I have lots of treatments I am taking. =-) Most of them are for the lungs; I'm assuming that's what you meant. =-)
For airway clearance I do <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://uuhsc.utah.edu/pated/handouts/detail.cfm?id=230">autogenic drainage</a>. I put a link for a page that goes into the instructions in detail. Oh, yeah, and I also have a flutter valve that I use sometimes as well.
For inhaled medications I take, TOBI, Pulmozyme, 3% sodium chloride solution (yes, it's just salt water, but it works =-), and Serevent.
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Um, the treatments I use help me cope, I guess. They tend to take a long time, which really is a bother, especially when i have to go to work in the morning. Well, I only work one day a week, so I usually just skip that morning. =-) Anyway, When I have to take TOBI, Pulmozyme, and sodium chloride, it takes me about 1 1/2 hours, plus about a half hour for autogenic drainage. On months I don't have to take TOBI, its 1 hour for medication plus the half hour for autogenic drainage.
TOBI isn't the most pleasant medication. It tastes horrible, ruins my throat and voice, and to tell the truth it's starting to lose its effectiveness. Some people have even worse reactions to it.
I also have a problem with how much some of the treatments cost. Granted, i have health insurance that helps a lot, but the prices are still very high. For example, without insurance pulmozyme costs over $1200 a month. Although TOBI itself is more expensive, i only have to take it every other month, so it would come out to about $1500 for every two months. Luckily I have good insurance, so I pay a max of $50 per medication. That still kinda adds up, though.
So, I hate TOBI, I hate how long it takes to do my treatments, and I hate how much it costs. But, they do keep my lungs clear, and, for the most part, out of the hospital. So, I guess they're worth it. =-)
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i um... don't have any views on gene therapy. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif" border="0"> I guess its not a topic I really bother myself with. i guess i used to kinda look into it every now and then, but it's always the same old story. There's always some breakthrough "right aroung the corner" Of course, they must be talking aboutthe corner that's quite a few blocks down, 'cause it takes them such a long time to get there. And when they do, the breakthrough isn't that much of a breakthrough. So, I stopped paying attention.
If you're asking about ethical issues, though, I'd have to say I don't really agree with man trying to play God. What I mean is, since I believe man was created by God, I'm not entirelly sure man, with all our imperfections and flaws, should be trying to tweak the recipie. =-)
Jarod 22 w/cf
