Newby and a couple of questions

[MarinaO]

It did a bit Titchou, I'm feeling a bit sensitive at the moment all mixed up feelings. I know I worrying too much and you are right I am over thinking it but it's just that being new to it all I'm not sure if I am handling it right. This is going to sound so silly to you but I'm never too sure if I am taking my reliever too much or too little, can you use it too much??? Do I take it when I'm just a little puffed and wheezy or wait to see if it gets worse!!! See what I mean, I've lived with Asthma for so long (but not knowing it WAS Asthma) and I'm not sure if when I get breathless and wheezing is it due to the asthma or is it just normal response to excercise. At the moment I can't judge when to use it other than of course when I am obviously coughing and out of breath very badly, like today for instance, I am so out of breath and tight chested because it is a high pollen count, I've used my reliever 5 times and it is only three o/clock in the afternoon and I'm kind of thinking that I have used it too much already. Sorry if I come across as a bit neurotic LOL I will calm down when I get used to it all. Anyway Hun, friends now?

[Titchou]

No problem!

You should use it when you first feel the symptoms come on. If you wait, it won't work as well. If you are going to be doing cardio of any kind you should do two puffs 20 minutes or so before beginning your workout. I jog and that's my regimen. Have no problems running after that.
And yes, I think 5 times today is too much. You may need to up your daily med dosage while the pollens are high. I am on one puff of Flovent daily but have upped that to two since I live in Alabama and we've had so much smoke from the forest fires in GA and FL. It's just been awful here. And we haven't had rain in about a month so everything here is dry. Been rough the last couple of weeks trying to breathe.

The general idea is to get to just usng the daily med and the rescue inhaler only before cardio and on rare days when the weather is acting up. Anything more and your asthma is not under control. I forget how long you've been on your meds but it can take a month to get things under control. If it's been that long since you started on the inhalers, I'd give the nurse a call and let her know you're still having attacks. They might want to adjust your meds.

Hang in...you'll get it under control.

[MarinaO]

Thank you Titchou, for all the advice. I've been on Ventolin and Beclazone for 5 weeks, she did say it would take 4 to 6 weeks so I'm hoping it will all setle down within the next week. Today has been particularily high in pollen and it is very hot and stuffy so I think that is why I have been so bad today. My Asthma nurse comes back from her holiday next week and I have an appointment to see her then. I will speak to her then and she may decide to try another type or as you say up the meds. My peak flows have gone to between 300 and 320 so I am getting better.

[DITAB]

It is quite natural to feel as you do. Breathing IS important and that breathless, tight chested feeling is not only uncomfortable but really scary.
I always fight taking the rescue inhaler and then tell myself it's foolish not to seek relief. There are times when I can go for days without it and other times when I may use it twice or three times.
I would surmise that asthma which is well controlled would not neccesitate such frequent use of Albuterol and I guess that's what all we sufferers strive for -- good control of our asthma.
Don't be hard on yourself -- you're reacting in a very normal way to the frigtening symptoms of asthma.
Ditab

[MarinaO]

Thank you Ditab, you have made me feel so much better. I do try not to panic when I get an attack (like us all) but when I am coughing and choking and breathless it is soooo scary. I was congratulating myself because up until 7 tonight I had only used my rescue once but then just after that I went out to the garden and all I was doing was watering the plants and wham I had another attack. Still I will be at the Astma clinic in the morning (they brought it forward because of a cancellation) and will let them know. I've had to fill in a peak flow chart and although I don't know what a normal peak flow is, I'm kind of pleased as it's gone up to between (as I said before) 300 and 320 in the middle of the day so I'm thinking that is quite good.
Will let you know how I get on tomorrow.