Thursday Roll Call 09/18/2008

[Phil]

Hello everyone,

It's been a long while since I last posted. Hello to Chris, Teddie, Lee and anyone else who is reading. I am eating lunch and listening to the Alex Jones show on the Internet. My pdoc finally switched me back to Zoloft. While everyone is different, Zoloft has proved to be superior, for me anyway. My pdoc is pregnant and is leaving. I have to start over with a new Doctor. I don't know why but I am fearful of change. Fearful of the unknown.

Teddie, (I am so sorry for you) I was quite shocked to read that your on oxygen. I knew you had bouts of bronchitis but I didn't know it was that bad. If you remember, I have COPD. I take Theophylline and use Combivent and Advair. I am ashamed to say that I am still smoking. I would really like to quit but tobacco has a great hold on me. It's like food. I feel like I must have it.

I would be so much healthier if I quit. There are many brave souls here fighting much worse than I am. I read the Multiple Sclerosis forum and IMHO, they are the bravest souls at Braintalk. Just my humble opinion. It really puts things in perspective.

I miss everyone and wish we had our "old" forum back. People do read here, this is evident by the number of posts that are read.

It'e never good to read of people's suffering but it helps me put things in perspective. I realize that I don't have it that bad and that things could much, much worse. My pain levels today are 0 to one. I am so very happy about that.

Please post and let me (us) know how you are doing and what has been going on in your life. The company would be greatly appreciated. I would like to hear from you.

My prayer for all of you is that you are doing well and not only having a great day but a great week.

Big hugs to everyone!!

Phil

[teddiebears]

It's good to hear from you again. It really has been a very long time. ;)

Thank you for you concern about my COPD/emphysema situation. I truly am very lucky that although I do need to use oxygen now, it is not on a 24/7 basis at this point in time. Believe me, I say a prayer of thanks every single day for the fact that I did quit smoking 12 years, 9 months ago. :D I'm relatively sure I wouldn't be alive today to reply to your post if I hadn't quit then. :rolleyes:

For my COPD I use Advair 500/50, an Albuterol rescue inhaler, Spiriva, and Albuterol nebulizer treatments (as necessary). I also use Singulair, Flonase nasal spray, and Loratadine (Claritin) to keep my allergies in check because that also helps me avoid having some COPD/emphysema exacerbations.

I know what you mean about cigarettes/nicotine having a firm grip on you. If you recall, when I finally quit smoking I was smoking from 4-6 packs a day. :eek: And I really didn't want to give them up -- for all intents and purposes, cigarettes WERE my best friend!! :rolleyes: Maybe you could talk to your doctor about what options are available to help you get ready to quit and to help you find a way to quit that will work for you. ;)

I am going to a Clint Black concert tonight. I've never seen him before and I thought it would be fun. The concert is about 90 miles from here and since I don't see well enough anymore to drive that far after dark (not to mention that I live in 'deer country'), I've reserved a motel room. It's pretty convenient - only about 7 blocks from where the concert will be. I have stayed there a few times before so I know what to expect when I get there. There are a couple restaurants nearby too - one is just across the street. :)


Hope everyone is having a peaceful and addiction free day!! :D

[houghchrst]

Phil, how nice to see you here!!!! I am glad you got your Zoloft back. Hey I got a raise in mine. I am so glad. My pdoc is down to one day at the clinic I go to. She only stays on for the patients. I don't know what I would do if she left.

Teddie, it is nice to hear you are getting to go out. I haven't been to a concert in years. Geez I think it was either Rush or Danzig.

Well it is very late for me. I am whipped, long day and I hurt so I am off. Have a great weekend