HI, i'm new to these boards and have read along, found some things really helpful. But I still feel the need to post my own issues, because I can't deal with this anymore!!!
OK now that that's out of my system (for now...) here is my story.
In May sometime, I was getting a lot of sinus headaches, head congestion dizziness, etc. I went to my doc he told me it was a sinus infection, he gave me nasacort spray. I used that for a few weeks, all was good. Then I started to get pains in my chest...I first thought it was heartburn but now I'm not sure. I couldn't walk a block or two without having pain, tightness, and I'd get really winded. It got really bad and I had developed a cough too, so I went to the ER one morning when it was unbearable. They listened to my lungs, said they were all clear, and I had a case of bronchitis. They gave me an albuterol treatment, and a prescription for a take along inhaler, and zithromax, and told me to follow up with my regular doctor. I did, but by then the bronchitis was gone, and he also listened and said the lungs "couldn't be clearer". I told him I wanted to see an allergies to see if I had allergies.
I went to the allergy doc, gave him the whole story above, answered all his questions, etc. He listened to my lungs and said the same thing, all clear, etc. He also checked out my sinsues, and said they did seem to be swollen, and he seemed to be able to determine that I've probably had sinus issues all my life, I just never noticed much. He asked if I recall being a "mouth breather" a lot, and I do remember as a kid waking up all stuffy and my throat would be sore. Anyway, so he gave me 15 of the most commen allergy scratch tests, those were negative. Then the next visit, he gave me the same 15 but higher dose, and sure enough...most of them reacted. He said "grass, trees, dust, ragweed, and 4 out of 5 mold spores". Lovely! So then he started on about what to do to prevent attacks, etc.
Now, so far my treatment has been allegra in the morning, nasacort spray in the morning, and singulair at night. For a few weeks I was feeling pretty decent, and I didn't need the inhaler at all, even if it was humid out. But then, i had a few days where I felt my throat was closing up, so I went back to him, and asked if it could be the singulair. He said most likey not, but I should go off it for a week, then back on it, so I can see the difference. Well, I sure did! That week, I used the inhaler a few times, whereas with the singulair, I barely needed it. Now, my problem is...I started the singulair again last Tuesday (July 27th) and have taken it every night except one that I forgot. But I STILL have days that I need the albuterol. This morning was the worst of them, on the bus coming to work, I had to do 3 more puffs in addition to the 2 that I did before I left my house. I did 2 in my house because I felt a LITTLE bit of uneasyness and wanted to prevent it from getting really tight. However, that didn't work and it got worse, hence the other puffs on the bus. This is all VERY disturbing because I have no idea what's triggering my tightness. I thought it was just pollen, but today the pollen count here is 0.8, where as the last few days it's been 7.5 and such. So I guess it's not that? Then I thought, OK it gets bad when it's humid...but today it's not humid out either. It's kind of chilly, but cloudy and about to rain.
I just am really frustrated because I'm 35, and never really had anything majorly wrong with me. Not that I'm healthy, I have issues but this seems to be serious and it's worrying me a lot. My problems are, how can I determine what my "triggers" are if one day something affects it and another day that same thing doesn't? And how can I be sure if it's not being affected because of the medicines, and which one? Would it be fair to say that these meds aren't working for me if I'm still using an inhaler on humid days?
Well I'll wrap it up here, since this is my first post. I'd really appreciate any information I can get. I feel like I'm being a paranoid, hypochondriac cuz I'm worried it's something more than "allergies/asthma" that everyone keeps swearing it is. I love how doctors can be so sure, yet they don't do any REAL tests, and when I suggest I want them, they treat me like i'm a hypochondriac.
The symptoms you describe sound completely like typical allergic responses. Because your triggers are varied - indoor and outdoor allergens - it will be difficult for you to avoid triggers and therefore feel good consistently. You probably will have more problems with humidity/dampness because those are situations in which molds thrive.
Despite your perception that the docs haven't given you any real tests, they have. The skin testing is a very common and reasonably accurate form of testing for allergies.
That you are still needing your albuterol inhaler 2-3 days a week suggests that you may want to talk to your doctor about a low dose of Advair daily. Advair has a long-acting bronchodilator (serevent, a long-acting form of albuterol) and an inhaled corticosteroid and is for asthma, as opposed to nasonex or flonase, which are inhaled corticosteroids for sinus.
Then the next visit, he gave me the same 15 but higher dose, and sure enough...most of them reacted. He said "grass, trees, dust, ragweed, and 4 out of 5 mold spores". Lovely! So then he started on about what to do to prevent attacks, etc.
Anything that touches your skin, that you breathe in, that you eat or drink, could effect your allergies. If you start wheezing after picking up a book, magazine or the newspaper, that means that you might be allergic to the ink or chemicals. Some people are even allergic to electronic devices.
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I thought it was just pollen, but today the pollen count here is 0.8, where as the last few days it's been 7.5 and such. So I guess it's not that?
I have never found a relationship between the "official" pollen count and my allergies. I think that the pollen counts are different in each neighborhood, depending upon what is growing in each neighborhood and which way the wind is blowing, etc.
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Then I thought, OK it gets bad when it's humid...but today it's not humid out either. It's kind of chilly, but cloudy and about to rain.
It could be the humidity afterall. Allergic reactions are often caused by cumulative encounters with allergens. Let's say that your allergy threshhold is 90. That means that, unless you come into contact with allergens for which you are sensitive, over a three day period, that add up to 90, you will only have modest symptoms.
Let's say that you are allergic to a bunch of pollens. Your total pollen score for Monday's particular pollens is 40 on Monday. Also on Monday, you drink some milk for which you have an allergen score of 5. That makes the score 45, still less than your threshhold level of 90. Then you wear a shirt which has blue dye (score 3) and was washed using fabric softener (score 9). That brings your score up to 57. Still less than 90, so you haven't reacted yet.
The next day, Tuesday, you touch some dust (score 7), pet a dog (score 5) and eat corn on the cob (score 3). Your score is now up to 72, getting closer to your threshhold of 90. Your nose is stuffing up a little. You are starting to wheeze, but it isn't too bad. There is a little tightness in your chest, and your brain is fogged in.
The next day, Wednesday, someone is smoking near you. There are many chemicals in cigarette smoke. Let's say that the total allergy value is 15. Your total is now up to 87, just shy of 90. You are really beginning to feel lousy. Your skin feels warm. You might feel like you are getting the flu.
Then you eat some pretzels, which has a score of 3. The wheat in the preztels is just a mild allergen, normally, to you, but this time it puts you over your threshhold of 90, and your asthma kicks in badly. You can't breath. You reach for the inhaler. You figure that you cannot eat pretzels because you got an asthma attack just after eating pretzels. But the pretzels were the least of your worries.
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My problems are, how can I determine what my "triggers" are if one day something affects it and another day that same thing doesn't?
You could take the bubble approach. Eliminate ALL takeouts, lunchmeats, gravies (unless homemade), sauces (unless homemade), frozen dinners, prepackaged meals, eating out, fabric softeners, artificial sweeteners, milk products, dust, animals. Sleep in a surgeons mask (the bed is the worse place for allergies). Stay away from upholstered furniture or carpetting (contain a lot of dust and other allergens). Stay away from chemical cleaners or petroleum products. Keep your windows closed at home all the time, except, air the place out one in a while.
In other words, remove as much as you possibly can from your environment for at least three full days. Then, after your asthma is under control, you can start adding things back one at a time.
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And how can I be sure if it's not being affected because of the medicines, and which one? Would it be fair to say that these meds aren't working for me if I'm still using an inhaler on humid days?
You could be allergic to meds also. Your asthma meds can only do so much. You still need to avoid allergens, especially those that have the worst effect on you.
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Well I'll wrap it up here, since this is my first post. I'd really appreciate any information I can get. I feel like I'm being a paranoid, hypochondriac cuz I'm worried it's something more than "allergies/asthma" that everyone keeps swearing it is. I love how doctors can be so sure, yet they don't do any REAL tests, and when I suggest I want them, they treat me like i'm a hypochondriac.
Doctors are mostly interested in their bank accounts. They know that allergies are extremely complex and that they usually can't help many of their patients, so they blame the patient for the patient's problems. They want you to feel like your symptoms are in your head or that you are a hypochondriac. They know that you will keep coming back to them, because you still feel bad. They will change your meds, make you feel like you are wasting their time, charge you big bucks, and then plan their next vacation based on how many they can cram into their waiting rooms.
Hello and sorry to hear about your problems. I know how uncomfortable it can be!
Sounds like you are having allergy problems which are triggering your asthma. If I were you this is what I would do....
I would keep a list of food I eat daily, exercise or even if you are more active one day than another, weather (temp, clear, rain, damp, etc), what you wear, where you go...basically EVERYTHING you do and eat in one day. Do this for about a week. You will be able to look back to see what days you felt good and what days you didn't feel so good. Do you have animals that are near you daily that may be doing this? Do you visit people with animals? Are you using anything different int he shower or bath? Are you using different perfume...ANYTHING can do this! I know it is so hard to figure it out, but you will if you write EVERYTHING down for at least a week or even logner.
If this isn't an allergy thing it may just be your body and hormone changes.
I used to use my albuterol inhaler like 12 puffs a day (no lie)! Finally I went on Advair and I haven't felt better! When it is really hot or humid I still get tight, but nothing like I used to. I don't need the albuterol except for those really hot or humid days and that's only maybe 2-3 puffs a day. I never thought I could love without the albuterol, but I am doing much better without it.
Now, I don't want to jump the gun..BUT
have you had your heart checked out? sometimes heart problems can cause all of your symptoms. Maybe this is something to look into.
Good luck to you!
Hope you find your answers!
~Krista~
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