About a month ago my asthma got really bad, I mean bad. When it happened I was at a relatives house in the boonies, so I had to suffer for a while before getting to a doctor. I don't know why, my mom insist its because of my weight, but why would I all of a sudden get so bad. The doctor said he thought I had a touch of pneumonia even though I wasn't coughing. I am scared because I think he is not taking me seriously. I really feel like something is wrong. I can't hardly walk places without my lungs seizing up. My inhaler isn't helping half the time, its really bad. Any ideas?
2007-02-19 16:36:37 · 6 answers · asked by moonkissedwarrior 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
Well I have gotten past the stage of pneumonia and moved on but my asthma still hasn't gotten better, I am afraid I may have damaged myself beyond repair.
2007-02-19 16:45:56 · update #1
When I get like you are with my asthma, I need oxygen. Using the inhaler too much can be hard on your heart. Do you have a nebulizer - it works better for me than the emergency inhaler. An oxygen converting device is what it takes for me to start breathing really well again though. They will have oxygen and a nebulizer available at any emergency clinic or hospital.
Just 15-30 minutes of oxygen a day maintains me so I don't have emergency asthma attacks anymore. But if you get oxygen, you will need to use it longer probably like i did when I was first trying to get to normalcy.
If there was an allergen that you are sensitive to - mold, cedar, dust mites, etc. - where you visited that could be enough to trigger your attacks and it seems with me once they start it is so hard to get rid of them. Check you finger nails and press on the top of the nail and see how long they stay white after you let go - if it is just a few seconds even before they turn pink you need to go and get medical help please.
The other trick that works with my asthma attacks is to concentrate on breathing OUT, not gasping to get breath In. The inflammation is trapping air in your lungs so you can't get any new air in and it is really quite frustrating.
2007-02-19 19:18:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This happened to me about a year ago--I even ended up in the hospital. The first thing I can say is, you're not beyond repair. I'm up and off my inhaler, taking only minimal meds, and no steroids. I go to the gym, and I walk at least two miles a day without much struggle. It can be done.
I highly recommend a book called "Asthma: Relax, You're Not Going to Die." It has a lot of good, easy suggestions for improving your asthma and figuring out what's causing it.
I also felt my doctor wasn't taking me seriously. I got a new doctor. It's not easy, and sometimes nearly impossible with your healthcare plan, but if you can, see someone else, preferably a specialist. I saw an allergist, and it made a huge difference.
Your weight might be contributing to your asthma, but it's not causing it. Losing weight helps lots of health issues, but it's not a magic fix. There are loads of skinny people with asthma. But, added weight means your heart and lungs have to work harder, so it could make your asthma worse. Can't hurt to lose weight, though it's not easy when you don't feel well and exercise is hard because of your breathing.
Feel better! It is possible, so please look into your options.
2007-02-20 06:53:02 · answer #2 · answered by emmesokol57 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there could be many causes of this. when you were at your relatives house, the altitude could have been higher than what you were used to so your lungs were giving out a little. to help prevent that, make sure you stay hydrated and eat lots of protein to help your immune system fight off colds. also, before you go to places with high humidity, take 2 puffs of your inhaler which will really help. you might need something stronger so go back to the doctor and ask for a higher dosage. also, another cause may be you are not in shape. try walking around where you live for about 20 min per day and that will help your body and your lungs. stay away from people who are sick and don't do too much for your body when you are sick, like rolling down the window in your car. hope this helps.
2007-02-19 16:42:48 · answer #3 · answered by dazzlefazzle 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It could be mold, pollen, dust, smoke residue, chemical residue, animal dander, or any other number of air borne particles. Did you fly to the relatives? Do they live in a rural area? Do they have animals? Do they live near water? Do they live near mountains? All of these should be taken into consideration by you doctor. As well as where you live. But you need to have some blood work to find out what the irritant is.
Good luck!
2007-02-19 16:50:18 · answer #4 · answered by It All Matters.~☺♥ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you need to get back to the doctor. You do not have to have a cough to have pneumonia. You may need antibiotic and a shot of steroids to get you opened up again. Possibly a different inhaler is in order to. Hope you get better soon.
2007-02-19 16:41:11 · answer #5 · answered by ascendent2 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go to urgent care or er. You need antibiotics for psneumonia. Nebulizer treatments help.
2007-02-19 16:43:10 · answer #6 · answered by crashfeldman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋