Do mild asthmatics get asthma attacks? - Asthma Message Board

kirsten22 · 06-30-2006, 12:17 AM

Hi everyone.

I was just diagnosed with asthma and I THINK its mild.. my doctor didn't tell me what degree I have.. but when I looked up asthma at the mayo clinic it sounded to me like I fit into moderate persistant or mild persistant, whichever it is.

Anyways, I am wondering if I might have an asthma attack? I am a bit scared about it, I think I have had one or two before, feeling soooo winded that I just thought I was gonna die.. but I did not have wheezing. I only wheeze if I am also sick.. and maybe a little after exercise. But i am afraid I don't want to have one and have to go to the hospital

Before I was diagnosed, when I would go to the hospital they said by oxygen was fine. Is that weird? Does oxygen get bad during an attack?

I don't understand!

Also I am wondering if anyone else gets tight feelings across the upper back with their asthma.. like between shoulder blades, and across them.

and one more thing, do you guys talk to your family doctor about your asthma more, or do you see your speacalist? I am confused if I am supposed to go back to my family doctor now that I've been diagnosed. My speacalist didn't seem too chatty.

I am also a bit nervous because my family doctor didn't think I had anything wrong (she also gave me a referral to a pyschiatrist..

...) and I am worried she is still going to think I am fine and be annoyed if I ask her questions or anything. If i have mild asthma, does that still mean I should be able to have a peak flow chart and have an asthma action plan. I was reading about that on a website but I am worried my doctor will think I am not severe enough to be doing all that. I am not sure how to tell if I am having an asthma attack or just symptoms.. so i thought the peak flow thing would help. sorry, i am so new to all this and i am just like, ahhhhh! Things seem so complicated.. is anyone else on flovent? How long did it take to start kicking in? I feel better after using Ventolin but I don't want to over-use it..

Thanks everyone

Titchou · 06-30-2006, 05:36 AM

I get so aggravated at these docs! Anyway, you should be seeing a pulmonologist for your asthma. Most PCP don't have a clue. Yours might be he's be the exception.

I use Flovent and it has worked well for me. Am down to one puff a day unless I am sick or having problems. In that case, I up it to two a day until I'm well or no longer having problems (like early spring, I woke up two nights in a row with trouble breathing). I use albuterol for my rescue inhaler. The only time i use it now (other than the aforementioned episodes this spring) 2 puffs 20 minutes before I jog. Otherwise, I never need it. My mild case is very well under control.

And forget about the flow meter and chart deal. You know when you can breathe and when you can't. Just use common sense. I threw mine away years ago. I do have to blow for my doc every year at my checkup. I found after 2 years of jogging that my flow had increased some and remained steady.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

tiercy · 06-30-2006, 06:06 AM

Hi Kristen,

Don't worry about asking too many questions, I had a lot of them too. As far as whether to have an action plan or not. I do. You never know when you might have a severe attack and someone will need to know whats going on and what to do.

Even if your asthma is considered mild that won't stop from having a severe attack. From what I understand, adult onset asthma will most likely get worse as we age (I'm not 100% sure, that's just what I've read).

I was outside in my garden last night and my husband started putting down grass, I immediatley started wheezing. Even though you are on Pulmicort and it will control you asthma, you still need to be consienses.

And yes, when I get the "elephant" sitting on my chest, it hurts in my back between the shoulder blades. Not everyone wheezes with their asthma, some just get that squeezed feeling. I wheeze and get tight but I don't cough unless I'm really sick.

I go to an Allery/Asthma/Immunologist specialist. They are more qualified. Once my asthma is under better control, I will just go see my regular doc unless things turn for the worst or my medication needs to be tweaked, but she's also the one who dx'd asthma in the first place.

Good Luck, I hope this helps a little.