It's been a long time since I posted, so I just wanted to touch base with everyone about my progress. It has been a long journey, but I have come a long way. From struggling to breathe what felt like every minute, to maybe just a few times a day. I'm going to share what I've been doing since it has been working, in hopes that anyone desperate for solutions can try some of this stuff. I know that's what I wanted when I used to read posts here, just ANYTHING to try that would make the god awful feeling go away. I can tell you honestly that I feel much better than I used to, but it has been hard work. I'll try to share everything I've done.

Morning:
I start out taking a multivitamin (Vitacell) along with CoQ10, Red Yeast Rice, and Milk Thistle. Were these supplements alone responsible for my improvement? Who knows, but it's what I've been doing lately so I'm going to include them. Also I use a spray of Flonase sensimist in each nostril before leaving for work, just in case my problem is allergy related. (I'm really just attacking this from all angles)

Evening:
I always take 20mg of Omeprazole like many have suggested. It's known to help many, so why not try it?

Other Changes:
When I first started having this horrible problem I weighed 240lbs. I now weigh 188. I have started running - initially only once a week, but now 3 days per week. Some have mentioned that it makes their symptoms worse. That's fine, but I believe over time they have increased my cardiovascular ability and enabled me to breathe better. My diet includes a lot of vegetables and fruits. I try to make at least one healthy meal choice per day. I include blueberries, broccoli, honeycrisp apples, raspberries, blackberries, carrots, pineapple, kiwi, mango, and others. I try to incorporate these fruits and vegetables into my diet whenever I can. I think improving my diet over the past year and exercising has made a huge difference. Try just eating one apple every day. If you want to heal, you have to work with your body and think about the nutrients it needs to do its job. What do you think will improve your health long-term, a greasy slice of pizza or some walnuts and almonds? I hate to jump on the more "organic" kind of food bandwagon, but it's what I've been doing for the past year and it has worked.

For a quick improvement, try looking up beet juice. There are studies that show that beet juice can improve the way our bodies utilize oxygen and make it more efficient. As one website says, "A new study shows for the first time how the nitrate contained in beetroot juice leads to a reduction in oxygen uptake, making exercise less tiring. The study reveals that drinking beetroot juice reduces oxygen uptake to an extent that cannot be achieved by any other known means, including training." I have just started incorporating this stuff into my regimen for the running benefits, and I started discovering all the benefits it has. I have also switched to a standing desk at work to try and stay more active. I really think this stuff makes a difference - not just one change, but the overall picture of your health as a person. Diet, habits, etc. Think overall lifestyle changes. That's how you're going to beat this thing.

Usually I pick this stuff up at Whole Foods, but I'm sure it's the same anywhere else. I'll add more if I can remember, but I just wanted to get this out there because I've been feeling good for a long time now. This has been the longest stretch where I haven't had any of those "bad days" where you just can't get a breath to save your life. Anyway, good luck to all of you. I really do hope every single one of you can beat this horrible curse - whatever the hell it is. If I can help just one other person to fight this thing, that would make me happy. Best of luck.