Day 156: Progress Update - Spiriva Respimat

My Project: 365 Creative Writing Prompts

Day 156: Progress Update - Spiriva Respimat

For those who have been following my illness and recovery ... I’m slowly, ever so slowly getting better. While there was a time that I could hardly brush my teeth and wash my face, I can now shower, wash my hair (when needed) followed by teeth brushing and facial cleansing.

I won’t say that I’m okay, far from it, but I can feel an improvement. Part of this recovery may or may not be due to a puffer the lung specialist prescribed.

When he mentioned this puffer to me to improve my breathing, I was all for it and let Dieter pick up the medicine from the pharmacy. The cost was nothing to sneeze at ... $79, from which I won’t get a cent back because I don’t have medical insurance.

Once I had the medicine, I started reading the accompanying pamphlet and got scared ... there were so many possible side effects. By treating my labored breathing, I stood the chance of something far more serious. Just look at the list:

Spiriva Respimat

If experienced, these tend to have a Less Severe expression

• Dry Mouth

INFREQUENT side effects

If experienced, these tend to have a Severe expression

• Chest Pain
• Nosebleed
• Rash
• Urinary Tract Infection

If experienced, these tend to have a Less Severe expression

• Arthritis
• Constipation
• Cough
• Dizzy
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
• Heart Throbbing or Pounding
• Inflammation of the Nose
• Itching
• Sinus Irritation and Congestion
• Throat Irritation
• Throwing Up
• Thrush
• Voice Disorder

RARE side effects

If experienced, these tend to have a Severe expression

• Angina
• Atrial Fibrillation
• Blocked Bowels with Decreased Peristaltic Movement
• Giant Hives
• Hives
• Hypersensitivity Drug Reaction
• Increased Pressure in Eyes
• Infection
• Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia
• Worsening of Glaucoma

If experienced, these tend to have a Less Severe expression

• Blurred Vision
• Cannot Empty Bladder
• Difficult or Painful Urination
• Difficulty Swallowing
• Dry Skin
• Inflammation of The Gums
• Inflammation of The Voice Box
• Painful, Red or Swollen Mouth
• Painful, Red or Swollen Tongue
• Paradoxical Bronchospasm
• Skin Ulcer
• Throat Pain

You have to admit, this is scary stuff. Unfortunately, it’s not just Spiriva Respimat who has a string of side effects, just about all medications do. They treat or cure one thing, but the patient risks an equal or worse condition.

So, what I do is, I spray the mist from the puffer into the air and inhale it from there. I don’t get the full dosage, but that doesn’t bother me. I have the constitution of a child anyway. Fact is, I’m getting better, so I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing.

In addition, I’m going to try something natural. I’ve read online that garlic is good for the lungs. One of the recipes is to crush a clove of garlic, put it in water and drink the water. Since I’m not a vampire, I’m gonna give that a shot.