AsthmaCare UK - What people say about our courses
Bronchial Asthma
"I was diagnosed with mild Asthma as a child and had a very normal life with a very low reliance on inhalers. It was when I was into my twenties and at university when my asthma became much worse. Over a year it developed and I was having regular, daily breathing problems and was frequently visiting the doctors surgery and A & E at hospital. The only suggestions the doctors had was to keep trying different types of medication and increasing the dosage. Eventually I was put on very strong broncho-dilators. I felt ill and weak all the time, I would feel out of breath going downstairs. My situation was very unpleasant and stressful.
I got in contact with Linda after doing some internet research into Buteyko. I attended a Buteyko Breathing Centre Weekend Workshop taught by Linda Meads in London. I did the exercises and relaxation techniques regularly. However my progress was slow due to the combined controller inhalers which raised my breathing rate. Linda identified the need for me to reduce dependence on the Long-Acting bronchodilators so I could improve on what was a very poor Control Pause. I was nervous in doing so but eventually I worked my way off them.
I have been on the Buteyko programme for over a year now and my asthma has improved dramatically. Thanks to the regular exercises my asthma is now controlled with a small amount of inhaled steroid (Flixotide) and a, rarely needed, a puff of reliever (Ventolin). My Control Pause is rising steadily and my lungs feel much better, I can now go back in the gym and exercise with ease. I have just spent three months travelling through South East Asia, travelling through remote parts of the world, many hours away from any hospitals. Linda reminded me to take medication with me – I believe I packed a total of 6 Ventoline inhalers to take with me! But I didn’t need any of them.
I would like to thank the Buteyko method and Linda, for her mentoring (nagging and encouragement) for giving me a new lease of life, I feel that I can achieve all the things I want to now! "
Sam Williams, Carshalton, Surrey November 2011
Follow up from Rumania!
"I was called in by my doctor yesterday to do the annual check-up, to see how I do, etc. I had the spirometry test and maybe it's interesting for you to know the results. The test results are good, all the lung function indices are over 90 percent compared to the predicted data (where above 80 percent is called "healthy"). I have just compared the results with the ones I took last year (before I stopped taking the Cortisone) and good news, this year the results are much better, all indices are up with about 10 percent (taking no bronchodilators or any medication whatsoever). I asked my doctor if I was healthy and he said: "well looking at the figures now I can say they are very good, but remember you are an asthmatic, always carry your Ventolin with you".
The course I took with you in London was an absolute success for me, I feel SO good that I totally forgot about the Ventolin and about the breathlessness. I just apply daily what I was taught about good breathing and I do not care if it's cold or hot, or there is dust or a cat or a dog or fur or if there are too many flowers, about sneezing, running or climbing stairs, I don't care anymore, I just keep my mouth shut and my breathing calm." - Toni Iubiak, Rumania - 06 October, 2011
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Learning by Skype with webcam one-2-one - fantastic!
-- Bonus - I've effortlessly lost weight too!
"Two weeks into the Buteyko course and a reflection on how the Buteyko breathing method has improved my quality of life:
Sleep - From one who, for years, has had trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep, the use of microporous tape at night to keep my mouth closed has meant undisturbed sleep all night. Even my husband has started using tape to improve his quality of sleep.
Use of reliever inhaler - My breathing is much easier now, and, although I use my preventer at night time, I no longer need to use the reliever each day and can now freely leave home without checking that I have my Ventolin puffer with me.
Weight control - The breathing exercises, combined with an effort to eat healthily, have contributed to the suppression of my appetite. In turn, this has resulted in noticeable weight loss - an added bonus!
Unexpected benefits - My morning Control Pause has gone from 12 seconds to an average of 23 seconds. I know there is more work to do and bcause I realise the Buteyko exercises are the route to improving my breathing problems, my daily routine has now changed and everything has to fit in around these scheduled times of my day/evening. As a result of the effort put in, my energy has improved by leaps and bounds - an unexpected benefit. Added to this, I am now a much calmer and quieter person in myself.
More energy - My husband's observations - He has noticed and commented that I have more energy, am calmer, less hyper and said " well this is worth thousands to have got you this sorted!"
Thanks - All the above benefits would not have happened without the guidance, patience and support of my practitioner, Linda Meads, and to her I am ever grateful."
- C. McLean, Scotland - August, 2011
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Allergic/Stress-related Asthma
"For years now my asthma has been triggered by certain stressful times in my life, like exams, housing buying, job concerns and similar circumstances where my anxiety levels have been high. My asthma was less controlled and my inhaler use had increased in the past year so I decided to do something about my breathing and stress levels.
Since I was abroad working on and off throughout the year I decided to go for the Skype webcam Buteyko course with Linda Meads over three months at the end of 2010. Being able to arrange the sessions to suit my own timetable worked very well. I was diligent and consistent with the Buteyko breathing exercises and followed the dietary and exercise advice given to me by Linda.
I have recently bought an old house that needed to be substantially renovated. Normally I would have expected changes in my breathing patterns with the high anxiety levels normally associated with taking on such a project, and I would be going through Ventolin inhalers like packets of Polos.
Over this period, I have experienced heavy breathing only once, and that was when we first received the house keys and there were high levels of dust and cat hairs around the house from the previous owners. Since then I have had no problems at all, and this is a result of Buteyko. No Ventolin and I am now, after three months, safely off my steroid inhaler. I’ve had a few games of 5-a-side, and again I have been fine. I’m feeling fitter than ever at the moment."
- 02 February, 2011
"My morning Control Pause is in the thirties and I am not using any asthma medication at all. However, I am occasionally getting mild allergic symptoms and am now taking the exercises up again. I am determined to reach a steady CP of 40 and keep it there so as to be completely released from the effect of trigggers. Watch this space!"
- 29 August, 2011
- Paul B., Kazakhstan/Newcastle-upon-Tyne - August, 2011
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- Lose symptoms of Bronchiectasis
"In March, 2006, I was diagnosed with a condition known as Bronchiectasis. It was a shocking diagnosis to me and it had drastic consequesnces on my life. Doing simple things such as walking, gettin up stairs, cooking and cleaning left me very breathless. I found the condition highly distressing and frustrating. I questioned the quality of life I would have. Indeed, I questioned whether it would be worth living.
I tried all sorts of potions and therapies to try to help me. My GP prescribed Becotide and that was the extent of the help she could offer. I was becoming more and more despondent.
Just before Christmas, 2006, I looked Buteyko therapy up on the internet. I found my nearest practitioner - Linda Meads - and contacted her. I gave her the diagnosis, left my name and phone number and asked if she would phone me back. As it was only four days to Christmas, I thought I would hear from her after the holidays, probably in January. However, on Christmas Eve, Linda phoned. She advised me to breathe through my nose - both in breath and out - at all times, no matter what I was doing. An appointment was made to see her on Tuesday, 2nd January.
I did as she suggested and breathed through my nose at all times. It felt very odd and was a little difficult. However, I was assiduous and the only time I breathed through my mouth was when I was asleep! After about five days I found I was not so breathless. Getting about seemed much easier. Could it be simply due to breathing through my nose?
I saw Linda on the 2nd of January. I was nervous about the meeting and didn't dare build up my hopes. This really was my last chance. If this didn't work I dreaded to think what I would do. I found Linda to be very pleasant, professional and dedicated to the benefits of the Buteyko technique. She recognised straight away that my breathing was completely out-of-synch (something that I myself had always felt, but as none of the medics I had seen - including a hospital consultant - mentioned it, I thought perhaps it was all in my imagination). I was given a set of exercises to do...half-an-hour, three times a day. That worried me, as I am not very good at routine. I was given my exercise book in which to write down my results.
I was amazed to see how my Control Pause increased from a puny 11 and 13 at the beginning to a 30 and 37, in only three weeks. I have also been amazed at how diligent I have been doing the exercises - which are now a part of my life. I actually enjoy doing them!
An amazing thing happened three weeks ago. I had allowed my two cats to sleep on my bed during the night. At 3 a.m., they began waking and padding around, which woke me! By 7 a.m., I had had enough, promptly got up, dashed down the stairs with the cats following me, fed them in the kitchen, locked them in there, dashed back up the stairs and jumped back into my warm bed. All this took two minutes. I suddenly realised whilst snuggling down in my bed that I was not in the least bit breathless! What a miracle! I felt normal again.
So far, I have found the effects of this Buteyko course to have been miraculous. I want to shout it from the roof tops as to how wonderful this has been for me, but there is a little fear that if I do I will somehow break the spell! I would certainly recommend Buteyko and practitioner, Linda Meads at the Buteyko Breathing Centre, to anyone who has breathing difficulties."
- Carol Hextell, Birmingham - March, 2007
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"...(Buteyko breathing method) got rid of my IBS and my Sleep Apnoea!" - see Australian Nursing Journal article
"I am a seventy year old woman and was diagnosed as having sleep apnoea about 10 years ago. On the advice of the Sleep Clinic I used a CPAP machine and then a Resmed breathing machine.
In March 2008 I was instructed in the practice of Buteyko breathing by Linda Meads. During the first 6 weeks I experienced major improvements in my health, IBS symptoms decreased, for example. However, I continued to use my Resmed machine.
After about three months it occurred to me that if sleep apnoea is the result of hyperventilation then the use of a breathing machine, which is like sleeping in a wind tunnel, is not sensible. I tried doing without the CPAP machine at night and found that I slept no worse without it than with it. I persevered with my breathing exercises.
This month in September 2009 my sleep clinic specialist said he was satisfied that I no longer suffer from sleep apnoea! "
- Rosalind P. , Scotland - 09 September, 2009
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- Reduce or completely eliminate symptoms of asthma
"This course has proved what I've always known instinctively, that we are capable of curing our asthma."
- Alexandra Turner, Shurdington - 09 August, 2002
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- Normalise the body's functions and be able to reduce asthma medication
"I am able to reduce medication and am no longer dependent on oral steroids. I have now lost 3 stones in weight and am sleeping through the night, in my bed, instead of sitting in a chair. I can taste my food and my appetite is normalising. The condition of my hair and skin are beginning to restore. Linda has shown me there is life after asthma."
- June Cook, Hengoed, S.Wales - 12 July, 2003
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"Since doing the Buteyko training I have reduced and then stopped using any asthma medication. I sleep soundly every night, no longer suffer from headaches and my appetite has stabilised. I am 29, this the only way my asthma/hayfever has been controlled."
- Sarah Daniel, Redditch - 27 July, 2002
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- Lose hayfever symptoms and need for anti-histamines
"For the first year in I can't think how long, I have needed no inhalers. Linda told me at the beginning of the course in Birmingham to hold on to them until the hay fever season started, just in case, but I didn't need them. Nor did I need my usual anti-histamines."
- Trudy Harris, Wolverhampton - 2005
- Get the benefit at any age
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"Approaching 65 I was truly amazed at the positive results in a matter of 6 weeks. I could do without my reliever medication and coughed a lot less, in fact I have just looked through my stock of medication to see what I can throw away."
- Peter Wood, Kidderminster - 08 May, 2002
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"This course has given me the way to help my son regain his health.
I am now also able to be confident about his condition and our ability to understand and deal with it. Needless to say, my stress levels are no longer going off the scale!"
- Anita Finnerty about son, John, aged 11 - 29 March, 2004
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- Eliminate Hyperventilation Syndrome
"Just fantastic! I feel so much better and more relaxed just after four days. Thanks, Linda".
- Ruth Livermore, Birmingham - 17 May, 2005
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- Take charge of, and improve the quality of, your life
"Luke (9) has only had to use one puff of Ventolin since the course 3 weeks ago. He easily completed 14 laps of a walking circuit of which last month he could only complete 3 laps. His teacher was amazed. He is sleeping through the night and looks so much better."
- Davina Eaton (mother), Birmingham - 05 May, 2005
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"I now feel more confident about taking a remote holiday in the jungle!
The fear of an asthma attack has often prevented me from travelling if a hospital wasn't close to hand. I am 36 years old and have just spent my first 5 days in living memory, without needing a puff of Ventolin! Brilliant course and a great trainer, very helpful and patient!"
- Mel Edmonds, Bristol - 24 January, 2003
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"Three weeks after the course I feel, and apparently look, quite different.
My eyes are less puffy, maybe because I am sleeping better. My chest is clearer and I am producing less mucus. My body feels more buoyant when swimming. My feet and leg muscles are less stiff and I have so far had none of my usual night time episodes of cramp in my toes."
- Isobel Palmer, Rugby - August 2005
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"I was diagnosed with asthma when I was two and it steadily got worse over the years. After 35 years of it I was thoroughly disheartened. I never went out without my inhalers but despite my efforts it was becoming difficult to control. I felt I was fightin a losing battle. I Googled Buteyko and went to see Linda Meads in Stratford-upon-Avon. Changing my breathing habits was quite difficult but after my first day of breathing exercises I only needed half of my normal dose of reliever medication.
Gradually I found I needed less and less of my medication and after a couple of months I stopped using it completely - although I still keep my inhalers nearby in case I need them. Before I started Buteyko colds always went to my chest and I'd need antibiotics. Last winter, however, I had a cough and a cold with no hint of a wheeze. I still do the exercises when I feel I need to. They are also a good way of dealing with stress. I hoped the technique would improve my asthma - I never dreamt it would cure it. I now tell people I am an ex-asthmatic!! The course fee was the best value I've ever had. My family can't believe it. I think my Dad thinks I'm still secretly using an inhaler!"
- Michael Sanders, Oxford - April, 2008
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"I would just like to thank you for what you've done for me. Before I attended the course my asthma was so out-of-control it was affecting my quality of life. After the course and keeping up with exercises, my breathing has improved so much that I have a lot less time off work.
I also went to see a specialist at Sandwell Hospital, who told me my asthma has improved that much that he recommended that I stop using my Ventolin inhaler altogether. For as long as I can remember, every doctor I see always recommends more inhalers, so it was a shock to be told to take less.
I now feel a lot more confident in myself and feel I have it under control for the first time. So, thanks again for all the help you've given me."
- Douglas Bell, Tipton - 16 January, 2009
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