Asthma and deep breaths... - Asthma Message Board

ross52 · 08-02-2008, 11:19 AM

Hello...this is my first time posting as I am a new member. Some backround first before I ask my questions. I had childhood asthma then "outgrew" it later on. I was very athletic in high school and college and all my life. Became an insulin dependent diabetic and presently on the pump. Never had problems with asthma while in Cross-country, Wrestling, and Track in high school or college. About 10 years ago developed coughing and post nasal drip problems during late fall and winter which sometimes required codeine. I am a Health Teacher and am still very active...(until recently). About 6 years ago I had a severe exercise induced asthma attack which almost took my life. I was saved by one of my runners who had an inhaler. Got diagnosed with asthma and was put on prednisone, advair and singulair along with albuterol. It was very difficult for me especially with the prednisone as it upset my blood sugars and put them in the 600+ range which caused all sorts of problems for me. Eventually I weaned myself off of everything (took about 5 months) or so. I took all my carpets out and put in hardwood floors, put in a very expensive air purifier on my furnace and things did get better. I also had an allergy test which showed I was allergic to dust, dust mites, chicken and chocolate etc. And now up to the present...About 7 weeks ago just before school ended I had a few pieces of chicken and some chocolate (due to a low blood sugar), went out dancing and came home feeling like I could not get a deep breath. I called 911 and ended up in the hospital and was released the next day. My doctor put me back on advair and albuterol and atrovent, all it got me was a very hoarse voice and no real improvement at all, in a couple of weeks (after many totally sleepless nights due to fear, anxiety and not being able to get deep breaths) I was switched to flovent, etc and after about 3 weeks of that with no improvement I was again switched to symbicort which seemed to help a very little bit for a couple of days but then had a really bad day yesterday where i almost called 911 again. My problem is that i can blow a 600 on my peak meter but cannot get deep breaths (just maybe about 1 out of 5 or something)

. I went our for a very slow walk a few days ago and made it for about 200 yards before I was getting all anxious and could not get a deep breath. It's like my alveoli and bronchiole have 'girdles' around them and only let me take a full breath once in awhile. My doctor says he has run out of options and told me to make an appointment with a pulmonologist which I did but cannot get in to see him until August 19th. I have had very little actual sleep over the past 7 weeks and this is affecting my mental health (depression, anxiety, impending feelings of doom etc). My voice is still hoarse, my sleeping is almost non-existent, I feel like a slave in my house and cannot teach or coach in my present state (School starts in 4 weeks). I am getting desperate for answers...please Help!

Titchou · 08-03-2008, 06:22 AM

I'm sorry you are having these problems. You should have headed to the pulmonologist 6 years ago when you had the EIA attack. I'm assuming your doc did not refer you at the time. If that is what you have, and it would seem like it since you don't need deep breaths unless you are doing cardio, then the flovent, symbicort, etc will do you no good. The proper treatment for EIA is pre-cardio treatment with albuterol - typically 2 puffs 15-20 minutes before. People with EIA do not need daily preventers. Hope this helps.

ross52 · 08-04-2008, 06:53 AM

I did see a pulmonologist at that point and it may have been him that put me on prednisone years ago (I have since forgotten). I only saw him once. I was able to get off it after a number of months...but the whole experience was really bad especially with my diabetes...I was up most of the night just going to the bathroom because my blood sugars were so high and then I was worried about insulin reactions because I was dosing myself so much.

My concern at this point is simply being able to get deep breaths.....while the symbicort has helped a little bit...it isn't much. I am at wits end at this point...I simply want to be able to get consistant deep breaths. Yesterday i tried my peak meter and I blew 610. I am 55 and weigh about 149...so I guess that is Ok. It does not reflect my inability to get the deep breaths though. I am fully consious of each breath that I take and I find it hard not to think about it every second. Doing anything physical is out of the question at this point. I am hoping someone out there understands what i am talking about and can give me some suggestions re: other medications I could try. August 19th is still 17 days away. I am reading Dr Frank Pescatore's book the Allergy and Asthma Cure. He is a board certified doctor who uses traditional and alternative treatments...however his office is near NYC and I live near Rochester NY. Any other suggestions?

PS thanks for your comments Titchou

Titchou · 08-04-2008, 07:25 AM

Why do you feel the need to take deep breaths outside of cardio activity? There really shouldn't be any need to do that. It appears that your respiration is fine...610 is great! Wish mine was that good. At 5'2" and 110 pounds, 350 is sufficient to go about my daily activities. But I do have to use albuterol before jogging as I can't get my breath during cardio otherwise. Perhaps I'm not understanding your issue with the deep breaths.

Fleurlur · 08-05-2008, 05:24 AM

I think this sounds more like anxiety to be honest. I suffer from both and I find I'm constantly trying to take deep breaths and only feel tight chested when I do, this is because I am overbreathing and causing myself to hyperventilate! Try to focus your mind elsewhere, your peak flow is fine so it is most likely anxiety causing your symptoms.