New to the group......need some answers plz!

February 28, 2005

Hello All...I am 30 years old and have just been diagnosed with

asthma.....in the last month i have had 2 doctor visits and 2 visits

to the emergency room having a VERY HARD time breathing......im sure

everyone knows what i mean,,,almost to the point where you think you

are goin to die(what an awful feeling) i was told by my medical

doctor that my past yearly pulmonary tests have indicated that i may

have had the " onset " of asthma and it must have just gotten worse.

ive had 2 steriod shots and been on the steriod pack ...now i am

currently using albuterol inhaler and zopanex when needed...i find

myself having attacks EVERYDAY,,ususally in the evening that last

anywhere from 20 mins to a few hours...i struggle to get my breath so

that it makes my chest hurt and makes the muscles in my neck and

shoulders hurt.....then it will slowly ease off and im back to

breathing better.......my question is ,,,is this all normal to having

asthma..and if i am having attacks everyday should i still be some

sorta steroid or other medication to keep it under control...i dont

know much about asthma .....but i DO know that i am someone that

produces kidney stones as well ,,and i think i would much rather live

with kidney stones than asthma...this is totally terrible,,i cant

even go outside without having an attack.....any answers and support

will be very much appreciated....thanks .....stephanie

March 1, 2005

Hi June....Thanks for you information...its far much more than my doctor has given me. I want to explain why im so concerned .......for several years now only at times i would suddenly have a hard time catching my breath...usually it would be when i would lay down in the bed...then i would have to sit up and try and try to catch my breath,,well i wouldnt think anything of it,,it did concern me but i never thought asthma.....well last month same thing,,i went to bed one night and sat up gasping for air...this was on a sunday night ...well i was able to get to sleep by trying hard to relax..well the next day after getting up it hit me again....i thought well its got to get better....it didnt..went all day having a hard time catching my breath..to the point i couldnt hardly talk,,,get up or move around i was in the bed all day..well the next morning,,no better,,so i had my husband take me to the emergency room,,they tell me its bronchitus..although i didnt feel sick,,,i took their word for it..put me on levaquin,,sent me home ..and that friday i was NO better..still couldnt catch my breath....so i went to my family doctor .when i got there i was having such a bad attack i was having a panic attack along with it..crying couldnt breathe..im sure you know what i mean. well my doctor was trying to have a normal conversation with me and i couldnt even talk,he said it was asthma,,they gave me a steriod shot and a breathing treatment..sent me home...i was still having trouble catching my breath....i was so frustrated,,i didnt know what was wrong.......i couldnt figure out why it wasnt getting easier....well that sunday night,,same thing,,another bad attack,,i called my doctor that was on call,,,he said to go to the hospital and that he would meet me there....on the way to the hospital i felt like passing right out,,i was TOTALLY EXHAUSTED from tryin to breath..my chest was hurting so bad and my neck and shoulders....really scared my husband...ok so i get to the hospital where i have to sit in the waiting room like that for and hour and a half because my doctor never even showed up..never saw him..they were using those amonia strips to keep me alert..it was AWFUL.i really thought i was dieing....when they got me back they gave me 2 breathing treatments of zopanex and a steriod shot,,and a week supply of steroids..sent me home......and after a few days i was pretty much back to normal,,at least i was able to catch my breath..However now its an asthma attack everyday......i do have the albuterol inhalers and a nebulizer that i use zopanex....i guess it helps because my breathing does get better after about an hour or 2.......i dont want to be on steroids all the time.....like you said ive heard about bad effects from those too..I am changing medical doctors......and have a new appt with her next week.....what medicines should i ask her about? Advair? Singulair? u mentioned the Ventolin and Atrovent with the nebulizer? Im sorry this was so long..and i appreciate you takin the time to read and answer my emails.....the support really means alot.....thanks very much.......stephanie

Re: New to the group......need some answers plz!

Hi Steph, you have my deepest sympathy, you could be describing me too. Mild asthma all my life till 2 years ago when hormone levels started to drop pre menopause and I am now a Brittle asthmatic( out of control )and on so many medicines it is unbelievable. I have found the only thing that rescues me is a nebuliser, if you haven't got one get one. I neb Ventolin and Atrovent together, much more effective than inhalers. Also I have been taking Magnesium supplements, as all asthmatics are supposed to be low on magnesium and I feel I have improved on these. The steroids are bad news, lots of side effects and for me they haven't been that helpful at times. Are you on oral Prednisolone (steroid)? Anything I can help just ask, become quite an expert patient over the last 2 years. Regards from June in London UK >>> Hello All...I am 30 years old and have just been diagnosed with> asthma.....in the last month i have had 2 doctor visits and 2 visits> to the emergency room having a VERY HARD time breathing......im sure> everyone knows what i mean,,,almost to the point where you think you> are goin to die(what an awful feeling) i was told by my medical> doctor that my past yearly pulmonary tests have indicated that i may> have had the "onset" of asthma and it must have just gotten worse.> ive had 2 steriod shots and been on the steriod pack ...now i am> currently using albuterol inhaler and zopanex when needed...i find> myself having attacks EVERYDAY,,ususally in the evening that last> anywhere from 20 mins to a few hours...i struggle to get my breath so> that it makes my chest hurt and makes the muscles in my neck and> shoulders hurt.....then it will slowly ease off and im back to> breathing better.......my question is ,,,is this all normal to having> asthma..and if i am having attacks everyday should i still be some> sorta steroid or other medication to keep it under control...i dont> know much about asthma .....but i DO know that i am someone that> produces kidney stones as well ,,and i think i would much rather live> with kidney stones than asthma...this is totally terrible,,i cant> even go outside without having an attack.....any answers and support> will be very much appreciated....thanks .....stephanie>>>>>>>>

March 1, 2005

Hi June....Thanks for you information...its far much more than my doctor has given me. I want to explain why im so concerned .......for several years now only at times i would suddenly have a hard time catching my breath...usually it would be when i would lay down in the bed...then i would have to sit up and try and try to catch my breath,,well i wouldnt think anything of it,,it did concern me but i never thought asthma.....well last month same thing,,i went to bed one night and sat up gasping for air...this was on a sunday night ...well i was able to get to sleep by trying hard to relax..well the next day after getting up it hit me again....i thought well its got to get better....it didnt..went all day having a hard time catching my breath..to the point i couldnt hardly talk,,,get up or move around i was in the bed all day..well the next morning,,no better,,so i had my husband take me to the emergency room,,they tell me its bronchitus..although i didnt feel sick,,,i took their word for it..put me on levaquin,,sent me home ..and that friday i was NO better..still couldnt catch my breath....so i went to my family doctor .when i got there i was having such a bad attack i was having a panic attack along with it..crying couldnt breathe..im sure you know what i mean. well my doctor was trying to have a normal conversation with me and i couldnt even talk,he said it was asthma,,they gave me a steriod shot and a breathing treatment..sent me home...i was still having trouble catching my breath....i was so frustrated,,i didnt know what was wrong.......i couldnt figure out why it wasnt getting easier....well that sunday night,,same thing,,another bad attack,,i called my doctor that was on call,,,he said to go to the hospital and that he would meet me there....on the way to the hospital i felt like passing right out,,i was TOTALLY EXHAUSTED from tryin to breath..my chest was hurting so bad and my neck and shoulders....really scared my husband...ok so i get to the hospital where i have to sit in the waiting room like that for and hour and a half because my doctor never even showed up..never saw him..they were using those amonia strips to keep me alert..it was AWFUL.i really thought i was dieing....when they got me back they gave me 2 breathing treatments of zopanex and a steriod shot,,and a week supply of steroids..sent me home......and after a few days i was pretty much back to normal,,at least i was able to catch my breath..However now its an asthma attack everyday......i do have the albuterol inhalers and a nebulizer that i use zopanex....i guess it helps because my breathing does get better after about an hour or 2.......i dont want to be on steroids all the time.....like you said ive heard about bad effects from those too..I am changing medical doctors......and have a new appt with her next week.....what medicines should i ask her about? Advair? Singulair? u mentioned the Ventolin and Atrovent with the nebulizer? Im sorry this was so long..and i appreciate you takin the time to read and answer my emails.....the support really means alot.....thanks very much.......stephanie

Re: New to the group......need some answers plz!

Hi Steph, you have my deepest sympathy, you could be describing me too. Mild asthma all my life till 2 years ago when hormone levels started to drop pre menopause and I am now a Brittle asthmatic( out of control )and on so many medicines it is unbelievable. I have found the only thing that rescues me is a nebuliser, if you haven't got one get one. I neb Ventolin and Atrovent together, much more effective than inhalers. Also I have been taking Magnesium supplements, as all asthmatics are supposed to be low on magnesium and I feel I have improved on these. The steroids are bad news, lots of side effects and for me they haven't been that helpful at times. Are you on oral Prednisolone (steroid)? Anything I can help just ask, become quite an expert patient over the last 2 years. Regards from June in London UK >>> Hello All...I am 30 years old and have just been diagnosed with> asthma.....in the last month i have had 2 doctor visits and 2 visits> to the emergency room having a VERY HARD time breathing......im sure> everyone knows what i mean,,,almost to the point where you think you> are goin to die(what an awful feeling) i was told by my medical> doctor that my past yearly pulmonary tests have indicated that i may> have had the "onset" of asthma and it must have just gotten worse.> ive had 2 steriod shots and been on the steriod pack ...now i am> currently using albuterol inhaler and zopanex when needed...i find> myself having attacks EVERYDAY,,ususally in the evening that last> anywhere from 20 mins to a few hours...i struggle to get my breath so> that it makes my chest hurt and makes the muscles in my neck and> shoulders hurt.....then it will slowly ease off and im back to> breathing better.......my question is ,,,is this all normal to having> asthma..and if i am having attacks everyday should i still be some> sorta steroid or other medication to keep it under control...i dont> know much about asthma .....but i DO know that i am someone that> produces kidney stones as well ,,and i think i would much rather live> with kidney stones than asthma...this is totally terrible,,i cant> even go outside without having an attack.....any answers and support> will be very much appreciated....thanks .....stephanie>>>>>>>>

March 1, 2005

Hi June....Thanks for you information...its far much more than my doctor has given me. I want to explain why im so concerned .......for several years now only at times i would suddenly have a hard time catching my breath...usually it would be when i would lay down in the bed...then i would have to sit up and try and try to catch my breath,,well i wouldnt think anything of it,,it did concern me but i never thought asthma.....well last month same thing,,i went to bed one night and sat up gasping for air...this was on a sunday night ...well i was able to get to sleep by trying hard to relax..well the next day after getting up it hit me again....i thought well its got to get better....it didnt..went all day having a hard time catching my breath..to the point i couldnt hardly talk,,,get up or move around i was in the bed all day..well the next morning,,no better,,so i had my husband take me to the emergency room,,they tell me its bronchitus..although i didnt feel sick,,,i took their word for it..put me on levaquin,,sent me home ..and that friday i was NO better..still couldnt catch my breath....so i went to my family doctor .when i got there i was having such a bad attack i was having a panic attack along with it..crying couldnt breathe..im sure you know what i mean. well my doctor was trying to have a normal conversation with me and i couldnt even talk,he said it was asthma,,they gave me a steriod shot and a breathing treatment..sent me home...i was still having trouble catching my breath....i was so frustrated,,i didnt know what was wrong.......i couldnt figure out why it wasnt getting easier....well that sunday night,,same thing,,another bad attack,,i called my doctor that was on call,,,he said to go to the hospital and that he would meet me there....on the way to the hospital i felt like passing right out,,i was TOTALLY EXHAUSTED from tryin to breath..my chest was hurting so bad and my neck and shoulders....really scared my husband...ok so i get to the hospital where i have to sit in the waiting room like that for and hour and a half because my doctor never even showed up..never saw him..they were using those amonia strips to keep me alert..it was AWFUL.i really thought i was dieing....when they got me back they gave me 2 breathing treatments of zopanex and a steriod shot,,and a week supply of steroids..sent me home......and after a few days i was pretty much back to normal,,at least i was able to catch my breath..However now its an asthma attack everyday......i do have the albuterol inhalers and a nebulizer that i use zopanex....i guess it helps because my breathing does get better after about an hour or 2.......i dont want to be on steroids all the time.....like you said ive heard about bad effects from those too..I am changing medical doctors......and have a new appt with her next week.....what medicines should i ask her about? Advair? Singulair? u mentioned the Ventolin and Atrovent with the nebulizer? Im sorry this was so long..and i appreciate you takin the time to read and answer my emails.....the support really means alot.....thanks very much.......stephanie

Re: New to the group......need some answers plz!

Hi Steph, you have my deepest sympathy, you could be describing me too. Mild asthma all my life till 2 years ago when hormone levels started to drop pre menopause and I am now a Brittle asthmatic( out of control )and on so many medicines it is unbelievable. I have found the only thing that rescues me is a nebuliser, if you haven't got one get one. I neb Ventolin and Atrovent together, much more effective than inhalers. Also I have been taking Magnesium supplements, as all asthmatics are supposed to be low on magnesium and I feel I have improved on these. The steroids are bad news, lots of side effects and for me they haven't been that helpful at times. Are you on oral Prednisolone (steroid)? Anything I can help just ask, become quite an expert patient over the last 2 years. Regards from June in London UK >>> Hello All...I am 30 years old and have just been diagnosed with> asthma.....in the last month i have had 2 doctor visits and 2 visits> to the emergency room having a VERY HARD time breathing......im sure> everyone knows what i mean,,,almost to the point where you think you> are goin to die(what an awful feeling) i was told by my medical> doctor that my past yearly pulmonary tests have indicated that i may> have had the "onset" of asthma and it must have just gotten worse.> ive had 2 steriod shots and been on the steriod pack ...now i am> currently using albuterol inhaler and zopanex when needed...i find> myself having attacks EVERYDAY,,ususally in the evening that last> anywhere from 20 mins to a few hours...i struggle to get my breath so> that it makes my chest hurt and makes the muscles in my neck and> shoulders hurt.....then it will slowly ease off and im back to> breathing better.......my question is ,,,is this all normal to having> asthma..and if i am having attacks everyday should i still be some> sorta steroid or other medication to keep it under control...i dont> know much about asthma .....but i DO know that i am someone that> produces kidney stones as well ,,and i think i would much rather live> with kidney stones than asthma...this is totally terrible,,i cant> even go outside without having an attack.....any answers and support> will be very much appreciated....thanks .....stephanie>>>>>>>>

March 1, 2005

Hi Steph, boy do I know what you are going through, been there done all

that. Firstly the asthma can be triggered by a virus infection or

bronchitis etc. Your airways become hyperactive and the asthma takes

control. It is so scary to have an attack like that, in an emergency

situation I boil the kettle and stand over it trying to breathe because

the steam helps to open the airways. Likewise strong black coffee, the

caffeine opens everything up, the asthma drug Theophylline works like

that. Theophylline has been a good drug for me but can have side

effects. It can take a long time for your airways to settle down after

an attack like you had, I also find that when I'm bad lying down is the

worst thing to do. I try to sleep propped up and always on left side

because the right hand lung is bigger and therefore you don't want it

to be under any pressure as it holds more air (something to do with

heart makes left lung smaller due to space) I don't find Ventolin or

Bricanyl inhalers much use, the nebuliser is always first choice. Have

you been on any other antibiotics for lung infection, sometimes you can

have a persistant bug which aggravates asthma, ask them to do a sputum

culture for bugs. Levaquin might not be the right ab to use, depends on

the bug. If you cough up a lot of gunk, this can point to infection

although asthma attacks increase mucus production. Finally I am now on

a new drug called Seretide (Advair) and it is helping more than

anything I've had before so ask about that. You should also have a Peak

flow meter which measure your exhaled breath, it's like a thermometer

for asthma and can indicate how bad you are and if you need to go to

hospital. Bet you can't wait for your appointment next week, I hope

this new doctor is more helpful, I've seen good and bad and finding a

good one is half the battle.

Hang on in there Love June

> Hi June....Thanks for y

March 1, 2005