Blue4U2
02-11-2003, 05:20 PM
WEnt to the pulmonary specialist yesterday...
And have discovered that the reason I have not experienced much relief from my inhalers is that I may also have laryngeal asthma.... not to be mistaken for vocal cord dysfunction....
Apparently, this is not an uncommon condition in painters.
So he told me to gather some samples of the paints and polyurethanes I use at work, and he will perform an asthma stress test using these particular chemicals.
He also took me off the flovent and gave me advair,
to control my asthma in general.....
but I am afraid to take it because of the heart racing thing.
Any suggestions on that one?
Blue
And have discovered that the reason I have not experienced much relief from my inhalers is that I may also have laryngeal asthma.... not to be mistaken for vocal cord dysfunction....
Apparently, this is not an uncommon condition in painters.
So he told me to gather some samples of the paints and polyurethanes I use at work, and he will perform an asthma stress test using these particular chemicals.
He also took me off the flovent and gave me advair,
to control my asthma in general.....
but I am afraid to take it because of the heart racing thing.
Any suggestions on that one?
Blue
Sponsor
wrin
02-11-2003, 06:23 PM
You'll get used to the heart-racing thing, and it'll go away.
The laryngeal asthma thing is something I've never heard of -- vocal chord dysfunction, yes, laryngitis, yes, and since you've just eliminated vocal chord spasm and inflammation ... I can't think of anything else related to 'asthma' that could be called that, considering your larynx can't exactly hypertrophy its mucous glands.
The laryngeal asthma thing is something I've never heard of -- vocal chord dysfunction, yes, laryngitis, yes, and since you've just eliminated vocal chord spasm and inflammation ... I can't think of anything else related to 'asthma' that could be called that, considering your larynx can't exactly hypertrophy its mucous glands.
charleyhorse
02-15-2003, 03:34 PM
Glad you are at least getting somewhere with the dr Blue. That is a diagnosis I haven't heard of either. It will be interesting to see how this develops. Please keep us posted. In the meantime, the shakes are from the Serevent - the reliever part of the Advair. Give it a little time and it will settle down. I found it helpful to take the evening dose well before going to bed. I couldn't get to sleep with my heart pounding in my ears. The side effects did take several months to disappear. Good luck
Barb
Barb
Blue4U2
02-17-2003, 10:10 AM
Thank you both for your posts :)
I will be less afraid of the Advair.
I just.... hate steroids.
They want me to take flonase too.
Blue
I will be less afraid of the Advair.
I just.... hate steroids.
They want me to take flonase too.
Blue
lacii
02-17-2003, 05:22 PM
What is the exact description of having largyneal asthma as compared to lung asthma?
I never heard of it.
Because I have asthma in the upper part of my lungs or at least have the symptoms. Even when I wheeze, it's from the upper part of my lungs.
Sometimes it actually feels like it's right in the center between the two bronchi. And not in my lung perse. Maybe that's where my largynx is?
I have to figure everything out myself because the docs don't go out of their way to do any research.
I never heard of it.
Because I have asthma in the upper part of my lungs or at least have the symptoms. Even when I wheeze, it's from the upper part of my lungs.
Sometimes it actually feels like it's right in the center between the two bronchi. And not in my lung perse. Maybe that's where my largynx is?
I have to figure everything out myself because the docs don't go out of their way to do any research.
Blue4U2
02-17-2003, 08:38 PM
If you place your fingers upon your neck, and slide them down until you get to the bottom of it where that little indentation is, between your clavical bones,
from that point, up to my throat feels very tight
and as if it is closing when I have an attack.
The wheezing IS coming from the vocal chords, but the difference between vocal chord disfunction and larngeal asthma is as follows....
VCD is a physiological problem caused by stress and
"psychosomatic disorders" (I do not agree but this is what the doc says....)
LAD is a physiological problem caused by airway constriction and vocal chord inflammation.... the airways and the vocal diamond narrow allowing little air through.
REgular asthma causes wheezing when breathing out.
Laryngeal asthma causes wheezing when breathing in, and "whistling" in the throat.
The therapy for VCD is bio feedback and speech therapy.
The therapy for laryngeal asthma is steroids, and in some cases surgery.
VCD can also be idiopathic, whereas LAD is usually reactive. (Common in painters).
I hope this helped.
Blue
from that point, up to my throat feels very tight
and as if it is closing when I have an attack.
The wheezing IS coming from the vocal chords, but the difference between vocal chord disfunction and larngeal asthma is as follows....
VCD is a physiological problem caused by stress and
"psychosomatic disorders" (I do not agree but this is what the doc says....)
LAD is a physiological problem caused by airway constriction and vocal chord inflammation.... the airways and the vocal diamond narrow allowing little air through.
REgular asthma causes wheezing when breathing out.
Laryngeal asthma causes wheezing when breathing in, and "whistling" in the throat.
The therapy for VCD is bio feedback and speech therapy.
The therapy for laryngeal asthma is steroids, and in some cases surgery.
VCD can also be idiopathic, whereas LAD is usually reactive. (Common in painters).
I hope this helped.
Blue
lacii
02-17-2003, 11:54 PM
I'll have to agree with you that it's probably not psychological.
My wheezing, when it occurs, is on the exhalation.
My wheezing, when it occurs, is on the exhalation.
charleyhorse
02-18-2003, 11:53 PM
Very interesting. I was evaluated for VCD but I don't have it. However, during the examination the specialist did say that thinking has changed a great deal on VCD. When doctors discover something new they tend to blame the patient. However, further research has shown that most of the triggers for asthma also trigger VCD ... and probably your condition as well. Which all makes sense because our airways are one continuous system from nasal passanges to lungs. I have a good friend with VCD and she has been getting botox injections ... they stop the spasms but it has totally destroyed her voice. I'm not sure in this case if the cure is as bad as the problem. I hope the steroid treatments works for you.
Barb
Barb
wrin
02-19-2003, 10:17 PM
I feel that the term 'laryngeal asthma' was coined by your pulmonologist to mean those with persistent laryngitis and spasmodic vocal chords.
And I'd be tempted to have a laryngoscopy to see if this really is the case before I started talking surgery.
And I'd be tempted to have a laryngoscopy to see if this really is the case before I started talking surgery.
Blue4U2
02-22-2003, 11:32 AM
I agree completely.
I have a sneaking suspicion it is a result of some allergy that I hve been exposed to constantly.
I would hate to be allergic to paint.
Blue
I have a sneaking suspicion it is a result of some allergy that I hve been exposed to constantly.
I would hate to be allergic to paint.
Blue
wrin
02-22-2003, 04:59 PM
Yeah, yikes.
Though maybe you can go into consulting?
Though maybe you can go into consulting?
Blue4U2
02-26-2003, 12:52 AM
I hope it doesn't come to that. I like physical labor too much and I also would really miss working with my hands.
We shall see. :)
BLue
We shall see. :)
BLue
wrin
02-27-2003, 02:10 AM
Oh, and your pulmonologist is out to lunch on the 'psychosomatic disorders' thing -- VCD is basically any kind of problem with the vocal chords that causes them to adduct abnormally and obstruct breathing. A laryngeal tumor is a type of VCD. Vocal chord edema is a type of VCD. Vocal chord spasm is a type of VCD.
This 'laryngeal asthma' thing sounds like hokey to me -- you're talking vcd, here. If 'laryngeal asthma' is even a pathological condition, it could be grouped under 'VCD'. VCD isn't necessarily treated with speech therapy all the time -- depending on what's causing it, the therapy varies widely.
This 'laryngeal asthma' thing sounds like hokey to me -- you're talking vcd, here. If 'laryngeal asthma' is even a pathological condition, it could be grouped under 'VCD'. VCD isn't necessarily treated with speech therapy all the time -- depending on what's causing it, the therapy varies widely.
LynHW
03-27-2003, 03:27 AM
I was just diagnosed with laryngeal asthma and it has been the scariest thing for regular nebulizer treatments and inhalers not to work. I now have to add 2cc's of Lidocaine to the albuterol solution. This seems to work fairly well, but what do you do when you are away from home? My doctor has avoided this question so far. I have also been scheduled for a stroboscopic laryngoscopy. Has anyone done this yet? No one will discuss that either. Someone mentioned a racing heart from the asthma medications -- had that too. Turned out to be SVT for which I had the radiofrequency ablation procedure to correct. For the first time in 20 years I don't feel like my heart is trying to jump out of my chest. I didn't realize that you aren't supposed to feel your heart beating all the time. Strange...
wrin
03-29-2003, 07:08 PM
Glad your heart is fixed.
Your doc might be able to send you home with some lidocaine nebulizer solution to put in your nebulizer at home. The lidocaine spray tastes like garlic and looks like binaca -- I don't think they'll be sending you home with that. You can get portable nebulizers that plug into the electrical plug of your car. The jet ones work best for all meds -- ultrasonic ones are nice but can only be used for drugs that are solutions, as suspensions tend to settle out and you don't actually get any drug.
your doctor might refer you to a speech therapist or talk to you about surgery or botox injections. There are ways to treat this.
[This message has been edited by wrin (edited 03-29-2003).]
Your doc might be able to send you home with some lidocaine nebulizer solution to put in your nebulizer at home. The lidocaine spray tastes like garlic and looks like binaca -- I don't think they'll be sending you home with that. You can get portable nebulizers that plug into the electrical plug of your car. The jet ones work best for all meds -- ultrasonic ones are nice but can only be used for drugs that are solutions, as suspensions tend to settle out and you don't actually get any drug.
your doctor might refer you to a speech therapist or talk to you about surgery or botox injections. There are ways to treat this.
[This message has been edited by wrin (edited 03-29-2003).]
maude&bandit
03-30-2003, 08:38 PM
What are your symptoms. Please read my post.
maude&bandit
03-30-2003, 08:39 PM
What are your symptoms. Please read my post.
LynHW
04-01-2003, 10:05 AM
Well, today is the day for the stroboscopic laryngoscopy. No one has explained this procedure to me as yet -- that can't be a good sign. I do have a portable nebulizer that I take everywhere, but I was hoping for a more convenient type of inhaler. The new jet types mentioned sound interesting -- can you give me brand names? I am new to this type of board and can't tell if the question regarding symptoms is for me, so I'll answer just in case. The main symptom is like a regular asthma attack except there is wheezing from the throat rather than the chest, and that is mostly on exhaling. The regular inhalers and nebulizer treatments don't help at all. I was put on prednisone and lidocaine was added to the albuterol in the neb, and that works. Does everyone read these messages on the webpage or is there some way I can set my preferences so that they come directly to my email?
wrin
04-01-2003, 03:26 PM
Laryngoscopy is where they look at your larynx using some means. The most common laryngoscopes are used when putting tubes in peoples' lungs -- you won't be getting this kind, as it's rather traumatic. There's another kind though, like a little straw, that they thread down through a bite block (so you can't bite down on the $80 000 piece of equipment and break it) so they can get a clear view of your vocal chords.
They'll be able to tell if they're acting abnormally just from this simple looksee.
They'll be able to tell if they're acting abnormally just from this simple looksee.