almost back!

What an ordeal! Good that you've got things to look forward to!

Dear Moo-er, Bronchitis can be scary, DH gets it almost any time he is exposed to anything. Good to hear you are organized for sewing again. Enjoy making yourself an outfit for the MC gig!

Jean

ZSKI---Good to see you again, and I am so glad you are feeling better! CB sufferer myself, so you have my HUGE sympathy. Cea

Ugh - this infection really kicked my butt. I had some bad side effects with the first antibiotic and even after getting rid of the actual infection it looks like the asthma is working its way towards CB. I'm on 2 new meds (Asmanex and Spiriva) which seem to be helping a bit - we'll see in a week.

Tomorrow I go fabric shopping!

I get it 2-4 times a year, usually requiring "A course of Prednisone and an antibiotic from Column B". Also had a bad reaction to a new antibiotic early on which didn't help matters, but I'm on 2 new daily inhalers so well see if they help.

Do the 'roids put the fat on you like they do on me?? I am getting to be positively gross these days, and need to make myself an entire winter wardrobe as all last year's clothes fit me like the paper on the wall - not pretty on a middle age grandma.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.

Olwyn Mary, Yes!! Those d*** pills make me crave all the foods I shouldn't have. That is anything starch and sugar. I took a 15 day course for a rash I had for 4 months and I gained 10+ pounds. I've had to go on light duty at work because the weight in front, where poundage from steroids tends to accummulate, pulls on the back, side and abdominal muscles and it's hurting. So I'm back on the diet. I've lost 5 pounds but I need to lose another 5 minimum. In the meantime, I'm going to dig out that Pilates video I bought last year and check out the key exercises for those muscles.

Well, if I don't want to eat with the elite I'd better go start supper.

AK in PA

Well now. When I'm on them I am careful NOT to eat all the wrong foods (not hard in this house, dh has diabetes so they just are not around) but I still put on the fat, and later dieting has no effect. Neither does yoga, and right now my lungs won't allow me to do strenuous exercise. Oh well.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.

I'm sorry to hear that. Didn't your doc say anything? Anything constructive that is.

AK in PA

Steroids are tricky. The more you take them, the less effective they are for the purpose, but they attack the liver and soften bones.

I had a rash for a year - the cortisone goop didn't faze it. I finally smartened up and made a batch of a pre-steroid remedy - 1 part Burow's Solution, 2 parts Zinc Oxide, and 3 parts Aquaphor. I use less Burow's than a full measure because it is very drying. But I mix up this paste in a jar, and apply it to all sorts of skin problems with great success. You can Google it, or ask your dermatologist or primary care physician. It's great stuff, works like a charm and has none of the steroid side effects.

I am not a physician and have never played one of television, just a pleased user of this recipe.

There is no question that steroids are tricky. Those of us who take them for breathing problems are frequently left with little choice but to take them. It's often take them or don't breathe. When I use them for short terms, I find that I lose weight, once I get past 15 days I gain weight and lose it when I stop them. Unfortunately I can't lose the weight I put on when I was taking them for 2 years.I couldn't get off them because I'd start having trouble with my breathing every time I cut down. It wasn't fun. I take them far more often then I want but I like breathing. The worst thing for me is that they make me so hyper I have a hard time sleeping and that makes me less productive. I can't sew when I'm on them because my hands shake so bad I can't even thread a needle. Juno

Thanks!! I'll have to try this. But it doesn't sound like I'll be able to use it on my scalp. I have a scalp rash/flaking that I've had since childhood. I use Diprolene lotion on it. It goes away and in a couple of weeks its back. Have no idea what it is. I also have a perennial athlete's foot, again at most I can knock it back and when I stop actively treating it returns. I'm just falling apart. AK in PA

Luckily, when I take them it is for a fairly short time (a little over a week), just long enough to get the inflammation down so I can start healing. It is tough to get off them too - they are soo effective, I always have to step-down over a period of days, cutting pills in half. It's a pain but we've really not found anything else that is as effective.

The inhaled steriods are much less systemic in their effects - more is directly effective in the lungs than is absorbed by the bloodstream. I've put on weight the last few years, but am not sure how much is 'rouds and how much is reaching 40 :)

I have a friend who takes them for MS and she has definitely had weight issues because of them.

Juno wrote:

------------------------------------------------------ Wendy Z Chicago, IL (Moo) Wench Wear Costumes

#525 AIM=wendylady525"Though she be but little, she is fierce""It's the little ones you have to watch out for...""I'm not short - I'm concentrated"--------------------------------------------------------

LOL! You aren't the only one! I've got some athlete's foot spots that have been with me since high school.....suffice to say that my 50th reunion has come and gone.....once it's in your system, it's there to stay. There are drugs you can take to knock it down, but the side effects sound to me like they're much worse than the fungus. I just keep Micatin on hand, and apply as needed. It works, it's just not permanent.

Back before Micatin, we used Absorbine, Jr., which is dangerous - you can kill tissue if there is an open wound (scratch much?) I have even used rubbing alcohol. That led to a staph infection, and a foot that swelled up like a football, and so many antibiotics that there are at least two I can't take anymore. I now treat my foot with more respect. My poor DH thought he was going to have a one-footed wife. I could have changed my name to Peg.

No it doesn't usually itch but it will peel, in light layers, when I rub the skin in between those toes.

Why are we gabbing about illnesses on the sewing group? AK in PA

What? You've never had stitches?

I was just thinking the other day I might embroider over my scars to hide them...

Kate, when you do, please put them on your website, so we can enjoy seeing the embroidery(not the scar). Maybe, I should do that with this golf club-shape scar on my left wrist. Emily

Joanne

Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls

Dear Lord, First yesterdays "trash" puns as I left work. Now todays "stitches" punsters.

What emoticon works for UUUUUUUUUUgggggghhhhhhhhh!! AK in PA