I've been asthmatic since I was born and weirdly, when I moved to London 10 years ago it was the best time for me - I didn't use my reliever for about 7 years, and then it all started again. Well, the cat had it in for me on Friday and to cut a long story short here I am in A&E at 4.30am on Saturday morning! I've lived with this for 34 years and I just usually get on with it, but it still scares me when I'm unable to catch breath. I often forget just how debilitating it can be - I am a fairly active person and this just closes me down. It's depressing but I suppose I can't worry about it too much, although seeing myself as an old codger, housebound and wheezing is an image that prays on me sometimes. All this from being in the cold air and in the presence of a cat for ten minutes! Ironically enough I had an allergy test a few weeks ago and I am still waiting to hear if I'm allergic to sheep...
This is sheer coincidence too, but I was going to link to an asthma charity here, because if this scares me then I can't imagine how the thousands of children cope with it and I came across World Asthma Day, which is next Tuesday. I remember when I was young it didn't really stop me, I always had my inhaler to hand, but I was larking around and playing in the fields opposite my childhood home with the rest of my mates. Playing on the railway, running from the police etc! I do remember a few big attacks, one of which left me and my sister calling for an emergency doctor at 3am - but it's remarkable to think that this happens to young kids every day, and you have to just admire their strength of mind for it not to destroy them. believe me, not being able to breathe, to feel like your drowning in air is frightening.
Sorry, this post wasn't about knitting but after last night's shenanigans and little sleep I really just wanted to talk about myself!
Craig
IKL
10 comments:
you poor thing:( I have asthma and know how it makes me feel. Funny thing with cats, most don't bother me and yet the odd one seems to have something in the fur thats different and sets the wheezing off. Hope you are feeling better now and glad to be home. Have a relaxing evening and get the knitting going:)
Please Keep Breathing! Very best wishes for a speedy recovery - get well soon, knitting and taking it easy for a while. I live with asthma too but fortunately not triggered by furry animals, just cigarette smoke and aerosols... SO looking forward to the smoke-free knit next Wednesday, hope you'll be well enough to join us; if you do I promise to shoo away gently any furry critters who approach your airways and be ready with the emergency Ventolin! love from esther.
I'm also a life long asthmatic have you thought that sometimes it's not the cats it could be the cat litter.
Another thought - why is it always the early hours in the morning for the trip to A&E!
Hoping you are feeling more like yourself today
I used to have asthma when I lived in Dallas, TX, but it cleared up when I moved back to New Orleans; the humidity saves me.
If you can, find somewhere to go swimming. Being in the water helps; if not, fill your tub and stay in the bathroom.
The last asthma attack that I had was at the British Museum, just before I went into your shop. I am the crazy lady who found matches in your button jar.
Crikey, thanks for all your lovely comments, I wasn't fishing for sympathy, honest!
I am all better now, and will be knitting at the (smoke-free) pub tomorrow. There's nothing that a nice course of steroids can't fix.
As for the swimming, I was thinking of tkaing that up again, although your second suggestion (having a bath) seems much less energetic and more up my street!
Craig
My son has asthma but since he has had it since just before he turned one (well, we learned about it then, he probably had problems before then) it is just a part of life for him. Sometimes he does get scared though. I can't even imagine what it would be like!
I hope you are feeling better now!
Oh, I hope you're feeling better soon, and I hope you're not allergic to wool. That would be terrible!
Not being able to breathe is terrifying, you have my sympathy.
I sent you some positive healing energy last night (because i'm a smelly old hippie), then watched History Boys, which I'd totally forgotten you were in :)
Ha ha! Did you see me, or did you blink? I can't say too much because recently I promised on this blog never to mention it again...
I know all about having funny turns, am plagued with them and do live the life of an old codger, as well as worry about what it will be like when I really am old!
However, you do need to get out and test yourself now and again, to see if it really is that bad, and sometimes it is and you might end up straight back in bed but at least you can say you've lived!!
It has been a funny old ,month with the asthma in London, so many things have triggered it this month it is sort of comforting to know I am not the only one though, thought I was more of an old codger than I actually was.
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