Is this asthma?

Question

In the last year, I've found there are times (usually a number of days) where my chest starts getting tight and then gradully gets tighter and causes me to cough a lot, as well as making me feel hot and very tired. I also find that my heart feels "fluttery" and fast.

The tightness feels like there is something forcing the air out of my lungs when I'm breathing in but when I breathe out, that I'm doing it too slowly.

My doctor said it was asthma (I've had *VERY* mild asthma since I was 6 and never needed an inhaler) and put me on seretide and albuterol. The seretide gave me lots of throat infections so I stopped taking it (without the doctors advice) and I don't feel as though my albuterol works unless I take 10x as much as the doctor suggested.

Is this asthma or could it be something else? If it is asthma, what can I do to manage it better?

Answer 1

sounds like asthma to me and have had asthma since i was 9 and am 24 now (do the math). go see a doctor who specializes in allergies AND asthma. for the one persons response about singulair, i'm on and it's availabe in the US and has been on the market for about 13 yrs. (i've been on it for about 11yrs.) and taking albuterol inhaler as well. it'll depend on what meds your doc wants you to take....the management of asthma varies per person....mom has it as well and she just takes singulair and rarely has to take the inhaler (albuterol).
*****you should NOT be using the inhaler that much....take 1 puff and wait about 10 minutes. if you're breathing does not get better, take another puff and that should do it

Answer 2

I have asthma that is now under control, and what you describe doesn't really sound like it. I don't know how the doctor could have said that without having you take an breathing test under controlled conditions and testing your lung capacity before and after inhaling some type of drug they give you.
Taking that much albuterol, I don't think is a very good idea as those drugs can all be bad for your lungs at high dosages. I think you need to see a pulmonologist to get a definite diagnose.
Not to worry you, but I think maybe you should have your heart checked too. I have both these conditions and have had open heart surgery, so I know a little about this stuff. I wish you luck and good health.

Answer 3

First, listen to your doctor. Medical school isn't exactly easy to get into. He/She must know SOMETHING after EXTENSIVE schooling, residency, not to mention his or her practice. He/She knows what he/she is doing, likely better than you do. Please please please listen to him/her.

Second, it does sound like asthma (I am a severe chronic asthmatic). Investigate fast-acting inhalers that aren't albuterol, namely xopenex. Also, ask about a NEBULIZER. Thats very helpful, inquire about one.

Third, your asthma may be due to a number of triggers. You should probably be tested for allergies (blood or scratch testing), and should monitor physical activity. Get a peak flow meter, which is a very inexpensive yet useful tool which can tell you how much oxygen you're getting, and whether or not it is wise to do physical activity. ($20)

Steroids (albuterol is one) are useful in proper medical doses. 10X what your doctor prescribed is NOT a medical dose. Do not disobey your doctor. If you find that your steroids are not working in safe doses, go to the ER. Trained medical professionals can give you extra medicine without compromising your heart. If you overdose on your meds, there are SEVERE AND LIFE-THREATENING CONSEQUENCES.

P.S.: If you feel uncomfortable with your current doctor, feel free to visit a different one. Just find one who you can trust.

Answer 4

it sounds like asthma to me .i have severe asthma and i found that there are 2 products that really help keep it under control, advair and symbicort, the pills are asthma are called singulair ( they work too) . im not sure if its avail in the U.S but its out in Canada

Answer 5

it is, talk to your doctor, there are now even pills that you can take to relive symptoms of asthma.