Feeling frustrated

[WindsweptRissa]

Just wanting to air my frustration really.

For background - I have asthma (since childhood) now with small airways disease (last year spirometry showed obstruction in small airways and CT scan showed mucus plugging). I had a nasty haemaphilus infection in March (I have a persistent productive cough and get frequent infections), got better but then had several weeks of breathlessness and increased phlegm and eventually found (in July) that I had haemophilus again. Given 10 day course of doxycycline, got better but started going downhill 3 days after antibiotics finished (although not as bad as before antibiotics). Week later (this Tuesday) went to Dr, chest sounded clear, peak flow etc OK but he decided to try a month of doxycycline. Sure enough, started to feel less ill and phlegm reducing after a couple of doses.

Anyway, I went back to work (after shielding) yesterday. I’m a supervisory assistant at the local primary school, so supervising the children during morning playtime at a lunchtimes. It’s only a total of 2 hours a day but I was really shocked how hard it was, particularly today. It wasn’t the walking around that was the problem, unless I’m really ill I always manage to walk my dogs everyday. What shocked me was how exhausting it was to keep projecting my voice to be heard either above the noise of the canteen or out in the playground (I was in charge of the smallest children today and they need a lot coaxing to get them to do what they’re supposed to be doing and stop doing what they’re not supposed to be doing). Despite taking my inhaler halfway through I was getting increasingly exhausted and have just spent the past 2 hours sitting on the sofa recovering. I thought I was OK but I’m now wondering how I’m going to manage a whole week. I was hoping to eventually to get a full time job but now I’m wondering how long I’m going to be able to keep doing this job. I’m only 47, so a long way of off retirement. I also have two School age children and a disabled husband to take care off. I know things could be a lot worse but I cant help feeling frustrated with my health really.

[Ergendl]

How awful for you!

When I studied drama, I was taught to project my voice by using my whole body as the sound box, like a cello or double bass. Open the lungs as if they are curtains, and then send the sound out from the bottom of your stomach (like Brian Blessed does). Make sure you don't tighten your throat and mouth as the sound travels through. It takes a bit of practice, but it uses far less energy to make the same sound.

Take a look on You Tube. I'm sure there will be videos posted explaining how to do it.

[WindsweptRissa in reply to Ergendl]

I know what you mean (I used to sing in the school choir). I’ll have to try doing that whilst speaking.

[Yatzy]

I feel for you. That is one of the side effects of even well controlled asthma for me. I can no longer project my voice as well as I used to (I’ve got adult onset asthma) and can no longer talk on the telephone for long without feeling absolutely worn out.

Maybe Ergendl’s suggestions may be worth practising? Or maybe, as with singing, practice will improve your lung capacity/effect? I often wonder how I’d get on now, back teaching young children. Fortunately I’ve now retired. Hope things improve for you. Keep us posted.

[WindsweptRissa in reply to Yatzy]

It’s strange how talking is more difficult than walking. It was just a bit of a shock because before lockdown I was running two youth clubs so earlier this year I was managing to project my voice over the sound of playing children. The youth clubs aren’t running yet but I’m supposed to be going back to that too once they open up again. Maybe I’m just out of practice.

[anng18]

Hi Windswept,

I think you are probably still recovering from the infection. Although the infection may have cleared your body, you could still be below par from having to have fought it for so long. It normally takes about 6 weeks after an infection to feel totally better.

Yes, I also agree with Ergendl - a good long term strategy for using your voice.

Hope you feel stronger soon😊

[WindsweptRissa]

Thanks. I’m keeping fingers crossed that the antibiotics work this time as I’m still exhausted this morning. But my doctor did warn me that they might make me feel better whilst I was on them but the effect may not last very long once I’ve finished them. Guess I’m just frustrated because 3 years ago I was a full time Archaeology student managing to keep up physically with everyone else when we spent two weeks at a dig, but then I kept getting infections and ended up having to give up the degree after 2 years. It just seems I have to keep lowering my expectations of what I’m capable of. I told the doctor this week that I was worried I was heading the same way as my mum as she has had asthma since childhood and is now severe with COPD and has spent the last decade or so in and out of hospital and he just said that there is probably little I could do to stop the deterioration. So when I then struggled at work it really hit me.

Hopefully the antibiotics will work and I’ll develop more stamina.