How do you know when to go in for a breathing treatment?

Question

I am asthmatic and I currently have a bad chest cold, I lost my voice yesterday,and I am very congested today. When I first got up, my peak flow was only about 100, after an inhaler, it is now 300, but I still feel really congested.

Answer 1

Asthmatics need to work harder at preventing infection. You need to see the doctor so you can be given medication to loosen the mucous so it can be coughed out. Do not take any medication that stops coughing as that will make the congestion worse. You need to have the doctor check for an infection. Are you running a temperature, for that is a sign of infection. Asthmatics can go into respiratory distress quickly so you need to visit the doctor to keep those airways open. 300 is not a good number for peak flow. It is still too low.

Answer 2

Go see your Dr, a peak flow at 100 is serious! Any cold needs to be monitored. Have you had your flu shot? It's a must for any asthmatic. I would imagine your Dr would put you on prednisalone and antibiotics. Your Dr can prescribe an at home neb too, with instructions as to the use of it. I have been asthmatic since i was a year old, sometimes i use my neb at home, when i know i should head off to the Dr's office or ER.

Asthma kills, go see your Dr and take all your meds even when you feel good. Your preventer inhalers are called that for a reason, lol!

Answer 3

You need to be started on prednisone, a steroid. Make a doctors appointment so that you can be evaluated and they can prescribe the meds. You do not, by the way, need a handheld ultrasonic neb, as someone before me suggested, insurance would never pay for that when a regular neb will do just as well. If it is determined that you need to take breathing treatments rather than using inhalers, then the doc will prescribe you an at home nebulizer and air compressor. But, for right now, you sound like you need the steroids.

Answer 4

Don't worry about losing your voice. Laryngitis is 99.9% viral so you don't need anti-biotic or anything but rest and some moisture to cure that, but If you think you could benefit fro a small volume nebulizer aka breathing treatment, then see your doctor, before the new year, and ask for a home nebulizer. Insurance pays for them, a little known fact, and insurance pays for the medicine, which is generic, another little known fact. Try to insist on a hand held ultrasonic nebulizer, it runs on batteries instead of a cord, just have the doctor write portable on the prescription pad (that is important for billing). Then you have the machine when you need it, the medicine comes premixed and its easy to use. I would recommend it over an inhaler anyday, you will breathe much better.

Answer 5

As you know 100 is not good, 300 is better. Have you tried Vick's vapor rub and a vaporizer. My second suggestion is have the doctor write you a prescription for a nebulizer so you can have one at home, the albuterol that goes in it is not that expensive. Make sure you take your asthma meds on schedule and it is always better to err on the safe side, if you feel you need a treatment go.

Answer 6

You need to talk to your doctor about this NOW. If you feel you do not have enough oxygen, you need to go. I have put off the trip to the ER til my pulse ox was 60. Not a bright move. My lips and nails were blue and I was really out of it. Wound up in an ambulance. If you have a nebulizer, use it. If not, talk to your doctor about getting one at home.