Anyone in here have asthma?

[Mitzi]

I have been diagnosed with asthma. It seems to be the underlying cause of my pneumonia. Only problem is the meds they put me on are zonking me out.
I have 2 inhalers for my lungs and a nasal inhaler Plus, I take a pill one time a day. My husband took me out to breakfast today and I felt so dizzy and sleepy. I sure am glad I wasn't driving. I felt fine when we left. I took my meds after eating and almost fell asleep when we went into a store. So, I can't drive and take these meds. They will have to find something else.

[Rule.303]

Mitzi, I had chronic childhood asthma.
For your info.... in Australia during the 1900's, many Europeans suffering from Chronic Asthma emmigrated to Australia specifically for the cleaner drier air, to help relieve their asthma condition. This means that Australia has a higher population of Asthma suffers per 100,000 than any other country in the world.

I will do some searching for you too, but may I suggest you do a web search for the Australian Asthma Foundation. They will have lots of info regarding asthma treatment and management. Possibly the best reference you will find.

[This message has been edited by Rule.303 (edited 05-30-2001).]

[kateykakes]

Mitzi,

I suffer from asthma terribly. Had it all my life. For the most part, I keep it pretty much under control, although there are certain triggers that will bring on an attack.

I use an albuterol inhaler (generic for Ventolin & Proventil), and also used an inhaled steroid, which keeps the swelling down in the lungs.

I take nothing that makes me drowsy. In fact, the albuterol, until one gets used to it, can make the heart race.

If you haven't seen an asthma specialist, you might want to think about it.

Good luck, Mitzi.

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"There's no place like home."

[This message has been edited by kateykakes (edited 05-30-2001).]

[Mitzi]

Thanks, Rule and katey. It's kind of weird to think this is asthma. It feels more like allergies. BUT, these aren't going away. I got pneumonia awhile back and was hospitalized awhile back. Lots of coughing, fever, congestion.
But, I seem to be over the worst of that. Now, I have lost my voice (My husband seems to like this aspect of this...lol) I'm very wheezy and I cough a lot. I go to a lung specialist next week plus I have allergy tesing. I have the inhalers Katey mentioned plus used Flonase, a nasal spray that works wonders.
I will look up the Australian Asthma Foundation, Rule. Thanks!

[JKT]

Mitzi, I was diagnosed with asthma about 12 years ago. I didn't follow the Dr's instructions at one time, and wound up in the hospital with asthmatic bronchitis. Now I do what he says. Fortunately, I only have the two inhalers (albuterol, and azmacort which is a steroid). I use the azmacort 2x daily and the albuterol as needed.

If you don't get relief, go back to the Dr.

Asthma, when not treated properly, can be very serious.


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Optimistic pessimist: Hope for the best, but expect the worst.

Jack

[email protected]

[Mitzi]

Thanks, JKT. I had asthma badly as a little girl then seemed to outgrow it. Then, in high school, it came back and I sure was miserable. Then, it settled down again. I had it again when my son was little. Again, it settled down. For 20 years, it seemed to be gone. But, these last few years have been tough, this year being the worse.
I had such a bad attack while driving, I had to pull over. So, I'm not driving right now for my safety and everyone else's on the road. But, it sure is a pain in the butt not being able to drive when I need to!
I have 2 inhaler's: Serevent and Pulmicort. And I have a prescription nasal spray, Flonase, that is like a miracle to me, it' so effective for my sinus's. And this seems like an asthmatic bronchitis. I cough a lot and have laryngitis.
Next week, allergy testing. But, I sure have been miserable these last 2 months, between being sick and not being able to drive!

[This message has been edited by Mitzi (edited 05-30-2001).]

[kateykakes]

Mitzi,

I use the Pulmicort and I KNOW that is what has prevented me from having attacks lately. Works very well.

As for my albuterol inhaler...I wouldn't go anywhere w/out it. I have one in my car, one on my headboard, one in my handbag. Better to be safe than sorry.

My son, Anthony has asthma also. He's been hospitalized twice, the second time, he was very near death. Things are now very much controlled w/him. Took awhile to learn what triggers his attacks (sports induced and the common cold, few other things here and there). It's rare now for his asthma to flare up, but I'll ALWAYS worry.

You might want to try checking out these sites, Mitzi:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/breath/breathhome.html
http://www.asthmanz.co.nz/medicinescontent.htm
http://www.aafa.org/asthmaandallergy...for_Asthma.cfm



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"There's no place like home."

[Treehugger]

Mitzi,
I have suffered from asthma, since age 10 I am now 16 what I found worked best is the preventative inhaler my doctor put me on also find out if you can be desensitized to your triggers(ie cats pollen etc.) you may have to get a needle once a week, but it is well worth it.

[Mitzi]

I go for allergy testing in a couple of weeks. Something has got to be done, that's for sure. I didn't have a lot of wheezing but my coughs seem to come from so deep inside me. My husband was really getting concerned, especially when antibiotics weren't helping. I've also been on a lot of codeine since March. It wasn't a choice but was my only option. Now, I take none and depend on my inhalers.
It really played havoc with my life. I couldn't drive and take codeine but sometimes I HAD to drive. So, I wouldn't take codeine and my coughing would drive me crazy. Mostly, I just stayed home, which was a real pain. My poor husband was having to drive everywhere.