Dealing with chronic health issues can be a real PITA!

Dealing with chronic health issues can be a real PITA! BUT, when you know what the problem is and what you need to deal with them you can usually cope pretty well. In my case I am pretty much in control when it comes to dealing with my heart issues (including angina), diabetes and thyroid condition.

BUT, one issue that crops up from time to time is breathing/shortness of breath issues which seemed to get worse after my heart attack and triple bypass back in 2007. Knowing and understanding the consequences of heart muscle damage (lower quadrant in my case) and the implications it could have on my stamina and lifestyle took a while to come to terms with but today, generally speaking, I am pretty good with these.

The breathing problems can include a burning feeling in the upper chest/lungs when I take in breaths. And understanding that this is not an angina related episode is important as I also deal with that but have medication and use a patch each day to cope with that problem.

doing a lung function test in 2010

Now after my heart attack and surgery in 2007 when my breathing issues became worse, my cardiologist sent me off to our local hospital to do a lung function test which came back normal. I was then sent up to Brisbane to Princess Alexandra hospital to do a VO2 Max test to check out my oxygen intake levels. Again, the results came back okay.

VO2 Max test similar to one I did in 2010

Having been a heavy smoker - 33 years and 40-50 a day at the time of my heart attack - I was naturally concerned that I may have a medical issue related to smoking. Xrays and the above tests alleviated me of any concerns.

Whilst not having asthma as such, I did use from time to time Ventolin when I had similar breathing issues before my heart attack, however, after my heart attack I was told I could no longer use Ventolin. To help with my breathing problem I was put on a med called Symbicort 400, an inhaler that I needed to use three times a day.

Symbicort Turbuhaler 400/12 Powder for Inhalation is a brand of medicine containing the active ingredient budesonide - eformoterol fumarate dihydrate.

For a number of years I did this, however, a few years ago I stopped as my breathing improved.

Then, a few days ago, it all started again just as we started with a spate of hot, humid weather. And last night it got a bit too much for me so I reached for the Symbicort - yes, I had new script unopened and in date - and used it. Within a few minutes I could feel improvement so I guess I am back on the Symbicort again.

So it looks like I am back on the Symbicort for the forseeable future and will definitely bring this up when I see my G.P. next.

More information on Symbicort 400 Turbohaler can be found here:

http://www.nps.org.au/medicines/respiratory-system/preventive-aerosols-and-inhalations/budesonide-eformoterol-fumarate-dihydrate/symbicort-turbuhaler-400-12-powder-for-inhalation

http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/11882