Newby and a couple of questions

[MarinaO]

Hi everyone, I have only been diagnosed with Asthma in the last few months after suffering for years with it. I had never bothered to see a doctor because I thought it was only children that got Asthma and just put many of my symptoms down to the fact that I was a little overweight (as my nurse tells me only slightly!!) and just one of those unlucky chesty people.
At the moment I am on Beclazone and Ventolin. I have a couple of problems, I am due to see my Asthma nurse in 3 weeks but she is away on holiday for 2 weeks so wondered if some of you experts could help answer my questions. The Asthma nurse taught me how to use my inhalers properly but I have had quite a few quite nasty attacks where I am so out of breath. So as you know, you have to breathe out take a puff and hold your breath for 10 seconds then take another puff...........right Ha! How do you take your inhalers when this happens because the last thing you want to do when you are so out of breath is to actually have to hold it!!
Also one last one if I may, I have always suffered palpitations, tested and nothing wrong I am just one of those people that can get them from time to time. The thing is though I've noticed that since beng on the Ventolin I am getting them more regularily, is there another kind of rescue inhaler that would be better do you think. I am going to speak to my Asthma nurse when she comes back but hopefully you can help in the meantime. Thank you in advance

[Titchou]

Huh? I just open my mouth, push the inhaler and breathe in and hold for a few seconds ...as best I can. And you should wait 60 seconds to do the second puff (this is the rescue inhaler). You're over thinking all this. It isn't that "ordered."

And albuterol is an "upper" so it will make you jittery, maybe give you palpatations. But generally, after a time that goe away as you become used to the meds. It doesn;t do that to me any more.

[MK12]

my asthma nurse explained this to me as th efirst puff opens up your airways for the second puff to go down farther and do the job. does that make sense the first is a primer adn the second is the worker

i agree with the above poster the palpatiosn and jittery feelings go away after a tiem usignthe inhalers i think th ebody gets used to it

best of luck and odnt worry abotu holdign your breath if you cant I have same issue soemtimes and the inhalers work just fien as long as i space the does as th esbove said though i use any where form one minute to fiv emnut3es then y secodn does as per my nurse
MK

[MarinaO]

Thank you MK12 very politely and pleasantly explained.
Titchou, I apologise for my stupidity but when I am fighting for breathe (like quite a few others newly diagnosed, not just me) it is a very frightening experience, my nurse said when I get an attack I have to first breathe out then take a puff wait 60 seconds then take another. Well, for a newby like myself I probably panic and can't concentrate on doing it right and just wanted a little patience from somebody and guidance on how to do it or if I still had to follow the counting procedure when the attack was bad. I never knew that the first puff was a "primer" but thanks to MK I understand a little more. I'm just a learner in all this and if you don't ask questions about something you would never learn or understand, would you? Perhaps you'll be a little more patient next time.

[Titchou]

Ohmigosh! I certainly did not mean to come across that way. I am so sorry if I did. I was just trying to calm your anxiety over "getting it right" that seemed to keep you from getting relief quickly. Hope you get it all worked out soon.