I have asthma and get sick about this time of year. I have been coughing for 6 wks. Nebulizing 4 to 6 hrs and about to finish my second round of Prednazone . I also use Qvar 2x daily. My peak has been fluctuating between 220 and 340. I am hoping to feel better soon.

Lelajane,

Yeah, I also start deteriorating this time of the year. And as the copays are far too costly on my so-called "health plan," I'm going without for as long as I can hold out and hoping to last through at least Christmas/New Year's (at which time I'll dig into last year's stash which will be enough to get nme through spring at that point).

Anyway, while hospitalized last year for pneumonia, was introduced to an inhaled expectorant medication going by the generic name acetylcystiene. It is inhaled along with a brochodialtor such as duoneb. As it is sulfer-based, it tastes and smells like rotten eggs. But let me tell you, it clears out lungs in a hurry and can both prevent pneumonia in the first place and clear it up quickly once it sets in. Though you still might need to use inhaled, oral and/or injectible steroids, using acetylcystiene in the nebulizer at the first sign of a cold or worsening breathing can prevent a world of problems.

Staying on the allegra and flonase will help you. You should also keep a stash of oral pred on hand in case you need it (the 10-20 mg pills, not the low-dose methylpred crap). Also adding Singulair to your daily medications might help as this works differently than the allegra. Also keep Mucinex DM on hand and use it at the first sign of a cold/congestion. Lastly, get on Advair 500 if you're not on it already.

This is my advice. Take preventative action. As they say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Please post what you decide to do and how things are going or working.

Do you use a "real" Christmas tree. I found out a couple of years ago, that my usual Christmas cold was actually allergy to certain types of pine.

Usually I just put poinsettias and some other christmas greens around the house. But last year I didn't bring any live plants into the house. When I was healthy on christmas I was patting myself on the back, figuring I found my trigger. By around jan 3-4 I started coughing again. It is interesting to read other peoples stories and how they always get sick at the same time too. I know cold is a trigger, and smoke from neighbors fireplaces. I am really really starting to hate winters

I'm in the same boat with ya'll. My peak flows are dropping and I'm getting my usual winter hacking cough which lasts several months. Health insurance ends in December, so I'm in trouble. I usually get walking pneumonia too. I'm sure we'll be checking back more frequently as our symptoms remind us that we are, indeed, asthmatics!

Love to ya'll.
TGG

I spoke with my doctor about the usual persistent cough that I usually get, and she was rather alarmed. Having a cough for 8-10 weeks as I did once can actually cause scar tissue to develop in your lungs, according to her. Though I know it is tricky when you can't make it to a health provider due to the expense, do what you can to stop coughing...good luck as we go into this "hacking" season.

We stopped using a live christmas tree 4 years ago and my son Gage has gotten 90 percent better during this time of year. We keep humidifiers in my room the living room and his room going 24/7. He also learns that during winter to breath through his nose help warm the air before hitting his lungs. Other then that we are still doing good as the the 12th of December. I am loving it.

My Asthma has been bad for the past month, since november im using my reliever inhaler about 5 times a day and it's the only inhaler ive got. My Doctor reccomended i go see the Asthma clinic as i may not be controlling it and need more treatment for it especially with my GERD aswell. However phoned the doctors this morning to book the appointment and nothing till after christmas....... Typicalllllll

I have more problems this time of year than any other. The cold air sears my lungs like I'm breathing battery acid. It seems like nothing helps other than staying inside...

Been on DS for a month or so now, but only just thought about the asthma community when mine started playing up.
It's the season to be jolly, it's the season to be hacking' Mine started 3 weeks ago with a cold, got rid of it or so I thought, then 2 weeks ago, cold started, 1 week ago, cough started. 1 week in, back on my preventative and reliever 4 times a day and trying to keep it in abayance. Often using reliever more often than 4 times a day.
Gamz from your message guessed you were the UK as trying to get an appointment at the doctors is nearly impossible now adays !!!!!
All keep hacking well