Hi Everyone. This is my first time on here. I was just diagnosed with asthma on my daughters 2nd birthday 3 days ago. I don't really know what to expect. I am on albuterol inhaler and have been for a few months due to shortness of breath. I had my pulminary tests and a methocholine challenge wich came out positive. When the respatory care nurse started the methocholine challenge test we started with the saline solution wich has nothing in it to show me how to do it. So that was at 100%. Then the 2nd part was the methocholine solution Wich after the 3rd dose of it my % was at 66% when she then stopped the test and gave me albuterol to reverse it. Because my chest hurt sooo bad to even breathe. She then told me I have asthma I asked her while i was getting the albuterol if I had failed the test miserably because it dropped 34%. She said yes. I have an appt with the nurse practitioner wednesday to set up a plan I guess. Tonite I have just been coughing horribly and can't stop. I already had my 2 puffs of albuterol I can only take it every 4 hrs. The last was an hour ago. I don't have any other meds yet until I see my dr. How can I calm the coughing? Thanks,

Jennifer

How are you using it? Do you have a spacer? If not, hold it out from your mouth and inhale as you depress the thing. Breathe in deep for a count of 10. Then wait one minute and do it again. Should help if you do it correctly...good luck/

I do use the chamber they gave me it doesn't seem to make a difference. I have also been using saline drops to see if that helps. It does a little but not much. Also the cold weather doesn't seem to be helping either. Should I get a flu shot or not? This is all new to me. Just diagnosed 4 days ago dr appt tomorrow to get a plan and see how exactly my tests were.
THanks

Absolutely get a flu shot...asthmatics are on the list of people who move to the front of the line, so to speak. Try staying out of cold air (esp if windy). You might also try breathing camphophenique...the stuff in it helps relax your bronchial tubes...it's great for coughs from colds as well! Old home remedy....

what is that? Also I was going to put the humidifier in my room. I saw the thing the other day and for the life of me I can't find it now. And it bugs me because I know it is in a noticable spot too. Also my daughter is 6 years old and has an appt with an asthma specialist on nov 30th because she has been coughing for a month straight and can't stop the cough just gets worse no matter what I give her. I don't knowe what else to do for her her pediatrician won't order a test himself to see if she has asthma he wants her to go to an asthma spec to have it done ther but she sounds horrible and she isn't sick or have a fever nothing. very frustrating. Thanks

Try having some coffee or tea, something warm will soothe your throat and the ephedra in the coffee/tea will actually help you breathe better too. Hope you feel better soon!

Thanks. I have been drinking tea for a few weeks now. Helps alittle. My husband took my inhaler to work today for some reason so now I have nothing. But I have a dr appt at 11 this am.

I just got back from the dr. She said I have restrictive airway disease and asthma. Is that the same thing as asthma? She also prescribed flovent 2X a day. And I see her again in 1 month.