
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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I'm just wondering...people here that have moderate to severe asthma, do your family members "get it"? Perhaps we can discuss this and if there is any easy way to harness understanding?
Is anyone pressured to do better? Get back to work already? Be accused of not wanting to get better?
You see, I have a history of depression and my family seemed to understand that better than this. Both are invisible to the naked eye...well, sometimes at least.
Any thoughts are welcomed on this subject.
Is anyone pressured to do better? Get back to work already? Be accused of not wanting to get better?
You see, I have a history of depression and my family seemed to understand that better than this. Both are invisible to the naked eye...well, sometimes at least.
Any thoughts are welcomed on this subject.
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Though this is probably not what you want to hear, but having dealt with this issue a very long time, I will try to save you a lot of grief and give you some very sound advice - the best thing to do is be supportive of yourself and not expect others including, or in some cases especially family, to do this for you. It is no more possible to "harness [another person's]understanding" any more than it is possible to make someone fall in love with you; this up to the other person, and not something you can make happen.
As far as "pressured to do better," again, only you can allow others to put pressure on you. While it might not be possible to "get better" in far as reversing lung disease goes, it is at least important to try, particularly if you can enter a pulmonary rehab program to strenghten and improve what remains. Only you (or you and doctors) can decide when to get back to work, but I can tell you it's better, and often a hell of a lot easier, than collecting disability, especially in the U.S.
Many studies have shown that asthma and depression go hand in hand, though it's difficult to determine which causes which and/or how they're linked, genetically or otherwise. While the academic debate continues, the best thing to do is treat these for what they are, chronic but managable lifelong conditions sometimes only visible to the naked eye as cellular changes under a laboratory microscope.
Living at home unable to ever get a decent paying job to suport myself, and having signed myself out of a hospital AMA this past year after being treated for pneumonia, only to go home to an absolutely filthy house and have to first clean it up before returning back to work within two hours to my regular overnight shift, I have learned not to expect anything of others, but only to expect more of myself.
If there is an "easy way" to coax understanding, I haven't found it. Best of luck to you and others in this search.
These are my thoughts and experience on this subject.
Never apologize here for ranting..it is good to have a safe place to rant!
You are right, Orson, when it comes to allowing others to control your own feelings, well they can't. I revealed I look to others for this and this indicates the huge amount of self-doubt that I feel. I'm in denial about having asthma and can't imagine my life like this forever after.
Thank you for sharing a little about you, Orsonwelz. You sound very strong and self reliant. I'm not quite there yet. I really do appreciate your thoughts.
Unfortunately, you cannot fire family and replace them. You can, however, do your best to communicate with them and educate them about this disease. What they choose to do with this information is beyond your control, but at least you tried.
I am so glad you found us here, though. Even though we may never meet each other, we are friends who care. This is so vital to my sanity right now. I hope it is for you as well.
If it's been a year since you've seen a pulmonologist, it's time to be re-evaluated, and this time by another one. There are plenty around. Get a recommendation from someone in your area, or ask for one from someone living in your region on this site.
You need to be put on an inhaled (Advair, asthmanex, etc.) steroid maintenance med, not just a rescue inhaler. Overuse of the rescue inhaler can cause your heart to go into overdrive. Pneumonia and serious complications are also real possibilities with uncontrolled asthma. Chronic bronchitis can also lead to COPD over time.
Your family will likely never be supportive whether you're diagnosed as having asthma or not, so don't pursue this by trying "educate and communicate with them." Trust me, complete waste of your precious breath. Instead support yourself by being your own advocate and seeking the medical help you need. No one is going to do this for you.
Once you find a good pulmonologist who will do the pulmonary function tests and prescibe maintenance meds, you will have a better quality of life. This is something your asthma-deaf family can't give you anyway.
By the way, I have no idea how PKU effects asthma. This is something you have to discuss with you new pulmonologist when you find one.
Good luck and post what happens.