My asthma is driving me nuts!!! what else can I do?

34yrs old! Asthma since I was 12yrs old.  I am constantly in and out of the hospital. I take Advair, combivent, Albuterol, Singular (not all at the same time, but when I can afford them) but mainly the combivent & advair.  I was just in the ER on 3/15/07 for an attack. I see a pulmonary doctor next month. I can't seem to do anything anymore. I enjoy workingout but that is a chore.  I am so tire of fighting with this disease.  I need to know if anyone has tried breathing execerises and/or herbal treatments etc.. I have to do something different. I won't know what my triggers are until I can see an allergist, but I am constantly wheezing in the middle of the night and first thing in the morning and all day at work.  And that's another thing, my job I have missed so much time (but what am I supposed to do?) I just want to cry because I am at my witts end.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Try starting, with your home do you have a good hepa air cleaner,to start with, keeping dust down is a big plus. get some one to do a little spring cleaning using distilled vingar. get rid of carpets, drapes over the windows, main thing is keeping dust down in your home down! do you have pets, ! wash them daily,

I just wanted to say good luck...what advair are you on? could they up it?

I'll love my doggies enough for both of us... okay?!!!

I know how hard it is to live with asthma so I hope you find relief very soon.


Hugs,

tiercy

Dear Qadesh: Sorry to hear that you are having so many problems. I'm a respiratory therapist who specializes in asthma education. Breathing exercises is a must (in my opinion) for anyone w/any type of breathing problems. Asthmatics have a tendency to have air trapping in their lungs. A simple pursed lip breathing exercise will help rid the lungs of this trapping which inturn will decrease your shortness of breath & allow lungs more of the oxygen it needs. I wish I could demonstrate it for everyone, so I will simply say that you need to sit straight in a chair (or stand straight & tall); take a breath in & exhale for twice as long as you breathe in. Be certain not to hold your breath. When you breathe out, "pucker" your lips as if you are going to whistle. This controls the flow of the air out of your lungs. Contact you local American Lung Association & request a pamplet in breathing exercises. The Lung Association has numerous booklets that will be of great help to you in taking back control of your life. Ask for EVERYTHING that have on asthma. Take care & hope you feel better. PLEASE DO NOT TRY ANYTHING HERBAL UNLESS YOU SPEAK TO YOUR MD; MANY HERBAL MEDS WILL INTERFERE W/PRESCRIBED MEDS. Spiriva is a fantastic long-acting bronchodilator. It's taken once a day (in am) and lasts for 24 hrs. If you take anything w/Atrovent in it such as Combivent or DuoNeb, the MD will need to switch meds as Spiriva is a form of Atrovent and you would double dose. Spiriva gives 24 hrs relief where Atrovent only gives approx 4 hrs relief. Good luck!

Above info for educational purposes only & not meant as medical advice.