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Thread: Stenosis Dilation Dilemma

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    Default Stenosis Dilation Dilemma

    Here's my dilemma. My stenosis does not appear to be progressing very fast, if at all. But it impacts my ability to sleep soundly, as well as a massive impact on anything aerobic. If I try to do anything aerobic I start to weeze pretty uncontrollably, if I keep pushing it (cause I am a man afterall...we have to learn the hard way ), I get incredible pain basically in the middle of my sternum. I believe this is the lungs not getting enough oxygen, and I stopped pretty fast when I got the pain ;P.

    So my question is will the dilation help with this at all? If I do get this am I starting myself on the path to continual dilations in the future as well? I'd really like to be able to get some aerobic activity in, but I don't want to hasten a series of surgeries either.

    I'm planning on asking Dr Villa-Forte next week when I see her and then my ENT when I see him next month. Was just hoping for some opinions here from those who've already been through this.
    ~ Bob

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    I don't know how many here have been through several tracheal dilations -- I know that a few have had many dilations further up, in the subglottis.

    Sorry I can't be of any help -- my stenosis is in my subglottis. I will say this though -- any relief that you can get from the stenosis will probably make a great difference in your quality of life -- it is probably affecting you more than you realize.

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    It's weird, it definitely affects my breathing. Anything that gets me breathing harder than normal definitely starts the weezing and coughing, but on the flip side when I am relaxing I have no negative impact at all (except for sleeping as that also makes me weeze). I just don't want to make a mistake of jumping on this too soon, but i also don't want to wait longer than I should out of unnecessary worry about the side effects of it. Not sure if that makes sense or not
    ~ Bob

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    Bob, you definitely need input from the Wegs specialists regarding your particular case.

    Meanwhile, you might get relief at night using the torso-length wedge pillow I found. It really keeps my airways open.

    As far as exercise, what most people consider to be aerobic is actually anaerobic. When you see people exercising to the point where their faces are bright red, that's much higher than aerobic. I suggest you try lowering your intensity (and speed if that applies). Go for time, not intensity. It's better for your heart and should help you avoid wheezing.

    I'm concerned that the chest pain you're getting is actually your heart being deprived of oxygen. Substernal pain is usually heart-related. Make sure you mention it to Dr Villa-Forte next week. Any chance you can get into your ENT sooner?

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    In regards to the pain, it only happened the one time, and that told me I shouldn't push that hard So I've not tried to run.

    I really wanted to be able to run and some other stuff after I lost weight, I'm probably being weird but I really do want to be able to do some activities, it's definitely on my list to ask if this is something I should adjust my perspective on.

    The only way to prevent the weezing is not to exceed a pretty sedate walk, I know I'm still getting some benefit, but surely not much This issue includes walking briskly and riding bikes, it's only when I go really slow that I don't weeze.

    ENT is out the day I go up to see Dr Villa-Forte next Friday So it's the 2nd of March for another jaunt up to Cleveland.

    I may look for that pillow...I'm a mess at night. I have to sleep on my side, but after loosing weight and getting WG my knees hurt each other if I sleep with them on top of each other....so i already have a pillow between my knees . That and it helped with the foot cramping weirdly enough. At this point my only trouble free position to sleep in is on my right side...but my shoulder starts to hurt and I'll flip to the left, which then makes me wake up due to the breathing weirdness. At least one of my newer meds makes me sleepy, so I can at least go right back to sleep.
    ~ Bob

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    Running!!!??? I would bet that is definitely out while you have any stenosis. That puts a lot of stress on your heart.

    It's important to exercise as much as you safely can. As much as you safely can. I repeated it, because you're a guy.

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    That's probably a good idea

    Honestly, when I lost weight I never had been a runner even when I was young and in shape, but after being in pretty poor shape for all those years, I really wanted the opportunity to do some things I hadn't been able to.

    PS...you wouldn't happen to have a link to the type of pillow you are talking about would ya? I want to make sure I'm looking at the right thing.
    ~ Bob

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    Cool, I'll look into that
    ~ Bob

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    Hi Bob, I will second Sangye's advice to look into the pillow. While not the brand referenced in her link, I have used one since my open lung biopsy and it definately makes trying to sleep with lung, chest and rib pain noticeably easier. Also allows me to sleep on my back which is impossible otherwise - - and it does lessen the episodes of nighttime GERD pain. Good luck, Ron

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