Asthma Support Group

I am so sorry this is happening to you. Not only does it scare us but it uses every ounce of energy we have. Maybe you need a change in your meds to get more control.

Do you have a/c, a room filter and allergy meds ?

When my chest is acting up, I was taught to use the deep breathing exercises that we practice ...just not so deep. It helps to expand the lung areas and avoid some other problems caused by inactivity during a flare.

Hope your day gets easier. Please keep us posted.

Go back to your doctor or go to the hospital. This can't be managed on your own. You might need injectable and IV meds.

Thanks for the comments!

I do have a/c and a air purifier, I was on allergy meds but when I got laid off I lost insurance. Money is tight and meds are so dang high. I went to my pulmo doc before I lost ins. and she gave me some samples to get me thru for a couple months-of advair and spiriva.

I have thought about going to the E.R. several times the past couple of days.If it gets any worse I will have to go-there will be no other choice.

My pulmo doc has tried several different meds in different combinations, it just never seems to be controled. I have more bad days than good. I cant afford to go to her right now-could barely afford it when I had insurance. I feel very defeated by it all!

I hear ya'! No insur either. Sucks. Only thing to do is apply for state welfare (general assistance) and federal disability - even if it's only temporarily. This country will never have universal healthcare (universal useless insur maybe, but never actual healthcare). The only other thing to do is go to Catholic Charities or Jewish Family Services or whatever nonprofit medical care there is in your area - you can probably google this for more info. ER has to take you, but they will bill you forever. Crazy. Where the hell do you think the money will come from?!

I think after a while the hospital "gives up" on sending bills to you. Not the best solution I know but you have to do what you have to do. If you do have to go to the hospital don't let them upset you with the bills. And I have been told medical bills will not affect your credit.

If you don't get better please go to the doctor (or er).

I wish you the best!

MSM24-

Wrong on both counts. The bills never stop and yes, it does effect your credit. That's why the majority of bankruptcy cases in the US are for Medical Bankruptcy, something that doesn't exist in any other industrialized nation.

The US would much rather spend trillions on imaginery wars than care for its own people. Sad but true.

The only thing to do, as I've said is persue medicaide/medicare/disability options in your state under its rules. Either that or nonprofit care if its available.

I applied for medicaide but not likely to get it because I dont have children. We loose our jobs and insurance and the government does not give a rip. They have what they need.I cant get a job right now-I can imagine walking in the door wheezing and coughing and trying to get my breath and then asking to be hired. I have been a manager-I wouldnt hire me the way I am right now. So what do ya do.

And as far as billing-hospitals never forget you owe them-trust me. I get bills all the time-$3000 from being in the hospital earlier this year and $600 for the ambulance ride. And that was when I had insurance!

I have another question-I need to start using the treadmill,but I am not breathing very well. I am wondering how you all exercise? I was thinking I should do a treatment with the nebulizer before walking, then just walk even if it is only for a few minutes at a time. Is that what you guys do?

Thanks again to you all for advice,listening,and helping me through this!!

You are so right ! Do your meds first and then walk. Don't worry as much about the speed and don't do baby steps. Walk your normal gait which helps you keep your muscle tone and gives you a very MILD cardiac response. Muscles with good tone require less cell-level oxygen plus walking causes us to breathe a little deeper. The deeper breath helps us clear out old stale air & mucus that holds bacteria. I think walking helps me emotionally also..if nothing else it gives me different surroundings or at least makes me feel differently about myself. Go easy on bad days and add more vigor on good days. Hugs and smiles

I'm in the same boat. No kids, no help. No wonder everyone else at the welfare office last week was barefoot and pregnant - including some of the guys! I was offered $140/month. That's right. That's not enough to pay a single bill. And as far as medical - doctor's appointments and some prescriptions only - no hospital, surgery or ER , so what good is it?

American medical care sucks. Canadians and Europeans are getting all this, and much, much, more, for free as part of their taxes. Then again, they aren't causing unnecessary trillion-dollar wars either. Some nations chose to take care of their own, sadly America isn't one of them,believing generational genocide as being the cheapest final solution.

wow jerseygurl... All I know is from personal experiences.... i haven't received a hospital bill in over 6 months.... And as far as the credit... When my sister got a house they told her when they looked at her credit that medical didn't count. Sh e got the house and she had outstanding hospital bills. So IDK maybe it depends on where you live. Good luck to you all.

I tried to apply for help for my medical bills and I didn't qualify because you have to be almost at poverty level was what I was told.