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.
Last may I was diagnosied with allergies and "mild" asthma. For years as kid I had strep throat like symptoms, but according to the quacks-"not sick enough". Now I think it was allergies/asthma.
On Christmas Eve had an asthma attack out of the blue, the doc thinks I already had inflamation. Did not go in till this past Monday (was out of town). He put me on 20 mg of Prednosine one tablet a day, antibitotic, advair and of course my rescue inhalor. Also had a steriod shot. Also on narcotic cough suppressant. HOWEVER its not doing enough.
After 60 hours I am still struggling with my breath and chest pain. Will be calling him in the morning. I have a dear close cousin who is worse than me and i have seen him, so I am not too concerned, but I want this under control, this is the worse my asthma has ever been.
On Christmas Eve had an asthma attack out of the blue, the doc thinks I already had inflamation. Did not go in till this past Monday (was out of town). He put me on 20 mg of Prednosine one tablet a day, antibitotic, advair and of course my rescue inhalor. Also had a steriod shot. Also on narcotic cough suppressant. HOWEVER its not doing enough.
After 60 hours I am still struggling with my breath and chest pain. Will be calling him in the morning. I have a dear close cousin who is worse than me and i have seen him, so I am not too concerned, but I want this under control, this is the worse my asthma has ever been.
Perhaps the prednisone isn't a high enough dose. In my own experience, I note that once my breathing gets to the wheezing point, inhalers and albuterol can't do it alone. Usually a 40mg dose of Pred or higher in combination with the inhalers is required to bring me back. With that dosage or higher, I usually respond quickly - hours to a day. Yet, even with that, it may take a week or more to 'get' back to normal breathing, sometimes as long as a month if I was given steroids via injection or via a drip i.e. a really bad episode.
Have you had a pulmonary workup? You may also be experiencing acid reflux which can exacerbate asthma symptoms. The rich foods and drink together with the stress of the holidays can bring that on.
Best of luck. Hope you and your doc get the right mix.
And no I have not had a full pulmonary workup yet, this was diagnoised in May and we've been treating the alleriges, but now we know (or at least I know) its as much allergies as it is asthma.
A pulm workup can tell you a lot about your breathing problems and sometimes help direct, or redirect the treatment options.
After an initial diagnosis it is very frustrating to flesh all the possible breathing issues out., but stick with it.
Also I have not have any blood work done yet, I am thinking I want to push for that to see what I am allergic to .
Thanks
I also wonder about only 20 mg of predesione once a day for 5 days, is that too little, seems like they have had me on higher doseage longer before....
Last night was BAD. I took two treatments of albuterol on the nebulizer before bed. Called my doc this morning, he sent me in for chest x-rays. When the radiologists report came back I went to see him. WHAT A SCREWBALL. He asks twice if I was taking the advair-DUH! Then he goes, okay what has improved I give him a strange look and said-nothing to which replied What has gotten worse? Then I tell him about the shortness of breath. He shrugs it off and asks how the pain and cough has been-same then he asks about the phlem, mostly clear To which I feel he based his findings on-good that means you are getting over it, it is just taking a long time because of the asthma and allergies. He went on to explain the x ray and how he was looking to make sure it was nothing serious (okay shortness of breath-nothing serious got it) and claims I have bronchitis and to keep doing everything I am doing. He changed the cough med. When I asked him about the nebulizer treatments he said they were for kids. Silly rabbit.
Current:
Since Monday I have been on SMZ/TMP DS 800-160 twice a day for the infection, Advair 250/50 twice a day for the inflammation, Prednisone 20 mg 1 a day for the inflamtion, zamicet 10-325 for the cough. Normal daily meds are Loratadine 10 mg twice a day for allergies, Flonase once a day for allergies, zantac 150 twice a day for GERD and then some as need meds for cluster headaches and anxiety.
Plan: Since my cousins last hospitalization last February he has been seen by one pulmonologist who has worked wonders, he still has some rough patches, and the worse allergy season is yet to come, but they listen, have him on preventive meds, an asthma action plan and once caught him having problems he didnt even know yet. So they upped his meds. It seems like each time we go they change the meds, up or down depending on the season and how he is doing. Although he is pediatric he does treat adults ( I checked to make sure my cousin would not be changing docs in two years since he is over 16). Thus I want to call and make an appointment. So far I have went through this without insurance and should by end of the month have insurance.
I have already called my last doctor to get medical records, I should have asked today at my current one but I was mad. I will take all this to the pulmonologist and record what meds are working and what is not. In the mean time if I have another bad episode like last night I will either head to urgent care or emergency room. Another part of all this is I have been fighting this for two years, now a year nonstop basically and its making me depressed and Im not sure how much more fight I have.
Anyway, any advice is welcomed, DS always helps me.
Asthma is very frustrating. The general population thinks it's all in your head and the remainder have a 'cure' involving their Grandmother's mustard pack and Beverly Hillbilly diets and potions.
Hang in there!
I ended up in hospital because of asthma 5 times last year. I'm on oxygen 24/7 now and told I have COPD.
I saw an allergist that did all kinds of test and recommended xolair shots every two weeks. These shots are suppose to stop allergy and asthma attacks before they happen.
I think they help and my lungs and airways just need a chance to recover and I hope to be off the oxygen soon.
The only problem with these shots are they are extremely expensive so you do need to have insurance or get the drug company to pay for them.
Sending Hugs & Prayers that you have better luck with this new lung doctor.
I also think 20 mg of prednisone is too low with all you have going on. That's what kept happening too me they would tapper me down to quickly so my asthma would just get bad all over again.
You do have to becareful with the prednisone it does have all kinds of side effects. For me it sends my blood sugars sky high and I sometimes have to take insulin.
Good Luck
I know, I have no doubt, that if I really begin going down that road that I will seek out help. But I am sitting here running it through my mind, I go to the ER they ask whats wrong and I tell them I want to kill myself because i have asthma. They're gonna think I'm an idiot. But honestly, the pain, the headaches, the shortness of breath, now voice problems, the restlessness...come on it can't continue like this, either it improves or I seek help.
Well I;m gonna go back to counting sheep.
We all need external assistance at times with this chronic condition that can wear you down over time.
I,m wishing you all the best.