Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group ASphixiating

Along with my sister I was visiting me 84 year old Mum the other day.

Ma has a lung testing device because she suffers from emphasimia, after smoking for nearly 70 years.

She asked my sister and me to have a go testing our lungs. My sister, who is 6 years younger than me, blew it away.

I was amazed to find that I could only match my Ma's limit - me a non smoker, 35 years younger than her!

The only explanation I can come up with is that it must be the arthritis/AS. I did have a chest xray done last year which showed my lungs were clear.

Anyone else have lung issues caused by AS????

James

Hey Jimmy,


Yeah, I used to be able to swim a couple of laps under water. Not so much now. Maybe 1/2 of a lap. It is primarily because the ankylosing of my ribs. They don't move up and down nearly as much, so I have to depend on my diaphragm. (Thank you God for giving us two ways to breath.) The simple explanation is I can't expand my chest to get as much air as I used to be able to do. It sounds like that is what you are going through as well.

Oh yeah, it is already the new year where you are, so Happy New Year.

Hi Jimmy
Yes Im the same as Brad fused ribs I can hardly move that tester and have to breath through my Diaphragm.
Happy New year to you and yours.
Kevin

Sadly, I think my rips have fused a bit; can't hardly expand my chest at all. Because of this I believe I have definitely lost some of my lung power.

Hi, James:

Repeated pneumonia, pleurisy once. Then terrible asthma and restricted chest expansion due to the fusion from costochondritis.

But the answer to Your question is now NO--not anymore. Asthma gone and no recurrence of other problems. Chest expansion slowly returning to normal, ten years after starting NSD+antibiotics.

KickAS,
John

That really is impressive, John. I can understand how NSD has halted the progress of your disease but I'm really impressed at the way you have gradually reversed some of the damage.

Your determination and willpower are quite remarkable.

Interesting observation:

I have been (pretty much) strict NSD for 9 months now and my normally chronic asthma has been *WAY* better these past 6 or so months... I am normally in real trouble with bronchodilator-resistant (or at least recalcitrant..) asthma from October (windy spring - lots of pollen) through till February and I can't think when I last pulled out the puffer...

Amazing how you don't notice these things till somebody else hits you in the face with the fact.

Must go do a pulmonary function test soon... I might impress myself!

My bib cage is completly fuzed so that might be the reason that I can not draw in emough air to get the expansion needed to exhale hard.
I am not a smoker.
Do you have fusion in that area James?
Ray

Oh yes. I have Bronchiectasis and I also work with the PT a lot to try to get my chest to expand. That is one thing I would highly suggest to any of you who are new. Start deep breathing exercises now and any thing else to keep your rib cage to working good for you.

I am sorry this has happened to you and to your Mom. My husband has COPD and I can hardly stand to hear him breathe. At night when we go to bed, it sounds like a bunch of kittens fighting in his chest.

Blessings.
Possi

Thats what I sound like Possi Im so bad some nights it wakes me up. I smoke Iknow I shouldnt dont shout at me. I do want to give up but find it so hard. After 40 years of smoking its difficult.
Im going to try again thats all I can do keep trying hopefully one day I will beat it.I hope all goes well with hubbys operation.
Kevin