Sara

I have asthma in addition to a trachea that is not anatomically normal. (It’s narrower than it should be) I am participating in a spin a thon fundraiser for a hospital that helped me a lot when I was younger in a few weeks. I was nervous because I wasn’t sure how well I was going to do at spin since excersize is sometimes difficult for me. I took a spin class 3 weeks ago and it was terrible. I had a really hard time with it. Last week I went again and I did a lot better and had fun. This week I went again and did better and really enjoyed it. I wanted to share this because I was really proud of my self for it. I think even after the fundraiser is over I am going to continue spinning because while it challenges me it is a lot of fun and makes me feel good. That all to say as cheesy as it is that just because something is hard doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it and it’s not rewarding. While pushing myself too hard would be an issue giving my lungs a challange can help increase my lung function and overall fitness. #Asthma #excersize #smile

Has anyone used a hand held airway clearance device like the electro flow airway clearance system or something similar? If so did you like it/ would you change anything? I’m currently looking into designing a better product for it for my research class in school because I’ve had lung issues all my life. #Asthma #CysticFibrosis #ChronicObstructivePulmonaryDisease

I used to not get sick that much but since I have been at college I have been getting sick a lot with colds and stuff. Since my lungs are not so great though, so I stay sick for longer than the average person when I get a cold. At school it is harder to take days off to just sleep and rest because I would end up falling behind. Does anyone have any natural ways I could boost my immune system?? I know there are a lot of germs at college but I don’t understand why I am getting sick so much more than in high school especially bc we have to wear masks in class. As soon as I get over one cold I feel like I get another and it’s not even like I am going out to parties and such. #CommonCold #Asthma #College #sick

I got a really bad cold or something and that with my asthma has not been the best. I have had to do my nebulizer ever 4 hrs today. I’m trying to sleep but I can’t stop coughing. I can maybe fall asleep for 10 min before I wake up coughing so hard I feel like I’m going to puke. The things that normally work for me like sleeping sitting up, drinking water and eating honey aren’t working. I am in college and live with a roommate so I’m scared I’m going to wake her up too. Does anyone have any suggestions I can try??

I have been reading about peak flow meters as a way to monitor your lung function at home as an asthmatic. I had never really heard about them before but since my lungs have been rough the past few weeks all I have wanted is to see actually what my lung function is. Has anyone every used them? Do they actually worth/ are they worth the purchase? #Asthma #Advice

I got some cold that has been going around campus and for some reason it really took my breathing out. I ended up having to go to the ER this week which was a fun 5 hrs of my life. It’s so hard to breathe that I am constantly tired and I can’t consume any caffeine bc of all the medicine they put me on. People keep telling me to take it easy but I just can’t. If I stop for a second it seems like my anatomy class has gone through a million more chapters. Or I feel like people think I’m exaggerating. I don’t know any other students that have to balance school and medical stuff. Anyone have any advice it would be very appreciated?!? #College #Asthma #Advice

I hadn’t been to my pulmonologist in a year bc I went to college. I thought I was doing pretty good, like I felt good breathing wise. However when I went today I had pretty low PFT scores. My dr brought up the conversation of going back on daily medication again which we haven’t done in years. I have never been scared about my breathing before because it is just what I have always known, but seeing these numbers today made me scared for some reason and i don’t know why. None of my friends understand how this feels and I’m glad they don’t but sometimes I wish someone would get it. #Asthma

I was just at my friends house yesterday and at mindnight I fell down the stairs and dislocated my knee. I started crying and accidentally woke everyone up. I freaked them all out. I’m really upset about it because I’m scared that they don’t want to hang out with me anymore. Which is hard because their some of my closest friends. Just becasuse my knees can’t keep it together I might lose a friend. And I know that they probably won’t think it’s a huge deal, but it’s still scary.

Ok so I am sort of embarrassed to ask this question because it’s sort of stupid but oh well. So I have had a bunch of medical issues since I was little so my mom has always come to the dr with me. I am 18 now and next week I have to go to a new dr. I am sort of nervous about it and idk why. I sort of don’t want my mom to come with me but I know she probably will. I’m not sure if I should ask her to come or not. Is it bad if I sort of don’t want her to be there? Should I have her come with me bc I am nervous? Any suggestions? #Teen #Pain

I live in a very small town. And I’m one of the only people that had chronic pain and joint hyper mobility. I’ve been feeling very isolated lately because I don’t have a diagnosis so I can’t really join groups to connect with people. I’ve never actually met another teen with chronic pain. It’s really frustrating because I know they’re out ther I just haven’t found them.