Asthma Episode - Asthma Message Board

Lalalane · 03-30-2005, 08:21 PM

hello everyone,
It has been about a month and some weeks, since my asthma has been acting up consistently. I have to use my inhalers just about everyday. It all started with my chest getting tight constantly. whether I am sitting or walking, it just does not matter. Now I get short of breath and I am always tired.
Today I was sitting at my desk at work and just felt like I could not get enough air and mucus just kept on building up in my throat making it difficult to swallow. I used my pump and felt better, but there are times I just want to use it more than 2 puffs at a time. This happens all the time now, and I am not use to this, on an everyday basis. Right now I am only on albuterol. I am thinking I might need something stronger. The only thing is the asthma pump makes me jittery. Through all of this I am having a difficult time recognizing if I am having a full asthma attack or just symptoms. I have a doctors appointment April 16th, but until then.... Can someone tell me what they think is going on?

Midget · 03-30-2005, 09:29 PM

I think you need to be put on a daily maintenance medication (i.e. Pulmicort). Ask the doc about it. It's made a world of difference for me.

Howitt44 · 03-31-2005, 01:17 PM

Aren't most doctors aware now that unless you have mild intermittent asthma and only occasional attacks, you have to be on a preventative medication? I can't believe the number of posts that don't know this. Even my family doctor who isn't an asthma specialist knows this much. Taking albuterol many times a day all the time is dangerous.

blondy2061h · 03-31-2005, 08:38 PM

My family doctor doesn't oppose of me taking albueterol a lot, but she has prescribed me a lot of maintenance meds too.

Lalalane · 04-01-2005, 08:20 AM

Thanks For the replies so far. See, when I was younger I use to be on Tornalate and Intal. Then I was switched to albuterol and intal. My doctor that I go to now, knows that I am just on albuterol and she never said anything else about it. Just recently, for almost 2 months now, have I been having these problems all the time. When I say all the time, I mean everyday. So I do believe I need a maintenance medication. The only thing is would anyone consider this asthma attacks or just symptoms? That is the one question I do not know. I am not always gasping for air, sometimes I just get really tight and I feel like I am not getting enough air into my lungs. Like I cannot take a deep breath or even get a good yawn out. It feels like I do not have enough air for that. I don't quite understand it and it is like the littlest thing can trigger it, or sometimes I just wake up like that and I am like that until I use my inhaler. I feel like my airways are way to sensitive now for whatever reason. And I cannot pin point what my triggers triggers are, because it seems like everything is causing it. Now it is so bad, that as soon as I smell something I don't like, I tighten up right away. Sometime I get so weak and lightheaded, it feels like if I don't relax, I will pass out. It is just so aggravating and I feel like it is slowing me down from doing things I need to do. Maybe that is what I need. Maybe I need to slow down for a moment.