Wheezing While Resting - Asthma Message Board

Red2007 · 11-18-2007, 12:15 PM

Does it make sense I feel the wheezing more when I rest than when I'm active? I noticed that I hear it when I'm sitting to read a book on my couch or when I lie down to sleep.

Is it supposed to be loud? Because it's relatively quiet lately..

Also - should I use my inhaler when the wheezing happens, or should I let it be?

Thanks in advance!

Gabby2007 · 11-18-2007, 03:09 PM

Sure, it makes sense that you hear your wheezing more when you are sitting/laying down - you can probably hear a lot of things better when you are still! Although you might also want to pay attention to your surroundings - is there something nearby that might be triggering your asthma? A cat, for instance.

Use your inhaler when you are wheezing or when your chest starts to feel tight. Or when you know that you are going to be exposed to one of your triggers. However: I just looked up your inhaler on the internet. Symbicort is a controller medication. You use it every day, whether or not you are having symptoms; it minimizes the symptoms. It will NOT stop your wheezing or other symptoms once they start. That's why you need a rescue medication like albuterol or xopenex. You might only use your rescue drug once or twice a week - just when you need it.

Red2007 · 11-18-2007, 03:33 PM

Hi, Gabby,

Well, the thing is that sometimes I'm in the same places, and there is no wheezing. I don't have any pets, and because my asthma was only diagnosed about two weeks ago, I still don't know what my triggers are.

The regular doctor I saw was not much help. She just said to use this inhaler twice a day. You're right, whether or not I have symptoms. I was not aware it does not help in case the symptoms start. I was told to just keep using it.. I hope the lung specialist I'll be going to will be more helpful.

Can you tell me whether these rescue drugs are inhalers, or are they taken like antibiotics? Also, does every person with asthma have rescue drugs, or only those with a more severe "case"?

Thanks again!

DITAB · 11-18-2007, 04:04 PM

Yes, Red -- everyone with asthma should have a rescue ihnaler like Albuterol for those moments when it's needed. It should be carried with you at all times.
Wheezing doesn't always require the use of Albuterol -- sometimes it passes uneventfully after a short time. But of course if you feel shortness of breath or real chest tightness than relief is called for.
Your controller meds like Symbicort, Asmanex, Advair, etc. should be used as prescribed whether or not you're experiencing any ashtma syjmptoms at the moment. The controller meds are for long term use and not for quick relief of symptoms.
Hope this helps.
Ditab

Gabby2007 · 11-18-2007, 04:38 PM

The most common rescue drugs are inhalers. However, I say that with the comment that they may have different drugs/treatments where you are...I doubt it, since logically speaking, inhaled medications are most rapid in working - they go directly to the lungs. Some of us do use nebulizers; I think they are most common with young children who may not be mature enough to manage an inhaler. I have both inhaler and nebulizer. The nebulizer, as you may know, is a machine that provides you with a medicated mist that you breathe. I feel like I get more relief from the nebulizer, but it isn't as portable and convenient as my inhaler.

As far as I'm aware, everyone with asthma uses rescue medications; the people with less severe asthma may only use the rescue medications. They won't need controller meds, will only use their rescuer on the infrequent times that they have symptoms. I know several people that have mild, intermittant asthma; one young friend only needs her inhaler during pollen season. You may find that once your controller meds get fully working - and it may take some experimentation to get a workable dose - you will rarely need a rescuer. That is ideal. But you'll still probably need one just in case. You know - you get a cold (that's a common trigger) - some things your controller may not be able to fully control.

I'm still figuring out how to treat my asthma, to be honest. How to use the nebulizer, when to use my rescuer. Everyone is sooo different; I've been reading a book that's teaching me a lot ("The Harvard Medical School Guide to Taking Control of Your Asthma"). The authors have respectable credentials, so I trust what I'm reading...but we're still all so different. Also - they keep coming out with new medications and treatment protocols all the time, which is encouraging. What is available in your country may not be available where I am.