Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Spoils of the Day of Doctors

So first up was a visit to the PCP, she was chipper(for 8:15a) and helpful as usual. I got a referral to see an allergist which should hopefully help things get better. I also got switched to Ventolin, I won't miss the ProAir I don't think. Ventolin seems to have more force in it's puff's and I'm definitely a fan of the dose counter and strap cap. However, I'm a little bemuzed by it's packaging. the box is huge compared to the inhaler. I'm pretty sure I could fit 3 ProAir boxes inside it.

Note the size of the box in comparison to the inhaler.

All the inhalers in my possession at this point(well the ones with juice anyway) for size comparison.
So I'm definitely pegging the Ventolin as my travel-buterol. It not only has a strap cap and a dose counter  but also a nice little piece of plastic that sticks out from the cap and keeps the inhaler from going off in your pocket. (finally somebody figured that one out!!!) I made out pretty good from the PCP got all the meds I need. She also mentioned something about Polycystic Ovaries, I've got to get some blood work done on that front and see what happens there. Hopefully things will go well with the allergist in a few weeks?(Need to schedule that appt). 
Here's the current meds from today's visit: Symbicort HFA 80/4.5, Ventolin HFA, Allegra 180mg. (Aligned right for variety's sake.)
I also had a fun eye doctor appointment after the PCP. Nothing exciting, got the eyes dialated, pressure checked, eyes checked and then out the door with script in hand for new glasses. 

Monday, May 24, 2010

Running, Doctor's Appointment, and Life Oh My!

So I have been misbehaving the last few days. I've been training for the 5k in July, went for a run on Saturday and this morning.  Friday I was too tired to go for a run after work. However, instead I decided to go out with friends to a drag show to benefit a local group for glbt youths. This was a bad idea since it was at a club which permits smoking. I probably also should not have had an alcoholic drink while I was at the show as well.  Needless to say my lungs have not been behaving much at all the last few days. My inhaler and I have been spending some quality time together. I've been congested in my sinuses, ears, and nose from the smoke and the great outdoors. Clearly I need to behave better. However, as usual I hate feeling different and dependent on my meds.
Tomorrow morning I've got two doctor appointments. First up is my primary doc and second with eye doc. I'm looking to get my allergies and asthma better controlled. I've been so tired and worn out by them this spring. I don't know what this will entail exactly. Probably allergy shots or a different allergy med, possibly more or different asthma meds. My primary doc is pretty conservative on my meds which is okay. I'm happy to not be over medicated but this isn't working out for me right now as it is. Eye doctor goals are pretty simple, figure out why my contacts are sliding off my eyes and get a new prescription for glasses so I can replace my worn out ones.
Current Meds:

  • 1 Women's Multivitamin (Morning)
  • 1 Allegra(Generic) 180mg (Morning)
  • 2 puffs Symbicort 80/4.5 (Morning & Evening)
  • 2 puffs ProAir (as needed)
I'm going to ask for a switch to Ventolin since it's on the latest and greatest formulary for insurance. Otherwise whatever floats my doc's boat.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

1 Week Down, 51 days to go

So I've officially finished my first week of couch to 5k training yesterday. I'm 51 days away from the 5k for Haiti. It's felt great getting a little bit of running going. It's been rather warm around here and so I should really remember the sunblock. I came close to a sunburn during yesterday's run. I really am happy that I've finally taken the initiative to get up off the couch and run.
My lungs have been behaving pretty well considering how the pollen, pollution, and all that jazz have been around here. I'm hoping that my usual tightness and short of breath from it being that time for my monthly visitor will pass soon. I really want to be able to go out and pound the pavement at 100%. However, right now I'm feeling about 80-85% which I'll take. I usually am feeling absolutely miserable this time of the month. I'm hoping I'm really out of the woods on the spring allergies/asthma flare. We'll see what happens. 
I've said it before and I'll probably say it a thousand times. However, I definitely need to sit down with my PCP and have a talk about how this level of control isn't working for me. I'm hoping that she'll give me a referral to an allergist but if she can take care of things for me then I'm cool with that too. I just want to get to the point where I can breathe and not be congested more days than I am congested/not breathing well. 

Friday, May 14, 2010

Getting my buns off the couch

So I've been working quite a bit lately (I cashier at a local tourist attraction). However, I get today as well as Friday off for a little R & R. I seem to have finally kicked my allergies/sinus/gross cough/congestion thing.  So I went out for a bit of a jog/power walk thing. Probably not the best idea since I had to descend little over 1000 stairs yesterday as part of an emergency preparedness drill at work. However, I made it through a whole 2 miles or so of jog a little power walk a little. I'm doing a couch to 5k training program. Provided I don't have anymore set backs before the race in July I should be right on course to do a 30ish minute 5k. 
Tonight, I also went out to celebrate my 21rst birthday. We started at a mexican restaurant for dinner. Next stop was this fun bar that had swings instead of bar stools. Which was really neato. Finally, we went out for some ice cream. It was a good time and really nice to hang out with friends.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Big 2-1

So today I turned 21. There were no big crazy extravaganzas. I went out for breakfast at a not-so-greasy-spoon diner. I went into work for a festive day of counting back change and handing out tickets. After work I went out with my family to a local irish pub. I got a blue moon beer to go with dinner. It was okay mostly I wasn't expecting the beer to be so filling. I liked it alright it was citrusy and smooth. I'm not quite sure if I like the taste of alcohol. At any rate I remember my 21rst birthday. Nothing earth shattering happened but that's probably for the best. I'm still feeling a slight bit under the weather with some kind of allergy/sinus thing.  Overall, I really enjoyed having a nice quiet 21rst birthday.

Friday, May 7, 2010

School is out for summer!

This photo pretty well sums up my life over the last week or so. I've been busy with homework and finals and getting through all that kind of stuff. I've also had quite a bit of a time with an allergies/asthma/sinus nastiness. My finals are taken my projects submitted and school is officially out for summer! As you can see I broke out the sharpie and doodled a bit on my inhaler. It makes me feel less sick and more happy now.
Another thing that I did while I was away was register for a charity 5k to help build a medical clinic in Port-Au-Prince Haiti. The race is the second week of July. Provided my lungs cooperate and I get to train over the next two months I'm hoping that I will be able to jog/powerwalk it. Ultimately though I'm just happy to make it across the finish line.
About 13 hours from now will mark the mental start of my summer. I will have my first shift of the summer at my work. It is always a good time to head back there and get to see all my coworkers and the interesting guests who grace us with their presence.
My Goals for the Summer:
1. Get my asthma under control
2. Stop settling with the allergies(time to find myself an allergist)
3. Get ready to be a real adult (set up an IRA, try to find a car, etc)