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Reply: Asthma

more2c, I had the same reaction you did when I was told that I have asthma - "what?" I...

Posted by _Keith

more2c,

I had the same reaction you did when I was told that I have asthma - "what?" I don't know exactly what your doctors have told you, but mine have named my condition several different things - "Adult Onset Asthma", "Illness Induced Asthma", "Exercise Induced Asthma", "Reactive Airway Disease"... whatever it's called, I've still had to adjust to it. I've been active all my life, and this condition is trying to slow me down. I'm beginning to learn how to work with/around it though.

For instance - I currently have two things in my arsenal to combat the breathing issues - Albuterol, which is a "rescue inhaler" and Flovent, for maintenance at night. I take a puff of Albuterol when my condition seems severe or when I'm about to go into a situation that I know will trigger it - exercise or cold air. The Flovent helps me sleep at night by making it easier to breath and minimizing the wheezing. I've used this approach quite a bit in the past few days and I'm feeling confident that I'm getting a handle on this - finally. Note - another trick I've learned to help my situation is to sleep on a chase lounge - on my back, but more upright than I would on a bed. The incline prevents a lot of the wheezing that I get from laying flat and prevents my need to cough sometimes. I don't always sleep like that, but I've grown used to it and it does help me.

Having talked to the doctors and quite a few people who have had the same condition (here and in my group of friends), I've learned that it's not uncommon and that it sometimes goes away. My doctors seem to think that mine will eventually go away. In the meantime, it can be a little frustrating trying to figure it all out, but you're not alone.

Whatever your doctor doesn't answer, or whatever new question you might have - you should feel confident that the answer will be here somewhere. I've learned a lot from this site and the amazing people who are willing to share.

In the meantime, I pray for your good health.View Thread

Posted by_Keith

4 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Asthma more2c, I had the same reaction you did when I was told that I have asthma - "what?" I...

Reply: Adult Onset Asthma Questions

Sorry about your condition amcate. I pray that the proper treatment will bring you relief....

Posted by _Keith

7 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Adult Onset Asthma Questions Sorry about your condition amcate. I pray that the proper treatment will bring you relief....

Maybe I wasn't doing as well as I thought...

A few weeks ago, I posted here saying that my "adult-induced asthma" symptoms were getting...

Posted by _Keith

A few weeks ago, I posted here saying that my "adult-induced asthma" symptoms were getting better. My doctor had put me on 2 types of steroids, with an emergency inhaler (Pro-Air HFA Albuterol sulfate, which was basically an ornament on the nightstand). When I went back to see her, she changed my diagnosis to "Reactive Airway Disease" and told me that I may be over my symptoms in the next couple weeks. I wasn't concerned what she called it, and loved the diagnosis.

A little over a week after seeing her, I took my son snowboarding. The first night after that, I had a horrible asthmatic fit - coughing and shortness or breath. I used the inhaler and that cleared my breathing significantly, but I felt extremely anxious thereafter (being out of town and in the mountain air didn't help). Early in the morning when I should have used the inhaler again, I wouldn't because I linked it with the anxiety. Anyway - the next day was my son's birthday and I took him on the slopes again. It was a warmer day, so I reasoned that the conditions wouldn't affect me the same. I was right, for the most part. I took a burst from the inhaler before I hit the slopes, then again that night. Things seemed fine.

Unfortunately, the coughing spells have returned a lot since that trip. Again - I'd been taking a puff from the inhaler and was good for 4-6 hours - something I did probably twice a day. Last night I read that if I need to use the inhaler more often than once every couple days, then my "asthma" isn't under control.

Anyway - so now there are a lot of questions going through my head. Have I possibly been misdiagnosed, or does that fact that it had nearly dissipated bode well? Would anyone recommend a maintenance inhaler? Could my trip snowboarding simply have retarded my recovery process? How bad is it for you to use the emergency inhaler too much? Is there something I should be sure to tell the doctor to check when I see her again?

I love this site for the wealth of information from people who know what it's like. Any and all comments/observations are welcome.

Blessings.View Thread

Posted by_Keith

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Maybe I wasn't doing as well as I thought... A few weeks ago, I posted here saying that my "adult-induced asthma" symptoms were getting...

Reply: Adult Onset Asthma Questions

Thanks Sonya, and amcate too. You both gave me valuable information. I completed my...

Posted by _Keith

7 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Adult Onset Asthma Questions Thanks Sonya, and amcate too. You both gave me valuable information. I completed my...

Adult Onset Asthma Questions

Hi. I'm new to this and I seem to have more questions than answers. I'm a couple weeks shy...

Posted by _Keith

7 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Adult Onset Asthma Questions Hi. I'm new to this and I seem to have more questions than answers. I'm a couple weeks shy...

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