stopped smoking and now asthma?

Hi All,

Last night was my first time in these forums. I have been battling fibromyalgia, but my question is:

I used to be a smoker. I quit in November when I had a sinus infection that turned into Asthmatic Bronchitis that I was hospitilailized for 3 days. Inhalers would not work. Since then I was having shortness of breath and blamed in on my lungs healing from not smoking. I went to a Pulminary Dr for PFT and he told me he wasnt sure if it is the start on enfusema or asthma. He said there was no way iit could be the result of quitting smoking. Since then(2 weeks ago) my syptoms have gooten worse. Last week i ended up in the ER because I felt that i could'nt get a breath in and had chest pains. The allbuteral made me worse and so did the advair which i had taken for 3 days. I went to a new DR and had the PFT re done -same results, showing brochial spasms.  have severe anxiety now from all my fibro issues, and I take xanax but am still having a problem. I am now taking singular(since Nov) and asamex and the replacement inhaler for allbuteral(no Shakes).

Has anyone else had these problems when they STOPPED smoking. I never felt like this when I did.

Hi Mich52

Perhaps your chest pains and breathing difficulties are related to the anxiety you are feeling about your fibro and changes in lifestyle (including quitting smoking - good for you!), and are possibly panic attacks.  You could check this out with your doc next time you make an appt.  I'd be very surprised if quitting actually caused you health issues, but hey I'm not a doctor - hang in there.

Deb

 efinetly sounds like you have Asthma. But I am no doctor either. But, I have done lots of reading about Asthma throughout the years.  Could be like someone said panic attacks. Your best bet is to see a doctor again.. That is my advice to you mich52. Good Luck let us know how things go, and what a doctor says okay have a nice day!!!.. Brandi..

Dear mich52: Without actually listening to you breathe & doing a peak flow test, I think you are experiencing air trapping which is common among both asthmatics & people w/emphysema. This will cause chest tightness & also it will leave you feeling as if you can't catch a breath. It is hard to get a breath because you have "dead air space" in your lungs & you need to get this out in order to get the needed oxygen in. The following are the steps to pursed lip breathing. Performing this on a regular basis will keep you from becoming short of breath.

Step 1: Relax your neck & shoulder muscles. Inhale slowly through your nose for 2 counts.
Step 2: Pucker your lips as if you were going to blow out a candle. Exhale slowly & gently through your lips for 4 or more counts.

Remember: Always exhale for longer than you inhale. This allows your lungs to empty as much as possible. Exhale during the difficult part of any activity, such as whenyo bend, lift, or reach. NEVER HOLD YOUR BREATH.

Regarding your meds: Make certain you rinse your mouth thoroughly when you take any corticosteroids.

Bronchospasms will cause chest pains also ... at times they can be so severe it feels as if it's a heart attack. There are meds available to control them ... ask your MD.

I commend you for quitting smoking. Your panic attacks could stem from not being able to catch a good breath ... everyone panics when it feels as if we can't breathe. You are on your way to better health & I wish you the best. Let me know if you have any other questions. I'm a respiratory therapist & do volunteer work for asthma pts, so I know how frustrating it is when you don't have all the answers. That's why I believe that when you have a medical condition, you need to learn everything you can about it ... knowledge is power.

The above is intended for educational purposes only & not as medical advice.

I'm sorry, but there's no way to answer this question, but you are definitely on the right road. Try to do the deep breathing on a regular basis and I feel sure that you will see an improvement. Good luck!

PegLeg,

Iwent to the Pulmonary Dr today . He did a blood gas and can't figure out why its shows that I was hyperventilating when I was'nt. He said he would have to talk it over with his assoc.and get back to me. The reading was 26. Any ideas?

Dear Mich52: Sorry it's taken so long in answering, but my son was sick & then I caught it. My face still feels like it's on fire, but I wanted to get back to you re/ABG reading. Did he say the 26 was your Bicarb? If it is, then the normal range is 22 - 26. That's still in the normal range, but could be possibility of slight hyperventilating. Also it depends on what you were doing right before the test (did you walk into the lab at a fast rate ... maybe hurrying to get to lab)? What was your pH level? That will tell a lot more and also what was your carbon dioxide reading? Have you heard back from MD yet? Will try to get back to you as soon as I can. Good luck!

Hi Mich-
Stay away from Advair (it is dangerous, you can check this out on the net) Asmanex is better. Anyway, I was a former smoker and quit about 4 years ago and developed asthma about 1 year ago. Let me tell you, it has been a nightmare. It is wonderful that you stopped smoking now. Now your lungs will heal. You may wan't an anti-anxiety medication that DOES NOT interfear with the respitory system. I panic when I can't breathe, everyone does. Sometimes, real hot coffee will open up my bronchioles but I always use my inhailer. Again, I had a bad reaction on Advair, it has been known to make broncial spasms much more severe!!!! Stay away from it.
Sorry your suffering so much, never hesitate to call 911, or go to the ER, they are here to serve you. etc. Take care -

My mom has fibromyalgia.maybe i could chat with you sometime and tell you about her.Keep me posted.Take care honey.


Age:13