Asthma

[Nina]

I am suffering of asthma since I have been a baby. In the winter month I don't feel much of it, but when it becomes spring and all the flowers, trees and grasses start to blossom it gets really hard. Also I am not able to do much sports. In summer, when it is real bad, I cannot even walk up some stairs without using my inhalator. It is especially bad in the month July till September when the fields are ready to be mowed. I had several bad asthma attacks in my childhood and after that I only had a bad time in breathing for years, so I felt quite secured and thought I have everything under controll.
Two years ago, I had my first attack again for years and that really scared me! Now I am quite insecure again and start to panik quickly when my breathing becomes worth again.
Does anybody know what I am talking about? What kind of medicine do you take? When is it worst for you?
The bad thing is that it sometimes really makes me depressive, when I realize that I HAVE to deal with it for the rest of my life every year in summer. It hobbles my whole life during those three month when it is worse. I would be interested to hear other experiences!

[Megareader]

Asthma is not fun! Winter is easier for me too, but when the flowers and plants liven up in spring/summer/fall it can be a challenge to breathe. Being around cigarette smoke is rough too, I hate having to walk through "smokers alley" outside of stores or businesses. And restaurants? Once a waitress offered to seat us "just inside the smoking area, it won't be too bad there." Yeah, right!

I take Sigulair, Advair, and Ventolin for my asthma. It seems to be a good combination but there are those times when I wheeze pretty bad and it gets scary. I always have my Ventolin inhaler in my pocket, not that I need it frequently but when I do need it I want it to be right there with me.

[snowangel]

I have asthma too. I was diagnoised about 5 years ago, given an inhaler and told I would only get worse. I spent all my free time researching my condition. I made the follow discoveries/changes.

I eliminated all food dyes and coloring. Yellow #5 is one of the worst asthma triggers. Point of interest, I have been given asthma medication that was colored Yellow!! I did not take it, I even selected my birth control pills based on the pills being white.

I got tested for food allergies, I ended up with 9 (3 is average). I find on days that I eat allergiens I breathe worse.

I stopped wearing perfume, using strong cleaners, air freshners and ask the people I spend time with not to use them around me.

I eliminated all dust catchers in my bed room. I use dust mite protectors on everything and keep my room spic and span. A clean breathing inviroment is very important while sleeping since we breathe deeper while we sleep.

I got an air conditiioner. I Do Not open windows all day and then try to use it at night, the pollens do not get removed that way and you are put yourself at risk. I tried to do this in June and ended up loosing my voice and spending two weeks in bed!

I have made a few other changes but these were the most helpful. Education is your best defense. Asthma is very scary, I still have my inhailer with me 24/7 but my last one expired without my ever using it! yeah!!

As far as my getting worse--I did my best to see that it didn't happen. I am not saying that everyone will see the improvement I did but nothing I mentioned will make it worse. It takes a month or two so don't give up. Also know that after eliminating these things for a month or so and then eating/doing them again will make your reaction to them twice as bad.

Feel free to IM me if you want to. I understand your fears and would be happy to listen or help if I can. Debbie