My Health and Florida
I am originally from upstate New York.
Not by choice but that's where my parents lived when I came along.
While growing up I got earaches a lot in the fall and winter months and then as a teenager I started getting sore throats and strep now and then.
Into my early 20's I'd get what they called acute bronchitis and then as I got even older, I started getting chronic bronchitis every year and I needed antibiotics, sometimes twice before getting over it.
As the years went on I would get bronchitis and I've have it most of the winter. It never was fully gone even though I'd take antibiotics after antibiotics.
I missed a lot of work and I missed some holidays due to being so ill.
I was also diagnosed with arthritis in my hands and fingers. It didn't bother me in the warmer months but my fingers would look like sausage links in the mornings of the cold months.
I turned 39 and decided New York wasn't doing me any good , besides hating the cold, I knew I had to move to a warmer climate.
I arrived in Waynesville North Carolina in 1995 and stayed there 3 years. The winters weren't as long as in N.Y. but I was still getting just as sick and my arthritis was just as bad.
In July of 1998 I was Florida bound. My sister had lived in Englewood for several years so I decided I'd try there first.
The job market wasn't good so on to Sarasota I went.
Sarasota was a bit pricey for renters so I moved to Bradenton where renting is more affordable for me and I continue to work in Sarasota.
Back to my health .. .. .. I no longer was getting bronchitis and my arthritis was ok again too. The winter months have come and gone and no bronchitis.
THEN one day I was shopping for groceries and all of a sudden after walking into the parking lot, I had a difficult time catching my breath
I went to the ER and was given a breathing treatment like you see they give asthma patients.
I followed up with my Doctor and he suggested I see a Pulmonologist.
To make a long story short, I have COPD
(chronic, obstructive, pulmonary (lung), disease.
I had to go through 3 Pulmonologists before finding the one that gave me the right medications that worked for me.
As we all know, no two people are exactly alike.
I have learned dust is a big part in my health.
I lived in a very dusty apartment for 3 years and after I moved I found out I was better not having to dust every other day.
I've never felt better, even with the COPD living here in Paradise and I thank God every day for sending me here.
If I had stayed in upstate N.Y. I am sure I would have been hospitalized and probably put on disability.
I still have trouble at times. You won't see me running up a flight of stairs, I won't be the first one out on the dance floor and you surely won't see me jogging.
Bradenton Florida has been good to me.
I can't complain
P.S. If you ever need a great Pulmonologist, send me a message. I know the man to send you to.
He's located in Sarasota!!
P.S.S. I forgot. I've been using those cheap drug store reading glasses for the past 12 or so years and then I was starting to have trouble seeing far away. Off to the Eye Dr. and in the next day or so I'll be getting a call that my TRI-FOCALS are ready to be picked up!!
Not by choice but that's where my parents lived when I came along.
While growing up I got earaches a lot in the fall and winter months and then as a teenager I started getting sore throats and strep now and then.
Into my early 20's I'd get what they called acute bronchitis and then as I got even older, I started getting chronic bronchitis every year and I needed antibiotics, sometimes twice before getting over it.
As the years went on I would get bronchitis and I've have it most of the winter. It never was fully gone even though I'd take antibiotics after antibiotics.
I missed a lot of work and I missed some holidays due to being so ill.
I was also diagnosed with arthritis in my hands and fingers. It didn't bother me in the warmer months but my fingers would look like sausage links in the mornings of the cold months.
I turned 39 and decided New York wasn't doing me any good , besides hating the cold, I knew I had to move to a warmer climate.
I arrived in Waynesville North Carolina in 1995 and stayed there 3 years. The winters weren't as long as in N.Y. but I was still getting just as sick and my arthritis was just as bad.
In July of 1998 I was Florida bound. My sister had lived in Englewood for several years so I decided I'd try there first.
The job market wasn't good so on to Sarasota I went.
Sarasota was a bit pricey for renters so I moved to Bradenton where renting is more affordable for me and I continue to work in Sarasota.
Back to my health .. .. .. I no longer was getting bronchitis and my arthritis was ok again too. The winter months have come and gone and no bronchitis.
THEN one day I was shopping for groceries and all of a sudden after walking into the parking lot, I had a difficult time catching my breath
I went to the ER and was given a breathing treatment like you see they give asthma patients.
I followed up with my Doctor and he suggested I see a Pulmonologist.
To make a long story short, I have COPD
(chronic, obstructive, pulmonary (lung), disease.
I had to go through 3 Pulmonologists before finding the one that gave me the right medications that worked for me.
As we all know, no two people are exactly alike.
I have learned dust is a big part in my health.
I lived in a very dusty apartment for 3 years and after I moved I found out I was better not having to dust every other day.
I've never felt better, even with the COPD living here in Paradise and I thank God every day for sending me here.
If I had stayed in upstate N.Y. I am sure I would have been hospitalized and probably put on disability.
I still have trouble at times. You won't see me running up a flight of stairs, I won't be the first one out on the dance floor and you surely won't see me jogging.
Bradenton Florida has been good to me.
I can't complain
P.S. If you ever need a great Pulmonologist, send me a message. I know the man to send you to.
He's located in Sarasota!!
P.S.S. I forgot. I've been using those cheap drug store reading glasses for the past 12 or so years and then I was starting to have trouble seeing far away. Off to the Eye Dr. and in the next day or so I'll be getting a call that my TRI-FOCALS are ready to be picked up!!
Total Comments 3
Comments
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I'm so glad you have found the perfect climate and a great pulmomologist..Best of luck to you, my friend..Posted 08-07-2008 at 08:10 AM by Miss Blue
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I had some of those same things last winter......
I just knew also that the dust in the heating system really bothered me a bunch....
Always going south helps in the winters.......
I certainly related to your story. Florida is quite wonderful indeed.Posted 09-21-2008 at 07:21 PM by Summering
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Thanks for posting an honest and comprehensive post about your health. We are thinking of moving from Northeast to
Englewood FL due to my husband's poor health. He too has had chronic ear infections and about 8 sets of tubes in his ears and arthritis starting in knees and hands. He also has a condition that appears to worsen in climates that have a high rate of barometric pressure CHANGE. Does anyone know what the barometric pressure change rate is Florida on the gulf coast side? I can't seem to find this information. thanks!Posted 11-02-2008 at 05:14 PM by Englewoodever?
