Question:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I promised to keep you all updated. Here’s what’s happening. This Wednesday, I had my second acupuncture appointment. All Monday and Tuesday, I had so much energy, having actually slept through a whole night, that I did too much, including sorting boxes full of mildewed books. As a result, Tuesday night was terrible. I had a deep wheeze, there was a pain in my sides, I contemplated going to the hospital. I slept a total of about three hours. The next day, I went to the acupuncturist. To my shock, The office was mildewed (My asthma MD’s office was mildewed even worse) I went for the treatment anyway, and it put me, if not to sleep, into some nice kind of trance. I felt not really less congested, but that breathing through the congestion was easier. I felt very low-energy and strange. I lay outside on the hammock and rested, and let the kids watch TV. By the afternoon, all breathy feeling was gone. I am trying to take it easy like the acupuncturist suggests. Please shut me up if this is useless to you all, but as the therapy continues, I’ll assume y’all are interested and keep you updated. I have no idea how it works, or why it should work, or even if what I’m experiencing is an expensive placebo effect. I’ll assume it’s a crock until the treatment proves otherwise.
I’m not so sure that I’d try it but it is interesting to read your postings. I hope it works for you. Tamara
Response:
I usually do try to take it easy during an asthma attack, but still experience symptoms. After Wednesday’s treatment, I had another full night’s sleep, but by 3 PM Thursday, I was back to thought I was going to die level, which of course created a nervous feedback loop. But I was exposed to mildew yesterday, because of all the inspectors opening the basement door (we recently had gas heat installed) I’m starting to feel it creeping back today as well, as the sun sets, and I’ve eaten. My next treatment of acupuncture is next Wednesday. I sure hope I don’t get an attack tonight. I can’t sleep outside on account of the rain, so I’ll have to suffer through the night indoors or in the car (tent’s mildewed) BTW, the acupuncturist’s office was also mildewed, but I didn’t suffer an attack after visiting there. More news as it unfolds.
Response:
Got this article from Medscape and thought some might find it interesting: Nocturnal worsening of asthma is a significant clinical problem and must be considered in the management of the disease. Two main strategies should be considered in the treatment of nocturnal asthma: indirect nonpharmacological interventions or drug therapy. The various available treatment options are outlined in the Patient care guidelines. <Picture: BackThe Size of the Problem Approximately 40% of outpatients with asthma experience nocturnal symptoms every night and 75% awaken at least 1 night a week. [1] This problem is also reflected in mortality statistics. In 1 study, 53% of deaths from asthma occurred at night over a 1-year period; 79% of these patients had prior complaints of asthma affecting their sleep and these occurred every night in 42% of patients. [2] Over 90% of dyspnoeic episodes occur between 10pm and 7am. [1] <Picture: BackCircadian Rhythms Play An Important Role Circadian changes in lung function (ranging from 10 to 50% in asthmatic patients vs 5 to 8% in the normal population) play an important role in nocturnal asthma. Peak lung function occurs at approximately 4pm and the nadir at around 4am. [1] Various naturally occurring circadian rhythms are thought to contribute to increased airways inflammation and nocturnal worsening of asthma. [1] Some of these are as follows: [1]
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