My Illnesses & Pills: Strengthening the Immune System–One Way to Battle the COVID-19/Coronavirus Pandemic, by J. D. Meyer (2nd Edition)

Dang, I’ve been feeling good for four years! But I fit the stereotype of someone that ought to be “fixin’ to get sick”—lungs illness, namely COPD (since 2005) and asthma (since 1986). I got on the combination of SSDI, Medicare, and Medicaid by 2012. I’m writing this article about my illnesses and pills because medical professionals may find clues to finding a way to battle the COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic. Dealing with the pandemic takes three routes in the medical community: building the immune system, finding antibodies, and discovering a vaccination. My article represents the way for educated laymen to contribute.

I take at least 15 pills per day (11 different pills)—a motley mix of prescription drugs, vitamins/minerals, and OTC drugs. I have more health issues than Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS). Quitting cigarettes was important as was quitting snuff tobacco. Nowadays, I occasionally indulge with Smoky Mountain Herbal Snuff (Wintergreen Flavor). It’s made from corn husks and molasses; it’s made in Sandy Hook, CT.

Here are the rest of my diagnoses: Mixed hyperlipidemia E 78.2, Essential (primary) hypertension I10, atherosclerosis heart disease of native coronary artery without angina pectoris I25.10, and macular degeneration. Furthermore, I get monthly allergy shots for Bermuda and Johnson grass, and I have sleep apnea.

Now let’s check out my daily pills. Prescriptions: Daliresp, Montelukast, Dilacor (DILT), Omega 3 Acid Ethyl Esters (4, Take two twice daily), and Prednisone. Vitamins/Minerals: Magnesium, CoQ10, Vitamin D (2), Ocuvite (Vision Health). That last pill is a mix of Vitamins A, C, E and Zinc, Selenium, Copper, and Lutein. Over the Counter Medicine (OTC): Vitamin B-Complex with C (general health)& Loratadine (non-drowsy generic pill for allergies).

Here are the drugs that I inhale. Obviously, I have a rescue inhaler, and it’s Combivent (albuterol + ipratropium). I graduated from the albuterol inhalers a while back. But my nebulizer fluid is albuterol only. Then I take Advair twice daily, an anti-inflammatory.

Here are the occasional OTC drugs and vitamins/minerals: Sudafed (nasal congestion), Mucinex–aka. Guaifenesin (chest congestion/bronchitis). , Milk Thistle (liver health) and rarest of all—Turmeric Curcumin (anti-inflammation). Before I got health insurance, Mucinex and Sudafed were very frequent companions. I’ve become a member of the Chris Cuomo Fan Club and explained the joy of Mucinex on his website.

Let’s hope that my list of medicines and illnesses helps medical researchers during our pandemic crisis. I was invited to join the local Community Health Workers (CHW) coalition several years ago because of my explanation of lung health issues for the layman. I used to be a teacher–mostly Developmental English/Writing (college level), ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)for all levels, and all-level/ most subjects substitute teacher.

Some of those drugs and whatnot represent a journey! Magnesium is a new friend. First I was put on statins and developed heart issues. Then I found CoQ10 and that helped. Then I had a phase of Red Yeast Rice–a more organic, mellow statin. Then I read a couple of journal articles against it and stumbled onto Magnesium. Magnesium is the super mineral. It’s good for excess fat, arthritis, COPD, and even more issues!

My most recent drug is prednisone—previously som’n just for acute attacks. I passed a recent chest X-ray, but my pulmonologist felt that I needed prednisone. After all, I’ve had a low moderate Forced Exhale Volume (FEV) for years. I may be 6’2” and 61 years old, but my FEV is comparable to a short elderly lady’s lungs, or just one lung, or a very short child’s lungs. Stop smoking, stay indoors, or wear a mask/bandanna when shopping.

COVID-19/Coronavirus Annotated Link Page, by J.D. Meyer (2nd Edition)

1. Q & A on Coronavirus (COVID-19) by WHO (World Health Organization). Answers to 23 questions, two information links, subscribe to WHO newsletter. https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses?fbclid=IwAR0cSHcLD8YtFmTG8sq-w8E3p4BVui6L41CieOoR0C1fu_9fbROHjcUcaHQ

2. Oxford COVID-19 Evidence Service. By Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. Updates began on March 17, 2020. Click for Questions under Review. Top 3 Most Viewed: COVID-19 Signs & Symptoms Tracker, Assessing dyspnea, Global Covid-19 Case Fatality Rates, TRIP database COVID-19 updates. https://www.cebm.net/oxford-covid-19/

3. How the Novel Coronavirus and the Flu are Alike…and Different
Symptoms, Transmission, Degree of Mild vs. Severe Cases, Length of Hospitalization, What % of the Population Will Get Each Virus, Death Rate, Treatment, Vaccines, Impact of Seasonal Weather. https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/03/20/815408287/how-the-novel-coronavirus-and-the-flu-are-alike-and-different?utm_campaign=storyshare&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwAR0-_S-NHB2OHGoJs6EHu-OBPDp8Qh6xYB6BPxB11ePdN_519YgFeIheNCE

4. Why ‘Death Rates’ from Coronavirus Can Be Deceiving. “The answer involves how many people are tested, the age of an infected population and factors such as whether the health care system is overwhelmed, scientists say.”
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/03/27/821958435/why-death-rates-from-coronavirus-can-be-deceiving?utm_campaign=storyshare&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwAR1P6Dzb5ug-mG-CAY3rfsrl2dJ1c-1YPu2KitdIXl9e4ruNHVP858JqAfE

5. Can a Supplement Protect Me Against the New Coronavirus? “Doctors say there’s limited evidence on how any supplements may or may not affect coronavirus spread and the resulting disease. Here’s what we know right now.” The following supplements are analyzed: elderberry, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, apple cider vinegar, turmeric. https://www.everydayhealth.com/infectious-diseases/can-a-supplement-protect-me-against-the-new-coronavirus/

6. Faces of Coronavirus: One Woman’s Road to Recovery. “…the first signs that she had the disease caused by the novel coronavirus were some aches and a dry cough. Her symptoms quickly escalated to difficulty breathing and fever.” This interview was reviewed by an M.D. https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/faces-of-coronavirus-one-womans-road-to-recovery/

7. Loss of smell and taste could be the strongest symptom of Coronavirus, experts believe. Loss of smell and taste are stronger predictors than fever and cough—triple other symptoms. The Covid Symptom Tracker App has created a model that also lists new continuous cough, fever, fatigue, diarrhea, abdominal pain and loss of appetite. https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/loss-smell-taste-could-strongest-18019703

8. COVID-19, Asthma, Allergies: You’ve Got Questions….(Video with Transcript). “Allergy & Asthma Network compiled a list of questions regarding COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) that people asked during our “Distinguishing the Difference: COVID-19 vs. Allergies vs. Flu” webinar on March 17. The webinar was hosted by Allergy & Asthma Network President and CEO Tonya Winders and board-certified allergist and immunologist Purvi Parikh, MD.” https://www.allergyasthmanetwork.org/covid-asthma-and-allergies-frequently-asked-questions/ General Questions (25), Asthma Management Questions (13), School Questions (3).

9. COVID-19 COMPARISON: Coronavirus vs. Cold vs. Flu vs. Allergies (Chart comparing 12 symptoms among 4 Illnesses) https://coronavirus.health.ok.gov/sites/g/files/gmc786/f/fb-covid-comparison-8.5×11-eng.jpg

10. Coronavirus is not the flu. It’s worse. This 6 ½ minute YouTube video is from the CDC (Center for Disease Control). Twice as contagious , longer incubation period, no shot or immunity, 25% hospitalized > 2%. At least 10 times the fatality rate. Older and compromised people are more vulnerable. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVIGhz3uwuQ&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2oMqPwP76ZMdL_U8GTRjXy4LNaONjc-c_6oHaZ9XnkKOJykpZDo8UnOH4

What Do You Tell People Who Are Scared About the Coronavirus/COVID19 Outbreak? By J.D. Meyer

I will be encouraging. We have many medical professionals working on the Coronavirus/COVID19 crisis throughout the nation and world. The two most visible national officials rising to the occasion are Governor Andrew Cuomo (D-NY), and immunologist, Dr. Anthony Fauci (Director of the National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases). In his inspiring Saturday morning address, Gov. Cuomo asserted, “We are all first responders.” We could help or inspire somebody, but we could also get somebody sick or depressed.

For me, sharing health information on Twitter, Facebook, and Word Press would be my main way to inform and inspire. I taught for 20 years—mostly Developmental English/Writing (a college course), English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) to all ages, and an “All Grades/Most Subjects” substitute teacher. I just hit the 39K tweet mark—starting in October 2011.

Several years ago, I was invited to join the local Community Health Workers (CHW) group—the Northeast Texas CHW Coalition, for I’d written some articles about my health issues for the layman. I’ve been on SSDI for COPD for a decade! I have a special interest in magnesium since it has really helped improve my health for the past two years—cholesterol, arthritis, and COPD. CoQ10 was another relatively recent find for me, and it helps heart health.

Furthermore, I can share academic or entertaining information on a broader scale. After all, plenty of students are going to be studying online. Maybe I could publicize my love of Tejano music improving my Spanish to friends’ kids? The other day, I brought a spare Brookshire’s cooking magazine and a brief bio-sketch on Sriracha Hot Sauce by Huy Fong foods to a young mom and her depressed 2nd-grade daughter, who was stuck with her in the kitchen of a nearby service station.

I’m continuing to offer relevant follow-up articles of mine to the Tyler First 2020 Open House leaders. It was a great event just before the Coronavirus shutdown at the Rose Garden city’s convention building with plenty of posters, handouts, and websites. Urban studies have been a hobby of mine for many years—even longer than health.

As for being entertaining, I asked Facebook associates if they would like to share information on interior decorating accomplishments during the shutdown. Besides lots of counter and table dusting and paper sorting and trashing, I rearranged some decorative bar stools. I did receive several responses–including some photos from someone who rearranged some heavy tools in his garage!

Wish us luck in being informative, entertaining, and persuasive.  There’s a new Facebook group called, “Support Our Local Tyler Businesses During COVID-19.” Hopefully, politics will take more of a back seat with me in the near future.