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Hi everyone! I was hoping you might be able to help answer my question... I've been having asthma problems lately (from a sinus infection and unseasonably warm weather). I'm on Prednisone, Flovent, and Albuterol treatments (all from my primary care) for my asthma alone, in addition to about 4 other medications for allergies and my sinus infection. My question is, if I have to go into the ER tonight for asthma symptoms (I had to go in 2 days ago too, but left before I was seen because I had a doctors appointment with my primary early in the morning and there would have been a 6 hour wait, therefore i would have been seen quicker just going to my existing appointment), would the doctors or nurses think I was "faking" or just having an "anxiety attack" (even though I do not suffer from anxiety) given the following information:

-I was not presently wheezing (although I was earlier)
-It feels laborous to breathe and I'm tired from breathing (you can visibly see me struggling)

2007-01-11 08:47:10 · 4 answers · asked by Happy 3 in Health Other - Health

-Normal oxygen levels, but a high pulse from the albuterol
-Cannot take a full breath in, and trouble talking more than a few words at a time.
-Dry cough with occasional "mucusy sounding" coughs

I'm obviously having real symptoms from real asthma attacks, but I guess that I'm just kind of traumatized from times in the past when doctors have said that back problems that I was having were from "psychological causes," yet it was later discovered that I had slipped discs and nerve damage.

Thanks for any help!

2007-01-11 08:47:37 · update #1

Thanks, yeah I already see an asthma and allergy specialist, and I'll be going back in within the next week. My question is just about the emergency room in particular. I have a long history of severe asthma allergies sinusitis upper respiratory infections, etc., so my "regular" doctors know this; i'm just concerned about the ER docs that know nothing about me. :(

2007-01-11 08:57:24 · update #2

EDIT agian: And moreso I'm worried about if they'll think "you're not presently wheezing and your oxygen is okay, so you're fine" when in fact I haven't been able to breathe normally, despite all the steroids and albuterol. Will the fact that I'm on those medications pretty much tell them that I AM having a problem with my asthma, regardless of my oxygen levels/lack of wheezing at the time?

2007-01-11 08:59:43 · update #3

4 answers

Your "additional data" that you added is what's making you think like this.

In an ER, when people present with symptoms, whether it is speculated that it's "psychosomatic" or not, it is the ER staff's responsibility to triage each and every patient and see the more gravely ill first. It is the treating doctors' responsibility to stabilize life-threatening situations. If you had to wait, it it more because someone (or more than one person) was there that had more pressing, life-threatening problems than you did. Don't take it personally.

I am reasonably certain that if your airway closed up to the point where you lost consciousness, you would immediately receive treatment. Viable airway is emergency medicine's #1 triage concern, followed by bleeding.

2007-01-11 08:59:17 · answer #1 · answered by justbeingher 7 · 0 1

Please do not try to second-guess the ED staff. If you are having difficulty breathing, go without hesitation. Take your medications with you, or at least a list of them. This will be invaluable. Having the experience of breathing problems is anxiety provoking in and of itself, and they know that. Even if you left the other night, do not be embarrassed, and do not let this keep you from going back. In any emergency, the focus is always the A,B, and Cs.: A irway, B reathing, and C irculation. If you are struggling to breathe, then you should be seen. My best to you...............

2007-01-11 18:07:21 · answer #2 · answered by summersailing 3 · 0 0

Make an appointment with an Allergist. They can help you with asthma, which is an allergic reaction. They can do tests for allergies as well as testing you for lung function. Make that call now! Good Luck!!!

2007-01-11 16:53:39 · answer #3 · answered by ajkoolkats 2 · 0 2

My friend just go to a doctor!!

2007-01-11 16:54:57 · answer #4 · answered by ILSE 5 · 0 1

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