confused about when to use inhaler??? - Asthma Message Board

casey2291 · 10-16-2005, 06:37 PM

Hi,

I am 29 years old and was recently diagnosed with asthma about three weeks ago when I was also diagnosed with bronchitis. Lately, I have been having pain in my ribs when I breathe deep and sometimes some pain in my chest. When this happens, I don't necessairly feel short of breath. Are these asthmatic symptoms that I should be taking an inhaler for? These symptoms are not occuring during physical activity or exertion, they just randomly happen. Also, the bronchitis is completely gone. This is my first experience with asthma and I'm not really sure when I should be taking the inhaler. My PCP is worthless so she didn't give me much info. When I was first diagnosed I knew when to take it b/c my chest would get really tight and I was short of breath. I don't want to take it if I don't have to. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks.

Casey

Titchou · 10-16-2005, 06:40 PM

You should be using a steroid inhaler (Flovent or Advair, etc) daily. If you have an attack or before you do cardio (jog, etc) you should use your rescue inhaler (Albuterol). Just some tightness when taking a deep breath I wouldn't....frankly, I have to be really having an attack before I use mine...the side effects are crappy and not worth it sometimes!

casey2291 · 10-16-2005, 06:57 PM

Hi.

Thanks for your response. I was not told by my doctor to be using a steriod inhaler on a daily basis. When I was diagnosed my PCP told me that the asthma could be a one time thing and I may never have to deal with it again. She just told me that she was giving me an inhaler (which was albuterol) and I read the instructions which said to use as needed. I'm planning on getting a new PCP so maybe once I switch doctors I will make an appointment and ask if a daily inhaler is something that I need. I keep reading that asthma is serious business and that you shouldn't mess with it, but please tell me if the symptoms go away on their own, is their some harm in not taking a daily inhaler? If I do have asthma as my doctor says, I feel that it is mild. If I don't follow up with daily treatment or have it monitored will it get worse? Only when I had bronchitis did I see the need for the inhaler. Also, is it normal to have pain down around the ribs as well with asthma? Honestly, I'm just uneducated when it comes to asthma. It's not something I've ever had to deal with before. Thanks for your help!!!

Casey

Titchou · 10-16-2005, 07:14 PM

Casey:
You need to find a pulmonologist. You should be on a daily inhaler....that may negate any need for the albuterol except in rare cases. I have a mild case of asthma and I only use the albuterol before jogging or some other high intensity cardio activity. I've only needed to use it during an attack earlier this year (after 8 years of asthma!) when air quality everywhere in the country was awful. And the rib pain is more like left over bronchitis rather than asthma. You may have pulled a muscle or something with the bronchitis and that takes a long time to heal.

And no, asthma is not a one time thing....if you have it as an adult, you will always have it. There is no cure. You need a good pulmonologist to do a breathing test on you and determine if you truly have asthma. I'd lay off the albuterol until then if you can.....Good luck! Let us know what happens....

Johna · 10-17-2005, 06:16 PM

I agree with Titchou about seeing a pulmonary doctor as soon as you can. However, I don't agree with Titchou on when to use your albuterol inhaler. I think once your chest starts getting tight you need to use it. That's a question you need to ask your doctor. My back and ribs at times hurt from coughing and right after I have an asthma attack.
Please don't play around with this..Asthma is a killer!