Hi,

I am 29 years old and was recently diagnosed with asthma about three weeks ago when I was also diagnosed with bronchitis. Lately, I have been having pain in my ribs when I breathe deep and sometimes some pain in my chest. When this happens, I don't necessairly feel short of breath. Are these asthmatic symptoms that I should be taking an inhaler for? These symptoms are not occuring during physical activity or exertion, they just randomly happen. Also, the bronchitis is completely gone. This is my first experience with asthma and I'm not really sure when I should be taking the inhaler. My PCP is worthless so she didn't give me much info. When I was first diagnosed I knew when to take it b/c my chest would get really tight and I was short of breath. I don't want to take it if I don't have to. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks.

Casey

You should be using a steroid inhaler (Flovent or Advair, etc) daily. If you have an attack or before you do cardio (jog, etc) you should use your rescue inhaler (Albuterol). Just some tightness when taking a deep breath I wouldn't....frankly, I have to be really having an attack before I use mine...the side effects are crappy and not worth it sometimes!

Hi.

Thanks for your response. I was not told by my doctor to be using a steriod inhaler on a daily basis. When I was diagnosed my PCP told me that the asthma could be a one time thing and I may never have to deal with it again. She just told me that she was giving me an inhaler (which was albuterol) and I read the instructions which said to use as needed. I'm planning on getting a new PCP so maybe once I switch doctors I will make an appointment and ask if a daily inhaler is something that I need. I keep reading that asthma is serious business and that you shouldn't mess with it, but please tell me if the symptoms go away on their own, is their some harm in not taking a daily inhaler? If I do have asthma as my doctor says, I feel that it is mild. If I don't follow up with daily treatment or have it monitored will it get worse? Only when I had bronchitis did I see the need for the inhaler. Also, is it normal to have pain down around the ribs as well with asthma? Honestly, I'm just uneducated when it comes to asthma. It's not something I've ever had to deal with before. Thanks for your help!!!

Casey :)

Casey:
You need to find a pulmonologist. You should be on a daily inhaler....that may negate any need for the albuterol except in rare cases. I have a mild case of asthma and I only use the albuterol before jogging or some other high intensity cardio activity. I've only needed to use it during an attack earlier this year (after 8 years of asthma!) when air quality everywhere in the country was awful. And the rib pain is more like left over bronchitis rather than asthma. You may have pulled a muscle or something with the bronchitis and that takes a long time to heal.

And no, asthma is not a one time thing....if you have it as an adult, you will always have it. There is no cure. You need a good pulmonologist to do a breathing test on you and determine if you truly have asthma. I'd lay off the albuterol until then if you can.....Good luck! Let us know what happens....

I agree with Titchou about seeing a pulmonary doctor as soon as you can. However, I don't agree with Titchou on when to use your albuterol inhaler. I think once your chest starts getting tight you need to use it. That's a question you need to ask your doctor. My back and ribs at times hurt from coughing and right after I have an asthma attack.
Please don't play around with this..Asthma is a killer!

Hi, I Have Been Diagnosed With Asthma Since I Was 12 Years. Asthma Is Very Serious And U Should Change Doctors. Regular Inhaler Use Can Cause Pain In Your Chest Too. Try Not To Use Your Inhaler Unless U Are Short Of Breath, Your Doctor Might Not Tell You But Every Time U Use It, Your Lungs Are Being Abused And Cause More Damage Especially When They Prescibe A Steriod Such As Predinose. I Had To Learn How To Improve My Health So That I Wouldnt Become Dependant On My Inhaler. I Used To Buy A New Inhaler Every Month, Have At Least 4 Asthma Attacks A Day And Now I Havent Had To Use My Inhaler For 1 And Half Years. I Still Have The Same Inhaler Since Then. Asthma Doesnt Have To Prevent You Of Your Daily Activies. If You Exercise Use Your Inhaler 10 Minutes Before. Remember That Daily Exercise Especially Walking For At 20 Minutes Can Strenghten Your Lungs And Decrease Your Chances Of Having An Asthma Attack. I Know Because I Have Been Doing It For The Past Two Years. Also, Try To Stay Away From Anyone That Could Cause You Stress, Wash Your Sheets Every Week, Use A Humidifier, And Stay In Dust Free Areas As Much As Possible. Hope This Information Will Help.

Johna: I didn't intend for it to sounds as if I was telling them not to use the albuterol.
What I meant was that being on a daily steroid inhaler MAY and SHOULD lower the need for the albuterol....that's what it is intended for - to control the asthma so that you use the rescue inhaler less and less. As I said, it has worked well for me as I only use before cardio work now (jogging, mowing the grass, etc). In 8 years the only non-cardio induced attacks I've had were 3 nights in a row back in the spring when everyone was having trouble. I used the albuterol for the attacks, upped my Flovent during the day and the problem went away. I am back on my standard dosage now and am fine. Would that everyone's asthma was as mild and regulated as mine...I know I am blessed!

Thanks guys for the responses!!! I appreciate all of the input. I was trying to forget about the tightening in my chest until this past Friday when I moved a friend. She moved into this really old house that seemed kinda dusty. I definately noticed a shortness of breath as I was moving her. The shortness of breath felt different than just being out of breath from working out. I felt like I was wheezing a little bit. My chest was tight not tight when I was moving her, but after about an hour of moving her I left and it was then that I felt the tightness in my chest. I didn't have my inhaler, but the symptoms went away on their own in about 45 minutes. I have changed PCP's and I have an appointment with my new doctor on Wed. I was wondering, would this asthma be affecting my ability to sleep at night without my even knowing it? I have been having a lot of trouble sleeping ever since I was diagnosed with asthma and I'm just now wondering if there is some connection? Do you guys have any insight for me? Thanks!!

Casey :)

Hay Whats Up? U Should Stay Awayfrom Dusty Areas. You Should Have A Carpet Free Home. If Not, Then Have Your Carpet At Least In The Room You Sleep In Shampooed At Least Every Two Months. Dont Use A Broom On Carpet, Use A Vaccum Cleaner So That The Dust Doesnt Get In The Air As Much. Also, Wash Your Sheets As Often As You Can. Keep Stuffed Bears Out Of Your Room. And No Pets!!!!!

I have had asthma for about 15 years now and at different times have been on daily inhailers and pills + my albuterol but I did not really see a huge improvement with the daily inhailers. I think everyone is different so it is hard to say what you should do. If you asthma does not seem to be controlled and you are using your rescue inhaler often then you probably do need to find a doctor that can prescribe you daily inhailers that will help control your symptoms long term.
Many things can bring on attacks from allergies, to stress, to being sick with colds etc. For me sometimes it does not necissarily feel like I am short of breath but just an overall heaviness almost like i have a sack of potatoes on my chest. Other times I get sharp pains in my back and almost just like i can physically feel my lungs...most people just take for advantage that their organs are there but it's quire odd when you can feel them. Sometimes I use my inhailer when I feel the symptoms described thus far othertimes I don't. When I blow out hard and can hear a weez and I feel like my chest & throat are closing in I definitely take my inhailer. After a few trips to the ER I have learned to know when to take it and when not too. One thing is for sure...I DO NOT take my chance. My uncle died of Asthma when he was 17 and my G.Grandfather also died of Asthma. Too many people do NOT take it seriously and they should. For the most part it is well controlled and you can live a normal fullfilled life but you really do need a good doctor on your side. If you are in doubt of if you should take it and you are weezing at ALL or short of breath than it is better to be safe than sorry.

Good luck & God Bless,
Amanda