Actually properly ill.

[slemslempike]

I have bronchitis! I've never had bronchitis before. It would be quite exciting if it wasn't so annoying. I had to blow into a toilet roll tube, and the doctor was really strict and made me do it about five times to "get a better score". I am quite competitive, but was more than happy to have as few coughing fits as possible. Eventually she conceded that I wasn't going to do any better, and revealed that I was blowing at only half of my capacity, and gave me antibiotics and an inhaler. I have also never used an inhaler before. The magazines at the doctor's were disappointing, only an Olive and one measly Hello which was mostly about some Holby City star. I like the ones like Best where they offer £500 for a top story that apparently must include near death AND weight loss AND lovely new (preferably younger) boyfriend.

Now is of course the perfect time for the neighbours to start loud music again.

Comments

[sam-t.livejournal.com]

You get Olive at your doctor's? Now there's posh!

Get better soon. Coughing is horrible. Did the doctor tell you how to use the inhaler? Some doctors leave you to work it out on your own, which generally results in the patient not actually getting a lot of the drugs they're supposed to be inhaling - there was a survey ages ago about some huge percentage of asthma sufferers not knowing how to use their inhalers properly.

[slemslempike.livejournal.com]

It's a very frustating magazine - nowhere near any food, and things I'd like to eat being paraded in front of me. The other magazines were all about cycling.

I got the pharmacist to explain the inhaler to me, and I've had a test run. I don't think I got the breathing in bit right though. I wonder if it would be easier if I smoked?

[sam-t.livejournal.com]

I don't know - I've never smoked. (Bear in mind that the following is based on experience of a couple of types of inhalers from about 1990-2000, and so possibly completely wrong) Different inhalers seem to vary on whether they advise you to breathe into them first, but the basic idea as I understand it is that ideally you should have just started breathing in as the thing fires high-velocity powder down your throat. This makes it more likely that you'll breathe it in and less likely that you'll swallow it (almost certainly tastes foul).

If you have trouble, go back to the doctor or chemist and ask for a spacer, which is a thing like a rhomboid bubble that you squirt the inhaler into, wait for the powder to diffuse, then inhale from.

[jekesta]

Omg! ::POINTS AT YOU:: <--that was judgey, shunning the ill, kind of pointing, not like PICKING you for a PRIZE or anything just so you are aware. Dude. Ill.

[slemslempike.livejournal.com]

I am TOO ILL to read all the words, but you picked me for a prize! how lovely. That is kind. I get to pick it from your room, yes?

[jekesta]

STOP TOUCHING THINGS!!!
::SHUNS YOU MORE::

[jekesta]

Also wikipedia suggests that you TOUCH NOTHING IN OUR HOUSE. If you give it to Alice she will give it to alllllllll her children and then you will have . . . vague hm-ness. WASH YOUR HANDS AND TOUCH NOTHING.

[nerdcakes.livejournal.com]

Oh, telling you to try and get a better score is the BEST way to try and encourage you to prove your lack of bronchitis! Having an inhaler is quite exciting. I was always vaguely envious (in a pathetic, fate-tempting way) of asthmatic kids in school. Ailments always come with the best toys.

Boo for rub magazines. Also, y'know, for bronchitis. But mostly the magazines.

[slemslempike.livejournal.com]

I was more annoyed about the magazines actually. Bronchitis has a glamorous air to it. Probably someone from the Chalet School nearly died of it once. I don't think I'm going to die though. My inhaler is quite ahiny.

[ex-humanfema327.livejournal.com]

oo, peak flow meter! i used to have my very own. and it comes with graph paper. sweet.

[slemslempike.livejournal.com]

Is that what it's called? I got no graph paper. Huh.

[alltheleaves.livejournal.com]

I got a book with graphs inside with mine. And little boxes where you had to write in how many times you couldn't breathe and had to medicate in them.

[glitterboy1.livejournal.com]

Coughing! I hate coughing - so exhausting, and you usually end up pulling some muscle or other, too. I hope that the antibiotics will fix things soon.

I think I'd rather skip the 'near death' bit, and just move straight to the lovely new boyfriend. What do you reckon?

[slemslempike.livejournal.com]

Yeah, my chest does really hurt. And it would be the week before I have exciting things planned, damnit.

Not if you want to be in Best! Near death not optional!

[chiasmata]

Gosh, bronchitis. That's rather impressive. Please feel better soon, though.

[slemslempike.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I firmly hope that I will. The doctor seemed reluctant to tell me I was at all ill. Most grudging.

[alltheleaves.livejournal.com]

*sends magazines*

Hope you feel better soon. Bronchitis is horrible, get loads of rest and don't return to work until you can sleep through the night without waking up because you're not breathing. Or that was the rule I used to stick to. Which antibiotics did they give you?

[slemslempike.livejournal.com]

I have 3 tablets of amoxicillin every day for a week, and a salamol inhaler. I am not get fully au fait with the inhaler.

Unfortunately next week I have plans in London, so if I don't get dramatically better by Monday I have to cancel things. Boo.

[alltheleaves.livejournal.com]

That's what I get given when I have bronchitis. They should start working in a couple of days so you should be better by Monday. Hope it does work.

[yiskah.livejournal.com]

Hello, should I order an iron lung for you for my launch?

GET WELL SOON! That is an order.

x

[slemslempike.livejournal.com]

Quite possibly! I said "I have to be better by Tuesday" and the doctor looked disapproving that I would try to rush the process of an ailment for my own selfish ends. But I have medicine and an inhaler, so as long as I don't think I'm going to infect all your friends I will BE THERE.

[whatho.livejournal.com]

Ooh! Well done. Well, more 'get better' and all that, but do, in the meantime, go around saying 'It's bronchitis, don't you know' as often as possible. Might as well have some fun with it. I do hope it pushes off soon it as I've had it myself and it's not riotously enjoyable. Take it easy. Eats lots of custard. Remember, once the cough's dried up and become irritating, that chocolate is better at suppressing a cough than codeine.

[slemslempike.livejournal.com]

I have been telling everyone with great pride, except for my friend who emailed with news of another major abdominal operation, because I think he's probably already won with that. Damn him.

I don't like custard. I have been eating cold hot cross buns, and I am considering some ice cream. Does ice cream make bronchitis better?

[slemslempike.livejournal.com]

I find from googling that ice cream in fact worsens bronchitis, so I can't. Argh.

[whatho.livejournal.com]

Then I'm very glad I didn't say 'well, of course' prior to scrolling down to this comment.

[sabethea.livejournal.com]

*much sympathy*

The feeling of coughing up your lungs is not a pleasant one. At least you've got it in February, mind: I used to get it regularly in June/July which seemed totally mad.

Must try and write another story for Best. Can't resist, given your build up. (also, there is chalet slash at iamisaac, if you're desperate for something to do).

[slemslempike.livejournal.com]

Thank you. It is somehow much easier being ill in winter - I always hated having a cold when we lived abroad.

Do! it's a stunningly great magazine. I shall also head over to iamisaac, thanks!

[irrtum.livejournal.com]

Ouch bronchitis! I have never, ever had anything like that, though my mother has. Get well soon, and we can have more cupcake with pink hearts on xx

[slemslempike.livejournal.com]

Pretty much the whole article on wikipedia is about preventing bronchitis through smoking. I don't know why I've got it! I think it's probably mostly a fairly mild case, but it is painful. But I look forward to the cakes.

[demiurgician.livejournal.com]

Poor Clare! I will send you chicken soup and nice magazines...or at least I will send you nice warm thoughts about chicken soup and magazines.

I hope you're well enough that we can meet up while I am in town! I sent you a letter a bit ago, too, btw, so if you haven't received it...well, actually, not much I can do.

I'm loopy today, sorry :)

[slemslempike.livejournal.com]

I haven't had it yet! But Lancaster post is often very strange.

I fully intend to be able to come and meet up with you, I miss you xx.

[anglaisepaon.livejournal.com]

Oh, yuck! If you're going to have to be that ill, they should have all the best magazines.

Hope you feel better soon.

[slemslempike.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I am mostly being in bed and moping pitifully.

[misscam.livejournal.com]

I've had just that thing, so I send deep sympathy coughs.

[slemslempike.livejournal.com]

Thanks - I am getting better, but still making odd chest noises at inopportune moments.