Orders of the Doctor

i may be worth hunting for better fuels, as there are much less toxic smelling than kero fuels out there. with respect to those that do use it, i avoid it as much as possible.

I've just taken delivery of some of the battery powered glow sticks available in the new bits section (plug plug) and they're incredibly light and easy to spin without much effort at all. They may help although obviously they're not as nice as fire.

Thanks to everyone for all the advice. I spoke to some of the guys I go twirling with last night and the option of a mask was brought up.

One of the guys even offered to wear one with me so that I wouldn't look too much like a freak.

I don't mind the giving up the fire as I will always keep practicing and I can use the glow sticks my biggest upset was that I will no longer be able to go down on Mondays and hang out with the other guys because the fumes when they light up will get to me.

I don't want to lose my friends and Monday night is the only time I get to see them.

I am going to also look into twirling with other fuels which may mean I can still do my twirling on occassion. At the moment I twirl once a week with fire.

I am going to miss meeting up with everyone on Monday that would be my biggest issue at the moment...

Thanks again to everyone for all the ideas...you will never know how much it is appreciated.

Concerning breathing control/exercises for asthma, have you considered learning didgeridu? I've heard that the circular breathing can be beneficial for asthmatics.

Would also be useful for a bit of auditory atmosphere at fire nights.

Didgeridoo sounds like so much fun...I was thinking of taking up the flute, oboe or something like that (not only for the breathing mind you I like to learn new instruments as well).

I do have problems breathing through my nose because I have a cleft lip and partial palate (which one doctor said is why I have crappy lungs).

yeah i hear you on the 'why wont my stupid body just let me do what i want'
i am an ex ahstmatic, about 5 years ago i just said bugger it and stopped taking all my ahstma drugs which i was totally dependant on, i went through absolute hell, i would get out of breath walking down the road, but slowly it started getting better.
a lot of homeopathic remedies are said to be good, but i never tried them despite numerous recommendations.
do excersise, i now wear a bandana round my mouth when doing fire as the fumes made my lungs hurt the next day, that a flat cap and trousers are all i need(trousers optional but im sure other people benefit from me wearing them)
im just lucky, it does go away after a while.
hope your condition improves. smit
anything that doesnt kill you only makes you stronger

Fitria,

I think the big important thing is to improve communication between you and your doctors. First, understand that asthma is a serious and life-threatening condition. It is important that you be properly medically managed. People have died because they discontinued their prescribed medications and tried so-called "homeopathic" remedies. Please don't do that.

Now, what can you do? Well, you need to voice your concerns to your doctors. You need to tell them that you feel like their restrictions are robbing you of all exercise and any enjoyment of life.

Now, as far as Jon UCOF's suggestion, it is true that THC is a bronchodilator and will make your asthma feel better. HOWEVER, in the long run, smoking is going to just make it much, much worse.

And try to stay upwind of the spinners?

from a fellow asthmatic...

ya like Lightening and UCOF said, marijuana does open your lungs up, but long-term effect are not so good. i personally stay away from that shyt.

i agree with Lightening on the homeopathic remedies...sometimes they work but i went untreated for a long time and realized i needed professional medical help at some point. i hate using my inhaler cause it makes me all jittery and shaky (damn speed qualities), but i realize i need it at some points.

definately get a mask to control for the fumes. but moderate exercise is a good way to build up your lung strength. and there are plenty of daily medications and breathing treatments you can do to help you. and of course there are emergency inhalers (i.e. albuterol) to have on hand for an acute attack or if you feel an attack coming on. i don't recommend constant use so that you don't become dependent on it, but asthma just doesn't go away either so not using medications at all isn't a good idea. i have had friends do vicks vapor inhaler treatment (steaming hot water with about a tablespoon full of vicks vapor rub in it, put a towel over your head and put your face into the steam) to open up their lungs, and i did one once during an acute attack, but i don't know what the medical benefits/side effects are. perhaps Lightening or any other medical person can enlighten us? i know it helped for those people and it helped me a little, but i don't know if it's actually good for you or not. so i'd check it out first before taking my advice on that one

hope the info helps!

Fitria
What did you end up doing? Did the mask help?

Now is hell on asthmatics ....again....my partner had trouble breathing this morning

Hi gnor. I am still looking at the different types of fuels. I have been doing a bit of experimenting.

I am holding off buying a mask at the moment. Last Monday at South Beach I only did one fire twirl for only a couple of minutes...and took photos the rest of the night...hehe.

I have been offered a paying gig so I had better come up with something quick smart!

At least if it comes down to it a mask would suit the outfit I am going to be using for the performances.

Are you going to be coming down to South Beach tonight?

No I am not. I did PM you and still cranky about it. All psyched up. Sorries.
Where is the gig and what are you wearing??? Sounds interesting...see you in the chat room..

The gig is at a very small pub in Lynwood.

I will be wearing black jeans, a black top, dark make up and a top hat hehe...yes I know how weird that sounds but I will change my look every week (it is an ongoing gig)....so I have been experimenting to get new coloured flames and sparkles and such like that. I am also trying to get some new equipment so that I have a whole heap of variation from week to week.

Woo Hoo well done. Gnor runs around the room in excitement

What night so I can go sometimes and be a cheer squad and have beers after. If you need help with sewing give me a yell and we could muddle together.
Goodluck.

Gaynor

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry had to laugh....me sew that is the biggest joke in the history of man.

I couldn't sew anything if my life depended on it.

Anyways...It will be on Friday nights at 7:30ish at the Lynwood Arms.

Would be good to see you there.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry had to laugh....me sew that is the biggest joke in the history of man.

I couldn't sew anything if my life depended on it.

Anyways...It will be on Friday nights at 7:30ish at the Lynwood Arms.

Would be good to see you there.

oops sorry my computer is playing up big time today...didn't mean to double post.

Ok will try sometimes and I love doing costumes and stuff.........
how as last night..

Not too bad last night. A fairly good turn out.

The wind was a bit strong though so mostly we just practised.

Not many people actually lit up.

I misspoke in my earlier post. The medication is "XOPENEX" (Zo-pen-ex), generic name: levalbuterol.