Hi there. I have been to doctors almost every other yr. regarding breathing problems. They always say it's asthma. I finally accepted this, I think.....what I am doing now is, when I lay down to sleep, it feels like someone is sitting on my chest-when I do inhale, it's as if my chest/lungs will not expand. This seems to start at night but worsens when I go to bed. I too have been given different inhalers, but like "LouAnn" said, they all give me the shakes-I've tried: proventil, ventolin, azmacort, etc. What I am wondering, does this sound like asthma(to all u familiar with it) and advice on medications. Thank you.

I have a friend who was having a problem with breathing just as you're describing. She saw a pulmonary specialist who ordered a CPAP machine for her to wear at nite. If you're not familiar with this it is a positive pressure machine that puts air into your lungs. It is used alot for people who suffer from sleep apnea, cessation of breathing, but may also be helpful in your case. I would talk to the dr. and ask about it.
Lou Ann

YOU MAY WANT TO TRY TO SLEEP WITH YOUR HEAD ELEVATED MORE CLOSER TO A SITTING POSITION

The main problem I find with asthma is--I have trouble breathing OUT. That's what brings on the deep, roaring cough at times--the attempt of my lungs to get rid of the carbon monoxide so they can suck in AIR.

But, when I do have an asthma attack, my chest will feel very tight. I use Albuterol for those, which do make me shake for several minutes, but that goes away.

I also have a nebulizer I use 3 times a day, which does not make me shake at ALL. It's called Azmacort (triamcinolone acetonide), and it is a steroid nebulizer. NO shaking or trembling...

I would definitely tell the doctor about your breathing problems--you may need a different dosage of your meds, or some different ones. And, of course, when we have a pre-existing illness, we tend to think that any new symptoms are attributed to that. There could be something else going on that would benefit from treatment. When ou have a potentially life-threatening illness like asthma, it's always better to be safe than sorry, and to report any problems to your doctor...

Hi.. Thanks for all responses....Just wanted to say to "justtellme"(above), that I did go to see a Doctor & she gave me exactly what you are taking!---azmacort-3Xper day, and Albuterol-for when I need it....hopefully this will work..I will go back in a month to see if the Asmacort is working-if not, then she will put me on one of those new pills. Actually, I would rather do that as I am not fond of this inhaling(2 puffs, 3X EVERY day)(then having to rinse my mouth so I don't get thrush).....Thanks again for those who responded - hope everything works out for all. "Janedoe"

another good medicine for asthma with no side effects is flovent

I have had Asthma for 25 years...I have taken virtually everything out there. And have gone into respiratory arrest once. The fairly new pill Singulair has been a godsend! 1 pill once a day. No shakes, no rapid hearbeat, no sleeplessness ( all associated with other pill form asthma drugs ie: theodur, theophylline). I also take Servent inhaler 2 puffs twice a day-long acting alburterol-minimal to no shaking.)And Pulmicort-steriod similair to asthmacort, but in my opinion works better. With these drugs I next to never use my "rescue" inhaler (albuterol/proventil).
Also as posted above, sleeping propped up with extra pillows helps alot at night.
Hope this helps give you ideas to explore with your MD.

Let me ask everyone this...

For those of you on the Asmacort, have any of you experienced puffiness of the face, that is such a common side effect of steroid use? I haven't noticed any yet, but am VERY concerned that I will get this side effect from the medication. Also, I only take ONE puff three times per day, not two as stated on the label, but per the doctors' instructions.

'justtell me',
I was on Asthmacort for about 6 months and don't remember ever having the puffy face side effect. Prednisone will do that FOR SURE! But I don't think Asthmacort did. I take Pulmicort, which is a new 'powder' formed inhalant-rather than aerosol. I prefer it over ALL other steriodal inhalers. No side effects at all.
Hope that helps.

Thanks for the info! I also haven't had any side effects from the Azmacort, but was a little concerned. One side effect can be mouth thrush! Yuck.

I may ask the doctor about a powder inhalant instead, especially if my asthma worsens.

However, I quit smoking recently, and I don't even WHEEZE any longer. Have not had to use my "rescue" inhaler, have had no problems breathing... quitting is no doubt the single best thing I could have done for myself...

'justtellme'
ha ha ha...
you quit smoking? I quit and start back up over and over agian! When I DO quit, I get alot better too. Maybe they'll invent an inhaler for nicotine addicted athmatics! ha ha.
Congrats on your accomplishment!

YOU MAY ONLY HAVE TO REMOVE CHLORINATED WATER FROM YOUR TAP WATER.
THATS ALL I HAD TO DO FOR MY 3 YEAR OLD WHEN THE DOCTORS WERE TRYING TO CLAIM HER HAVING ASTHMA.THEY WERE TREATING HER WITH ASTHMA DRUGS AND ANTIBIOTICS MULTIPLE TIMES.
SHE SUFFERED FOR 10 MONTHS BEFORE I FIGURED IT OUT AND GAVE MY PUBLIC WATER COMPANY A CALL AND FOUND OUT THAT THE SAME DAY SHE CAME DOWN WITH THE HORRIBLE COUGH IS WHEN OUR WATER COMPANY STARTED PUTTING CHLORINATED WATER INTO OUR SYSTEM.
HOW MANY MORE ARE SUFFERING OUT THERE????
ARE YOUR CHILDREN?????
ASTHMA DOES EXIST....BUT WHAT IF ITS JUST CHLORINATED WATER.
pLEASE SEE MY PREVIOUS POSTING UNDER HAAR IN ASTHMA.

Hi, since you seem to have this problem in the evenings, it makes me wonder if you may have GERD. This is reflux disease and tends to happen more in the evenings after eating. I have this and it makes my asthma much worse. I am now taking medication for this (prilosec) and it helps. Also, you may be reacting to your pillow or bedclothes. Try putting your pillow in the dryer for 20 minutes (with heat). This will get out all the dust etc. Make sure you do not use a feather pillow. Good luck.

bj, I have something happening that may be similar. In the evenings, if I sit sightly reclined, I will have a pain and difficulty breathing that will come over me over the course of about 1/2 hour or so.

My MD thinks it may be some kind of acid reflux, where some of the acid gets breathed into the lungs. The effect mimics asthma.

I tried a prescription Protonix, once a day. Felt like a new person... until the prescription ended. Have to go back a tell him it seemed to work. Not sure what will be next.

To janedoe321,
Sometimes I have heaps of trouble breathing in that I have to sit real upright and it to feels like I can't expand my lungs right up, but I never think that it's my asthma even though I cough this real high pitched hacking cough b/c when I get my asthma it's so much harder to breathe out but breathing in is always easier sometimes when I get that way (not able to take a deep enough breath no matter how hard I try a few times it turned the opposite way around a few mins after it started -> harder to breathe out. But I guess only your doc would know if its asthma or not.
Carly.