Steve Sallee

They seem to give me one every time I go to Urgent Care for difficulty breathing. I sometimes have to be admitted for a “tuneup” for a few days when that happens. They will also do one then.

Just wanted to pitch this in. I, too had often wondered why I struggled with shortness of breath when my blood O2 was 94-97 or thereabouts. Think I finally got an answer when VA doc did a blood gas. My CO2 level was extremely high and the doc said my body THINKS I need O2. I have issues exhaling the CO2.

While I’m here: Anyone have any feedback on the use of Prednizone? It really helps me breathe better at the altitude my shop is at and it can actually help me work better. Makes my feet and ankles swell, but other than that, I am not getting any other side effects. Long term, maybe? How long can a person stay on it?

My absolute favorite: “How have you been feeling?”. You proceed to answer out of politeness and they immediately change the subject. I really would prefer they NOT ask if they really don’t want to know. That would be better than the faux concern.

I still run my Auto/Light Truck Repair shop. Challenging to say the least. I try to adjust my work schedule as best I can. I put in for SS Disability and I was told to close my business in order to have “zero” income to qualify. They refused to look at my health issues until my income was “zero”. Unbelievable. Like I really trust the…[Read more]

I personally do think that my condition could be service-related. I worked on fighter aircraft that did close air support missions in Vietnam. My primary care physician mentioned that I should look into possible exposure to agent orange. Even though the war was just over at that time, I spent many hours inside the fuselages of these F4…[Read more]

What would really be a plus for us veterans would be for the VA to explore possible service-connected causes for it. When we get a disability rating for a certain condition many doors open that are very beneficial. Smoking is all they seem to use for a reason. Yes, I’m certain smoking would be right up there, but exposure to oil field…[Read more]

I’m in Custer, SD. There are days here where I almost can’t function. Seems worse when big storms come through. I am seriously contemplating a move to a lower altitude. Possibly Southeastern New Mexico. Hate to give up my business that I worked so hard to build, but its probably time.