Re: new

[Guest guest]

Thanks Anneliese for responding to my question.

This is all so new to me. I still guess you could say I am in

denial. But, I have had 3 doctors say the same thing so I just I

better get used to the idea. I have had this cough for about three

months and then my husband talked me into seeing the doctor. He sent

me to a pulminary specialist and yesterday I went to an allergist.

He was not able to do the tests then because I had taken allegra D in

the past few days. I will go in on Monday and have the tests done.

Do you know of a good website where I can learn a lot about asthma.

I don't really don't know that much about it. I have never had it

before. All I really know is that I am TIRED of cough. I get into

such bad spells I can't breath and will cough so much it ends up

hurting my stomch and I pull the muscules in my throat. This might

sound bad but I can even find myself wetting my pants because of the

cough.

Thanks for your help.

How long have you had asthma? Does it get better over time or worse?

Is it right for me to think that once the inhales start working the

cough will go away?

Thank you again for your time and help.

Bev

> > I just found out that I have asthma. I am trying to find a good

> > website to learn about it. I am on a few inhalers and am

livinf on

> > cough medicine to control the coughs. The cough can come at

anytime

> > during the day or night. I need to exercise but not cough. I

can't

> > figure out how to do that one. When I workout I get my heat

rate up

> > and then the cough starts.

> > Should I be nervous about having asthma?

> > Thanks for your time.

> > Bev You picked a good sight if you just want to talk just email

me i

> know whats its like to have asthma.I also suffer from gerd and

> allergies.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hello Bev,

My name is . I'm 33 years old and have had asthma since I was

7. I have been on preventative medication for about 9 years now.

I started with fast acting inhalers and other medications at age 7.

I'm a fairly active person. I take two dance classes a week, I

enjoy weight lifting, rollerblading, riding my bike and walking my

dogs. I do not exercise when I'm having a bad asthma day.

I would suggest that you keep a journal of your asthma attacks,

coughing fits, activities, medication and environmental changes.

Your journal may display a pattern of asthma attacks and coughing

fits and the journal may also help your doctor treat you.

Have you stressed to your doctor how bad your cough is? I have had

coughs like the one you described. I saw stars and my head

throbbed. (I have even vomited from a coughing attack). My doctor

prescribed a cough syrup with codeine which helped immensely, but I

was unable to drive while taking that medication. If your cough is

that bad you may consider asking for a cough suppressant like that.

For websites I really like discovery health – just type asthma in

the search section and read the articles:

http://health.discovery.com/

Here are some others I found while surfing tonight.

http://www.lung.ca/asthma/asthma1.html

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/asthma.html

http://asthma.about.com/

http://www.people.virginia.edu/~smb4v/tutorials/asthma/asthma1.html

http://www.lungusa.org/asthma/

Without proper care and treatment asthma can be deadly. If you

take care of yourself you can definitely live a very normal and

active life.

Basic helpful tips that I have learned over the years to control my

asthma:

Take medications as prescribed

Exercise

Drink 64 oz of water a day or more

Get proper rest

Eat a healthy balanced diet

Call your doctor when you consistently have to use your fast acting

inhaler more than three times a week.

Good luck to you. If you ever want to e-mail me directly you can

reach me at kali_gh@....

[Guest guest]

Bev,

You didn't give us much to go on, I was in my 40's when my chronic

sinusitis, turned bronchitis became Reactive Airway Disease (a form of

asthma). In cooler weather, I can pretty much do as I want. In hot weather,

I have to be very careful about outdoor activity.

What inhalers are you using? Have you seen a Pulmonologist, or just your

PCP? Are you using Singulair? Serevent?

I'm not a cougher or even much of a wheezer. My chest gets tight even a

little achy, and I get really tired when I'm having trouble.

It may well take a few months to get your asthma 'under control' (although

some of us never reach that point) but once you reach that level, you should

not have little trouble except during certain times of year, like pollen

season or hot summer weather when the ozone count is high. Go to the EPA

website 'airnow' for current forecasts during the 'ozone season'. Just type

'airnow' into your browser, it should find the correct site, if not e-mail

back and I'll dig-out the full url. Read the info there.

Today in Memphis is predicted to be at the lower end of 'Code Yellow', and

I would not be concerned about moderate physical activity for myself

(cutting the grass, trimming hedges, etc). Last Friday was 'Code Orange' and

I am very careful during 'Orange alerts'. If it gets above 'Orange' I avoid

outside activities completely. A day or two staying in the house beats a

trip to the ER anytime.

Will Sawtelle c);-}>

wsawtell@...

new

I just found out that I have asthma. I am trying to find a good

website to learn about it. I am on a few inhalers and am livinf on

cough medicine to control the coughs. The cough can come at anytime

during the day or night. I need to exercise but not cough. I can't

figure out how to do that one. When I workout I get my heat rate up

and then the cough starts.

Should I be nervous about having asthma?

Thanks for your time.

Bev

[Guest guest]

Hi and welcome to the group.

If you are newly diagnoised and just starting on

inhalers I have a couple tips for you. Ask your

pharmacist about a cough syrup that is just

Guaifenesin (hope I spelled it correctly) It controls

the cough without any extra things you don't need.

For about a week don't exercise. Get the cough under

control and get a routine going with your medications.

Asthma is a deadly condition and it needs to be

controled. The coughing is generally a sign that the

asthma is not under control.

And if you smoke-STOP!!!

Once you have the asthma and that coughing under

control you can slowly go back to exercising and be

back to your routine.

I've been living with asthma for almost 20 years now

and when I'm under control I live a normal life but

when it flairs-I have to get it back under control

very quickly or it is ER time. Hope this helps some.

Char

--- beverlybcook wrote:

I need to exercise but not

> cough. I can't

> figure out how to do that one. When I workout I get

> my heat rate up

> and then the cough starts.

> Should I be nervous about having asthma?

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Oh you do sound like me back a number of years ago.

The coughing, pants wetting, MDs. I found that the

allergist was a total waste of time and money. Not to

mention the fact that following a day of tests I ended

up in the ER with an asthma attack.

I used to cough so bad that I actually cracked a rib!!

I have scar tissue on my rib cage from pulling those

muscles. I thought I'd never stop coughing. Once I

ended up in the ER because a spell caused me to vomit

so much I was dehydrated and so exhaused that I just

could hardly move. Hope you get the coughing under

control soon.

There are some sites but I've found that so many sites

just give you general information and not information

relating to women. Asthma is a different game for

women than for men and young children.

I found a female MD that listened to me and gave me

some great help as well as a pulmunary MD whose's wife

suffered terrible. Together we have found lots about

it and learned. He has done several articles on my

case.

--- beverlybcook wrote:

> Thanks Anneliese for responding to my question.

> This is all so new to me. I still guess you could

> say I am in

> denial. But, I have had 3 doctors say the same

> thing so I just I

> better get used to the idea. I have had this cough

> for about three

> months and then my husband talked me into seeing the

> doctor. He sent

> me to a pulminary specialist and yesterday I went to

> an allergist.

> He was not able to do the tests then because I had

> taken allegra D in

> the past few days. I will go in on Monday and have

> the tests done.

> Do you know of a good website where I can learn a

> lot about asthma.

> I don't really don't know that much about it. I

> have never had it

> before. All I really know is that I am TIRED of

> cough. I get into

> such bad spells I can't breath and will cough so

> much it ends up

> hurting my stomch and I pull the muscules in my

> throat. This might

> sound bad but I can even find myself wetting my

> pants because of the

> cough.

> Thanks for your help.

> How long have you had asthma? Does it get better

> over time or worse?

> Is it right for me to think that once the inhales

> start working the

> cough will go away?

> Thank you again for your time and help.

> Bev

>

>

>

>

>

> > > I just found out that I have asthma. I am

> trying to find a good

> > > website to learn about it. I am on a few

> inhalers and am

> livinf on

> > > cough medicine to control the coughs. The

> cough can come at

> anytime

> > > during the day or night. I need to exercise

> but not cough. I

> can't

> > > figure out how to do that one. When I workout

> I get my heat

> rate up

> > > and then the cough starts.

> > > Should I be nervous about having asthma?

> > > Thanks for your time.

> > > Bev You picked a good sight if you just want

> to talk just email

> me i

> > know whats its like to have asthma.I also suffer

> from gerd and

> > allergies.

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I am sorry I thought Advair is MDI (I never used).you cannt use advair

with spacer. but I have tried serflo,same combination but in MDI form,but it

gave shaking,so I stopped using.you do yoga,wonderful,once upon a time I

also did,IMMM!!! life has changed much!!!

Many Greetings,

Senthil Kumar.S.

> I thought they didn't recommend spacers with Advair.  I went back to

> my old inhalers for now, as I have a show tomorrow night.  My Asthma

> symptoms were so much better with the Advair.  I really hate the

> feeling of the sore throat though.  I'm actually only taking the

> smallest dose and have been rinsing with water religiously, even

> gargling.  I'm sure that because of all the singing I do, I'm

> probably more susceptible to the throat related side effects. Think

> of all the energy moving through my throat and into my sinus/mask

> area.  Have got belief, do yoga religiously, but also feel as though

> I'm working through stuff in that region of my body. It feels as if

> the sore throat is less intense today.  Thank you for responding.

> Cheers,

> Kalyco

>  

>

> > >But I've got a bad sore throat from it and as a

> performing                                    

> > >singer I worry about the dysphonia, but more the irritation to

> my                                      

> > >throat.  My throat has to feel good or I worry that it might be

> from                                   

> > >my singing, but it's definitely from the advair.  And I'm careful

> to                                   

> > >rinse my mouth after each

> inhalation.                                                          

>        

> >

> >  please use spacer and spit out with water or with good mouth wash.

> > adjust use dose before brushing.what is the dose your taking?

> probably

> > once Asthma comes into control,you can reudce the dose.it may help,

> > throat infection is due to fluticasone,you can try less

> > potent steroids like beclomethasone,it maynot give infection.

> > nothing is still working then pray to god,ofcourse if you have

> belief!!!

> >

> > Many Greetings,

> > Senthil Kumar.S.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Senthil,

Neither Advair nor Serevent, nor Pulmicort can be >dose adjusted<

They strictly work by taking them 2 times a day, if you have an attack

or not.

It really can mess you up if you do not take it regulary like and even

worsen your asthma.

C-M

[Guest guest]

Kalyco,

This is just a guess and totally unscientific...

But how about a small spoonful of honey or a slippery elm lozenge before

you take the inhalers, than gargling good with a mild salt water?

Both honey and slippery elm, would coat your throat, so that the meds

from the inhalers might not be able to aggravate the throat surface..

As I said, just a hunch, but for a singer, maybe it's worth a try..

Several people in my friends family in Germany are professional singers

and I know they all take a gargle with honey/lemon before performances..

Also, should you live in the LA area, check out the Middendorf breath

work people, ( google) for them.

Designed by Prof. Ilse Middendorf, this form of manipulation to open

the chest was originally designed by her as an aid to professional opera

singers. I've been the beneficial of one of those treatments when

having a real hard time breathing and wish I could have one of those

practitioners in my pocket at all times..

LA is just too far away for me, but regular visits to a practitioner

could do wonders for a singer. It takes two people to do this

sucessfully,one can only learn supporting exercises.

C-M

[Guest guest]

Hi Kally, I've been in northern Cal 1-1/2 years and was diagnosed

with asthma about 8 months ago. My Dr. put me on Advair and within a

week I lost my voice. My Dr. thought it was from the inhaler itself

and changed me over to a disk dispenser that gets the powder in your

lungs by inhaling on your own (there is no spray of air). I still

lost my voice but since the advair worked well for you maybe you

could try the disk dispenser and see if it works for you??? (At the

time I was so desperate I considered staying on it and just giving

up talking!)

Did you get tested for Allergies yet?...Also cold air as well as

acid reflux can be setting your asthma off at 3am.

This is a great group. I hope the feedback you get from everyone

helps you on your journey to feeling better as much as it has me!

Marge

> Hi, I'm new. I've had asthma ever since moving to Northern

> California. It's pretty frustrating. I usually wake up wheezing

and

> have bad night sweats. I think I'm having attacks around 3am or

so.

> I initially figured it out when I would be sitting at my computer,

> gasping for air.

>

> I've been taking Advair for 10 days now, and just love the

> improvement. Stopped sweating and the wheezing has gotten so much

> better. But I've got a bad sore throat from it and as a

performing

> singer I worry about the dysphonia, but more the irritation to my

> throat. My throat has to feel good or I worry that it might be

from

> my singing, but it's definitely from the advair. And I'm careful

to

> rinse my mouth after each inhalation.

>

> So I guess it's back to serevent and flovent although, I don't

really

> think they were doing that great a job. Any suggestions?

> kally

[Guest guest]

Hey Marge,

Thanks for your note! I can't do anything that would compromise my

voice. I performed last night at Tapas and had a great 1 hour and

1/2 show. I may end up having another performance on Friday - and

consider my voice to be one of my best assets. I was using the disc

dispenser. It's okay - I think I may need to check in with a

specialist to see if there's anything I can do to get it under better

control. I am sure that allergies have alot to do with it. I had

bad allergies in Florida, but no asthma. Here my allergies are

significantly worse. Shots would probably be the best idea.

Cheers,

Kally

> > Hi, I'm new. I've had asthma ever since moving to Northern

> > California. It's pretty frustrating. I usually wake up wheezing

> and

> > have bad night sweats. I think I'm having attacks around 3am or

> so.

> > I initially figured it out when I would be sitting at my

computer,

> > gasping for air.

> >

> > I've been taking Advair for 10 days now, and just love the

> > improvement. Stopped sweating and the wheezing has gotten so

much

> > better. But I've got a bad sore throat from it and as a

> performing

> > singer I worry about the dysphonia, but more the irritation to my

> > throat. My throat has to feel good or I worry that it might be

> from

> > my singing, but it's definitely from the advair. And I'm careful

> to

> > rinse my mouth after each inhalation.

> >

> > So I guess it's back to serevent and flovent although, I don't

> really

> > think they were doing that great a job. Any suggestions?

> > kally