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Im new and my asthma is spiraling out of control

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Posted 1/2/2006 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there,

Im new to the boards all. Glad i can finally find an active board in this subject.

Im a 26yo/f....

Amongst many other conditions, i suffer from asthma, and im allergic to pollen. Otherwise theres too much to list but you'll see me in various boards around here im sure.

Anyway, ive been having asthma attacks left to right in the last week. Ive suffered asthma since I was 21 years old, but not to an every day degree. i used to go many months before an attack and got them primarily only when i was sick like i get every year with bronchitis, walking pneumonia or sinusitis.Or in real hot or cold weather or when my gerd acted up or the pollen level gets high. Not too many attacks either- maybe like 1 or 2 before the stretch.

Now, I dont have any indication of those triggers and over the past week ive had practically 1 or 2 attacks a day on average. 2 of them were real close to calling 911 since I could hardly talk, the pressure was so great in my chest, i was wheezing like crazy, hunched over, breathing real shallow, and was dazed out. and I took my rescue inhaler more times then indicated since it wasnt working right away like it usually does.

whats scaring me is that they are so close together. I hate to admit this, but i have been a smoker since i was 19. i feel rather ashamed. i have switched down to lites since i couldnt handle full flavor about 3 mos ago. it used to not trigger me, but now i think its the root of all my asthma attacks lately.

i tried to quit so many times and i just keep on going back to it. ive been on every quit product you can think of practically with no luck. im starting to see reality that i could die if i keep it up after those 2 massive scares.

Im seeing my doctor tuesday or wednsday and asking for better alternatives for me to get me to quit because now i have to if i want to see the light of day any longer. it was the most foolish thing i could have done was to start out of peer pressure and a stupid bet between 2 people at 19.

Now,in between attacks ive been coughing up white mucus and i hear a tiny bit of wheezing still remaining. ive been more tired lately as well.

not good...

i came here for some mutual support and encouragement and a shoulder to lean on since this is scary for me right now.

im literally standing at the crossroads of my life at this point in the game and in my young life...

i hope i manage to quit before it is too late. :(
Posted 1/4/2006 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there and welcome to Healingwell smile Sorry for the late response but I've been under the weather lately with a nasty head cold. I feel your fear and frustration in your post. I whole heartedly agree that smoking is a no no (though I do it myself but I don't have asthma) and it's great that you are seeking ways to quit. Smoking is very difficult to give up but in the past I have quit myself for about 2 years and one of the things that helped me the most was to stay away from smokers even if it means avoiding your friends and family for 2 weeks. If they know why it is that you have to quit then I'm sure they will be more then accomodating and understanding and may even give you the support you need. It's the first few weeks that are the hardest.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Posted 1/5/2006 12:42 AM (GMT 0)
hi there

welcome to Healing Well from me too!!

Well done on your decision to give up smoking, it is hard, but if you are really determined, you will do it!!

As for your Asthma, you need to get yourself to your gp and get a complete Asthma review done, to find out why your Asthma is not under control, you haven't mentioned what other asthma meds you are on, (if any), you maybe need to try something else, or maybe a course of steroids

make an appt as soon as you can and put your mind at ease

all the best

sandra xxxxxx
Posted 1/8/2006 12:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Inspired...I understand how you feel. I'm 27 years old and female...I was diagnosed with moderate/severe asthma last Feb. Wow...just realized it's been almost a year! I'm sure I've had it a lot longer than that though...I don't traditionally weeze with my asthma...talk about an atypical symtom! Make sure you go see your doc asap about this. If you have a bad attack, go to urgent care (if there's one around) or the ER. I had one doctor tell me I would have died if I hadn't come in to urgent care. That was a big wake up to me. Since then, I don't hesitate to go...it's my life and your life we're talking about.

Are the only meds you have your rescue inhaler? I have three asthma meds I take daily. Advair is the one that I feel helps the most though. I asked my doc about increasing during the winter months since cold air is my biggest trigger. I also got a prescription for a home nebulizer. Even with all that, I still have to go to urgent care or the ER sometimes. Temperature dropped 20 degrees this past Friday and I had to go in after using the neb didn't help at home....did two more at urgent care along with oxygen and a steriod shot and I'm take oral steriods for the next week.

Yay for trying to quit smoking!! That's probably the best thing you can do. Smoke is another trigger of mine. I've never smoked myself but I have friends who have and quit and they have told me it's one of the hardest things they have done. I wish you all the luck in the world with that.

I hope you're doing well. Let us know!

Lil
Posted 1/23/2006 12:23 PM (GMT 0)
hey,

i just wanted to say don't panick! I'v got asthma among loads of other conditions and mine is totaly uncontrolled because of beta blockers i take to contol my heart untill i can get a transplant. I have at least 2 attacks a day without fail! nd am on more medication than you could list so just keep going back to the doctors and they will sort out a plan of meds that can help.i mean now i'm on nebs 4 times a day i am having less severe attacks so just don't loose hope and let it get ya down!

saz
Posted 1/25/2006 1:51 AM (GMT 0)
Hope you get some medical work up. It is very possible you have gotten additional allergic problems besides the original pollen allergy. You should really try to stop smoking...it is really bad for any breathing problem. I guess a bookworm like me will always recommend reading and there are some books on stopping smoking with lots of helpful hints at your library or at bookstores. You must try to get your condition under control. Advair is what I use and think very highly of it. There are other choices, too. I also use flonase (nose spray) and singulair. I had 20 years of allergy shots and have an allergy clear apartment. I feel mostly tired all the time which is my worse symptom. Good luck
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