Dammit. Woke up an hour ago coughing and wheezing, and it hasn't calmed down at all. Just a couple of days ago I was at least fine as long as I stayed upright, but now... nope. Nothing but whistles and crackles and creaks, and *fuck* it hurts to inhale too deeply.

I'm not sure what to do next... acute care clinic twice in the last two weeks, chest x-ray Wednesday (all clear), Z-pack didn't help, ditto albuterol inhaler, nasal steroids started but only two days ago and no change yet, pulmonary function tests scheduled for 2/19 because there's nothing available any sooner. And I'm a sleepless zombie and making truly stupid mistakes at work, useless at home and horrifically behind on the editing work; I can't get myself to do more than a couple of pages before I space out and it's too tiring to think. The prospect of another five weeks of this before the next round of tests (and what then? What options are they going to come up with?) is utterly bleak.

And yet, compared to migraines and cancers and kidney stones and all the other loads various Buffistas have had to carry, some for years, this is *nothing*. I hate feeling so weak and unable to cope.

Oh fucking hell.

Just heard from an INCREDIBLY rude collections agent(is there any other kind?) about a credit card I never had. They're sending me something in the mail. The name of the bank its from gives me about nine million hits about fraud and what not.

I dealt with this a few years ago. Someone opened a credit card in my name and had some fun. Had it removed, filed whatever complaints, contacted the credit report guys, watched my credit reports etc. I'm trying to dig it all up right now.

Found it. 2007. How was that so long ago? Pulling my credit reports now.

OMG, NPR is tackling "another thing/think coming." Edit: the story will be here: [link]

JZ, can you take some more time off? You are really sick! Sometimes time and rest is all you can do, as much as that sucks.

Timelies all!

Feel better soon, JZ.

Last night we went to a concert by two acapella groups- one we have followed for many years(The Chromatics) and one we hadn't heard before.(The Tone Rangers- who did a Great Big Sea cover!) Fun!

Today we're heading to the Museum of Women in the Arts to catch the "Women Who Rock" exhibit before it goes away. Tonight we plan to see Les Mis.

I really really don't feel like going to yoga. But I know I'll feel better if I do! If not actually today, then eventually. OK, off the couch. Dooo eeet.

I really really don't feel like going to yoga. But I know I'll feel better if I do!

This will be me tomorrow.

Why is it so hard to do the things that, while they require effort, make me feel better?

JZ, do you have access to a nebulizer? Sometimes albuterol via neb works better than via inhaler (at least it does for our household). Also, is it possible to get access to something like Sinulair (pill taken before bed) as well as pulmicort via nebulizer or a Flovent inhaler? If you were closer we have all of this and could see if anything would help.

Have they tried Bactrim, JZ? It's often more effective than more modern drugs on bronchitis. What about a prednisone pack? I assume you're doing all the classics: sleeping propped up or in a chair; breathing steam; hot showers; adding humidity; taking Mucinex; drinking plenty of liquids; eating spicy food; drinking hot drinks with honey. A heating pad or the like on your chest can help. Sometimes a concerted effort to do all the things that thin the mucus and so help clear out the lungs can make a big difference. I know that when you're really sick, it's hard to do the things that could make you feel better; I have spent hours in a ball of misery, thinking "If you'd breathe some steam and make some tea, you'd feel better."

I wouldn't give up on the idea of albuterol, because it does increase air flow, and you sound like you're short of oxygen.

I believe in Vick's Vaporub, but it's a purely psychological effect. (Really. Camphor tricks the brain into thinking you're getting more air.)

Feel better.

Signed, Had Bronchitis at Least Once a Year for 30+ Years

Also, what a pain, Trudy. I hope they're just fishing and a "this is not my debt; never contact me again" letter will make them go poof.

JZ, are you using the inhaler proactively as well as a rescue? You should use it a couple times a day, spread out -- that's what my doctor has me do.

Also, maybe Brethine? I took it orally when I was pregnant with Ben (for preterm labor, which apparently it's not approved for, but is routinely prescribed for), but is apparently administered via IV or injection now. Still, might be worth asking.

JZ, sounds like you're getting tons of great advice, but I will say that when I had the flu a couple of years ago and I couldn't stop coughing, I ended up taking the Percocet that I had leftover from my knee surgery. It worked as a really great cough suppressant, and had the added benefits of making me not care that I felt like shit, and helping me sleep. It may seem like overkill (and may be contraindicated with some of the other things you're taking right now) but if you or anyone you know has Percocet or anything like it lying around from a relatively recent surgery, even a couple may help you get a couple decent nights' sleep.