Was improving, but now I'm backsliding - Asthma Message Board

kellysmum · 12-27-2007, 08:34 AM

I was in pretty bad shape last week-wheezing, shortness of breath all day, exhausted. If you read my posts, you know the story. I started on Duoneb last Saturday, and I started to improve. The wheezing stopped and my shortness of breath improved. I managed to get my peak flow numbers up to the very low 400's. Then, last night, while I was just sitting there watching TV, the wheezing started to come back. Of course I panicked, which made the whole thing worse. I'm back to being full of phlegm and coughing, and just trying to keep myself calmed down to to keep the wheezing to a minimum. I haven't needed my rescue inhaler yet. I am in the process of being weaned off prednisone by my family doc. Don't know if this has anything to do with increased wheezing.

I'm wondering now if it wasn't something to do with the chair I was sitting in-maybe it's so full of dog dander that it was a trigger. We have futon furniture, with covers that come off, so I'm wondering if washing the futon cover would help.

Anyway, I'm venting, and I guess I'm just looking or encouragement.

Hope to hear from someone, and all of you out there take care.

Titchou · 12-27-2007, 09:25 AM

You should use your albuterol inhaler at the first sign of an attack. You are doing yourself a real disservice by not using it. You are only making it worse. One puff at the first sign of a wheeze and you'd probably have been fine. USE IT NOW!

kellysmum · 12-27-2007, 01:01 PM

My problem is I can't avoid animals. Dogs have never bothered me before, and we've got FIVE of them. Like I've said before, we've got air cleaners going in every room and I'm trying to take care of the dander on the floor (haven't gotten to the walls yet). I am praying and praying we don't have to re-home any dogs. Maybe I should look into allergy shots. My doctor says the dogs have nothing to do with my asthma; that if they did, I would have had asthma symptoms long ago around the dogs.

I've noticed I get worse after I've been out shopping or running around, in some way exerting myself. I get more phlegm and coughing than if I was sitting around with a dog in my lap for hours. And I am so tired by the end of the day, I guess from mouth-breathing to get air in all day.

I'm just holding on until my pulmonologist appointment in a week and a half.

Thanks for the input.

Gabby2007 · 12-27-2007, 07:55 PM

I don't remember your story completely, but it's possible that you have nonallergic asthma - that dogs/animals won't trigger you. If you don't notice any worsening of your symptoms when you are around them, then don't worry about it.

Since it does seem like you are worse before you exert yourself, why don't you use your rescuer before you go? It may make a big difference in how you feel; once you get your symptoms under control, you'll feel a whole lot better. There's *no* reason why you can't run, snowshoe, ski, or do whatever kind of exercise - just as long as you treat with your rescuer before you start. Exercise is very good for you - just use your medication!

(I'm curious - you have a rescuer, don't you? Why haven't you tried using it?)

suzcgrove · 12-27-2007, 08:03 PM

Sounds like physical activity induced asthma. If it's really bothering you should put the dogs in a kennel for a few days and completely clean your house and see how you feel. If your symptoms subside you know its the dogs. Just an idea. what is duoneb? I haven't heard of that. Do you have the albuterol sulfate inhaler called Proair? It is a rescue inhaler and if you haven't seen a specialist you should do that also.

hope I helped a little,
Suz