Host of Problems - No clear answers

[jeff 87]

So I've got a bit of a backstory but I'm trying to get to the bottom of my health issues.

I'm 22y/o male who doesn't smoke and drinks a few times a week. I have asthma.

I generally haven't had many health issues, but I've felt my health has been in general decline since about July 2009. I was diagnosed with TMJ in June and contracted the worst sore throat of my life in July. Ever since then I've noticed my left ear pops quite a bit and I have a lump on the inside of my mouth near my jawline which the doctor attributes to an inflamed jaw muscle.

For some reason I feel like my sinuses never fully cleared up after the sore throat, I find myself "horking" phlegm out of my nose much more often and not getting a clear air passage. Soon after I developed a click in my throat. I saw the ENT and he looked down my throat with a scope and found nothing, even though my throat feels like there's mucus. I had bronchitis over the winter and now I find my lungs are much tighter than usual and aren't really responding to my usual treatments (puffers, respiractin, lobelia, lots of tea) and have been coughing a lot for at least 3 weeks. I saw a doctor and said just continue with puffers.

I'd really like to figure out what's going on.

[Emmidactyl]

Another suggestion could be Acupuncture. I have always had constant bronchitis and a masssively congested chest and I am on puffers and sometimes have to go on oral steriods to open my chest up.

That was before I found out that my acupuncturist could do cupping. Which is when they put glass cups on your back and stretches the muscles out ( don't quote me on the defintion - have a look into it yourself!) You end up wth some bruises on the cakck for a couple of days. I was getting that once a week and then suddenly I stopped having a congested chest - still need to have my puffers but anytime that I feel really congested, tight and can't breathe - I go and having cupping down because that gives me the same relief as the oral steriods (opens me up)  and it doesn't have the side effects!!

I have not had bronchitis in about two years now which is amazing considering I was getting it 3 to 4 times a year! Good Luck =)

[meniere135]

Do not discontinue your medications without a doctor's approval.  And keep taking them while you give the diet a try (if you do).  And, even if the diet helps, keep the medications on you in case you ingest gluten without knowing it.  

[meniere135]

My brother got rid of his asthma when he went on a GLUTEN FREE DIET!  It took about one month for the asthma to stop.  Gluten is a protein in wheat, barley, rye and possibly oats.  You basically eat rice, potatoes, and gluten free bread products (found at health food stores).   Gluten is also found in beer and some alcoholic beverages.  If you try the diet, you need to avoid this stuff.  You'll need a vitamin (we use Nature Made brand- it says gluten free on the label) and make sure your medications don't contain gluten (you do that by calling the pharmacy that dispenses your meds).  Read up on the diet and see if you'd like to give it a try.  You might end up helping your asthma, needing less asthma medications.  My brother is off of all asthma medicaitons.  My brother also mentioned to me that a nutritionist mentioned to him once "if you have asthma, get off of gluten!"  This won't work for everyone, but for a good portion of people it helps some or all!  You might clear up your phlegm problem too.  Give it a try!