Apparently methotrexate can affect lung function, so normally before embarking on treatment through the NHS system you take a chest X-ray. My rheumatologist prefers a more rigorous 'belt and braces' approach and requested a full set of pulmonary function tests.
I found this surprisingly difficult. Surprising because I thought that I was quite an experienced breather and that sport had given me good control. It took about an hour in a sealed box or connected to tubes to measure rate of oxygen absorption, peak flow rates, lung capacity. Despite all my cycling, things were normal! Phewww
Given that this is a baseline measurement should I expect to go back in a year or two's time? Or only if I'm experiencing breathing problems? Next time will I have learnt some of the breathing control skills needed to improve my performance? These come down to simple things such as seal of mouth on breathing tube, height of the tube so that your chest is expanded and you're not slouched in the chair and of course whether your suffering any mild respiratory compaint such as a cold or hayfever.
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Honeygar or Cider Vinegar
Twice I asked my GP about dietary factors affecting arthritis. The answer: no clear evidence.
In online forums people talk positively about the benefits of cider vinegar for treatment of arthritis, usually mixed with a similar volume of honey to make it more palatable, hence honeygar a concatenation of the two products, though not 'vinney'.
Dosage rates? A tbs of vinegar twice a day.
People report a couple of weeks to see any difference.
The UK or US arthritis associations advise that vinegar has no benefit, in line with my GP. However there seems to be no harm in trying as long as the vinegar does not affect the uptake or metabolism of the other medicines. Then of course you realize that not all cider vinegars are the same - in particular you want one with all the crud left in, Sediments are good. Distilled vinegars are of no value. Preferably the vinegar should be cut with a honey made locally since it will provide protection against the allergens you're most likely to encounter. Right. I settled for Aspall's and Tesco's finest. Maybe one day I'll be wealthy enough to afford Manuka honey!
In online forums people talk positively about the benefits of cider vinegar for treatment of arthritis, usually mixed with a similar volume of honey to make it more palatable, hence honeygar a concatenation of the two products, though not 'vinney'.
Dosage rates? A tbs of vinegar twice a day.
People report a couple of weeks to see any difference.
The UK or US arthritis associations advise that vinegar has no benefit, in line with my GP. However there seems to be no harm in trying as long as the vinegar does not affect the uptake or metabolism of the other medicines. Then of course you realize that not all cider vinegars are the same - in particular you want one with all the crud left in, Sediments are good. Distilled vinegars are of no value. Preferably the vinegar should be cut with a honey made locally since it will provide protection against the allergens you're most likely to encounter. Right. I settled for Aspall's and Tesco's finest. Maybe one day I'll be wealthy enough to afford Manuka honey!
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