Bunged up chest? Try this.

Getting in my campervan and going for a roam

Gets me a bit anxious about being so far from home.

What if I have trouble with getting out of breath?

When it has me thinking that I might be close to death.

Well I have a little arsenal that I use to clear my chest.

First there's purse lip breathing, which is probably the best.

Second is the steamer to breath in lots of steam.

Third is the salt pipe to make things nice and clean.

Fourth is the straw and bottle, blowing bubbles for a flutter.

Paying fifty quid for one, you'd have to be a nutter.

Never start the coughing until you feel it's right.

Coughing is just useless when everything is tight.

You'll feel when it is looser and ready to come up.

And if you've done it proper, you'll have enough to fill a cup.

I'm saying here what I do, it might not work for you.

But try it out to test it and tell me if you do.

[sassy59]

Excellent advice Don. Will pass your tips onto Pete. Xxx

[Hidden]

I find what's really best for me,

Is taking doggy for a walk.

It's when the fresh air hits me,

I begin to cough and hawk.

And though it isn't very nice,

When people are about.

I try to be a bit discreet,

And spit the beggar out.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Makes me think of a sticky dog there!

[Katinka46]

No mucus, coughing, wheezing me. But no relief, no medication to alleviate my symptoms or slow down the progress. Anyone else here on NO medication AT ALL?

K

[hoping2improve in reply to Katinka46]

Sorry I'm medicated

[Billiejean_2]

I'm amazed they haven't got you on steroids K. That's usually the one solution fits all, that doctors fall back on.

[Katinka46 in reply to Billiejean_2]

There is no inflammation. Hence the absence of gunge. Three times I have been tried on steroids but no improvement. The condition is "purely" fibrotic. There is not much treatment for those with PF, either.

[Shirleyj]

What great advice in a poem, love it x x x

[hoping2improve]

Great advice!

[sarcoid1234]

Hello Don: Fantastic poem; very amusing and true for us who can relate to "I have a little arsenal that I use to clear my chest"!

I am interested in "Fourth is the straw and bottle, blowing bubbles for a flutter.

" what does that refer to please, as I might try it even if I have to buy the apparatus. I did read you can blow through a straw into a bowl of water and that might loosen the mucus, but I had forgotton about that. I will try it. Thanks for the reminder.

[Hidden in reply to sarcoid1234]

Just use a smallish bottle of water, no higher than the length of the straw (so you don't lose it if it drops in) and half filled. You can hold it in one hand and your book our mouse in the other and flutter away in comfort whilst working.

Using a bigger bottle with more water will increase the power of the fluttering.

Works fine for me.

[carolg1]

Going to try that one don now ....thanks x

[sarcoid1234]

thank you again Don. I wouldn't have thought of blowing a straw into a bottle of water that I can hold while doing other things - I was going to use a bowl. So obvious really.

Have a great time in your campervan.

Christine

[Magpuss]

Lovely pic' - beautiful sky, and your poem as always - very good and informative.