Originally Posted by flashy (Post 669063)

ooo that sounds interesting Jay, did the doc tell you about it or did you hear about it somewhere else?

Originally Posted by flashy (Post 669070)

my chest isnt that bad at the moment, my mate's hubby has awfully bad asthma though, i will tell her about this, he's on oxygen at the moment and has been in and out of hospital a lot in the last year

Originally Posted by jaysay (Post 669037)

I have just purchased a new medical devise called a Flutter, which is designed for people with chronic chest problems, in as much as it helps loosen mucus from the lungs. Developed mainly for people with cystic fibrosis, exacerbate asthma and chronic bronchitis, who can't stand rigorous physiotherapy, its a drug free way of clearing the breathing tubes. Its just like a smoker pipe only with the ball at around a 45 degree angle and blocked of end with holes in, inside Te ball is a steel ball bearing. It works by taking breaths in then blowing into the "pipe" which causes fluttering sensation which transfers back down the lungs an shakes the mucus free, and it does work. If anyone is interested they cost £39 are produced by Clement Clark International. Just Google flutter ad its the first site on the first page, the firm I deal with is Evergreen from Wigan, who are also good for Nebulizers and servicing nebulizers, plus accessories too

Originally Posted by Eric (Post 669161)

Great to hear you have found something that helps you out ... and better still, that it doesn't involve massive amounts of drugs whose side effects are almost as bad, if not worse than the condition they are designed to cure ...

As an afterthought, are you going to make a comment about Flashy's chest; or should I .... Maybe it would be safer if I mentioned things like a wobble test .... after all, with thousands of km of ocean between us, it should be me:hehetable

Originally Posted by Eric (Post 669161)

Great to hear you have found something that helps you out ... and better still, that it doesn't involve massive amounts of drugs whose side effects are almost as bad, if not worse than the condition they are designed to cure ...

As an afterthought, are you going to make a comment about Flashy's chest; or should I .... Maybe it would be safer if I mentioned things like a wobble test .... after all, with thousands of km of ocean between us, it should be me:hehetable

Originally Posted by MargaretR (Post 669446)

I have been suffering from 'breathlessness on exertion' for a year now.
Doc did ECG and blood tests and said they were all 'normal'.

A chest x ray showed early signs of COPD(emphysema) but not bad enough to warrant medication.
He supplied an inhaler anyway saying he was bending the rules, and it would 'halt progress of COPD'.
My websearching found a medical study done in India where that inhaler increased risk of heart disease and stroke by 40%.
So that got binned sharpish
(I am in better nick than Amy Winehouse - who isn't?)

When considering whether a blood test result is 'normal', the Nhs is often years behind the latest research.
My serum B12 level is normal by our Nhs standards but would be considered dangerous by the Japanese and in several other countries.
I began a regime of food supplements with special reliance on vitamin B12.
My breathlessness has reduced by 50% in a few months, and I 'move faster' and the improvement continues.

So I can say from personal experience that breathlessness is not caused solely by lung disease.

I now take no prescription drugs whatsoever - not even paracetemol - Zantak(Ranitidine) contributed to my B12 deficiency - that got binned too
Anything that doesn't involve drugs I would try - looks like that machine is ideal if I get bad enough to need it.

Originally Posted by flashy (Post 669557)

Jay, i spoke to my mate earlier and her husband does have COPD but he is on some sort of tablets for it at the moment