just diagnosed w/ asthma..questions

[penybobeny]

>>to be honest I'm not even sure exactly what an attack is~ I just feel like I can't breath,can't get a deep breath and my chest and sometimes neck gets tight,also the mucus gets worse.when I workout the mucus gets very thick.
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[url]http://asthma.nationaljewish.org/about/symptoms/[/url]
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This site will help you some... and it sounds like what you are experiencing are symptoms of an asthma attack.
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"The FDA, in a statement, said the benefits of treating patients with Serevent or Advair continue to outweigh the risks when used according to instructions." from an article in MSN.
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[url]http://yalenewhavenhealth.org/HealthNews/Reuters/NewsStory0814200319.htm[/url]
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As for Singulair, there are many side effects, I, myself, don't take it becuase of adverse reactions, but everybody's body chemistry is different.
What works like a miracle drug for some doesn't work for others, your best bet is to have your GP refer you to a specialist, it may take some trial and error to find the right combination for you, but it will happen.
Good luck
peny

[ebrbetty]

thank you for the links~very helpful

[kellie2]

Adult asthma is different from child asthma. The symptoms you're having are similar to mine...you won't experience an actual asthma 'attack', but instead have ongoing chest tightening and difficluty breathing. When I had this, it was pretty much an all-day thing, not an 'attack' that came and went. I started out on Advair 500 but it took 6 weeks for me to start feeling better. The rescue inhalers did absolute nothing for me, only the Advair. I went from 500 to the 250 and now I only use Advair 100/50 once a day and I feel fine. As for using the Advair, watch yourself in a mirror as many people use it incorrectly because they tend to hold it the same way you would a sandwich, and much of the powder ends up on the roof of your mouth instead of in your lungs. Watch in a mirror to make sure you are holding it level and aren't tipping it, and when you inhale it, inhale very quickly and deeply. Then afterwards, rinse your mouth with a full glass of water, brush your teeth, then rinse with a full glass of water again. And check your mouth every few days to make sure there's no thrush. Check your tongue, roof of your mouth, throat, etc. as it's much easier to get rid of if caught early. A peak flow meter doesn't always work for everyone - I used one and it read exactly the same thing no matter how I was feeling. If I felt good, it read close to 500. If I was having problems, it read close to 500. So I tossed it. They work great for people who have actual 'attacks' where they can see their peak flows dropping before they start having problems, but for people like me and possibly you too, who don't have actual attacks but just have ongoing symptoms, a meter isn't going to work the same way. They're fairly inexpensive so you can try one but don't worry if it doesn't work for you.

[Howitt44]

Kellie,
I'm just curious, do you have a lingering cough that comes with a cold? Your symptoms sound like mine - no actual attack, just a vague sensation. Did you notice a problem when running or walking up steps also? My doctor has me on Advair 100/50, but I'm wondering if he should have started me on a high dose and tapered off like you. I might mention that, because I don't see an overwhelming difference in what I'm doing. Thanks
Cindy

[ebrbetty]

kellie,thanks for the good advice, I was tipping it,looking in the mirror helps. every time I use the inhaler it seems to all end up on my tounge,need to get better w/it.
I'm starting to wonder if all this mucus is from the asthma,coming from my lungs?? I used the advair this morning,my chest is so tight,a while later I was coughing up more mucus.
BTW~ my pc is the one who ordered the tests and gave me my meds. I have an appointment with a allergist/asthma specialist next month,but is there really any need to see him?