Re: Pflex, Fenugreek....and anything else

March 19, 2009

This is just to repeat a warning to everyone that what might seem the

safest choice there is for most of us might not be for others, so please

discuss exercise, supplements, vitamins, and anything else with your

doctor who knows all your conditions and medications. I was taught to

use a PFlex during rehab and it's appropriate for me and probably most

others here. However, it may be too taxing for some with certain issues.

As to Fenugreek, it would be contraindicated for many persons on this

forum. The amount customarily used in foods is generally not at issue

but large amounts of the supplement may be a problem with anyone with

bleeding or clotting disorders or anyone with diabetes. It can be

contraindicated for anyone taking insulin, warfarin, NSAID's and other

meds.

When we know that something as simple as grapefruit can change the way

our bodies process medications, that reminds us how complicated it all

can be. Now, I know we feel reluctant to discuss supplements and

alternatives with many doctors, but if you can't discuss everything with

your doctor, maybe thats not the right doctor. The same goes for

discussing breathing exercises with your pulmonologist and things such

as incentive spirometers and PFlex. It even extends to exercise. While

we widely promote the benefit of exercise to each of us, there is also

huge debate and question within the medical field regarding levels of

exercise for someone with Pulmonary Hypertension. For any of us, the

appropriate amount of exercise is an issue. Just because being on the

treadmill 30 minutes at 2.5 mph may be good doesn't necessarily mean

that extending that to 45 minutes and moving up to 3 mph is better. It

may be worse. All I'm saying is discuss all aspects of your treatment of

your meds and supplements of your exercise program with your doctors.

>

> From: Joyce T Rosenberg pinkrockybeach@...

> Subject: flonase

> To: breathe-support

> Date: Thursday, March 19, 2009, 3:00 PM

>

> interesting that when i checked the posts yesterday, several people

talked about Flonase. It was prescribed to me on Tuesday for post nasal

drip.

>

> finally contacted pulmonary doc re: increased cough and funny feeling

in top of chest

> she prescribed Flonase to use for " 3 solid weeks " and then call her

> it is already making a difference

>

> since i am already in the catastrophic phase of the prescription plan,

it was only $2.10

>

> of course i still owe a couple of thousand on my credit card for other

meds

>

> by the time it gets paid off, it will be time to start all over againl

>

> glad to read that every one had a great time in orlando

> saw the videos, recognized a couple of people

>

> Pink Joyce IPF 3/06 Pennsylvania

> Donate Life Listed 1/09

> www.transplantfund. org

>

March 20, 2009

Kathleen

I'm not saying fenugreek isn't a reasonable alternative. I am saying

that it is contraindicated in any significant quantity for many of our

board members. I'm not referring to the occasional tea but the regular

taking of it. We have patients here who are on warfarin for blood clots

and others with diabetes. Fenugreek can be harmful to those persons. I'm

by no means recommending Flonase to all persons either. I'm stating

PFlex, which I generally recommend isn't right for some. I don't think

there is anyone here who isn't seeing at least one doctor they can

discuss any of these things with.

An example of issues such as this that we've had here before is NAC.

Many doctors consider it quite harmless and it is available at health

food stores. Many persons here have felt benefit from it. However,

others have had nausea and stomach problems and not realized until

pointed out that it was the cause.

There is no such thing as a universally safe medicine or supplement. We

are all different.

> >

> > From: Joyce T Rosenberg pinkrockybeach@ ...

> > Subject: flonase

> > To: breathe-support@ yahoogroups. com

> > Date: Thursday, March 19, 2009, 3:00 PM

> >

> > interesting that when i checked the posts yesterday, several people

> talked about Flonase. It was prescribed to me on Tuesday for post

nasal

> drip.

> >

> > finally contacted pulmonary doc re: increased cough and funny

feeling

> in top of chest

> > she prescribed Flonase to use for " 3 solid weeks " and then call her

> > it is already making a difference

> >

> > since i am already in the catastrophic phase of the prescription

plan,

> it was only $2.10

> >

> > of course i still owe a couple of thousand on my credit card for

other

> meds

> >

> > by the time it gets paid off, it will be time to start all over

againl

> >

> > glad to read that every one had a great time in orlando

> > saw the videos, recognized a couple of people

> >

> > Pink Joyce IPF 3/06 Pennsylvania

> > Donate Life Listed 1/09

> > www.transplantfund. org

> >

>

March 20, 2009

Jack

In rehab most of us were introduced to various breathing exercises. Some

include no equipment or supply and examples of those can be found online

and I think in the files section here as well. Now, the Incentive

Spirometer is a stable of most rehabs. With it you typically inhale ten

times in a sequence trying to reach certain goals or improve from the

day before or at least remain constant. In my rehab we also used the

PFlex. It's based on the line of trying to breathe through a straw. It

has adjustments controlling the size of the opening. You can start with

it wide and then build up. The theory is to build up your muscles used

for breathing through a form of resistance. Some find it helps

significantly which probably points to poor breathing habits we've

developed over the years. Others don't see anything from it. A few find

they feel worse instead of better after using it. Again, its a generally

accepted exercise, but we all are different in our specific diseases and

with other conditions we might have.

> > >

> > > From: Joyce T Rosenberg pinkrockybeach@ ...

> > > Subject: flonase

> > > To: breathe-support@ yahoogroups. com

> > > Date: Thursday, March 19, 2009, 3:00 PM

> > >

> > > interesting that when i checked the posts yesterday, several

people

> > talked about Flonase.. It was prescribed to me on Tuesday for post

> nasal

> > drip.

> > >

> > > finally contacted pulmonary doc re: increased cough and funny

> feeling

> > in top of chest

> > > she prescribed Flonase to use for " 3 solid weeks " and then call

her

> > > it is already making a difference

> > >

> > > since i am already in the catastrophic phase of the prescription

> plan,

> > it was only $2.10

> > >

> > > of course i still owe a couple of thousand on my credit card for

> other

> > meds

> > >

> > > by the time it gets paid off, it will be time to start all over

> againl

> > >

> > > glad to read that every one had a great time in orlando

> > > saw the videos, recognized a couple of people

> > >

> > > Pink Joyce IPF 3/06 Pennsylvania

> > > Donate Life Listed 1/09

> > > www.transplantfund. org

> > >

> >

>

March 20, 2009