I'm not looking forward to this… Bronchoscopy Monday AM

[mrbigstuff]

gene, it could end up being something different than you are anticipating, could it not?

can you get any relief from meds? or oxygen?

[comphernation]

Happy to see you back. Though you're awaiting further news, has the sense of foreboding at least passed?

[Pam]

Just a thought... maybe you've developed a full fledged sensitivity to sulfites. It can come out of nowhere.

[GeneL]

mrbigstuff wrote:
gene, it could end up being something different than you are anticipating, could it not?

can you get any relief from meds? or oxygen?

I've been using oxygen more often now, but that and the meds that I've been taking regularly for ages just don't seem to make any difference.

comphernation, the foreboding that I felt before the procedure was obviously unnecessary, but not seeing any improvement afterwards is still making me worry.

Not being a smoker and still having these breathing problems makes it impossible to watch those anti-smoking commercials. The sound of these people struggling for a breath is unbearable to me.

I just would like to know what is going on with me.

[Chakravartin]

'Missed this thread before.

Feel better!

[btfc]

GeneL

I started a new thread so everyone would see that you're here again.

http://forums.macresource.com/read.php?1,1332531

Welcome Back!

[CJsNvrUrly]

GeneL - I saw btfc's post that linked to this one and intended to ask you this question before having any backstory to what's going on with you or reading this thread. Now that I've seen your post above, I have to ask more than ever...Do you have a bird in your home? If so, have you mentioned it to your pulmonary doctor?

I began having serious breathing problems around last May and eventually had a bronchoscopy--which was nothing, compared to my anxiety leading up to it--and a blood test for pigeon and parrot antigens. It took months to figure out that I have hypersensitive pneumonitis, aka bird fancier's lung.

I've owned a Quaker parrot for eleven years, since he was a baby. It broke my heart to re-home him, but I did in January. I had another breathing test a week or so ago and my lung capacity has already increased 16%.

If that's your bird, PLEASE ask your doctor about it.

[decay]

^^^

good info, CJ!

[comphernation]

GeneL wrote:
comphernation, the foreboding that I felt before the procedure was obviously unnecessary

Glad to hear that. I meant to look up the term "bronchoscopy" but got pulled in other directions and never made it back. The name makes it sound kind of gruesome. I'm pleased to hear it's apparently not.

but not seeing any improvement afterwards is still making me worry.

Sure, quite understandably. I see where CJ has mentioned a possible bird connection. I'd be relieved, though of course saddened as well, if it turns out to be something that can be fixed like that.

Not being a smoker and still having these breathing problems makes it impossible to watch those anti-smoking commercials. The sound of these people struggling for a breath is unbearable to me.

Doesn't seem fair at all. As a long-time smoker, I had "earned" my trouble. (Currently happy to be 5 weeks clean again ... again. Made it well over a year last time and felt great.)

I'm wishing you well and looking forward to you telling us whatever the results are and how doing this or that will set it all right again. :-)

[GeneL]

"Sure, quite understandably. I see where CJ has mentioned a possible bird connection. I'd be relieved, though of course saddened as well, if it turns out to be something that can be fixed like that."

I truly don't know what I'd do if my breathing difficulty turned out to be connected to Precious. I would be lost without her, since living where I do and having retired, I haven't had any close friends locally for years.

I would guess that the members that have met me and those who have interacted with me on the forum, would know that I'm a pretty outgoing person. Feeling cut off as I do nowadays, I find that experiencing my love for this special little bird fills a critical need in my life.

From the many expressions of compassion towards members that have lost loved ones and special pets, I know that most, if not all of you can relate to how troubling this thought is to me.