I wish I felt a little better. Discouraged.

@n4seth, the fatigue can be very daunting and depressing. I suffer from multiple serious lung issues that would naturally slow me down; one of them being a rigid and nearly flat diaphragm. It takes a LOT of energy for me to consistently draw in good breaths. I begged my dr for Adderall, a stimulant. He is my cousin's dr (she has sarcoidosis, & very fatigued) he believes that people w/chronic illness can benefit from a little lift. He prescribed 20 mg, but I break it off in 2.5 mg. So my 30 day supply lasts a long time. Most drs will frown on this concept, but it is along the lines of 'micro-dosing' like they do with LSD now for depression. I told that prescribing dr that I didn't want to live anymore if I cannot get up off of the couch and enjoy life. I had always been a very active person, so I was very down about the situation. I have ADD also, so it wasn't a big stretch to put me on it. I find that ginsing, a natural herb suppliment, also helps. I buy it by the box of 30. It comes in little glass bottles and also contains Royal bee pollen, which is also supposed to boost energy. Most Asian or international markets carry it. Can buy ginsing tea too. My daughter uses that. Once you have the infection gone, your natural energy should return. Exercise is a great booster too. Remember, A body in motion, stays in motion!

Jump to this post

Hi Kay,
Good question! I make my own compost too. Dr. Joe Falkinham says commercial potting soil is rich in peat and contains high numbers of NTM-1 million per gram. He suggests that we use an N95 mask to avoid dust inhalation. Of course, he made that recommendation prior to COVID 19 and he doesn't address compost. I've tried wearing an N95 mask while weeding and it was tough. I do wear a surgical mask now and try to limit my gardening to early morning when it's not so hot. I guess not matter what, we need to be cautious.

Jump to this post

@n4seth & @kayskid - Here is what my ID doc (a gardener himself) had to say about MAC, soil, compost, etc.
"MAC is ubiquitous. So are many other nasty microrganisms. They are everywhere. The idea is to minimize your exposure & not be paralyzed by fear. Be sensible - wet things down to keep from inhaling dust particles, avoid being in the garden on windy, dusty days, or wear a mask & gloves."

So, that is the policy we follow, we also wear N-95 masks when mowing - the one not mowing stays in the house or a far part of the yard. We shower or at least wash our faces, arms & hands when we get in the house. We toss the garden clothes & gloves in the laundry. It has worked well for us so far.

When we are in dusty, windy South Texas (where I think I got MAC from the feral chickens that nest under our trees) we pay someone to do our yard work, stay away while he does, then he washes down the patio & waters the yard before we go out.

Sue

Jump to this post