Sudden Onset of Extreme Asthma

I'd like to start by introducing myself. (Only seems right, right?)

My name is Matt, I'm a 21 year old Datsun enthusiast out of Atlanta, GA. I've been suffering from food allergies and asthma for the last 5 years. I'm allergic to milk, wheat, soy, hazelnuts, and sesame seeds. I grew up as the healthy kid never sick and always active until mid-year high school when i developed food allergies at random 5 years or so ago.

I had been having slight breathing problems since then, but about 2 years ago after going to an allergy and asthma doctor, I was diagnosed with mild asthma. It was never a big bother, and didn't keep me too far back, but I never found a medication that worked well for me as a preventative. At the time, i didn't care as it wasn't bothersome to the extent that I felt I needed any medications. Over the last few months I've been having worsening symptoms and my asthma has been harder to control.

Fast forward to 5 days ago, and I've suddenly been having extreme issues with my asthma that I have not been able to control. I carry around Ventolin as a rescue inhaler but after an extremely bad reaction to it (nearly felt like I was going to have a heart attack) I decided it was time to go back to the doctor and re-asses.

I did another lung function text 3 days ago and tested at 89% which the doctor was pretty happy about, however we discussed my uncontrollable symptoms and he's decided that a daily inhaler wasn't working and put me on a once-a-day Singulair pill. I've also been given Xopenex, since it was a mild inhaler I found didn't cause the other symptoms caused by other inhalers. At the same time, they took some blood to check for an over-reactive immune system, but the results are still a week out.


My asthma over the last few days has become so uncontrollable that at this point, I get out of breath taking a few steps across my house for a glass of water and have to rest in between. Even my Xopenex doesn't seem to help with that, and I can't for the life of me find any hope in a cure. In fact, at this point the lack of positive news makes me wonder if I'm even experiencing asthma issues, or if there's another underlying condition causing my shortness of breath/asthma attacks.

They've become so prominent and hard to control that I feel as if there's no cure.


Any feedback anyone may be able to provide is greatly appreciated. I'd realty like to know if anyone has ever overcome what I'm dealing with now and can provide advice as to how I can get relief until results are found.

Sorry about the delay in responses everyone, I've been down from this and haven't hardly moved in the last few days.

Couchtater:

it has been a pretty nasty year. I've been for the most part okay, but the last week has been the most difficult of my life (Maybe I'm exaggerating, but I could not breathe at all.)

I will most definitely be willing to travel for a good doctor, since I feel like the two doctors at the Atlanta Allergy clinic in Austell just seem to be going through the motions. So far nothing they have done in two years has helped me.


Mayflower:

I actually did get the flu shot about 4-5 days ago, probably the same day I made the post on here, and I've been miserable since then.. It seems like all of my issues have been worsened by this years flu shot.
My inhaler technique is as recommended by the doctor, so I'd imagine I'm getting full benefit. I just haven't found an inhaler that's actually going to work for me. I don't get any irregular chest infections, at least not any that I've ever been diagnosed with.

Exercise is at a minimal for me right now, since my asthma is so uncontrollable I keep excessive work to a minimum. Although at work, I still manage to move thousands of pounds worth of batteries by hand so maybe I'm not doing too bad. My home is pretty clean, and no mold is present here. Fresh A/C system with a nice filtration system to remove a lot of the allergens/dust from air circulation.

My allergies are under control for the most part, but my food allergies find ways to surprise me from time to time. Companies always adding ingredients that shouldn't belong, or cross contamination. Those really have never been a bother to my asthma though.

I've been taking Allegra daily, however lately I've also had to take benadryl for other allergic reactions. In fact, the benadryl at some points even helps calm my asthma at night.

Ever since my flu shot though, I've noticed benadryl has been having adverse negative effects on my asthma. Enough to tighten my chest and cause asthma attacks regularly. I've also had issues with my inhalers not working and causing a lot of chest pain and in some cases, worse breathing.

Have you had a chest x-ray done. I would think your doctor would want to see whats going on if anything. I mention the x-ray because of the severe sob after walking a few steps you mentioned, Just doing a PFT is not going to explain whats going on. Hope you feel better. RB

I've been thinking it over the last few days, and it seems rather coincidental that none of the medications that they're giving me to date (I've tried 5 different maintenance medications and 4 different rescue inhalers) and none have had much of an effect at all on my asthma.

I've taken steroids as well but haven't seen much of an effect from them either at this point. I feel like I've possibly been mis-diagnosed or perhaps have an underlying condition?

I've been having worsening issues with asthma for the last year, but the last 2 weeks have been miserable and they've only gotten worse after getting a flu shot. I've been reading about other conditions that tend to mask asthma symptoms and it makes me feel more and more as if I may have an underlying issue, and my 'asthma' isn't the culprit.

I've also noticed it gets worse whenever I'm hungry. But maybe that's just coincidental.

Couchtater!! I think you hit the nail on the head. Yesterday morning I started taking Prilosec OTC and taking a few calcium tablets before or after big meals, and I'm feeling better this morning. In fact I didn't wake up at 5am sharp like the past few weeks, gasping for air.

Steps I took:
-Prilosec OTC
-Mucinex DM (Since research shows that GERD can cause excess mucus production in the airways)
-Bed elevated 6 inches on the head side
-Lots of water!

I still feel a little tight in the chest, but it's bearable now. Perhaps my other asthma medications will be more effective as the Prilosec starts to help? Assuming of course, that that's what is causing all my problems. But to be honest, I'm feeling very confident about this.


Tomorrow morning, I'm making an appointment to see my doctor that's a family friend, and see what he suggests doing.



Also, I noticed online that it states in a few places not to elevate yourself while sleeping with pillows because it can exacerbate the problem? (Something to do with the appendix I think?)
I daily drive a '76 Datsun truck, with a bench seat that would do the same and the last month or so I've noticed a lot of my problems start when driving my truck, so perhaps that's why? I'm really hoping so.

Joy is right, and that is my um ______ opinion lol

Also breath in WARM vapor from coffee it will help the asthma side

http://www.homeremediesforasthma.net/