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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Chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath

DarknessEmbraced
DarknessEmbraced
I've been battling a cold since Saturday. It's made my asthma really bad so I've gone to the yellow zone on my asthma action plan. My medications are doubled and sometimes I take benylin complete. (cough suppressant with mucus thinner) Today, despite the extra medication I have chest pain, dizziness and persistent shortness breath. Even the extra ventolin doesn't seem to help for long. I have really bad allergies and take reactine. I've taken the full dose of it today. Is there anything else I can do? I don't have a nebulizer and I want to try to avoid the ER if I can. I really don't want to go on prednisone again.
thelmanlouise
thelmanlouise
How long is your rescue inhaler working for ? How often are you using it?
My standbys are if using rescue meds (inhaler of neb) every 4 hrs. x 24 hrs. and not improving, steroids are next. I have tried the "hold out until last minute" of steroids and it hits me hard EVERYTIME! Then I end up using them at higher doses and a longer period of time. Can you get a home nebulizer? Such an inconvenient waste of time and money to go to ER for something that can be done at home :(

I hope you feel better soon! My allergies have been hitting me hard this season also.
Carol :)
DarknessEmbraced
DarknessEmbraced
The past few days I was using my ventolin(rescue) every four hours. Today, the congestion is a little less but still a little short of breath and tired. I've used my ventolin less today but feel the congestion building again. Is it ok to use cough suppressant/mucus thinning medication? When I do cough it doesn't really bring anything up. I found the mucus helped break up the mucus at least somewhat. I'm seriously thinking of asking to get a home nebulizer. Thanks Carol!
thelmanlouise
thelmanlouise
Mucous thinning meds do help (for some), I think they help me with my colds.
Plenty of fluids also, water based to help the mucous meds do their job. Stages of my cough are usually tight, very tight then loosen with steroids. Maybe your primary care doc should check you out before the long weekend? Then they can hook you up with a home neb too :)
I hope you are feeling better soon!
You are welcome :)
Carol
laurie32
laurie32
I think you should get a neb. They really work good and clear your lung up. You should drink enought water and maybe some tea. Try to eat some soup or something hot. Sometime when I eat something cold like I've cream I sometime have a asthma attack. Try to stay away from things that can make your asthma more bad. Try to get enought rest and take it easy. I hope you feel better.
DarknessEmbraced
DarknessEmbraced
Thanks for the wonderful suggestions Laurie! I'm feeling better. I think this cold is still around though. I have to be careful it doesn't get worse again. Hot soup and drinking lots of water really does help. :)
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