Large Scale Central

Why I haven't done anything on my railroad all summer.

General Discussion
#1

This has been a bad year for fires, here in the Pacific Northwest, with major fires in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. We haven’t been able to see the sky since the end of May. Right now, just like all summer, it smells like a campfire outside.

So, with all the smoke from the fires, I noticed that I was having trouble getting air on my walks out to the layout. I have asthma, but it has been cold weather induced. I started using my Advair inhaler, but after 2 weeks, there was no noticeable improvement. I’m stubborn, and a lousy patient, so I waited another week. No joy.

Friday, I went to my doc, a former flight surgeon, whose personality is as bent as mine. That’s probably why we get along so well. After listening to my lungs, he asked if I was having trouble walking short distances. “Yeah. Why?” “Because you aren’t moving any air.” !!! You aren’t even moving enough to make a wheeze!

Then he asked what I was using for a rescue inhaler. “Don’t have one. You haven’t prescribed one.” (Gotta get my digs in on the Air Force guy.)

So, now I’m on a prednisone taper, and have an albuterol inhaler, that I can use as often as every two hours.

When I got home, I took a listen to my lungs. No air movement in the back, minimal movement in the front.

I listened to my lovely bride. She’s pretty much the same. Plus she has a sinus infxn, which often goes with asthma.

Take home message… if you live in a smokey area, and are having trouble breathing, or somethings not right, go see your doc.

Sunday: Just listened to my lungs, again. I think I’m going to live. There are fair breath sounds posteriorly, a huge improvement over this morning. The prednisone is starting to kick in. Still no wheezes, though.

Monday: Today is Monday. Life is good. I’m working on my first cup of coffee, and moving enough air to generate a wheeze or two. Still going to stay inside. Still smokey outside.

#2

Hmmm You and Devon …

We’re here for ya!

#3

Sean McGillicuddy said:

Hmmm You and Devon …

We’re here for ya!

Yeah, we’re a pair to draw to, for sure.

At least I’m not a headache don’t have headaches, like Devon. (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-innocent.gif)

#4

Betcha can’t wait for winter rains to put out those dam fires, when we were in Portland the first half the visit the sky was yellow from smoke. Ugh!

#5

When I was a kid, we had sensible forest management policies. No major fires, at least, not like this. And I better keep my mouth shut.

#6

Steve Featherkile said:

… And I better keep my mouth shut.

don’t! you need all the air you can get!

(and high adrealine helps to take deep breaths too)

#7

Very interesting that the Advair didn’t work on you (works like a miracle drug on me).
It’s not an instant relief but once it works into your system it normally corrects many asthma conditions.
I take a single dosage of 250/50 every morning for the past 4-years now, I don’t even know where my emergency inhaler is anymore…
Hopefully they get you back on the right path, not being able to breathe certainly puts a damper on things.

#8

No air movement? Then you were on the verge of being hypoxic? That aint good.

#9

I have a friend who retired from the Navy, has COPD and pnuemonia and also still is a smoker, a severe lung infection as well he has spent the last 50 days in hospital and is soon to come home with only 1 leg. Same boat ( figurativly) as you, failure to seek help before its too late. Glad you went before it was too late, Dr’s make the worst paitents, so get well.

#10

Around 2 pm this afternoon, I felt like I was breathing through cotton balls. Called my doc, went in, saw the PA, whom I have worked with before, and respect. She listened to my lungs… hmmm… big shot of kenalog, nebulizer TX, double the dose of prednisone . I’m now the proud owner of a home nebulizer. I feel much better, I should have started the Advair sooner. Probably will be a daily 2 for me, now.

#11

Get better soon Steve.

My sympathies are with you on the forest fire smoke. We have had smoke coming and going for the past week but has really socked in the last two days, visibility like 1/4 mile and breathing is really difficult for those with problems. On the bright side the smoke has kept the temperatures in the 90’s instead of the triple digits.

Between the Chetco-Barr fire and the 3 or 4 complexes of fires across the border in California just south of us and the high pressure system that has parked over the area it is going to be pretty miserable over the next couple weeks.

Take care of yourself.

Rick

#12

Yikes, sounds like a pretty close call! Take care, and feel better soon!

#13

Keep up the good “work.” It sounds like you are over the worst! So far the fire guys are staying ahead of the fires down here but that won’t last. Every day I expect the radio scanner traffic to start picking up!

#14

It’s alive!