hi i have asmath about 10 years and i smoke aswell, i know im stupid but i have just given up as i have a really bad chest infection and i have been out of breath for the last 24hrs, this is really bad i am using my inhaler but it is not helping me at all,i cant breathe and have pains accross my back aswell, anything that could help me?

i really need helpi feel like i am going to suffocate

I'm new here and feel kind of akward replying to a thread before posting any of my own, but I saw this and had to reply. I'm not a doctor, so don't take anything I say as gospel truth, but in my opinion and based on my experience, you need to see a doctor immediately if you haven't already.

If your difficulty breathing is so bad that you can't travel, and no one can take you to the doctor, I would seek emergency care of some kind - I wouldn't be embarassed to dial 9-11 if you have to, actually, if I were you. In the mean time, try to remain calm and don't give in to panic, as this will make your symptoms even worse.

How long have you had this infection? Are you on antibiotics? Do you know what kind of infection you have?

Well i have a chest infection which is made alot worse becuase of my asmath, i think its just a normal chest infection but i dont know its been like this for 3 days,alot worse since yesterday

Is it being treated with anything other than your inhaler (the infection I mean, not your asthma)?

No well i am taking benlyn cough syrup but thats not helping either

You need to go to the doctor, who will probably prescribe antibiotics and give you a breathing treatment. I assume, because you have asthma, that you've had one or more of these before. Incase you haven't though, it's a painless procedure in which you breathe an oxygen mixture containing asthma medication which helps you breathe easier. They may also prescribe prednisone or another steroid, depending on how severe your asthma is.

How old are you, and has this happened before? How severe is the pain, and if you're coughing anything up, what color is it?

If you're coughing up anything, you should try not to supress the cough - drink lots of fluids, and maybe an expectorant like guifenessin (brand name Mucinex is a good one for most people - you can get it over the counter), as this will help thin out your secretions so you can cough them up more easily. That will help you breathe better, too.

I can't stress enough how much I feel you should see a doctor asap, though.

Well i am 19, it has happened before,but not like this usually my inhaler will sort it out but its not doing anything for me at all now.

last time this happened i got taken to hospital and they gave me a prescription for prednisone, it was a course for 2 weeks but i think i may have to start taking them again.

i am in work so i camt go to the doctor

i cant really cough anything up but when i do its a greenish colour

It sounds like you have an infection that requires antibiotics to treat based on the green sputum you just described.

DO NOT take prednisone unless under the supervision of a doctor. If you don't take it exactly as directed it can have extremely serious side effects which can be potentially fatal. It requires a very precise build up and tapering off regimen to be determined by a doctor.

Can you go to the doctor when you get off work? Or Saturday at the latest perhaps?

i dont know,i dont see that they will be able to do much for me anyway

If you're unable to breathe, and have green sputum, you need antibiotics to resolve the infection. It probaby (though not definitely) started as a virus, but has most likely (based on the color of the sputum you're describing) become a secondary bacterial infection. Such an infection requires antibiotics. Since you have asthma, you're at increased risk (as am I) for these kinds of infections. If it isn't treated, your asthma also increases your risk of developing pneumonia. Since you smoke, you're at even greater risk.

I can't make you go, but I strongly urge you to do so. Whatever you do, I hope you feel better soon. I know how bad what you're going through feels.

Thanks i appriciate it

No problem - get well soon!

Sounds like you need antibiotics

Hi Tam,

With breathing like yours, you shouldn't be at work. Have you seen a doctor who diagnosed a chest infection? It sounds like you need Antibiotics. Its difficult to say if you need steriods again because of the chest infection. Once the chest infection has cleared up and your still having trouble breathing, then you may need steriods.But only your doctor can say either way.

The best thing for you to do, is see your doctor before or after work. Or even during a lunch break. If there's a nurse at the place you work, ask them to check you over, give you a note to give your boss which states the state of your breathing and that you're going to your doctor, and then go to the doctor. Your health comes first. Take care :)