turned ma away and told me that I should have made an appointment cuz it's appointment only after like, 11am.
Anyway, today has been a fairly similar day to that, though by this point, I suppose I've had it beaten into my head that I shouldn't tell people about my ailments cuz they'll just call me a wimp and tell me to walk it off, so yeah. In addition to stuttering today when I got under stress, I had another asthma attack that I had to fight through because there were still lots of customers in drive through and only two people working, the other one being busy with front counter.
So when I managed to get home thanks to the weather being forgiving and my window being down, but I couldn't keep it up when I got home.
I imagine my grandparents were pissed at me and thought I was napping. For a little while it might have been, but I took to my bed this afternoon. I don't have an inhaler, any insurance, or anything like that. Are there over-the-counter inhalers? Or do I need a prescription? How much would it cost for a prescription?
Because I really, really hate this, and I'm pretty worried that something is going to happen and I'm just not going to make it one of these days. At the least I managed to avoid doing much around the house once I got home this way, but I'm really miserable when I don't do things during the day.
I'm really sorry to everyone who talks to me and expects me to be online. I've been flaky lately, but hopefully soon I can get something to at least regulate my breathing so I'm not suffocating myself. At the very least though, other than my usual feelings of worthlessness, self-hate, and the worry that I'm slowly killing myself, I'm emotionally a bit better. Been taking Vitamin D and standing in the window at Dunkin's so maybe it'll help, I dunno.
I hope you'll be okay Mavu ;A; If you need to know anything ask me and I'll help you out the best I can.
And thanks you. If I think up any questions I'll direct 'em to ya.
I have honestly read a tome stone that said, "Told you I was sick !"
Don't let one of them be yours.
Steam, and drinking straight hot black coffee, though gross, will help with feigning off an asthma attack in some people. Shouldn't be all you have , of course, but may help?
Because of that whole fiasco I developed Interstitial Lung Disease... which basically means my lungs are filled with scar tissue so they are very weak. So now I catch bronchitis at least once every year, sometimes twice, aaaand this will probably kill me someday.
Take care of yourself!! :c a cough is something to take seriously. My mother regrets the way she was now and treats my brothers much better than she treated me.
Asthma is not something that can just be put off or ignored. It CAN kill you.
If you have no money, you need to find a free health clinic. Most towns or cities have at least one, and they can give you a prescription for free, or for really cheap. If not then you need to go to a doctor and tell them to write you a prescription.
Most medical places are fine with people paying in installments for treatment or medication.
From what you described, your asthma sounds really bad and I can imagine that it's gotten worse because of the stress. You need to get some kind of medication to help control the attacks.
Depending on your state, you might be able to apply for assistance with medical expenses. I know MN does it for low-income folks. Check with your county and/or state health department. They might be able to point you to free or reduced cost medical services too.
HOWEVER. There are things you can do in your life to help lessen the symptoms.
-Exercise. Go at your own pace, but try to do some nice, easy exercises in fresh air and sunlight to keep your health up.
- Allergies can trigger attacks. Take daily antihistamines to control allergy symptoms, and make changes in your home environment to ease your allergy symptoms. Keep your outside coat/shoes outside/near the outside door. Don't let them in the house. Remove as many soft fluffy things from your sleeping area as you can: curtains, carpets, stuffed animals, etc. If you can, keep animals off your bed and out of your sleeping area. Buy allergen blocking pillowcases and mattress covers, and launder your sheets once a week in hot water. Do the same for curtains if you have to have them, and any throw rugs, blankets, and pillows in your home. Get a good vacuum with a HEPA filter in it. Buy a GOOD air purifier and put it in your bedroom.
Common triggers for asthma are smoke, dust, cleaning chemicals, dust mites, and pollen. Keep your home as dust free as possible, vacuum frequently, don't burn incense, stay away from smokers as much as you can, and don't open your windows if you can avoid it.. especially on days with a high pollen count in your area.
Many people reduce their symptoms by changing their diet and eating better.. reducing junk food, processed sugar & flour, reducing salt, and increasing their Omega3 intake.
However, a lot of people get it genetically so these steps will only HELP. Not cure. You need an inhaler.
Try adding more honey, ginger, turmeric, raisins, garlic, and fennel into your cooking.
If coughing is hurting you too bad, try easing the symptoms of that.. Mucinex can help a lot of people by thinning the mucous in the chest. Things like Vicks vaporub, camphor, ginger steam, can help ease the chest muscles. Regular taking of anti-inflammatory OTCs like Ibuprofen and Naproxen can help with throat constriction.
But still.. get a doctor and get an INHALER. :P