Diary
18/11/2009 - I have just completed a 6 week trial taking Sereptide 2 times twice a day. This is a combined steroid / slow release salmeterol for my asthma. I have never taken it over a period this long. But having been told by my asthma nurse a number of times that you have to take it for 6 weeks to get the benefits. I thought I would. Well for me the result was that my breathing was no better or worse. This was all kicked off after my yearly asthma appointment - even though my asthma nurse suspected that it is the MS causing the difficulty in breathing. I am trying to find out a bit more about the problems with breathing and will note it here on my site once I have the info.
19/02/2008 -Since May 2007 I have been feeling quite unwell with mainly muscular pains and weakness this has varied and not always been bad. Over the last few weeks I finally feel like I'm coming out of it and starting to make some progress. My breathing has gradually improved and I have stopped taking the preventative inhalers. Just use ventolin when I need it. I am about to try acupunture in the next couple of weeks and will try and document the process and effects. I am also hoping to improve the website.
26/04/07 -End of Week 4 - The mask made a great improvement to the comfort, but the CPAP still hasn't made any difference for me. So gave it back today. I am quite certain now that breathing difficulties I'm having, is due to muscular spasms around my chest, constricting my lungs. A result I think of the MS.
12/04/07 -End of Week 2 - Well the week past by quickly, and I only used the CPAP on two nights. I feel that it really is a waste of time for me. The nurse at the hospital has convinced me to try for another two weeks with a different mask. Which feels much more comfortable than the previous one because it is rigid and doesn't put pressure on the bridge of your nose.
04/04/07 - Night 6 - The micropor tape helped with the soreness, but I'm really fed up with the mask now. I have phoned the hospital to ask for a different type. They suggest I wait another week.Mmmmmm.
03/04/07 - Night 5 - I have found the small rubber nose mask very uncomfortable. It has been making my nose sore. I don't think I am getting any benefit yet and quite disruptive sleep. I have purchased some micorporous tape to cover the sore area.
31/3/07 - Night 2 - I lasted yet again till about 5 am and had the same reaction. I don't know if it's because I have a cold at the moment although mask did feel more comfortable today.
30/3/07 - Night 1 - I lasted until 5 am and had to pull it off felt quite suffocating. No noticeable difference in my breathing or fatigue during the day.
CPAP Trial Start date: 29-3-07
Following tests at the chest clinic - they discovered I had mild sleep apnoea. There's a slim possibility that this is causing the breathing problems during the day and the increased fatigue. Today I collected a CPAP (Continous Postive Airway Pressure) machine as part of a two week trial. It involves wearing a small mask at night and breathing through a machine that puts a pre-defined amount of pressure on your lungs to keep the system active during the night.