Re: New here and in need of alot of support - very very long

[Guest guest]

that what my dotor said sing alot .i walk alot at the mall .ride a bike also . hugs mary

[Guest guest]

Bronchitis doesn't turn into asthma...asthma is a chronic disease..you

always have it, even tho you may not always have the symptoms. Bronchitis

is an inflammation of the brochi...often brought on

by infection...every time I get a cold it turns into bronchitis and I end up

in the hospital on a nebulizer and prednisone...along with antibotics. You

really need to become educated about your

condition..there are several good books on asthma, and the American Lung

Association site is an

excellent source of education. Ignorance is a sure fire way to not get your

asthma under control. I suggest you not have any more children, either,

since it seems to upset your health and theirs.

Best of luck to you and happy holidays.

Sue

New here and in need of alot of support - very very long

Hi - My name is and I live in Twinsburg, Ohio.

I am in need of some asthma support!!!!!!!

I was diagnosed with asthma in March of 2001, but I feel that I have

always had the symptoms of asthma, at time trouble breathing and the

side of my neck hurting from straining to get deep breaths. I have

always been physically active, but stopped exercising about 2 years

ago, when Greg (my husband) and I decided to try for another baby. I

have rough pregnancies and exercising is out of the question during

that time. I have a 5-year-old daughter - Sara and a 5-month-old

daughter - Olivia.

Back to me.I get bronchitis very easily and in March of 2001, it

turned into asthma also. After months of trying different products,

my primary care dr. and I finally got it under control with a

combination of Advir 250/50 and Singular with Abulterol as needed.

In December, 2001 I found out I was pregnant with Livie. I had to go

off of the Advir and started seeing a pulmologist (sp). I was sick

from January on, and had a three day hospital stay in April. I was

on Singular, Pulomcort, Serevent, 10mg of Predizone, and Abulterol as

needed (which was almost daily). Things got really bad at the end of

June, when Livie stopped growing due to all of my medication. On

July 11th, I was put into the hospital again (I was having 2 dr

visits per week - watching Livie and I) due to her stress, and

induced on the 13th - Livie was born 6 weeks early, at 4 lbs 7 oz.

We are very blessed that she is doing well - One week in the NICU. I

was told on the 11th that I was in the hospital until Livie was born -

2 days or up to 6 weeks. This all took a toll on the family - but

we got through it. My drs were wonderful! After Livie's birth - my

asthma was back under control with Advir 250/50 and Abulterol has

needed. Well that was up until a few days ago - I am on my second

round of antibiotics for a bacterial infection and back on my

breathing treatments every 4 hours.

I am having terrible guilt about all of this - I feel that I am not

taking care of my family as I should be and I am terrified of getting

sick. Greg, my parents and other family keep telling my I shouldn't

feel guilty - but I do. It hurts me to think that Sara and Livie

will not know me with out breathing treatments, hacking, having to

rest. It makes me very sad. I feel bad that I am not the healthy

woman that Greg married. He will never do anything to hurt me, but a

little part of me worries that it will all get to be too much for him

too handle. I am probably not giving him the credit he deserves, but

again that is the guilt part I am trying to deal with. I was really

hoping that this was all a bad dream - part is not, and it is part of

my life for the rest of it.

I am trying to get back into an exercise program and starting Yoga

also. I have not been allergy tested, but I think I should be. The

triggers I know are cold weather and infections. How to you all feel

about allergy testing and exercise for asthamics?

Please any help that you can give me would be appreciated. I am sure

there are parts to this story that I am missing.

Thanks for making it this far - I know this was long.

[Guest guest]

Yes, that is very hard to hear - especially since I have taken

control of that with a tubal being done December 12th. As I told

Sue in an email off list. I didn't know that she posted her email

to the group.

> <<I suggest you not have any more children, either,

> since it seems to upset your health and theirs.>>>

>

> Sue, I know you said this out of concern, but it's painful to hear

> neverless....

>

> I had 3 children in 5 years and yes, it was hard on me , my health

and

> family.

> 10 years later I got pregnant and my husband ordered me to have an

> abortion or marriage.Let me tell you, I would go into the streets

> fighting for pro-choice.

> BUT, I could not do it. Had my lovely daughter and took life as it

came,

> 4 children, in a foreign country, no family to support me and

> yes..dealing with Asthma, plenty of it..

> Sometimes, some children are just meant to be born.

> C-M

[Guest guest]

Hi ,,

Your letter touched me, for 33 years ago I had a pregnancy like

that...in and out of the hospital either with laborpains or asthma, it

was a terrible cycle and the drugs at that time where not as good as

now.

All went well , he was born healthy.

You need a pulmonologist to monitor you and your drugs..and come to some

formula that will work for you.

I take daily Serevent and pulmicort, rescue inhaler as needed.

Also do some detective work and find out if there is something in your

diet or environment ( pets? fragrances?)that stirs up the Asthma.

I've got to agree with the chorus, don't feel guilty...all that will

just tighten up your chest and makes breathing harder.

Your immunity system also needs a boost, check out supplements that will

support your diet and system.

I am older now and handicapped ( broken hip) to do much exercising. But

I do, in the pool, almost every day in a program with Physical

Therapists. It has done wonders for me. However, I have to admit that if

the pool would be chlorinated, I could not do it, for I am very

sensitive in regards to breathing with chlorine.

Exercising in water ( not necessarily swimming) is one of the easiest

things to do if otherwise exercises are impossible. They will improve

your breathing.

Good luck, you have a lot ahead of you with 2 small children.

C-M

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I'm new to the group. I was diagnosed asthmatic in 1997 and it's been

an uphill battle to stay healthy. I didn't see anyone address

excercise, so I'll share what I've read and experienced.

Good exercise for us is of the " stop and go " variety; as in tennis.

Bad excercise would be jogging or any endurance activities. Our lungs

will react to prolonged physical activity (you know asthma is

sometimes called 'reactive airway syndrome'). If you choose an

activity where there are breaks and you can sit/stand still, it gives

your system a chance (even momentarily), to rest. I've had good

results with that.

Walking is good; you can go at your own pace and take rest stops as

needed - don't try to tough it out, you will only suffer for it. Take

the break when you need it.

There is one other thing I would really, really recommend to anyone

and everyone with asthma: SING! sING! sING!

The 'better breathing' techniques that you may come across are no

different from proper singing technique (i.e. belly breathing), and I

have had enormous success in reducing attacks and feeling much better

overall. so: join a choir that meets every week. stick with it and

go even if you might not really feel like it. Use your inhaler

before choir if you think you need to - in time you probably won't.

Sing! After a few months, you'll be glad you did. Look at it this

way: you can stay home and try to practice boring breathing

techniques, or you can join a choir and have a terrific time singing

great music.

Hope this helps you.

Bev

[Guest guest]

<<I suggest you not have any more children, either,

since it seems to upset your health and theirs.>>>

Sue, I know you said this out of concern, but it's painful to hear

neverless....

I had 3 children in 5 years and yes, it was hard on me , my health and

family.

10 years later I got pregnant and my husband ordered me to have an

abortion or marriage.Let me tell you, I would go into the streets

fighting for pro-choice.

BUT, I could not do it. Had my lovely daughter and took life as it came,

4 children, in a foreign country, no family to support me and

yes..dealing with Asthma, plenty of it..

Sometimes, some children are just meant to be born.

C-M

[Guest guest]

" After months of trying different products, my primary care dr. and

I finally got it under control with a combination of Advir 250/50

and Singular with Abulterol as needed. In December, 2001 I found out

I was pregnant with Livie. I had to go off of the Advir and started

seeing a pulmologist (sp). "

Why did you go off the Advair? I was recently switched to Advair

100/50 from Severent Azmacort and Combivent. My pulmonologist knows

I'm trying to get pregnant and that I had a reaction from Advair

250/50. I have been on the Advair 100/50 for about 4 weeks now. I

only have a slight sore throat and occassional white spot on the

back of my throat. But my breathing is fine and the sore throat

does not seem to be escalating like last time (lost my voice and

could not swallow). I'm very curious why you had to change a

breathing treatment that was working while you were pregnant. I

have been told that with asthma medicine and pregnancy it is more

dangerous to not take the medicine. Every time I have ever changed

medication there has been a few bad weeks. I wonder why they would

have you change if things were " under control " .

Best of luck to you.

(btw - I share my home with two dogs and a cat and my new

pulmonologist was fine with that - my readings without medication

for 2 days were within normal range. I'm happy to be in good health

after those frustrating five months.)

[Guest guest]

>. I'm very curious why you had to change a

> breathing treatment that was working while you were pregnant. I

> have been told that with asthma medicine and pregnancy it is more

> dangerous to not take the medicine.

>Every time I have ever changed

>medication there has been a few bad weeks. I wonder why they would

>have you change if things were " under control " .

yes uncontrolled asthma in the mother will diminish the amount of oxygen the

fetus will receive. this is thought to be more dangerous than the side

effects of asthma drugs on the fetus (if any). however if i was pregnant i

would ask to see some research concerning pregnacy and various asthma drugs

and pick drugs that have been around for a long time and are throughly

tested around the world.

indeed it is not a good idea to switch all of the time because steriods take

time to work, leaving you open for attacks.

while i was taking QVAR while pregnant, my dr offered me additional

ultrasounds and even a amniocentisis to ensure that the drug was not having

an effect on the baby. i did take the u/s but declined the amnio. both of

our sons are just fine.

*~*~*~*~*

Carolyn in ONT Canada

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I am usually pretty quiet on the list, but your post struck home with me. I too feel bad for not being able to be there for my family, for all they are missing out on- for different reasons other than asthma, but the feelings are the same for me. I guess its not actually guilt that I feel- I know none of what I contend with is my fault, but I do still feel so bad for the burden I place on my husband and my children. I also wish that things could be different. Don't lose hope- you should be able to regain control of your life- with your asthma causing far less problems than it is now. Find a good pulm dr and hopefully you will be able to find a combination of things that work for you. You do have the capacity to have a healthier life, and it is important to keep searching, to find someone who can help you. Life should get better for you, and after all the stress you have been through, perhaps it is the stress that is keeping your asthma flaring???? it can't be helping, surely.

In the meantime, it probably isn't important to your children how well you feel, or how much you cough. It's more important that you spend some time with them, and even if it can't be too much time, then they will be grateful for what you are able to give. I have found that children are very accepting of what goes on around them, they don't pass judgements like adults can sometimes do, and they also don't have unreal expectations of you as a person.

I know what you mean too about not being the healthy woman your husband married- same here, and I sometimes think my husband is a saint for putting up with it all. I know he wouldn't use that as an excuse to leave, but I wouldn't be able to blame him if he did. It must be so hard on him, and so frustrating.

I have been struggling lately, as well, with my feelings of inadequacy with my kids. I can't do the things they would like to do, and I can't spend the time with them that I would like to, and they need me to (or so I feel). I just feel as though I am not there for them anywhere near enough, and they miss out so much on things because of it. I'm sure given the opportunity, they would prefer a much different life- a richer life, but I also have to accept that they can't have that, and I can't give it to them. It really hurts me to acknowledge that, and I still haven't learnt to accept it. They are on school holidays at the moment (long summer break holidays cos we're in Aussie) and it is much more pronouned now, much more noticeable what they are missing out on. I guess I am grieving still- not for what I have lost, but for what THEY have lost. Life can be so unfair at times, and I just wish the path could be a little easier for my kids. I don't think they see it like that- they just accept it because that is the way it is. As I said, they don't pass judgement, and they are so forgiving- qualities that remind me how to be a better person. Don't judge yourself too harshly- quite probably your family has a different point of view to you, and your kids (and husband) would rather have you in their lives not so healthy, than not at all.

In the past, I struggled for a long time about how much I felt like I'd failed my family, how I didn't do or say the things I should have- but they still loved me (love me), and I have had to accept that despite my inadequacies, I can only do my best. I can't expect any more from myself, and I have to be happy with what I am able to give of myself. Hopefully you will be able to learn that self-acceptance too, and find some inner peace. I hope one day to find it again. Even if none of that helps you, maybe it will help to know you aren't the only one who feels like that, and wishes for a better life for their family.

Take care

Glenda

New here and in need of alot of support - very very longI am having terrible guilt about all of this – I feel that I am not taking care of my family as I should be and I am terrified of getting sick… Greg, my parents and other family keep telling my I shouldn't feel guilty – but I do. It hurts me to think that Sara and Livie will not know me with out breathing treatments, hacking, having to rest. It makes me very sad. I feel bad that I am not the healthy woman that Greg married. He will never do anything to hurt me, but a little part of me worries that it will all get to be too much for him too handle. I am probably not giving him the credit he deserves, but again that is the guilt part I am trying to deal with. I was really hoping that this was all a bad dream – part is not, and it is part of my life for the rest of it.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Welcome to the group. You will find help and support here.

I, too, was only recently diagnosed with asthma (summer of this year), but my doctor says I have likely also had it for years. Also like you, I have always been active, taking care of my crew of 11 children.

In 1994, I was pregnant with my last baby, and had a most horrible time with what I now know was asthma. I went to a doctor and told him that I was having trouble breathing, but he didn't check it out, and only chalked it up to hormones and pregnancy. He did check to see if I was anemic. I went to another doctor who only checked my thyroid. I was a basket case, and daily thought I would die. It was very bad. That lasted 4 months. Off and on through the years, I would have another *spell* , but not as severe as before.

Then, this summer, I got bronchitis, which triggered an asthma flare-up. That is when my current doctor diagnosed me. He immediately put me on Flovent and Serevent, with albuterol in a nebulizer 4 times a day. I felt better than I had in sooo long - actually had energy again. I had been sedentary since '94. Even though I was better than I had been for years, after a month on these maintenance meds it was apparent that I needed a little more help. I went on a prednisone taper. Wow!! Did I ever feel better after that, and I continued to improve for weeks afterward.

My medicine has been changed again. I am now on Advair Diskus 500/50, Singulair, Clarinex, Nasonex AQ, prescription potassium, and still on the albuterol in the nebulizer as needed, which is 4x day at least. Now, I am going through another flare, and will see my doctor tomorrow. I won't be surprised if he doesn't put me on another taper or burst. I had a steroid injection a couple of weeks ago, but it didn't help for long.

I understand your hurt at your children always knowing you as an asthmatic. I admit it is not easy to go from superwoman to chronically and severely ill. I liked being superwoman, and it's not easy to give up. I'm still fighting that. It's a blow. It does all seem like a bad dream, but on the other hand, I feel better than I have in years. It's just that I have to take so many things into consideration now : triggers, medicines, etc.

I know I need to have allergy testing, but since we have no insurance, that will have to wait awhile.

Thanks for sharing your story with us. We all need support and encouragement from those who are there.

Love and God Bless,

W