Please keep in mind that this is what "I do" during an trigger / attack ..I share this with you in the hope it may help someone else with RADS or they can relate to what I am writing about. If you experience something different and you have a different plan that helps and works for you during a trigger, then that's great and I would love to hear about it, as it might also help me too.
If you have medication that helps you to prevent or reduce a trigger.. then take it!
What I do when I am having a trigger that brings on my RADS
Assess ....
Firstly, I try to keep calm and assess what level my attack is and what irritant bought it on. (if I can recognize it)
Then I try to remove myself from the irritant. Sometimes I'm not even sure what has set my lungs off, so I just try to leave the area.
If I can't get away from the irritant, then I try really hard to slow my breathing down and try not to panic.
I have noticed that if I can move away into a clean air space (like an a/c office or a cleaner air area ) this sometimes helps reduce the aggravation in my airway and I notice the sponge feeling in my lung shrinking. Sadly there are so many anomalies, like identifying the irritant I have inhaled and at what level it aggravates my airways and lungs ( I have noticed my reactions can be a lot more aggressive depending on the irritant) so just moving to clean air can help, however other times I need more help.
Then I try to remove myself from the irritant. Sometimes I'm not even sure what has set my lungs off, so I just try to leave the area.
If I can't get away from the irritant, then I try really hard to slow my breathing down and try not to panic.
I have noticed that if I can move away into a clean air space (like an a/c office or a cleaner air area ) this sometimes helps reduce the aggravation in my airway and I notice the sponge feeling in my lung shrinking. Sadly there are so many anomalies, like identifying the irritant I have inhaled and at what level it aggravates my airways and lungs ( I have noticed my reactions can be a lot more aggressive depending on the irritant) so just moving to clean air can help, however other times I need more help.
For Me ... Steam helps
If I have it with me ... I get my hand held steamer and breath in the warm steam however only a little at a time .. or it can make me worse! If I am out, I will go to a bathroom and try to fill up the basin with hot water and breath in some steam, or I will head home. If I am at home, I may also go and have a hot shower and let some of the steam enter my lungs and slow my breathing right down.
Breath slowly ... try your best to remain calm
This is helpful for a small exposure ..(ie someone walks past me with perfume .. and depending on the perfume .. some effect me a little and some a LOT) so I try to remain as calm as I can ...and not talk and concentrate on my breathing.
I start doing an exercise called pranayama breathing techniques - although I do a "speedy" version.
You can see how to do it here ... http://youtu.be/vplrJtp3zB4
This has helped me to get back to my vehicle and get to my oxygen but for a more severe trigger where I am far away from my oxygen I would need to call 000 and while waiting, I would immediately need to get to clean air. I also make sure I always have my phone with me and to be honest I don't usually walk far from my car as I know my oxygen is inside.
I start doing an exercise called pranayama breathing techniques - although I do a "speedy" version.
You can see how to do it here ... http://youtu.be/vplrJtp3zB4
This has helped me to get back to my vehicle and get to my oxygen but for a more severe trigger where I am far away from my oxygen I would need to call 000 and while waiting, I would immediately need to get to clean air. I also make sure I always have my phone with me and to be honest I don't usually walk far from my car as I know my oxygen is inside.
Warm cup of water or tea
I will try to drink some warm water or have a cup of tea. Just doing this .. ie putting the kettle on and moving slowly around my kitchen, getting the cup out etc. is a welcome distraction for a minute while I am trying to get through a breathing issue.
Sometimes I can drink a little bit of the warm water but depending on how bad an attack I am having .. sometimes I can't.
Sometimes I can drink a little bit of the warm water but depending on how bad an attack I am having .. sometimes I can't.
Put calming music on
I have an album I listen to when I am having breathing issues. I always listen to the same music because that's my "time to remain CALM" music. The album is called Serendipity by Paul Koury and it's mostly instrumental (it's what I would call smooth jazz) and it helps me. I also have it on my smart phone, so if I have a breathing issue and I am out or laying down in bed, then I play the music on my phone. https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/paul-koury/id262907563 This is the link if you are interested and I especially like "Surrounded by Angels"
Look at positive picture
If I am home and I'm waiting for the kettle to boil to get my steam .. I look at the collage' on my fridge and try to keep calm and try to slow my breathing down.
I made this collage to help me re-enforce clean healthy lungs and to look at something positive every day and especially when I'm
having an issue breathing.
I made this collage to help me re-enforce clean healthy lungs and to look at something positive every day and especially when I'm
having an issue breathing.
Fresh Air in the Forest or head to the beach
If I can, I will drive up to the rain forest where it is lush and thick and has lovely clean air and is away from pollutions, irritants etc. or I will head to the ocean. As long as the wind is blowing air in from the good direction then it helps.
I can wander around in the forest and it usually helps my lungs. Well .. in most cases .. If I have had a very bad trigger it may take a few weeks for me to recover. These days I go to the beach and that is so very helpful and makes my lungs and airways feel great... well ... as long as no car fumes or people wearing perfume or sun screen come near me.
I can wander around in the forest and it usually helps my lungs. Well .. in most cases .. If I have had a very bad trigger it may take a few weeks for me to recover. These days I go to the beach and that is so very helpful and makes my lungs and airways feel great... well ... as long as no car fumes or people wearing perfume or sun screen come near me.
Medical Air
I recently got a tank of MEDICAL AIR at my home, so in the event I can not get up to the mountains then this REALLY helps me! I try to only use it for short periods as I don't want to get too dependent on it but .. it has saved me calling out the paramedics - so it's been fantastic!
Sadly due to the plastic smell of the Hudson face mask being too strong, I just hold the air tube near my mouth and usually cup it with my hands and that really helps for me to inhale through my mouth and into my lungs. I did try those little nose prongs but I found breathing through my mouth is a lot more effective when trying to get good air into my lungs.
I was able to rent the tank from BOC Gas and get the Medical Air from them too. (there are a number of different places that rent out cylinders however you need to get approval etc from your doctor or specialist and ensure it is something that will assist you. ) To learn more about MEDICAL AIR CLICK HERE
Gentle exercise
One night when I was exhausted from having breathing issues, I lay over my exercise ball (which was a bit flat) and noticed how good it felt on my lungs. So now and then I use it as a form of therapy. (and at least the exercise ball will get some use!)
I place the ball on something that is the right height and then I gently lean in and lay over it and then rock back and forth into it. I then place the ball on the wall and press my back and shoulders into it and that feels good too. For me .. this feels like I am giving my lungs a gentle massage and it feels good inside. I guess it's like a form of passive therapy .. much like this website is for me too.
I know there are also some good breathing exercises on the net and here is one I found.
http://youtu.be/eBZPxp32Nmw
My TO DO list
Also on the side of my fridge is my TO DO List ... this has been helpful to me when I'm in the throws of a breathing issue because sometimes it's hard to think of what I need to do next .. .so having it all right there listed out is a good help. I have things on it like ..
Make a cup of Camomile tea - Put your calming music on - Have some medical air - check out some great pictures of places that look clean and fresh etc. - call Nurses on Call until your breathing has calmed down.
Make a cup of Camomile tea - Put your calming music on - Have some medical air - check out some great pictures of places that look clean and fresh etc. - call Nurses on Call until your breathing has calmed down.