Question:

my new inahler ia a beclazone , apart from the origonal questions i had ,. what would you say to this , i dont know for sure if i have asthma peak flow is 660 best and 520 worst  , at night i have constant mucus , flem, which is the 99 per cent annoying thing for me, i can have a asthma dream , wake up with really sore lungs/chest tight etc , yet  still get a avrarage 550 peak flow (my norm now – used to be 600 ) the steriod (beclazone) i have tried for 4 days . it makes ,me sleep much better , not as much waking with flem , but i still sound like a woman on the phone with a weak voice (yet if i shout it is louder than anyone could imagine )most people jump i shout that loud lol , but in a everyday phone call i sound well gay (sorry ) but i do , it s a weak voice . with cought every few mins , ,, does anyone have any advise ?? thanks

Response:

Sounds like you have oral thrush. Look back at previous posts in this group. It happens to me too when use beclomethazone (becotide). Usual advice is, after use (of the inhaler) rinse/gargle/brush teeth etc. to get rid of residual steroid on back of the throat. I find that if I eat "bio-yoghurt" it tends to make things better. Otherwise/also go and see your doctor who will probably prescribe an antifungal. Pete – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – my new inahler ia a beclazone , apart from the origonal questions i had ,. what would you say to this , i dont know for sure if i have asthma peak flow is 660 best and 520 worst  , at night i have constant mucus , flem, which is the 99 per cent annoying thing for me, i can have a asthma dream , wake up with really sore lungs/chest tight etc , yet  still get a avrarage 550 peak flow (my norm now – used to be 600 ) the steriod (beclazone) i have tried for 4 days . it makes ,me sleep much better , not as much waking with flem , but i still sound like a woman on the phone with a weak voice (yet if i shout it is louder than anyone could imagine )most people jump i shout that loud lol , but in a everyday phone call i sound well gay (sorry ) but i do , it s a weak voice . with cought every few mins , ,, does anyone have any advise ?? thanks

Response:

my new inahler ia a beclazone , apart from the origonal questions i had ,. what would you say to this , i dont know for sure if i have asthma peak flow is 660 best and 520 worst  , at night i have constant mucus , flem, which is the 99 per cent annoying thing for me, i can have a asthma dream , wake up with really sore lungs/chest tight etc , yet  still get a avrarage 550 peak flow (my norm now – used to be 600 ) the steriod (beclazone) i have tried for 4 days . it makes ,me sleep much better , not as much waking with flem ,

This certainly sounds like asthma – the original description and the response to the medication.  I suspect your 520 readings were in the morning and the 660 in late afternoon – another indication it’s asthma. Readings are an indication only – because you can produce a good reading when well doesn’t mean you don’t have asthma. but i still sound like a woman on the phone with a weak voice (yet if i shout it is louder than anyone could imagine )most people jump i shout that loud lol , but in a everyday phone call i sound well gay (sorry ) but i do , it s a weak voice . with cought every few mins , ,, does anyone have any advise ?? thanks

Could still be the effects of the asthma, but some inhalers affect the voice in some people.  Mine is a little – but I can live the life I want instead of being awake coughing half the night.  It’s worth it. Have you read the inset for your medication?  If you haven’t, do so.  It probably mentions vocal problems as a possible side effect.  Also make sure you gargle after taking your inhaler, and unless it’s a Turbohaler (click the base and inhale) you should probably be using a spacer as well. — Five Cats

Response:

thank you for your reply , it was helpfull : also with my voice it has always been taht way , (so it isnt the inhaler)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – my new inahler ia a beclazone , apart from the origonal questions i had ,. what would you say to this , i dont know for sure if i have asthma peak flow is 660 best and 520 worst  , at night i have constant mucus , flem, which is the 99 per cent annoying thing for me, i can have a asthma dream , wake up with really sore lungs/chest tight etc , yet  still get a avrarage 550 peak flow (my norm now – used to be 600 ) the steriod (beclazone) i have tried for 4 days . it makes ,me sleep much better , not as much waking with flem , This certainly sounds like asthma – the original description and the response to the medication.  I suspect your 520 readings were in the morning and the 660 in late afternoon – another indication it’s asthma. Readings are an indication only – because you can produce a good reading when well doesn’t mean you don’t have asthma. but i still sound like a woman on the phone with a weak voice (yet if i shout it is louder than anyone could imagine )most people jump i shout that loud lol , but in a everyday phone call i sound well gay (sorry ) but i do , it s a weak voice . with cought every few mins , ,, does anyone have any advise ?? thanks Could still be the effects of the asthma, but some inhalers affect the voice in some people.  Mine is a little – but I can live the life I want instead of being awake coughing half the night.  It’s worth it. Have you read the inset for your medication?  If you haven’t, do so.  It probably mentions vocal problems as a possible side effect.  Also make sure you gargle after taking your inhaler, and unless it’s a Turbohaler (click the base and inhale) you should probably be using a spacer as well. — Five Cats

Response:

Question:

I have moderate to severe Atshma, most mild attacks are accompanied my bad weezing, which is fixed by inhaler usage (ventolin) But more and more my athma is a constricting feeling, and no weezing is happening at all, yet I fell faint etc. Is this just my anxiety ABOUT asthma? I have

I don’t think so. Often when I get an attack, or just get tight, i never wheeze: I just feel "tight", like I can’t get air in. No wheezing at ALL. My albuterol inhaler does work for that. My doctor thought it might also be my vocal chords spasming: a few times I did have a weird wheezing, and with a stethascope it sounded like it was coming from my throat, and so this can also be something that feels like that. You should treat that feeling just like wheezing and consider it a serious asthma problem. Congrats on the flovent: I am the same way. It made a huge difference! -jenny

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have moderate to severe Atshma, most mild attacks are accompanied my bad weezing, which is fixed by inhaler usage (ventolin) But more and more my athma is a constricting feeling, and no weezing is happening at all, yet I fell faint etc. Is this just my anxiety ABOUT asthma? I have been on flovent for about a month and a half, and it seems to cut down my need of Ventolin by 90% , but in the last day, I have needed one puff every three to four hours. I religeously take my Flovent, but am having a flare up of problems, is the pollen count abnormally high now, especially in the midwest? Also, if I am on a doctors regimine of Flovent and Ventolin as needed, should I still be worried enought to go to the ER if I feel constricted, but it seems to get no worse over the hours I have this nagging breathnig problem.??? TIA!

Response:

inhaler does work for that. My doctor thought it might also be my vocal chords spasming: a few times I did have a weird wheezing, and with a stethascope it sounded like it was coming from my throat, and so this can also be something that feels like that. No, it’s the bronchial tubes shutting down.  They are constricted and air can’t get in or out.

No, there is a variant symptom where your vocal chords can spasm and give you wheezing from that area. My doctor (thank god) is up to date with asthma research and she showed me this information from a recent conference she attended. It is not the normal asthma type of thing to have happen, but sometimes can feel the same and be confusing. In my opinion, I think I have had this before, but I don’t think the rescue inhaler would help with it. Perhaps, though, the steriod inhaler does, if there is inflamation in the area. -j – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Pulmonary function testing should be able to distinguish the two since they have completely different flow loops on the spirometry. — Good Luck, CBI, M.D. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – inhaler does work for that. My doctor thought it might also be my vocal chords spasming: a few times I did have a weird wheezing, and with a stethascope it sounded like it was coming from my throat, and so this can also be something that feels like that. No, it’s the bronchial tubes shutting down.  They are constricted and air can’t get in or out. No, there is a variant symptom where your vocal chords can spasm and give you wheezing from that area. My doctor (thank god) is up to date with asthma research and she showed me this information from a recent conference she attended. It is not the normal asthma type of thing to have happen, but sometimes can feel the same and be confusing. In my opinion, I think I have had this before, but I don’t think the rescue inhaler would help with it. Perhaps, though, the steriod inhaler does, if there is inflamation in the area. -j

Response:

I have moderate to severe Atshma, most mild attacks are accompanied my bad weezing, which is fixed by inhaler usage (ventolin) But more and more my athma is a constricting feeling, and no weezing is happening at all, yet I fell faint etc. Is this just my anxiety ABOUT asthma? I have been on flovent for about a month and a half, and it seems to cut down my need of Ventolin by 90% , but in the last day, I have needed one puff every three to four hours. I religeously take my Flovent, but am having a flare up of problems, is the pollen count abnormally high now, especially in the midwest? Also, if I am on a doctors regimine of Flovent and Ventolin as needed, should I still be worried enought to go to the ER if I feel constricted, but it seems to get no worse over the hours I have this nagging breathnig problem.??? TIA!

It sounds like you need an ACTION PLAN to treat your asthma at home; monitor lung function using a peak flow meter; increase meds when peak flow drops to Yellow Zone (50-80% personal best); call doctor or go to ER in Red Zone (<50% PB) So for now I would suggest calling your 24-hour doctor about your symptoms; he may increase the dose of Flovent. Or he may ask you to go to Urgent Care or ER. In the future look into getting a peak flow meter and Action Plan at your next doctor visit. The peak flow meter can help distinguish between breathing problems caused by anxiety (no decrease in peak flow reading) and those caused by asthma (peak flow drops). Ellis

Response:

I have moderate to severe Atshma, most mild attacks are accompanied my bad weezing, which is fixed by inhaler usage (ventolin) But more and more my athma is a constricting feeling, and no weezing is happening at all, yet I fell faint etc. Is this just my anxiety ABOUT asthma? I have been on flovent for about a month and a half, and it seems to cut down my need of Ventolin by 90% , but in the last day, I have needed one puff every three to four hours. I religeously take my Flovent, but am having a flare up of problems, is the pollen count abnormally high now, especially in the midwest? Also, if I am on a doctors regimine of Flovent and Ventolin as needed, should I still be worried enought to go to the ER if I feel constricted, but it seems to get no worse over the hours I have this nagging breathnig problem.??? TIA!

Response:

I have moderate to severe Atshma, most mild attacks are accompanied my bad weezing, which is fixed by inhaler usage (ventolin) But more and more my athma is a constricting feeling, and no weezing is happening at all, yet I fell faint etc. Is this just my anxiety ABOUT asthma? I have been on flovent for about a month and a half, and it seems to cut down my need of Ventolin by 90% , but in the last day, I have needed one puff every three to four hours. I religeously take my Flovent, but am having a flare up of problems, is the pollen count abnormally high now, especially in the midwest? Also, if I am on a doctors regimine of Flovent and Ventolin as needed, should I still be worried enought to go to the ER if I feel constricted, but it seems to get no worse over the hours I have this nagging breathnig problem.??? TIA!

Going to the hospital ASAP seems like a good idea to me.  Further, you and your doctor need to work out an action plan of how to measure the quality of your breathing, and what to do when it degrades. Chris Owens

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have moderate to severe Atshma, most mild attacks are accompanied my bad weezing, which is fixed by inhaler usage (ventolin) But more and more my athma is a constricting feeling, and no weezing is happening at all, yet I fell faint etc. Is this just my anxiety ABOUT asthma? I have I don’t think so. Often when I get an attack, or just get tight, i never wheeze: I just feel "tight", like I can’t get air in. No wheezing at ALL. My albuterol inhaler does work for that. My doctor thought it might also be my vocal chords spasming: a few times I did have a weird wheezing, and with a stethascope it sounded like it was coming from my throat, and so this can also be something that feels like that.

No, it’s the bronchial tubes shutting down.  They are constricted and air can’t get in or out.   You should treat that feeling just like wheezing and consider it a serious asthma problem. Congrats on the flovent: I am the same way. It made a huge difference! -jenny

Sue "…it is easy to damn with critism and appear intelligent."                  Frederick Faust

Response:

Question:

<SNIP Pete asking about his meds Ativan (lorazepam, a benzodizepine) is a CNS depressant and can cause respiratory problems. Panic disorder can result in breathing problems that mimic asthma;

Ativan was removed from being perscribed in the UK due to problems with addiction. Many people found that they had great difficulty in stopping the drug and experienced panic attacks. Don’t think I want to take that drug! — Robin ( the P***artist formally known as Splee ) Please remove ’spam’ on reply.

Response:

I guess it’s possible that if you have asthma (not panic disorder as suggested elsewhere) that despite the Flovent that it’s still undertreated, hence the cough. Of there might be something else quite different going on.  Have you had a chest X-Ray?  It can elimiate lots of things, I’m told!  It was part of the investigations made into me when I was coughing like crazy. Maybe CBI has other, medically qualified ideas. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Thanks for taking the time to respond Sally. I’ve been an unrecognised asthmatic all my life, in a mild way. But it was in fact the use of a beta-blocker for my hypertension that led to diagnosis, since it produced bronchospasms with wheezing. Never coughed though until I took an ACE inhibitor, to which I proved to be allergic (throat swelling) and the newer generation Cozaar, which actually gave me the cough and three pneumonias. The Cardizem is my drug of last resort, apparently. I neglected to mention i’ve been taking Flovent for about 3 months, without much improvement. None of the doctors involved in this have even mentioned trying the newer drugs like Singulair yet. Meanwhile, I have actually lost my job because of the constant coughing and shortness of breath (they did it legally, as my term contract ended in August, but I’m quite certain I would otherwise have gotten an extension). Pete To make the above address valid, add another m to com and replace nospam with sympatico. snip

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Response:

Thanks for taking the time to respond Sally. I’ve been an unrecognised asthmatic all my life, in a mild way. But it was in fact the use of a beta-blocker for my hypertension that led to diagnosis, since it produced bronchospasms with wheezing. Never coughed though until I took an ACE inhibitor, to which I proved to be allergic (throat swelling) and the newer generation Cozaar, which actually gave me the cough and three pneumonias. The Cardizem is my drug of last resort, apparently. I neglected to mention i’ve been taking Flovent for about 3 months, without much improvement. None of the doctors involved in this have even mentioned trying the newer drugs like Singulair yet. Meanwhile, I have actually lost my job because of the constant coughing and shortness of breath (they did it legally, as my term contract ended in August, but I’m quite certain I would otherwise have gotten an extension). Pete To make the above address valid, add another m to com and replace nospam with sympatico. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – snip

Response:

Cardizem (diltiazem) is not generally believed to be a respiratory suppressant. Different people do have different reactions to drugs so any uncommon reaction is still possible. — Good Luck, CBI, M.D. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am a severe hypertensive as well as a mild-to-moderate asthmatic. Any blood pressure pill i’ve ever taken has caused me great anxiety and panic attacks. 1mg of Ativan twice daily seems to quell the anxiety. My question is whether, as a mild asthmatic, it is likely that the combination of these drugs (ativan 1mg x 2 and cardizem CD 240mg) will cause respiratory depression enough to be dangerous. As a calcium channel blocker, the Cardizem tends to dilate or reduce contractions in smooth muscle, and I feel it’s effect on my respiratory system might be cumulative with that of the tranquilizer. I keep feeling like I am going to stop breathing and I cough almost non-stop, until I use the ventolin.  Any insight would be appreciated. — Pete NB. Reply address is invalid in order to foil spam email. I would appreciate any reply, but please do so via the reply to group button. Thank you.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am a severe hypertensive as well as a mild-to-moderate asthmatic. Any blood pressure pill i’ve ever taken has caused me great anxiety and panic attacks. 1mg of Ativan twice daily seems to quell the anxiety. My question is whether, as a mild asthmatic, it is likely that the combination of these drugs (ativan 1mg x 2 and cardizem CD 240mg) will cause respiratory depression enough to be dangerous. As a calcium channel blocker, the Cardizem tends to dilate or reduce contractions in smooth muscle, and I feel it’s effect on my respiratory system might be cumulative with that of the tranquilizer. I keep feeling like I am going to stop breathing and I cough almost non-stop, until I use the ventolin.  Any insight would be appreciated. — Pete

Ativan (lorazepam, a benzodizepine) is a CNS depressant and  can cause respiratory problems. Panic disorder can result in breathing problems that mimic asthma; use of a Peak Flow Meter can help distinguish between breathing problems from asthma (peak flow reading decreases) and panic disorder (peak flow reading stays the same). Note that the asthma rescue drug Ventolin can worsen Panic Disorder. Diet and exercise can help control high BP and reduce the need for blood pressure meds. Here are links: http://www.ama-assn.org/special/asthma/library/readroom/oc4154.htm Asthma/Panic Disorder 1-97 JAMA Excerpt: "Panic disorder is effectively treated by cognitive-behavioral  therapy(24) with low relapse and treatment attrition rates.(25)  Even a single-session cognitive-behavioral intervention with  patients with panic disorder who visited an emergency department was associated with a decrease in panic attacks during a 6-month  follow-up.(26) High-potency benzodiazepines (alprazolam or clonazepam)  rapidly reduce symptoms of panic attacks but should be avoided in  patients with asthma since these drugs may cause respiratory  depression. Additionally, continued use of these medications requires careful monitoring to prevent dependence or withdrawal. " Here’s a link on Cardizem: http://www.rxmed.com/monographs/cardizen.html I didn’t see breathing problems as a side effect. Ellis

Response:

I am a severe hypertensive as well as a mild-to-moderate asthmatic. Any blood pressure pill i’ve ever taken has caused me great anxiety and panic attacks. 1mg of Ativan twice daily seems to quell the anxiety. My question is whether, as a mild asthmatic, it is likely that the combination of these drugs (ativan 1mg x 2 and cardizem CD 240mg) will cause respiratory depression enough to be dangerous. As a calcium channel blocker, the Cardizem tends to dilate or reduce contractions in smooth muscle, and I feel it’s effect on my respiratory system might be cumulative with that of the tranquilizer. I keep feeling like I am going to stop breathing and I cough almost non-stop, until I use the ventolin.  Any insight would be appreciated. — Pete NB. Reply address is invalid in order to foil spam email.  I would appreciate any reply, but please do so via the reply to group button. Thank you.

Response:

I know very little about hypertension since (AFAIK) I don;’t have it. However, your post seems to imply that your only asthma medication is Ventolin which is a reliever kind of drug.  It seems to me that you should probably be on a preventer for your asthma (usually an inhaled steroid and/or one of the new Singulair type drugs) which should sort out the cough. A number of asthma drugs (all releivers I think) are the reverse of beta blockers, so if you take a beta-blocker for your blood pressure it makes the asthma worst.  However AFAIK ACE inhibiters are OK, and certainly very effective on some peoples BP – my pal with diabetes takes the ACE tablets to bring his down from something like 200/180 (!!!!) to 120/80 ish. I think you should go back to the doctor and ask him to sort out the asthma.  I remember how awful all that coughing is, especially if you have problems at night. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I am a severe hypertensive as well as a mild-to-moderate asthmatic. Any blood pressure pill i’ve ever taken has caused me great anxiety and panic attacks. 1mg of Ativan twice daily seems to quell the anxiety. My question is whether, as a mild asthmatic, it is likely that the combination of these drugs (ativan 1mg x 2 and cardizem CD 240mg) will cause respiratory depression enough to be dangerous. As a calcium channel blocker, the Cardizem tends to dilate or reduce contractions in smooth muscle, and I feel it’s effect on my respiratory system might be cumulative with that of the tranquilizer. I keep feeling like I am going to stop breathing and I cough almost non-stop, until I use the ventolin.  Any insight would be appreciated. — Pete NB. Reply address is invalid in order to foil spam email. I would appreciate any reply, but please do so via the reply to group button. Thank you.

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Response: