chronic asthma treatment

chronic asthma treatment questions and answers

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Q: Severe Chronic Asthma, Any Help?
I have had severe chronic asthma for as long as I can remember. I use about 5 different inhalers daily, am taking 2 preventative oral pills, and am having to take breathing machine/nebulizer treatments up to 8 times a day at home. I used to be hospitalized so often that the doctor recommended I just buy my own nebulizer...this has prevented hundreds of hospitializations. I cannot sleep more than 2 hours at a time without waking up coughing, struggling to breathe, and/or sinus congestion. This occurs EVERY DAY. I don't know if I have ever gotten "a full night's sleep" in my life. I am not exaggerating. All of this medication and suffering is wearing me out. I am about at the end of my "rope". My allergist thought I should try Xolair, but I cannot afford it, the drug company won't help me, and my insurance will not cover it. I want to know if anyone out there has suffered like this. What has helped you? Anything? I am feeling very depressed and suicidal. I have tried almost every medication possible, but would be willing to try something again if it has really made a difference in your asthma. I really need help. My husband and I even moved out of the country to a location that was "ideal" for asthma and allergies...this did not help. I don't know what else to do. I am on so much medication I can't even work. It gives me stomach aches and head aches, makes me very very jittery, and makes me irritable. I can't do it anymore. I don't know what else to do...neither do the doctors (except tell me to try Xolair with an out of pocket cost of $2000/mo! I would need 2 shots because my asthma is so severe). Anyway....I really appreciate your help!

A: Have you been tested for food allergies? If not, thats where I'd start. With chronic asthma that is hard to control, and the mood issues and sleep issues.. and that you removed yourself to a place that is supposed to be great for enviromental allergens, I'm almost 99% sure you have an undiagnosed food allergy. If you already know you have a food allergy, double check what you're eating as there may be some of that food still sneaking in. Or you may have another food allergy you've not found out yet. I've been there done that myself, and by avoiding my allergy foods I'm now off all those medications and breathing fine. (PS, as well as food allergy testing, do make sure that you've had your thyroid tested, as well as your other hormones just to make sure there isn't another underlying condition contributing to the problem.)

Q: My 6 month old was just diagnosed with chronic asthma yesterday?
Now that we have been home for a little more then 24 hrs im a little nervous cause I already had to stop three attacks and he has A chocking cough. He has a follow up doctors appointment at the peds office tomorrow but I was just wondering if anyone else had to deal with this with their little babies. I get so scared I will miss an attack but hes had a total of 6 and they were all pretty bad. he was actually fully diagnosed. he keeps having violent atacks (violent mainly to himself.) and had one in the er he has a treatment and steroids

A: yes my daughter is asthmatic and so is my son and my daughter had a bad attack just after she was released from hospital from birth, she did stop breathing (apnoe) it is very frightening to watch someone so young struggle for breath, my daughter is much better now but is on lots of meds for her asthma but so am I. my daughter is now two. try not to worry so much, i know thats very hard to do but to ease my mind i bought an under the matress movement sensor as it picks up breathing and when i used it it never went off except when i picked her up an forgot it was still on. this maybe something that may ease your mind on this. dont forget though if your not well rested you dont operate at your best and if you cant look after yourself it will be more difficult to care for others. i have been looking after my familys asthma for over 14 years now. look on this web page as it gives good advise even if you dont live in the uk. www.asthma.org.uk

Q: What should I do when my child get's a cold when they have Chronic Asthma?
Oh my Goodness, we are like at the doctor all the time. My babies are 8mos & 2 1/2. They are on all kind's of breathing treatment's. Even when they don't have a cold they have a clear running nose, which I believe is what make's them sick, and back's up into there lung's. I know it's alergie's, but the doctor say's that it is common for babies to get cold at least 5 time's a year, and to just treat it as a cold. Well I believe they really do have a cold this time cause it's like dark mucus. I'm tired of going to the doctor's, and them not doing anything. I hear your not suppose to give them cold medicine, I've tried it doesn't help anyway. So what does he mean by treat it like a cold? If there nothing you can do for it. They have been sick for a week, I guess I'm going to have to take them to the doctor, even though we have all the medicine they alway's give us. It just seem's like it take's forever like a month & a half for them to get better. and then there only good for awile. I tried some allergie medicine's, and they don't make their nose stop running, what are some good one's that are safe for children. Our old doctor gave my son Claritan for his night allergie and it didn't do anything. My new doctor just tottaly ignore's the allergie part, and say's there cold's.

A: First I have to caution you that having a cold can lead to an asthma attack so make sure your children have their inhaler with them at all times. As far as the cold goes, keep your children indoors and away from other things that trigger their asthma. Make sure they get plenty of rest and fluids.

Q: Does anyone know about ssi? my son will be 2 in march and has server chronic asthma?
he has been in the icu when he was 3 months for asthma and he has been admitted to the hospital i would say about 13 times since hes been born for asthma attacks and he also has a moderate to extreme speech delay i applied for him ssi in sept and i haven't heard anything yet if he will be approved .. and to mention on his asthma he has a breathing machine and hes to take 2 treatments a day everyday no matter what and another controller medicine called singular .. does anyone know his chance of getting approved i have a heard time keeping a job due to always having to be off with him being sick does anyone know how long it takes to be approved or denied.. and what are his chances.. please any suggestions.....and i was reading on the website that a child with asthma has to be in hosiptal 6 times a year and it has to last 12 months for be consdier for disability and my son has diffently done so... what are the chances of him being approved

A: I just want to say that you are a good mom and keep doing what you're doing. I have been suffering from severe asthma since I was two, and my single mom took care of me, and had to take off work and all that. It is an admirable thing. As far as SSI, I recieved it until I was 18 because of my asthma, although it may have only been since my father was on disability. Good luck.

Q: chronic medical condition you should see your doctor weekly for?
what are chronic medical conditions (maybe some information on cf, allergies, asthma) that you would have to see your doctor weekly for? and what kind of treatment would be done weekly for it? thanks!

A: Acute Kidney Injury, or any sort of condition which lowers the functionality of the kidneys may require patients to undertake Dialysis weekly (once, twice, thrice... depending on the severity).

Q: I have never had asthma, but the urgent care doc said i have had it for a long time. How?
I have never had any signs of asthma in my 29yrs. In december i ended up with bronchitis, that never went away fully. Then the begining of January when i went in for a follow up they said it was walking pneumonia. followed the antibiotics to a T. I have been feeling very lethargic lately and have a "gurgling" sound wheeze when i exhale. I called my primary care they said to go to urgent care. After breathing treatment and xray, he says that i have chronic asthma. How is that possible? I have a scheduled apt this friday with primary care.

A: What is meant by 'chronic' asthma is that you have a condition, asthma, which will require long-term treatment to control it (as opposed to 'acute' asthma, which means you are having an attack and require quick treatment right then and there). It's possible to never have any problems with asthma through childhood and then for it to suddenly occur in adulthood. What might have happened here is that you have had very mild asthma symptoms for a few months (perhaps a bit of wheeze or a cough you couldn't shake off) that you haven't really paid much attention to and this caused you to be susceptible to the bronchitis. Or it could be that the bronchitis has weakened your lungs and caused you to know have a problem with asthma. At your appointment, you will probably have your lung function tested and started on some treatment (probably in the form of a preventer inhaler to get the condition under control, which you'll use every day, and a reliever inhaler to use when you're feeling wheezy or having an attack). You may also be appointed an asthma nurse who will keep an eye on your progress. Your doc will be able to give you a better idea of what has happened to you and whether this will be a long-term problem or perhaps something that will disappear over time once you properly get over your pneumonia.

Q: Asthma help!!!?
I'm a healthy 5' 5", 125 lbs., 17 yr. old, except for my asthma. I have been treating my asthma since I was 2 yrs. old. I have chronic asthma and have been on Pulmicort, Serevent, and Theophylline for about 2 months now. I was on 2 doses twice a day of the Pulmicort and Serevent and then took the theophylline before I went to bed. I also had my Albuterol inhaler for quick relief. All in all, this treatment is NOT WORKING and I am still having symptoms every day! I cannot play the sports I want to or be physically active. I also get pains in my chest and ribs, mainly on the right side. Any ideas on why this is? Anyone have any advice for me? I have a doctors appointment in about two weeks, but was wondering if any of you could tell me anything I don't know. I know all the basic things... I've researched a lot, read books, and have grown up with it... Anything that I might not know would be wonderful!!!! Thanks in advance.

A: It could be as easy as changing your dryer sheets. Make a list of the activities you do during the day, when you do them, who you are with, and compare them to when you get attacks. The goal is to compile a journal and determine what triggers your asthma. Once you have determined your triggers, avoid them. See an allergist as well. You may have already done this. If so, compare your allergies to the things you have around the house and you may find the very things you are allergic to are on your clothes or in your mattress. Many things can trigger your attacks, but they can not trigger with our a causative agent. Your meds sound comprehensive so I don't think the problem is the medication. Good luck. I just saw the answer above me. DO NOT drink coffee if you are on theophylline. The caffeine can interact with the xanthine action in theophylline and cause serious side effects. It will also mess up blood work you have done to measure your serum levels for the drug.

Q: Asthma and bronchitis?
I have chronic asthma since I was 3 years old. It was really serious back then, but now I am on a treatment and I havent had a episode ever since. I am 13 now. Well four days ago I had a basketball match and I felt alittle wheezy after and had a headache. I went to the doc two days later and took x rays and i was told I had bronchitis. it makes me feel really wheezy and short on breaths. I have a bad sore throat and high fever. when can I return to school and come back to basketball? i really want to get back to basketball since its nearly the end of the season and I am one of the point guards.

A: All i would say to you is wait until the bronchitis is cleared. I didnt think it was a serious condition until i developed it last summer. never had asthma before but becusae it persisted for so long i developed asthma out of it...id imagine if you dont watch urself ur asthma may start up again so take it easy!

Q: what is the best cure for post hypoxic myoclonic jerks?pls read the details given and help us urgently.?
This is SHIVI AGARWAL from NEW DELHI, INDIA. my father G.D. AGARWAL who is 52 yrs old is suffering from post hypoxic myoclonic jerks. he was a workcoholic til 2004. but he suffered from a respiratory arrest in october 2004 as he has chronic asthma and COPD. he was in coma for about a month nand he developed these jerks as and when he came out of coma. his medication has its own limitations because of his respiratory problems as well. he is the only earning member of our family and we are in great worry. is there anything that can help us in his treatment. we are ready for anything irrespective of the expense. kindly reply at the earliest.

A: I doubt there is much anyone can do - avoid being ripped off by anyone trying to sell you a cure.

Q: My son has a chronic lung problem?
I'm sick of no one being able to figure out what is wrong with my son. He is 10 months old and he has been having upper respiratory problems since birth. When he was born he had slight breathing problems but nothing too serious they only had him in the nursery for 2 hours. In his first month, I called him my little piggy because he always snorted. His second month, he started coughing all the time. His nose would be runny and I would have to have a humidifier by his bed when he slept because he would constantly wake up from not being able to breathe. EVERY DAY since the day he was born he has been wheezing, coughing, gasping for air. It is VERY persistent. The doctors gave him the inhalers albuterol and flovent to use (asthma treatment). I have gotten so many different explanations for his problems that now I am confused of what it is. One doctor says it's asthma, another doctor says it's not. One says he's not sure so for now it will just be called "wheezy bronchitis," another says it is too early to jump to the term "bronchitis." I dont think it's asthma because a lot of my family members have asthma and it is NEVER as persistent as my son's problems. My brother has very severe asthma and even he has his good days. There are never any good days for him. They have taken chest xrays which have come up clear, they have given him prednezone which did nothing. He now has a nebulizer and uses albuterol and pulmicort respules. Nothing is working. I just would like some ideas of what anybody thinks may be the problem. I believe in homeopaths so if you know of any good things to try. I heard black licorice is good to use however I havent tried it yet. If anything and you dont have any imput at least pray for him please. the first thing the doctors tested for was cystic fibrosis. they did a chest xray which was supposed to show whether he had it or not and as I said the chest xray came out clear.

A: If your son has a chronic illness, homeopathic remedies are not the answer. They only treat symptoms (if that) and do not cure a disease or congenital defect. There are so many respiratory related illnesses and congenital defects that it would be foolish to try to guess what your son may have. Honestly if he was my child and he had gone a year without a proper diagnosis or effective treatment, I would consider taking him to one of the best hospitals in the USA such as Mayo Clinic or one of the children's research hospitals. Why? Because if he's not getting better, he has not been properly diagnosed and all the doctors you have seen are not competent enough to know what your son's illness is. Yes, to be frank, not every doctor is equally qualified to diagnose a specific illness, and luck plays a huge part in coming across one who is. Generally though, people go to these hospitals exactly for that reason: they don't know what's wrong and neither do any of the doctors they've seen. So these places have experience with the more rare diseases. It sounds like it could even be congenital if he had it since birth. I'll be praying for him and hoping that you do find a doctor with enough experience to identify the issue.

Q: i have scarring to my lungs caused by my asthma & smoking can it be repaired if i stop cigarrets?
i am a 36yr old male have been smoking for 23yrs & also suffer with chronic asthma,i took a massive attack about 2yrs ago & the doctors said i was lucky to survive. They took x rays of my chest & initially told me i had emphasimia but after further checks of my x rays i was told it was scarring to my lungs either caused by infection or smoking, i have been useing inhalers since i was a small child can these damage my lungs? And also can my lungs regenerate if i stop the smoking? to look at me i have the body of an athlete & dont even go to the gym my friends & family think this is abnormal is this because of the use of steroid treatments since childhood? It really does scare me to think that i could die very young bacause of these problems pls help me by trying to put my mind at rest, many thanks Richard

A: I am a little concerned that the doctors choose to use the word "scarred." Normally, the lungs repair themselves,and although they will never be as good as they were before you started smoking, they will improve incredibly. However, the word "scar" implies permanent. There is a good chance that whatever was "scarred" has become permanent damage to your lungs. Either way, by quitting smoking, your lungs will repair themselves as best they can, so quitting is probably in your best interest right now. Best of luck!

Q: What do I expect at my first visit to the allergist?
On Thursday, I am going to the allergist for the first time. I'm supposed to be tested for allergies with a scratch test and also for asthma, and theyy will be figuring out treatment for my allergies/chronic sinus problems and infections. What should I expect? Does the testing hurt?

A: The asthma test will consist of them having a tube that you breathe into- make sure to take a deep breath and then just exhale for as long as you can. The scratch test consist of little shots- but they're more like little pricks. It doesn't hurt, don't worry you'll be fine!

Q: Does asthma cough produce phlegm?
I have had a chronic cough for over 6 weeks now and keep going to the doctor. She is adamant I have asthma. I have NEVER had asthma in my life and the two types of inhaler I have been on for 6 weeks or more are not making me better. I am going out of my mind. Have also tried many alternative treatments and home remedies as well to try and get rid of this Has anyone else had this experience with asthma where the cough is productive over a long period of time?

A: I've had asthma almost my whole life, and it has almost always been triggered by colds/flus and accompanied with phlegm. If you are taking a long-term corticosteroid inhaler, it is important that you continue to take it regularly. It may take several months to have its effect. If you are having trouble sleeping because of phlegm, I've found over the counter antihistamines like Benedryl (or the generic version) work well as a short term solution. Just watch out they knock you out cold!

Q: Chronic cough and excessive mucous?
I've had Asthma since I was 10 months old. In November, I was diagnosed with Bronchitis and Asthma Attack, due to chronic cough and excessive mucous. I was given the basic antibiotic and prednisone treatment and within 1 week I was feeling better. Well, in 1 months the chronic cough and excessive mucous came back. I was rediagnosed with bronchitis and asthma attack and give another antibiotic and another dose of prednisone. Well, since November this has been happening every month. Chronic cough and excessive mucous (which makes me feel like I'm closing up and difficulty breathing, the only way to clear it is to clear my throat and cough), always comes back and I'm alway rediagnosed with bronchitis and Asthma attack, and I'm always put back on antibiotic and another dose of prednisone. I always feel better within a week, but then it always comes back within a month. I do not believe this is reaccuring bronchitis and asthma attacks, I'm beginning to get scared. I am a 23 year old female with a history of Asthma, Myotonic Dystrophy Type 2, Sinusitis, Allergies, and a positive TB test. After the TB test turn positive, I had a chest x-ray done, which showed that I wasn't contagious. I have no symptoms such as fever, chills, or night sweats. The only thing I'm experiencing is chronic cought and excessive mucous which makes me feel like I'm closing up since November. There is a family history of Sarcoidosis. As for those of you who say go to the doctor, my husband and I are both without work and have no insurance. I am going to try and go to the doc, if I get to bad, this week; I'll just have to pay payments. We have no free health clinic in Greencastle Pa, so that's not an option either. I just want to know what some of you think this could possibly be. Thanks.

A: well from my understanding of things you may have an allergy to dairy its quite common in undiagnosed or treament resistant or recurrant coughs and upper respitary infections. due to the fact that u had a positive tb test a broad spectrum antibiotic may be needed but as for wat u can do u should look at ur diet and eliminate dairy or dairy products and see if that helps ofcourse along with watever ur doctor or healthcare provider prescribes. it may not necessarily be dairy but anything that you may or may not be allergic 2 that could be contributing to this

Q: Will my allergies keep me out of the military?
I was set to join the navy (The job I was hoping to do is EOD, which is part of the navy’s special warfare program), but then I started getting really sick. I’ve had chronic sinus infections and a mild case of asthma for the last few months. I just recently found out these problems have been caused by a dust allergy, and will go away once I’ve been treated. Yet, the treatment for this allergy is weekly shots, two nasal sprays, an inhaler, and a pill as well. I was wondering if I have a chance at a waiver or anything? If I do get a waiver, will it include a specialized job like EOD? Thanks for the help.

A: iraq is covered in dust .....bring lots of meds.....lol and hope you dont get an allery attack as you check out those road side bombs