Hello, I'm hoping someone can help me today since it's Sunday and I can't go to the doctor (and don't want to end up in the ER). I've never officially been diagnosed with asthma, but when I was about 12, I started getting tight feeling in lungs and shortness of breath. At the time our doctor gave me an inhaler. No real instructions, except just use it when I get the tightness, etc. That was 20 years ago. I've just kind of had it refilled over the years, gotten new prescriptions (Albuterol) for it from any new doctor I saw. The SOB and tight chest kind of went away as I got older. However, over the past few years, I've noticed in the Fall, when my allergies are at it's worse, the SOB and tightness creeps up for about 2 weeks. Last year I didn't have the inhaler anymore, so I just went and bought some Primatine Mist which didn't do anything. Around the same time, both my boy (3 and 6 at the time) got horrible bronchitis among other things (my oldest has been complaining from time to time of the tightness in the chest when he's trying to sleep) and their doctor gave them a nebulizer with Albuterol. He prescribed us several boxes of Albuterol refills. I just figured we've got enough around the house, no need to get a new RX for me, I'll just use the Albuterol and inhaler in the house as needed (which, like I said is only a little bit about once a year).

Well, it's now that once a year. I've noticed the past few days I've been getting the SOB and TC. I started using the inhaler as needed. I don't know if it was the sprayer from the inhaler, but it seemed like when I used it (the first time I've had to use the kids'), and took the big breath, it didn't seem to go all the way down like it has in the past. The mist didn't seem to go further than the back of my mouth. Regardless, it doesn't seem to help, and the few times it does work, I can only breathe normally for about a half an hour. I've been taking 2-4 puffs because I can't remember what I'm supposed to do. Can you build up a tolerance to it?

Last night it was at it's worse. I took the inhaler and I noticed after a while I started to feel some anxiety and got very snappy. It was weird. So after awhile I started to really feel like I couldn't take that deep breath (like a deep sigh) and was struggling to breathe. After a while I was glad I finally fell asleep. This morning I woke up breathing ok, but after a while, the same thing started happening-struggling to catch a breath and also, alot of coughing and mucous comming up.

I really don't want to be like this today again. Is there anything else I can do? I've noticed many of you are prescribed Flovent/Advair in addition to your inhaler. I don't mind going to a pulmonogist (sp?) to see about getting help, but I can't do that today. Are there any home remedies that I can do today to be more comfortable? Does a nebulizer help adults, or is it just for kids?

Any help would be appreciated-figures this stuff always happens to me on the weekend! Thanks.

There are no home remedies for asthma. When the air ways close meds are the only way to open them. Go to the ER!

Jeannie

I'm sorry you are having problems breathing. My asthma acts up worse this time of year due to the mold. Albuterol inhailers are usually prescribed 2 puffs per dose. Sometimes your inhailer can be empty but not feel liek it due to teh air inside of it. you can give it a test by floating the aresole part of it it in a cup of water (or sink). If the aresole stays verticle/up & down you have medication...if it is totally on it side you are out of it. The nebulizer is just a machine that holds albuterol in a liquid form (this is usually what is in it). I have one myself for when i get really bad, it's not jsut for kids. If your allergies act up this time of year you may want to see about getting on daily prevenative meds such as singulair and/or Flovent or advair.

good luck,
Amanda

Thank you Jeannie and Amanda. Thank you sooo much Amanda for the tips. I had no idea that air in there could feel like medication. Are there different size inhalers? Or different amounts of milligrams or something? It seems like a standard size, but besides possibly being out of medication, I can't stand the feeling that it doesn't seem to go down my lungs. I feel like I keep puffing throughout the day and every so often (maybe twice a day), I'll get relief for about a half an hour.

I'm glad you told me about the nebulizer, too! I guess I'll be sitting here tonight with a yellow ducky neb!

I went to meet a friend at McDonalds so our kids could play and I was telling her about it. She said she's heard from about 3 people this past week alone that have been having asthma flare ups when they normally don't during the year. We have a high count of Mountain Cedar here (minus the mountain!).

I didn't get around to making an appointment today and I don't know if I should right now. I'm wondering if he's even going to be able to help me by providing me with instant relief? If I get a prescription like Singular, Flovent or Advair, how long does it take to kick in? I've already got the inhaler. If he refers me to a pumonologist (sp), then I'm going to have to wait for a referral to go through, then the appointment made, etc.

Since I started writing this, I did the water/aerosol test and it bobbed vertically (although it kind of hit the wall on the side, I assume since it's half full).

I'm miserable, and am hoping this gets better soon. Thanks again for your help!

Are you sure that you are using proper inhaler technique? When albuterol (and any other) inhalers are used without a spacer, most of the medication ends up in the back of one's mouth rather than in the lungs. Doctors always recommend spacers since they hold medication a little longer than the inhaler does. That way, most of the medication ends up in the lungs.

Advair and Flovent are basically the same thing, but Advair has a long-acting bronchodilator in it in addition to steroid. Both of them take about 3-4 weeks to take full effect. Singular is non-steroid pill, and from what I hear, it takes about as long as the steroids to take effect.

If you don't have a spacer, hold the albuterol inhaler out from your mouth a couple of inches when you spray...then inhale. It should help with that back of the throat feeling.

Thank you both so much! Wow, I think I have learned wealth of information! Actually, to back it up a bit, today is the first day I'm able to catch a breath, but not 100%. I didn't go to the doctor all week because, long story, I'm having a hell of a week-family issues. It's been the same all week, but today was the first day I didn't have to use my inhaler. I had decided if it wasn't better by today, I was going to get a babysitter and go to the doctor tommorow (Friday).

So, is the spacer the big plastic thing? The thing you hook up to the inhaler and it resembles the nebulizer mask? I just figured that was for kids so it wasn't so strong. That could have helped me throughout the week I bet. Because that inhaler was not working, one bit. Also, titchou when you say hold it out, away from your mouth you mean, kind of like you would spray breath spray? I don't know why I keep picturing that going not far into your mouth instead of further. I'll be sure to give it a try. Thanks again everyone!

Naenae, perhaps you could try making a spacer at home. Cut a hole in the bottom of a brown paper lunch bag that is just big enough for the inhaler mouthpiece to fit. Then scrunch up the top of the bag as if you were going to blow it up. After that, press the inhaler down like you would any other time and inhale. I've never tried that myself, but it should work -- it's the same idea as a normal spacer.

As for inhaler technique, make sure you're inhaling nearly simultaneously with the pressing of the canister. For years, I always pressed the canister, waited about a second, and then inhaled. That obviously wasn't getting me anywhere. I'd recommend asking your doctor about how to take the inhaler too. He can watch you and tell you if you're doing it right (though I don't think general practioners are as good as allergists/pulmonologists with inhalers, but it's worth a try)

Thank you Swimfast. Last I posted, it was getting better. Thursday night it got bad again and all day Friday and today it's back. I happened to be watching a medical show the other night and someone came in with an asthma attack and the nurse was explaining that with asthmatics, they can get air in, but not out. I never knew that because mine is the opposite problem, during times it's not bad, I still feel like I'm constantly pushing my breath out. That's been happening ever since I was little. But times like this, I can't get that big breath in, like a big sigh. I've never had a wheeze, but keep trying to breathe in and I can't get past a certain point. So I'm loud, since I keep trying to breathe in, I keep trying to take a big breath, so it's not quiet. Is this what anybody else feels?

Thanks for the tip on the paper bag. I didn't know what a spacer was and asked if it was a big plastic thing. I found what I had and it's called a Chamber. Is that the same thing? I tried that, but it's got a cross through a musical note and I took it to mean it's not supposed to make a whistle sound that I keep getting. I think I have the inhaler technique down ok, I breathe in while pressing, then kind of hold my breath for a second. But the chamber I need work on-if that's what I'm supposed to be using. If that's the same as a spacer.

I tried the nebulizer, but it made me breathe for 5 minutes, then my chest tightened up again. I filled it with 6cc of liquid Albuterol.

I hope this lessens up soon. I've been using nasal spray too, since I feel I can't breathe from my nose or mouth.

Thanks again everyone for your help, understanding and tips!

When the spacer makes the musical note, it means you're breathing it in too fast. Try breathing it in slowly next time.

And, yes the plastic chamber is the same as a spacer. AeroChamber right? Maybe it's different, the one I have most experience with is the AeroChamber.

Oh good-I'm glad it's the same thing. I just had dh check (he's in the kitchen next to it) and he said the brand is Ferraris, it's called "Pocket Chamber". So I'll try to breath more slowly next time. That's so weird, I had no idea that would help! In my mind, I was thinking it was for kids. It's kind of hard to explain, but I was picturing it like making the air not so direct from the inhaler into the child's mouth. If you can figure out what I'm saying! So I was thinking if I used that, half the inhaler stuff would kind of dilute itself in the chamber. I know, crazy thought!

So I'll be sure to use that. Today isn't so bad, but I've learned that it doesn't mean it's over. I'll be going to the doctor this week definetly if it keeps up. Even though I've only had 2 days out of 8 of breathing a little better, those 2 days felt so good. It's nice to be able to take a deep breath.

Thanks again Rachel!

Get to the Doctor! I did like you. I did the standard asthmatic bronchitis treatments of combevent and my nebulizer and put off going to the doctor because I thought it was the same old problem, WRONG. I died 11/04/2005 from a full blown asthma attack. Dr. said 5 more min and they would not have been able to bring me back. I am now on Combevent, Qvar, Foradil and Albuterol.