Breathing in I calm my body. . .
More like… gasp in pain. Which is why I finally dragged myself all the way to Petaluma today to see my Physician. Only, she couldn’t see me until tomorrow, so I ended up with an NP and that was just fine. Turns out, the little bug I had over the Holiday triggered not bronchitis, but an asthma attack. So, I dropped my $25 bucks and walked out with a shiny new inhaler. But of course, there’s always a hitch, isn’t there?
Enter the world of QVAR. A lovely little steroid concoction that “prevents” asthma attacks… but does not treat the attack I apparently am having at the moment. Hmmmm. In a funny twist of fate (ha ha, that’s me not laughing) I’m far too sensitive to drugs, so I can’t be put on the Albuterol, which would immediately open my lungs and give me a case of serious “jitters.” Yeah, that’s a combination we try to avoid: Wende and Jittering. Especially during finals week.
I know… ASTHMA. Sheesh. However, have no fear. This “attack” was brought on by the cold I had. It, as the Nurse Practitioner was keen to point out, “Does not mean you are an asthmatic!” She delivered that line like it was bad news. Do I have Hypochondriac tattooed on my forehead? She hardly skipped a beat in the sarcasm department when I failed to inflate the Peak Flow Meter past 200. “What? That’s it? Even I can get it to 450 and I have a cold.” Just call me wussy girl.
At least the Pharmaceutical consult was entertaining. (I’m betting she side-lines as an Advertising Fast Talker.) In 60 seconds flat the pharmacist managed to explain how to use the drug, all known side-effects, and got in a jab about the effective “use” of a preventative drug without treating the current attack. I just smiled and nodded. It’s best that way. Really… it is.
So, in two weeks or so I should be asthma free. Until then, my little lungs will just have to wait to find some relief. But at least I know I’m preventing an additional attack of viral induced asthma. Did it escape your notice that not getting another cold could also be called preventative? Heh. I love modern medicine.
