Hi all - I was just diagnosed with asthma 2 days ago and am feeling a bit silly and a bit scared (which may be the reason I feel silly).

I am a nursing student (guess where? :wave: ) with a childhood history of secondhand smoke inhalation and repeated bronchitis/pneumonia throughout childhood (I had double pneumonia at age seven). I used to catch every single URI that went around (and I still do). Never had allergy problems. About three weeks ago I had to get off of my treadmill because suddenly I felt very tight in my chest. I didn't think anything about it; I figured it was another cold (like I said, I catch them all the time.) Two weeks ago I went to Student Health because I felt washed up AND because one of my professors said she could hear me wheezing from about a foot away. Well, I didn't think I felt THAT bad, but when I went to see the NP my PEF was 220 (it should be 480 for my height, apparently) and it went up to 310 after a nebulizer. She sent me off on our spring break with Sudafed and an albuterol inhaler. I figured I was fighting another URI. Well, I ended up back in Student Health two days ago because my own mother, who was staying with me, said she could hear me wheezing from about two feet away or so. I had thought about going back to Student Health anyway, but even at my age (33!) you do what Mom says, right? So I went back in and my PEF was 160 (!!!!) and the nurse said she could not hear me exhaling with a steth even though I was practically sucking myself inside out from trying very hard to deep breathe (she let me listen and no, I couldn't hear exhalations either, and I know for a fact you should). I got a PEF up to 280 after more nebulized albuterol (or whatever it was they gave me, heck, ya'll probably know better than me)...

So now I've got Singulair and Pulmicort and a prednisone taper for five days to get rid of the immediate inflammation (which means I want to eat EVERYTHING in sight) and an albuterol inhaler, and with my husband overseas (he just doesn't get it over the phone, you know?) I just wish I was seven again so Mom could tell me I'll be okay....

Sorry I'm "whining"; this is scaring me more than I thought, so I looked for a message board like this just to vent a bit. Thanks for listening.

PS - I'm scared to get back on a treadmill, but I'm going to have to do something or I'll gain a ton on this taper. :D Also, how long before Singulair kicks in? I still feel like I have a knot in my chest (I know it takes a while for this stuff to work) despite the inhaled and systemic steroids.

Also - for the first time in my life, I think someone in my clinical group thinks I've got nursing school hypochondria. Even at my age, when I know immaturity lurks in all ages (this person is, I think, 23), it hurts. I walk pretty fast in the morning to clinical (I'm usually right on the edge of being on time and it's about three city blocks there) and Monday my instructor actually commented that I did NOT look good, that I looked really pale. It was then that I noticed my chest felt really tight. It scared me. This girl made a crack about getting a respiratory therapist (and she was NOT being nice).:p That REALLY should have rolled right off my back, but it didn't. THAT'S silly. :rolleyes: I felt better after a few minutes (and a moment in the bathroom with albuterol, which was beginning to plant certain things in my head) but the comment stung. I'm NOT a hypochondriac.

Sorry, ya'll. I've really needed to get this out and I appreciate your listening.

I'm just a bit scared, I'm by myself, and I feel a bit silly. Thanks for listening.

Hi Tigger
Sorry you're feeling so bad. It's natural to feel scared after this. Things will improve once the meds kick in properly, and you'll learn to recognise the early signs of an attack, so you can treat it sooner rather than later. I'm the Mum of a 14 yr old boy who has quite severe asthma, was diagnosed a a baby, and I understand only too well the fear, and frustrations.

Don't apologise for coming on here to vent, many of us do, and there is always a friendly reassuring ear around. Do everything you can to find out more info about your condition, knowledge is power! Try to ignore derogatory comments from others, difficult though it is. Take good care of yourself, relax, and hey, even pamper yourself a bit. Life will become much easier once you have sorted out best meds and dosages, although they do need to be adjusted occasionally.

Take care, feel free to ask any questions, hope you feel better soon, Mandy :wave:

I can understand your self doubts. there are many times when I wonder if I'm doing this to myself. Particularly when I have a flare up due to stress or anger. But then I have an attack unexpectedly, following exposure to a trigger and figure that my pulmonologist is right, I do have asthma.
People can be so stupid. I'm built like a football player so I get the fish eye sometimes when I have to pass on something like moving furniture. Or they'll say things like "My Aunt Hildegard has asthma and she just ran a marathon right after she finished building a retaining wall in her garden . She's 82 you know." then they look at you as if you're dogging it. What they don't understand is that asthma is different for everyone. Even if a person appears big and strong, if they can't breathe well it's over. I can't blame them too much. I have problems believing it myself .( I've only been diagnosed since fall so I still am battling denial)
Don't worry about the snotty girl. Let people believe what they want. Just make sure you take care of your health. Feel better.
tom

Thanks for your replies; you're all making me feel much better! :wave:

Hello Tigger,
I just wanted you to know that you are not alone. I to suffer with asthma as do many others. It is very frightening when you are struggling to breath.
First thing you need to do is get educated about your illness, there are many fine information sites dedicated to this disease.
Then get yourself healthy by building up you lung capacity, swimming is an excellent way to do this. Keep a daily record of food intakes, activities and stressors. That way you can start to narrow down triggers that set off attacks.
Most of all relax!!! if you find yourself panicing slow yourself down, breath in some hot steamy air, use your shower or a sink drape a towel over your head and then think about slow relaxed breathing.
Most of all follow your doctors instructions and don't be afraid to get help
Best to you always.