Need help breathing TODAY! - Asthma Message Board

NaeNae · 11-06-2005, 11:34 AM

Hello, I'm hoping someone can help me today since it's Sunday and I can't go to the doctor (and don't want to end up in the ER). I've never officially been diagnosed with asthma, but when I was about 12, I started getting tight feeling in lungs and shortness of breath. At the time our doctor gave me an inhaler. No real instructions, except just use it when I get the tightness, etc. That was 20 years ago. I've just kind of had it refilled over the years, gotten new prescriptions (Albuterol) for it from any new doctor I saw. The SOB and tight chest kind of went away as I got older. However, over the past few years, I've noticed in the Fall, when my allergies are at it's worse, the SOB and tightness creeps up for about 2 weeks. Last year I didn't have the inhaler anymore, so I just went and bought some Primatine Mist which didn't do anything. Around the same time, both my boy (3 and 6 at the time) got horrible bronchitis among other things (my oldest has been complaining from time to time of the tightness in the chest when he's trying to sleep) and their doctor gave them a nebulizer with Albuterol. He prescribed us several boxes of Albuterol refills. I just figured we've got enough around the house, no need to get a new RX for me, I'll just use the Albuterol and inhaler in the house as needed (which, like I said is only a little bit about once a year).

Well, it's now that once a year. I've noticed the past few days I've been getting the SOB and TC. I started using the inhaler as needed. I don't know if it was the sprayer from the inhaler, but it seemed like when I used it (the first time I've had to use the kids'), and took the big breath, it didn't seem to go all the way down like it has in the past. The mist didn't seem to go further than the back of my mouth. Regardless, it doesn't seem to help, and the few times it does work, I can only breathe normally for about a half an hour. I've been taking 2-4 puffs because I can't remember what I'm supposed to do. Can you build up a tolerance to it?

Last night it was at it's worse. I took the inhaler and I noticed after a while I started to feel some anxiety and got very snappy. It was weird. So after awhile I started to really feel like I couldn't take that deep breath (like a deep sigh) and was struggling to breathe. After a while I was glad I finally fell asleep. This morning I woke up breathing ok, but after a while, the same thing started happening-struggling to catch a breath and also, alot of coughing and mucous comming up.

I really don't want to be like this today again. Is there anything else I can do? I've noticed many of you are prescribed Flovent/Advair in addition to your inhaler. I don't mind going to a pulmonogist (sp?) to see about getting help, but I can't do that today. Are there any home remedies that I can do today to be more comfortable? Does a nebulizer help adults, or is it just for kids?

Any help would be appreciated-figures this stuff always happens to me on the weekend! Thanks.

PinkPiglet · 11-06-2005, 01:08 PM

There are no home remedies for asthma. When the air ways close meds are the only way to open them. Go to the ER!

Jeannie

MandyPandy · 11-06-2005, 11:01 PM

I'm sorry you are having problems breathing. My asthma acts up worse this time of year due to the mold. Albuterol inhailers are usually prescribed 2 puffs per dose. Sometimes your inhailer can be empty but not feel liek it due to teh air inside of it. you can give it a test by floating the aresole part of it it in a cup of water (or sink). If the aresole stays verticle/up & down you have medication...if it is totally on it side you are out of it. The nebulizer is just a machine that holds albuterol in a liquid form (this is usually what is in it). I have one myself for when i get really bad, it's not jsut for kids. If your allergies act up this time of year you may want to see about getting on daily prevenative meds such as singulair and/or Flovent or advair.

good luck,
Amanda

NaeNae · 11-07-2005, 04:43 PM

Thank you Jeannie and Amanda. Thank you sooo much Amanda for the tips. I had no idea that air in there could feel like medication. Are there different size inhalers? Or different amounts of milligrams or something? It seems like a standard size, but besides possibly being out of medication, I can't stand the feeling that it doesn't seem to go down my lungs. I feel like I keep puffing throughout the day and every so often (maybe twice a day), I'll get relief for about a half an hour.

I'm glad you told me about the nebulizer, too! I guess I'll be sitting here tonight with a yellow ducky neb!

I went to meet a friend at McDonalds so our kids could play and I was telling her about it. She said she's heard from about 3 people this past week alone that have been having asthma flare ups when they normally don't during the year. We have a high count of Mountain Cedar here (minus the mountain!).

I didn't get around to making an appointment today and I don't know if I should right now. I'm wondering if he's even going to be able to help me by providing me with instant relief? If I get a prescription like Singular, Flovent or Advair, how long does it take to kick in? I've already got the inhaler. If he refers me to a pumonologist (sp), then I'm going to have to wait for a referral to go through, then the appointment made, etc.

Since I started writing this, I did the water/aerosol test and it bobbed vertically (although it kind of hit the wall on the side, I assume since it's half full).

I'm miserable, and am hoping this gets better soon. Thanks again for your help!

jerrie97 · 11-09-2005, 08:16 PM

Are you sure that you are using proper inhaler technique? When albuterol (and any other) inhalers are used without a spacer, most of the medication ends up in the back of one's mouth rather than in the lungs. Doctors always recommend spacers since they hold medication a little longer than the inhaler does. That way, most of the medication ends up in the lungs.

Advair and Flovent are basically the same thing, but Advair has a long-acting bronchodilator in it in addition to steroid. Both of them take about 3-4 weeks to take full effect. Singular is non-steroid pill, and from what I hear, it takes about as long as the steroids to take effect.