ASTHMA AND WEAKNESS? CAN IT HAPPEN?

As of the past 2 months I've been having problems with breathing. Yes, I'm a smoker have been for 25 years. I've never been a heavy smoker always been less then 1/2 a pack daily.

Either way, I know one cigarette is to much and I should not smoke at all...I'm trying to stop this nasty habit!

I do not know if I have Asthma but I'm beginning to wonder if I have developed this condition because Asthma runs in my family, both my Mother and Father have it which developed (about age 50) later in their lives.

I've been feeling ill lately and I do have problems breathing as of the past 2 months. If I even take one puff off a cigarette it makes it so much harder to breathe. It also makes me very weak feeling as well, like I'm going to pass out.

Can Asthma cause symptoms such as weakness and an over all ill feeling?

Thanks,

Ark

Hi Red 34,

 I'm going to try my best and give it my 100% All to stop this nasty smoking habit!! I've never liked it from day 1 and I do not know why in the H*** I even started!!

If I go without smoking for several hours I can breathe alomost completely normal. Once I take a puff off one of those coffin nails it's back to not being able to breathe very well.

I have a doctors appt. at the end of July but I'm going to call his office and see if I can get in sooner. What kind of doctor would one see for breathing problems such as this?

Thanks for your reply,

Sabrina

(Ark)

Red_34 said...
Have you been to the doctors for this? Yes stop smoking would be the best bet to avoid this. I know, it's really tough to quit! Being short of breath (or asthma) prevents the proper amount of oxygen from entering your blood which can account for weakness. I had bronchitis not too long ago and even at the end, I would feel short of breath and suddenly feel weak as a kitten. I would use my inhaler and the weakness went away when I was able to take a deep breath again. But any sort of breathing problem should be addressed by your doctor.

Hi Red 34,

 Thanks for your reply.

I am getting ready to go to my primary care doctor. I called about an hour ago and I got in today! Appt is at 2:15 central time so I will let ya know what happens when I get back.

My insurance is Medicare/Medicade

Thanks,

Sabrina

Red_34 said...
It depends on what type of insurance you have. If you have an HMO then you would need to see your primary. But if you can go anywhere, I would recommend a pulmonologist. However, if you are not 100% that it could be asthma, usually your primary is the first place to start.

Ark,

No matter who you start out with, they are going to send you to a pulmonologist for all the tests you are going to need.  I have had adult onset asthma for about 5 1/2 years.  It's severe.  My allergists treats me.  I was never a smoker.  I have an aunt who had to retire from nursing because of her asthma, which went into emphysema.  Yes, she was and still is a smoker.  I am hoping and praying that you will be able to quit before this happens to you.  I serve on two committees in my community, one is a tobacco prevention coalition and the other is a committee to bring about a clean indoor air ordinance for out city.  Through this, I have found about Chantix a new smoking cessation medication that seems to work well.  I now have three friends on it and they are having great success.  You might ask your doctor about this, if you are ready to quit.

When my asthma is really bothering me, I am very tired with little or no energy at all.  If you have asthma and are not being treated for it and then add the smoking, I would imagine you would feel terrible.  I am not fussing at you, just trying to help you figure out what is going on with you.  I'm certainly not a doctor, but you could have other respiratory problems going on.  You definitely need to get into see someone ASAP and get the ball rolling.  Please keep us posted.

Good Luck!

Carla