asthmakate
07-19-2009, 04:03 PM
Hello,
I had severe childhood asthma but by and large haven't had any symptoms for the last 5+ years, and I have been off asthma medications because of it. This past week, I had what I believe was exercise-induced asthma; I started feeling short of breath and feeling tightness in my chest that continued unabated for three days, with intermittent gasps for deep breath that have felt deeply satisfying.
I went to the doctor on Friday, she prescribed me an Albuterol inhaler and scheduled a follow up appointment for a month from now. I have been taking two puffs every four hours and it does not provide me with instant relief. I am not sure if it is working at all. I still am going through nearly constant shortness of breath and chest tightness.
I don't know what this means in my case because when I went to the doctor, she told me that my lungs were actually reaching full capacity, my oxygen levels were at 100 percent, and so I must just have mild asthma of the upper airways. Because of that, I don't feel like I should be going to the emergency room.
But I don't know what I should be doing. Could it be that this is something other than asthma? Should I even continue with the Albuterol? Could there be any reason for it to need an adjustment period before it works? Is there anything else I can try over the counter before I can see my doctor again (it will probably be a couple of days)?
Thanks in advance for any help.
I had severe childhood asthma but by and large haven't had any symptoms for the last 5+ years, and I have been off asthma medications because of it. This past week, I had what I believe was exercise-induced asthma; I started feeling short of breath and feeling tightness in my chest that continued unabated for three days, with intermittent gasps for deep breath that have felt deeply satisfying.
I went to the doctor on Friday, she prescribed me an Albuterol inhaler and scheduled a follow up appointment for a month from now. I have been taking two puffs every four hours and it does not provide me with instant relief. I am not sure if it is working at all. I still am going through nearly constant shortness of breath and chest tightness.
I don't know what this means in my case because when I went to the doctor, she told me that my lungs were actually reaching full capacity, my oxygen levels were at 100 percent, and so I must just have mild asthma of the upper airways. Because of that, I don't feel like I should be going to the emergency room.
But I don't know what I should be doing. Could it be that this is something other than asthma? Should I even continue with the Albuterol? Could there be any reason for it to need an adjustment period before it works? Is there anything else I can try over the counter before I can see my doctor again (it will probably be a couple of days)?
Thanks in advance for any help.
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Titchou
07-19-2009, 05:48 PM
If it was EIA, it should have gone away once you stopped the cardio that caused it - or shortly thereafter. So it could be regular asthma which would need a daily med rather than just the albuterol. Or it could also be acid reflux which is noted for mimicing asthma. Did you see a pulmonologist or a GP? Did they do a lung function test or just test for oxygen levels?
asthmakate
07-19-2009, 06:04 PM
I saw a GP, and she only did oxygen level test.
I kept poking around the internet and found a lot of information on "air hunger" which is exactly what I am experiencing. I am suspecting that this is not asthma but rather stress induced -- perhaps because I was laid off a month and a half ago and I am getting increasingly nervous about finding a job before my savings run out. I just took a Xanax (not my prescription, my bf's) -- it is calming me down and I am trying to control my breathing and convince myself that I am getting enough air, that I don't need that extra breath, that I'm fine. Also took Peptobismol (in case it's acid reflux related) and vitamins (in case it's iron deficiency.) On another message board I saw that some people dealt with this successfully by seeing a chiropractor or an acupuncturist -- I also have had back and neck tension and pain for a while now, so if I can find a way to afford it, I might try one of those options. I wish I could exercise with this problem, because that is my main way of controlling stress...
it's all very bizarre to me.
I kept poking around the internet and found a lot of information on "air hunger" which is exactly what I am experiencing. I am suspecting that this is not asthma but rather stress induced -- perhaps because I was laid off a month and a half ago and I am getting increasingly nervous about finding a job before my savings run out. I just took a Xanax (not my prescription, my bf's) -- it is calming me down and I am trying to control my breathing and convince myself that I am getting enough air, that I don't need that extra breath, that I'm fine. Also took Peptobismol (in case it's acid reflux related) and vitamins (in case it's iron deficiency.) On another message board I saw that some people dealt with this successfully by seeing a chiropractor or an acupuncturist -- I also have had back and neck tension and pain for a while now, so if I can find a way to afford it, I might try one of those options. I wish I could exercise with this problem, because that is my main way of controlling stress...
it's all very bizarre to me.
Titchou
07-19-2009, 08:10 PM
Anxiety can absolutely cause this. And since the albuterol isn't doing any good and other things are, I'd say that was the cause.