attack of the century

Hi everyone.  it's been quite a while since i've posted but i have just had the worst experience of my life (and i've had some pretty bad ones). anyway, my asthma has been under control for the past couple of months and i've only had to use my rescue inhaler maybe once or twice a week.   but about two weeks ago i got what i thought was a really bad cold.  for some reason my asthma went out of CRAZY.  everything would cause it to flare-up. 
i live on the second floor of my dorm (i'm in college) and one day by the time i was halfway up the stairs i was literally GASPING for breath (which I knew was bad b/c i'm in very good shape).  i used my rescue inhaler and my nebulizer, neither of which worked.  i started to panic (which made it worse) and my roommate called 911.  it took them 30 mins to get to my dorm (i'm told there was a back-up).  by the time they arrived i was hardly moving any air and trying not to pass out from fatigue (by this time it had been an hour since the start of the attack). 

when i got to the hosp. one of the doctors gave me too much adrenaline which sent me into cardiac arrest ( i also have a heart condition).  Needless to say I was in the hospital for more than a week trying to get both my asthma and heart stabalized. it turns out i had pneumonia.  Im now in prednisone and a million other things. 

im still really wheezy and i feel like i can't get enough sleep.  i know im just need to relax but im anious that i'll have another attack.  i felt like i was finally getting everything under control and now this.  i know it sounds a little vain but i don't want to gain weight like i did last time i was on steroids.  that's hard being in school

i just wanted to know if anyone else has had those worries after a severe attack.

thanks for letting me vent everyone

Jazz

Dear Jazz,
What a horryfying experience. Try to find a really good pulmonary MD that you can call when you get the first symptom. I know that you will heal and then you can take action to find the most helpfulMD who can get you thru this without first almost killing you.
I too am sensitive to adrenaline and without a heart problem would most likely have gone into cardiac arrest if someoneadministered too large a dose.

I truly believe we have to be very pro active with our own health ,research and find the best and least toxic way to manage your breathing.Prednisone orally has many problems.

All the best and hugs
Elder Power,
Breath Power

thanks everyone for your encouragement.  i have been to see a pulmonologist and a cardiologist in this area.  they are working together to help keep my asthma and long qt syndrome under control. Long qt causes arrhythmias and fainting.  im on a 24-hour holter moitor which will help monitor my heart's reaction to my new asthma meds and beta-blockers.

i am starting to feel a little better.  im still having a LOT of shortness of breath and continuous wheezing but nothing compared to last week. i can talk in complete sentences now, BIG improvement.  im just ready to take a nice, big, long, uninhibited, DEEP breath.  im also not feeling as many heart palpitations or arrhythmias as before, a sign that my heart can take the meds.

im feling better about the whole situation too.  im just trying not to stress about school.  i've already missed 2 and a half weeks and it doesn't look like i'll be able to go back to classes for at least another week or two. My teachers are being very understanding and Lord knows i don't need anymore stress.  At least i have LOTS of time to do homework and study.

Thanks again for you continued suppport.

Jazz