Asthma Support Group

Asthma is a disease of the human respiratory system where the airways narrow, often in response to a "trigger" such as exposure to an allergen, cold air, exercise, or emotional stress. This airway narrowing causes symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, which respond to bronchodilators.

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medicpeds 01/25/2014

I had a bad asthma attack the end of Dec. I am still having problems breathing. I have been on steroids and I have been doing a lot of neb treatments. I can't get in to see the doctor until Feb 6. I did go and get a breathing test, which according to the nurse I failed miserably. You would think the doctor would call me or change my meds or try to see me sooner.
I am trying to take it easy and stay out of the ER.
I am thinking about finding another pulmonolgist.
Anybody have any suggestions?

annettearizona 01/26/2014

Find another dr or call them back and remind them how you failed that test and you need to be seen sooner or atleast some new meds to try to tide you over till then

medicpeds 02/01/2014

I am still doing neb treatments. I have an appt. with the doctor on Monday afternoon. I need to breathe easier soon. Fighting to breathe wears me out. Monday afternoon can't get here quick enough.

annettearizona 02/01/2014

Do you happen to have an air cleaner?-they help

ThePinkLavender 02/02/2014

Have you tried doing saline treatments in your nebulizer? This helps.

redvelvetcake 02/05/2014

I would find another doctor. I too have stayed with a doctor only to find when I switched it was much better. They should get you in sooner! Sometimes, I have found you have to be firm to get what you need...and sometimes firm means unpleasant (not mean just unwaivering). It sucks that we have to do this sometimes for our medical care, but we do.

Also, I find hot lemon water with ginger helps break up the mucous and hot showers help me (have someone around in case you get lightheaded). So hot showers, hot lemon water, and a humidifier AND an air purifier. Keep the windows and doors closed and ban all pets (if you have one) from your sleeping quarters for the time being.

I also second the saline nasal treatments my two favorite brands are NeilMed and Ocean (the spray one). Also use a scarf to cover your mouth in the cold air, it hurts and makes me cough as well when cold air hits my lungs. I hope you find relief!!!!

ThePinkLavender 02/05/2014

Doctors do not listen sometimes to what you say to them. I do not wheeze and doctors say i am fine even though I am short of breath, then other doctors listen and they get it. They can be frustrating.

medicpeds 02/05/2014

Thanks everybody for your comments. I had my doctors appt. on Monday. I had a nice chat with her. It seems the office staff dropped the ball. She said if I ever get like that again I should call her. I have her pager number now.
I will try some of the things you suggested.
She put me on 2 new inhalers. I should start feeling better in about 10 days.

ThePinkLavender 02/05/2014

Good for you, what are the two new inhalers?

annettearizona 02/06/2014

Glad to hear your dr listened up and put the blame on his staff :)

medicpeds 02/06/2014

The 2 new inhalers are Breo Ellipta and Advair.

How can the insurance company dictate what you can and can't take?
I think she will have to replace the Breo one with something else. The copay for that one is 177.00 a month.

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