Daily Treatments and Medication

Daily Medications




My body doesn't work like yours does... I take pills to absorb the fat and nutrients from all the food that I eat. These pills, enzymes, replace what my pancreas should be doing which is break down and absorb the fat and nutrients in my food. On top of the enzymes I take a daily pill called Prevacid, this relaxes my stomach acid and helps the enzymes out so they can reach my intestines. Another pill is my probiotic, which replaces the natural cultures in my stomach. I also take a CF specific vitamin every morning. These are high dose vitamins that help me grow big and strong.



The following is a list of the pills and how many I take with every meal:



Breakfast:



3- Creon 12 (enzymes)



1- Prevacid



1- Probiotic



2ml- CF Vitamins



Lunch and Dinner:



3- Creon 12



Snacks:



2- Creon 12 (at least 2 daily)



So as you can see, I take a lot of medications just to stay healthy. Almost 15 pills a day at the age of 2. And you might wonder if I can swallow all of these....yes!!! I have been swallowing my pills since I was 13 months old!



Daily Treatments



These are treatments that help keep my lungs free and clear of life threatening infections caused by mucus build up. When the mucus builds up in my lungs, bacteria can become trapped, causing these infections. The following is a list of somethings I do everyday to help combat these infections



30 minutes of airway clearance using high - frequency chest compression (HFCC) or commonly called the "Vest". The "Vest" is similar to a life preserver but it has tubes that attach to it and it fills up with air. The air vibrates up and down causing the mucus in my lungs to loosen and move around so I can cough it up and out. Here is a picture of what my vest looks like:



While doing my "Vest" I take a nebulized medication called Pulmozyme. Pulmozyme is a medication that also helps me thin the mucus in my lungs so it is easier to get out. With out this medication the mucus would be extra thick and harder for me to expel from my lungs. This medications take about 15-20 minutes to complete.



After my "Vest" treatment I do another nebulized medication call TOBI. TOBI is an inhaled antibiotic that helps me fight the infections in my lungs. TOBI is taken twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. I do this for 28 days and then I get a 28 day break. The doctors do not want me on it continuously because bacteria can become resistant to the drug.



So I do a total of about an hour and a half of treatments everyday, more when I'm sick. These help me fight infections and allow me to breathe easier.