Question:

However he still wheezes, that dosentmean he has asthm  But there is obviously a problem with anxiety so maybe I should go with that from here.

Have they considered VCD…..They say anxiety plays a role in this, And it is not a voluntary thing so there is no control over it. I have read and heard that it is very much like asthma and very hard to distinguish, It also seems to be brought on suddenly……You can read abouot it on  wwww.NationalJewish.org.

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Are you saying it’s only occurring at school? J – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – He is 16 years old.  a metacholine test was done also dlco, and pft.  I do appriciate all the information I am getting.  It is just very difficult having the doctors say there is nothing wrong, and also the school nurse is now saying she believes he is ‘faking’ it.  However he still wheezes, she says some people can make theirselves wheeze, that dosentmean he has asthma. I just don’t know where to turn.  But there is obviously a problem with anxiety so maybe I should go with that from here. Thanks for all the advise and information..

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If someone dose not have asthma, is there a way he/she can fake an attack ? Possibly some type of chemical or other way to cause wheezing?

Here’s a url about asthma and some of the irritants. http://www.nih.gov/health/chip/nhlbi/asthma/ I’ve also seen reference to a type of cancer that can mimic asthma symptoms. Carcinoid http://home.att.net/%7ES.L.Anderson/cope/cope.htm http://www.carcinoid.org/ (there’s a story of Lucien on that page) and yes, young people can get cancers too. http://www.oncologychannel.com/cancermalignancy/ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/carcinoidtumors.html I’m not telling you this to scare you, but all possibilites must be explored. If you are referring to chemicals (in labs), yes, possible. And/or illicit drugs, I don’t know, but possible too, I guess. RADS (reactive airway) Something in his environment, even as benign as floor polishing products, dust (chalk dust), moulds in portables or any place where he spends some amount of time. HTH J

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He is 16 years old.  a metacholine test was done also dlco, and pft.

What did the methacholine test show? zg

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He is 16 years old.  a metacholine test was done also dlco, and pft.

What were the results of the methacholine test? If positive [he did have breathing problems] it indicates the possibility of asthma. If negative [no breathing problems], it rules out the  possibility of asthma. Also, your previous post indicates he was given a Proventil inhaler. He should use this as a ‘rescue inhaler’ during an ‘asthma attack’. If it doesn’t help it tends to indicate he doesn’t have asthma. Wheezing doesn’t automatically indicate asthma; there are many other possible causes of wheezing. See: http://umm.drkoop.com/conditions/ency/article/003070.htm Wheezing Excerpt: "Common Causes: asthma bronchiectasis bronchiolitis bronchitis gastroesophageal reflux disease viral infection, especially in infants younger than 2 years old pneumonia emphysema ( COPD ), especially when a respiratory infection is                                                  present smoking insect sting which causes an allergic reaction medications–many asthmatics wheeze after taking aspirin inhalation of foreign matter into the lungs allergic rhinitis allergies (including food allergies ) tuberculosis ( TB ) Note: There may be other causes of wheezing. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as location, quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for wheezing, occurring alone or in combination with other problems." see this web site for more info Ellis   I do – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – appriciate all the information I am getting.  It is just very difficult having the doctors say there is nothing wrong, and also the school nurse is now saying she believes he is ‘faking’ it.  However he still wheezes, she says some people can make theirselves wheeze, that dosentmean he has asthma. I just don’t know where to turn.  But there is obviously a problem with anxiety so maybe I should go with that from here. Thanks for all the advise and information.. Hi, How old is your son? You may ask the doctor for pulmo test foncyions and metacholine test, if he is asthmatic he will react, if he doesn’t, he’s not asthmatic and you have to look somewhere else. A.T.

–cut–  One doctor gave him proventil inhaler, that is all.  I – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – think he gave it just too make him feel better, anyway his ‘attacks’ only happen when there is something he wants to get out of, or so it seems.  I am not going to completely say that there isnt a problem as far as his lungs go right now, however the way these attacks are happening are very sudden without warning, and full blown to the ER every time with wheezing. given albuterol neb and sometimes injection of steroids, but after the neb usually he is perfectly normal within 30mins , his peak flow from his meter is always around 650, even on days when he has an asthma attack (before the attack). any info?  thanks

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If someone dose not have asthma, is there a way he/she can fake an attack ? Possibly some type of chemical or other way to cause wheezing?  I just suspect that this may be occuring with my son, after seeing three doctors for asthma, they all say his airways are open and clear and that there is no obstruction.  One doctor gave him proventil inhaler, that is all.  I think he gave it just too make him feel better, anyway his ‘attacks’ only happen when there is something he wants to get out of, or so it seems.  I am not going to completely say that there isnt a problem as far as his lungs go right now, however the way these attacks are happening are very sudden without warning, and full blown to the ER every time with wheezing.  given albuterol neb and sometimes injection of steroids, but after the neb usually he is perfectly normal within 30mins , his peak flow from his meter is always around 650, even on days when he has an asthma attack (before the attack). any info? thanks

The short answer to your question is "yes." Some people can make themselves wheeze without having an asthma attack. They just learn how to breath so they make the sound. It really isn’t hard to do. The big question is, "what does he get out of it?" If there is some strong reward like getting attention or out of school then it is more likely that he may be creating his symptoms. Of course, everyone else is correct that other explanations should be sought such as anxiety etc. — CBI, MD

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Hi, Ok, he  was tested, but what are the result of the test, metacholine, dlco and pft?  Positive or negative for the metacholine? If positive, what is the amount of metacholine that was needed? What are the result of the other test? AT – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – He is 16 years old.  a metacholine test was done also dlco, and pft.  I do appriciate all the information I am getting.  It is just very difficult having the doctors say there is nothing wrong, and also the school nurse is now saying she believes he is ‘faking’ it.  However he still wheezes, she says some people can make theirselves wheeze, that dosentmean he has asthma. I just don’t know where to turn.  But there is obviously a problem with anxiety so maybe I should go with that from here. Thanks for all the advise and information.. Hi, How old is your son? You may ask the doctor for pulmo test foncyions and metacholine test, if he is asthmatic he will react, if he doesn’t, he’s not asthmatic and you have to look somewhere else. A.T. If someone dose not have asthma, is there a way he/she can fake an attack ? Possibly some type of chemical or other way to cause wheezing?  I just suspect that this may be occuring with my son, after seeing three doctors for asthma, they all say his airways are open and clear and that there is no obstruction.  One doctor gave him proventil inhaler, that is all.  I think he gave it just too make him feel better, anyway his ‘attacks’ only happen when there is something he wants to get out of, or so it seems.  I am not going to completely say that there isnt a problem as far as his lungs go right now, however the way these attacks are happening are very sudden without warning, and full blown to the ER every time with wheezing. given albuterol neb and sometimes injection of steroids, but after the neb usually he is perfectly normal within 30mins , his peak flow from his meter is always around 650, even on days when he has an asthma attack (before the attack). any info? thanks

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It’s fairly simple to fake wheezing and I’ve had several patients over the years that do this routinely. Some are more aware that they’re doing it than others and not everyone recognizes that "faking" is what is going on and unfortunately this results in them getting put on all sorts of medicines that have side effects and are not going to help and in fact might make the underlying condition (frequently psychological) worse. The most common way to fake wheezing is to just exhale farther than you would with a normal breath. This puts more pressure outside the airways causing more airways to collapse and thus wheeze. Experienced observers will recognize this. Many are noted to only wheeze when they’re aware of being observed or they only wheeze on breaths between sentences but not on the breaths that might break up a sentence of speech. Another way to "fake" wheezing would be via the vocal cords. This isn’t always exactly voluntary either and there’s a condition called Vocal Cord Dysfunction that frequently mimics asthma but can also coexist with true asthma. I saw a patient once who was on 4-5 asthma meds for 4-5 years for what had been thought to be asthma when the whole time it turned out to really be vocal cord dysfunction related to anxiety. Once the patient was made aware of the cause and treated for the anxiety (with Zoloft in this case) the patient was able to get off all their other asthma meds and hasn’t had the problem since. The bottom line is that you probably need to get more opinions from people familiar with all of this before ruling out organic disease and then consider treating for functional disease (i.e. psychiatric) as indicated. He is 16 years old.  a metacholine test was done also dlco, and pft.  I do appriciate all the information I am getting.  It is just very difficult having the doctors say there is nothing wrong, and also the school nurse is now saying she believes he is ‘faking’ it.  However he still wheezes, she says some people can make theirselves wheeze, that dosentmean he has asthma. I just don’t know where to turn.  But there is obviously a problem with anxiety so maybe I should go with that from here. Thanks for all the advise and information..

– Don Elton Columbia, SC http://www.midcarolina.org

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Reading the account of this child’s "asthma," I was suddenly overcome by a deep sadness.  It came from a long forgotten memory of being a child of 12 or so, and having my family move from a place where I was very happy and well adjusted to another place, where the customs were different, and the school was filled with brutality.  I became acutely depressed, and began to suffer from what were, I’m sure, psychosomatic illnesses severe enough to keep me in bed, and thus prevent me from having to go to the nightmarish school. A year and a half later, when my family moved back to a more familiar environment, and I was once again enrolled in a nice school, my symptoms disappeared. For what it’s worth…. Marcus in Vermont

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  Don’ know why but the following post  was not with the others in this thread <<< Re: Fake attack   "It’s me again, Grammi Tami, I just thought of something else. When he starts wheezing, especially at times of convenience, which my brother was very good at, instead of racing to the ER try some calming things first. NO, don’t give in to his wants, just his needs. Give him a hit on his albuteral, something warm to drink, and rub his back calmly. When he has settled down, and the wheezing has slowed to a purr, then tell him again what you want him to do. Try to remain calm. Sometimes all of the fuss meerly leads to more wheezing. But, never give in to it, save the chore for him, so he knows it’s his chore, no matter what. My kids are now 29, 28, & 26. I have to reach back in the cobwebs of my mind to remember such things. The oldest and youngest are asthmatic. The oldest is also Epileptic.

Question:

Hi There, 4 months old baby has shown symptoms of Asthma ( wheezing in the chest). The doctor prescribed: 1. Pulmicort respules 2. Ventolin nebules Given to him by a nebulizer. Reading about them on the internet made me very very concerned. What am I giving to my baby? Can anybody help? Did anyone have a similar experience? Would any doctor give another opinion? Thanks heaps. Charles.

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Hi There, 4 months old baby has shown symptoms of Asthma ( wheezing in the chest). The doctor prescribed: 1. Pulmicort respules 2. Ventolin nebules Given to him by a nebulizer. Reading about them on the internet made me very very concerned. What am I giving to my baby? Can anybody help? Did anyone have a similar experience? Would any doctor give another opinion?

Nobody is going to be able to give competent medical advice unless he/she is a medical doctor who has physically examined your child. If you need a second opinion ask to see a pediatric asthma specialist. "Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off."    General Colin Powell

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4 months old baby has shown symptoms of Asthma ( wheezing in the chest). The doctor prescribed: 1. Pulmicort respules 2. Ventolin nebules Given to him by a nebulizer. Reading about them on the internet made me very very concerned. What am I giving to my baby? Can anybody help? Did anyone have a similar experience? Would any doctor give another opinion? Thanks heaps. Charles.

I think I erased my first reply, so I’m reposting.   You are right to be concerned about side effects.  However, asthma is a very serious disease and will seriously impinge on your child’s health and quality of life; these medicines can almost always completely control the symptoms of asthma, and their side effects are not anywhere nearly as bad as the problems associated with untreated or undertreated asthma. See an asthma specialist and monitor your child’s progress.  Let us know how he’s doing. Good luck

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I have a 4 month old also on ventolin, we are monitoring and if he needs it too much he will also be put on intal. I’ve had a lot of success reducing the need for meds by figuring out what he’s allergic to and removing those triggers.  My son had a skin test done. eliminating dairy from my diet (he is breast fed) and reducing dust in the house (change bed daily, clothes often, replaced all carpet with wood, cleaned air ducts and furnace, got electrostatic filter, got hepa filter for house, keep outside air out, new mattress cover, steam cleaned furniture, got rid of drapes, keep cat out of basement, et cetera) have made a huge difference.  e has other allergies as well.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi There, 4 months old baby has shown symptoms of Asthma ( wheezing in the chest). The doctor prescribed: 1. Pulmicort respules 2. Ventolin nebules Given to him by a nebulizer. Reading about them on the internet made me very very concerned. What am I giving to my baby? Can anybody help? Did anyone have a similar experience? Would any doctor give another opinion? Thanks heaps. Charles.

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: I have a 4 month old also on ventolin, we are monitoring and if he needs it : too much he will also be put on intal. : : I’ve had a lot of success reducing the need for meds by figuring out what : he’s allergic to and removing those triggers.  My son had a skin test done. : : eliminating dairy from my diet (he is breast fed) and reducing dust in the : house (change bed daily, clothes often, replaced all carpet with wood, : cleaned air ducts and furnace, got electrostatic filter, got hepa filter for : house, keep outside air out, new mattress cover, steam cleaned furniture, : got rid of drapes, keep cat out of basement, et cetera) have made a huge : difference.  e has other allergies as well. : Some exchange with the outside air is desirable to get the build up of stuff in the house out. Don’t do it when the fire places are burning. Early morning is usually the cleanest air. Sounds like you have done every thing I know of. Did you seal the furnace and all the return ducts with tape so they can’t pull in air that didn’t go through the filter. The furnace door needs sealing on every furnace I have ever seen. good luck — Gordon    W5RED www.couger.com/gcouger

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Tigrlily, Thanks heaps. Our son seems to get better, and we did few things of what you mentioned , and we should do more and more. Since they are very young and tiny beautiful creatures, my heart gets broken every time I put him on Ventolin, but what can I do, it is scary seeing him not being able to breath, or breathing as if he was running a marathon. Wishing you and the baby the best, and please keep us informed, I will as well. ( you can send an e-mail ) Charlie. ps. I have no idea if your child is allergic to the pet, but of what I read, the pet’s stuff stays in the house for years, and it is very powerful a basement solution is not good enough. The pet may have to go.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a 4 month old also on ventolin, we are monitoring and if he needs it too much he will also be put on intal. I’ve had a lot of success reducing the need for meds by figuring out what he’s allergic to and removing those triggers.  My son had a skin test done. eliminating dairy from my diet (he is breast fed) and reducing dust in the house (change bed daily, clothes often, replaced all carpet with wood, cleaned air ducts and furnace, got electrostatic filter, got hepa filter for house, keep outside air out, new mattress cover, steam cleaned furniture, got rid of drapes, keep cat out of basement, et cetera) have made a huge difference.  e has other allergies as well. Hi There, 4 months old baby has shown symptoms of Asthma ( wheezing in the chest). The doctor prescribed: 1. Pulmicort respules 2. Ventolin nebules Given to him by a nebulizer. Reading about them on the internet made me very very concerned. What am I giving to my baby? Can anybody help? Did anyone have a similar experience? Would any doctor give another opinion? Thanks heaps. Charles.

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Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Cell salts is an accepted alternative therapy and I wish somebody had have given me this information before my health got so run down. My health got run down BEFORE I got into cell salts According to your post you have tried to make us believe that you were in perfect health from taking cell salts and calcium. Remember,you had a bottom as smooth as a baby’s. but now with calcium carbonate supplements (3 cell salts – calcium phosphate, sulphate & fluoride) I’ve got rid of athletes foot.which nobody believes me.  I got rid of my boyfriend’s athletes foot too by getting him to take a mere 1000mg of calcium a day.  He didn’t believe me either but its gone.

I don’t know much about this ‘natural’ stuff…I’d like to try stuff like that…paradoxically, depsite being natural, I suppose it costs alot..Oh well

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I think That’s you problem Carole, There are very few qualified thinkers in the world and you do not qualify.

I think I do.  Somebody has to do the job.

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 I am talking about older people getting them into a life of drug taking vs. natural nutritional supplements. Wake up!

You are getting weirder and weider…or more desperate.  You don’t make any sense. Go away and stay away.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  I am talking about older people getting them into a life of drug taking vs. natural nutritional supplements. Wake up! You are getting weirder and weider…or more desperate.  You don’t make any sense. Go away and stay away.

Fortunately, thanks to a feature of my news reader, I no longer see any posts from this person (C.H., and a couple of others, thankfully).

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Cell salts is an accepted alternative therapy and I wish somebody had have given me this information before my health got so run down.

My health got run down BEFORE I got into cell salts According to your post you have tried to make us believe that you were in perfect health from taking cell salts and calcium. Remember,you had a bottom as smooth as a baby’s.

but now with calcium carbonate supplements (3 cell salts – calcium phosphate, sulphate & fluoride) I’ve got rid of athletes foot.which nobody believes me.  I got rid of my boyfriend’s athletes foot too by getting him to take a mere 1000mg of calcium a day.  He didn’t believe me either but its gone.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – (WBowman497) writes: Cell salts is an accepted alternative therapy and I wish somebody had have given me this information before my health got so run down. According to your post you have tried to make us believe that you were in perfect health from taking cell salts and calcium. Remember,you had a bottom as smooth as a baby’s. We recently had a heavy snowfall, and I used cell salts to melt the ice – specifically Nat Mur.  Surprisingly I suddenly feel very healthy. Israel Weber

I’m pleased that you had a successful outcome. Carole

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I think

That’s you problem Carole, There are very few qualified thinkers in the world and you do not qualify.

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Cell salts is an accepted alternative therapy and I wish somebody had have given me this information before my health got so run down.

According to your post you have tried to make us believe that you were in perfect health from taking cell salts and calcium. Remember,you had a bottom as smooth as a baby’s.

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(WBowman497) writes: Cell salts is an accepted alternative therapy and I wish somebody had have given me this information before my health got so run down. According to your post you have tried to make us believe that you were in perfect health from taking cell salts and calcium. Remember,you had a bottom as smooth as a baby’s.

We recently had a heavy snowfall, and I used cell salts to melt the ice – specifically Nat Mur.  Surprisingly I suddenly feel very healthy. Israel Weber

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I think my opinions are valid.  I wish somebody had have given me that information instead of using conventional medicine.

Of course you think your opinions are valid–it’s a logical impossibility to hold opinions and not think them valid, otherwise they wouldn’t be your opinions.  The point is, that other than purveyors of quack remedies, no one else shares that opinion. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I disagree.  Younger people often have better instincts about their bodies than older people who think drugs are just so good and the answer to everything. Wake up! Younger people are very impressionable and thereby "prey" to all sorts of fads, ads (if you read, I’m sure you are aware of the lawsuits aimed at the tobacco industry and why they no longer direct what ads they still produce towards teen smokers) and are espcecially susceptible to people like you. Your blanket statement about younger people having better instincts about their bodies is rubbish. Go away and stay away. Patrice

You will note I said young people OFTEN have better instincts than older people.  And older people often lead them astray.  I am talking about older people getting them into a life of drug taking vs. natural nutritional supplements. Wake up! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I disagree.  Younger people often have better instincts about their bodies than older people who think drugs are just so good and the answer to everything. Wake up! ‘Better instincets?’  Why does it really sound like you mean; ‘More gullibile?’

I’m sure you meant to say BETTER INSTINCTS not instincets, Colin. I meant what I said. You are gullible if you think drugs are better than mineral cell salts. Minerals are what you DON’T get in devitalised food such as white bread, cake and biscuits. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – "Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off."    General Colin Powell

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Im a 15 year old…once, when I was about 7, out in a field i got all wheezy from the pollen, etc..ever since then i got wheezy alot…when i was 12 i went to the doctor, got becatide, and a ventalin inhaler…i was told i had asthma….the becatide didnt seem to help me…and the ventalin kept me awake…so when i was about 14 i went to a specialist, and got a seretide 100 inhaler…then after i changed it to a more powerful one (250)…it still doesnt seem to help…i dont have bad asthma…i almost contantly have a blocked nose, on at least on nostrel…whenever im wheezy im in a terribly bad mood…i think my astmha (or whatever it is!) is triggered by something…any ideas? my inhalers help a little..but not as much as they should…whats up? any ideas? anyone with similar issues? Cormac     Thank you for all your replies. To those that were worried about me being gullible..Don’t worry…Although I believe that many ‘alternative’ or ‘natural’ ways of treating ashtma(and other diseases) might work…I don’t but into anyone(especially people who offer) trying to sell them… Thanks Bye.

I’m not selling anything and my website is for public information only. Cell salts is an accepted alternative therapy and I wish somebody had have given me this information before my health got so run down. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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Im a 15 year old…once, when I was about 7, out in a field i got all wheezy from the pollen, etc..ever since then i got wheezy alot…when i was 12 i went to the doctor, got becatide, and a ventalin inhaler…i was told i had asthma….the becatide didnt seem to help me…and the ventalin kept me awake…so when i was about 14 i went to a specialist, and got a seretide 100 inhaler…then after i changed it to a more powerful one (250)…it still doesnt seem to help…i dont have bad asthma…i almost contantly have a blocked nose, on at least on nostrel…whenever im wheezy im in a terribly bad mood…i think my astmha (or whatever it is!) is triggered by something…any ideas? my inhalers help a little..but not as much as they should…whats up? any ideas? anyone with similar issues? Cormac

It sounds like you have 2 conditions. 1. Rhinitis [hayfever] causing upper respiratory problems,   blocked nasal passages 2. Asthma causing wheezing and breathing problems. The Seretide [salmeterol and fluticasone] treats the asthma or lower respiratory problems. You should also be treating the hay fever; typically a nasal spray is used like cromolyn or a steroid one, to unblock the nose so you can breath thru it. [breathing thru the nose filters the air which helps the asthma] Some use antihistamines like chlorpheniramine, and decongestants [pseudoephedrine], for rhinitis. You should minimize exposure to your allergens, which may include not only grass pollen, but other pollens, dust mites, animal dander; and irritants like smoke. Some links: http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~aair/hayfever.htm Hayfever: the facts uk "Hayfever affects 15 to 20 % of the population in Britain,  where it is mainly caused by grass pollen. A specialist in allergy should be able to help if you still have bad hayfever after your family doctor has tried all the treatments there seem to be." http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~aair/hayfeverRx.htm Hayfever Treatment uk The Seratide should be effective in treating the asthma [wheezing, breathing problems]. Links: http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~aair/index.htm Asthma and Allergy Information and Research (AAIR) http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~aair/asthma.htm Asthma Ellis

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I disagree.  Younger people often have better instincts about their bodies than older people who think drugs are just so good and the answer to everything. Wake up!

Younger people are very impressionable and thereby "prey" to all sorts of fads, ads (if you read, I’m sure you are aware of the lawsuits aimed at the tobacco industry and why they no longer direct what ads they still produce towards teen smokers) and are espcecially susceptible to people like you. Your blanket statement about younger people having better instincts about their bodies is rubbish. Go away and stay away. Patrice – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

I disagree.  Younger people often have better instincts about their bodies than older people who think drugs are just so good and the answer to everything. Wake up!

‘Better instincets?’  Why does it really sound like you mean; ‘More gullibile?’ "Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off."    General Colin Powell

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Im a 15 year old…once, when I was about 7, out in a field i got all wheezy from the pollen, etc..ever since then i got wheezy alot…when i was 12 i went to the doctor, got becatide, and a ventalin inhaler…i was told i had asthma….the becatide didnt seem to help me…and the ventalin kept me awake…so when i was about 14 i went to a specialist, and got a seretide 100 inhaler…then after i changed it to a more powerful one (250)…it still doesnt seem to help…i dont have bad asthma…i almost contantly have a blocked nose, on at least on nostrel…whenever im wheezy im in a terribly bad mood…i think my astmha (or whatever it is!) is triggered by something…any ideas? my inhalers help a little..but not as much as they should…whats up? any ideas? anyone with similar issues? Cormac

    Thank you for all your replies. To those that were worried about me being gullible..Don’t worry…Although I believe that many ‘alternative’ or ‘natural’ ways of treating ashtma(and other diseases) might work…I don’t but into anyone(especially people who offer) trying to sell them… Thanks Bye.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Im a 15 year old…once, when I was about 7, out in a field i got all wheezy from the pollen, etc..ever since then i got wheezy alot…when i was 12 i went to the doctor, got becatide, and a ventalin inhaler…i was told i had asthma….the becatide didnt seem to help me…and the ventalin kept me awake…so when i was about 14 i went to a specialist, and got a seretide 100 inhaler…then after i changed it to a more powerful one (250)…it still doesnt seem to help…i dont have bad asthma…i almost contantly have a blocked nose, on at least on nostrel…whenever im wheezy im in a terribly bad mood…i think my astmha (or whatever it is!) is triggered by something…any ideas? my inhalers help a little..but not as much as they should…whats up? any ideas? anyone with similar issues? Cormac I used to get wheeziness, itchy-sore throat, blocked nose.  Sometimes I had to sit up in bed because I couldn’t breath lying down.  This started off when I was 11 and I was allergic to housedust. Nat mur, which is homeopathic sodium chloride gets rid of these symptoms and is a natural mineral from the health shop. see my website on cell salts at http://members.dynamite.com.au/hubbca All right.  This is a FIFTEEN year old minor posting here.  The last thing this young person needs is to have some non-qualified herbal wacko telling him/her to self-medicate using a "natural, thereby safe" product. You ought to be ashamed of yourself, but then again feeling shame would take a conscience, of which you are obviously lacking. Go away and stay away! Patrice

I disagree.  Younger people often have better instincts about their bodies than older people who think drugs are just so good and the answer to everything. Wake up! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Im a 15 year old…once, when I was about 7, out in a field i got all wheezy from the pollen, etc..ever since then i got wheezy alot…when i was 12 i went to the doctor, got becatide, and a ventalin inhaler…i was told i had asthma….the becatide didnt seem to help me…and the ventalin kept me awake…so when i was about 14 i went to a specialist, and got a seretide 100 inhaler…then after i changed it to a more powerful one (250)…it still doesnt seem to help…i dont have bad asthma…i almost contantly have a blocked nose, on at least on nostrel…whenever im wheezy im in a terribly bad mood…i think my astmha (or whatever it is!) is triggered by something…any ideas? my inhalers help a little..but not as much as they should…whats up? any ideas? anyone with similar issues? Cormac I used to get wheeziness, itchy-sore throat, blocked nose.  Sometimes I had to sit up in bed because I couldn’t breath lying down.  This started off when I was 11 and I was allergic to housedust. Nat mur, which is homeopathic sodium chloride gets rid of these symptoms and is a natural mineral from the health shop. see my website on cell salts <self-serving website promo clipped

For your own sake, please ignore people who promote dubious, unproved treatments.  The previous poster has made a vocation of promoting questionable (IMO even dangerous, if it keeps you from seeking real treatment).  In spite of endless requests here, she has never provided one shred of evidence to support her claims. Please see an allergist/pulmonologist who can properly evaluate your allergies/asthma and perhaps start a program of immunotherapy along with a steroid inhaler (Flovent, etc.). – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Im a 15 year old…once, when I was about 7, out in a field i got all wheezy from the pollen, etc..ever since then i got wheezy alot…when i was 12 i went to the doctor, got becatide, and a ventalin inhaler…i was told i had asthma….the becatide didnt seem to help me…and the ventalin kept me awake…so when i was about 14 i went to a specialist, and got a seretide 100 inhaler…then after i changed it to a more powerful one (250)…it still doesnt seem to help…i dont have bad asthma…i almost contantly have a blocked nose, on at least on nostrel…whenever im wheezy im in a terribly bad mood…i think my astmha (or whatever it is!) is triggered by something…any ideas? my inhalers help a little..but not as much as they should…whats up? any ideas? anyone with similar issues? Cormac

Hi Cormac, My son developed asthma when he as 15.  He was initially on Serevent and Flovent 110, each of them 2 puffs twice daily.  He had allergy testing and took allergy shots for about 18 months. It took some time for his asthma to respond to this treatment.  As a matter of fact, I remember him not wanting to go to sleep at night because he would wake up having a hard time breathing.   He would ask me, "How LONG am I going to feel like this???".   Our specialist is a great doctor and has worked with Patrick diligently to get his asthma under control, so well in fact that Patrick is down to just Flovent 44, one puff daily.  He works out and/or plays basketball every day . Hang in there, keep open communications with your parents and specialist. It WILL get better!!  :o) Patrice (also an asthmatic)

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Im a 15 year old…once, when I was about 7, out in a field i got all wheezy from the pollen, etc..ever since then i got wheezy alot…when i was 12 i went to the doctor, got becatide, and a ventalin inhaler…i was told i had asthma….the becatide didnt seem to help me…and the ventalin kept me awake…so when i was about 14 i went to a specialist, and got a seretide 100 inhaler…then after i changed it to a more powerful one (250)…it still doesnt seem to help…i dont have bad asthma…i almost contantly have a blocked nose, on at least on nostrel…whenever im wheezy im in a terribly bad mood…i think my astmha (or whatever it is!) is triggered by something…any ideas? my inhalers help a little..but not as much as they should…whats up? any ideas? anyone with similar issues? Cormac I used to get wheeziness, itchy-sore throat, blocked nose.  Sometimes I had to sit up in bed because I couldn’t breath lying down.  This started off when I was 11 and I was allergic to housedust. Nat mur, which is homeopathic sodium chloride gets rid of these symptoms and is a natural mineral from the health shop. see my website on cell salts <self-serving website promo clipped For your own sake, please ignore people who promote dubious, unproved treatments.  The previous poster has made a vocation of promoting questionable (IMO even dangerous, if it keeps you from seeking real treatment).  In spite of endless requests here, she has never provided one shred of evidence to support her claims. Please see an allergist/pulmonologist who can properly evaluate your allergies/asthma and perhaps start a program of immunotherapy along with a steroid inhaler (Flovent, etc.).

I think my opinions are valid.  I wish somebody had have given me that information instead of using conventional medicine. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Im a 15 year old…once, when I was about 7, out in a field i got all wheezy from the pollen, etc..ever since then i got wheezy alot…when i was 12 i went to the doctor, got becatide, and a ventalin inhaler…i was told i had asthma….the becatide didnt seem to help me…and the ventalin kept me awake…so when i was about 14 i went to a specialist, and got a seretide 100 inhaler…then after i changed it to a more powerful one (250)…it still doesnt seem to help…i dont have bad asthma…i almost contantly have a blocked nose, on at least on nostrel…whenever im wheezy im in a terribly bad mood…i think my astmha (or whatever it is!) is triggered by something…any ideas? my inhalers help a little..but not as much as they should…whats up? any ideas? anyone with similar issues? Cormac I used to get wheeziness, itchy-sore throat, blocked nose.  Sometimes I had to sit up in bed because I couldn’t breath lying down.  This started off when I was 11 and I was allergic to housedust. Nat mur, which is homeopathic sodium chloride gets rid of these symptoms and is a natural mineral from the health shop. see my website on cell salts at http://members.dynamite.com.au/hubbca

All right.  This is a FIFTEEN year old minor posting here.  The last thing this young person needs is to have some non-qualified herbal wacko telling him/her to self-medicate using a "natural, thereby safe" product. You ought to be ashamed of yourself, but then again feeling shame would take a conscience, of which you are obviously lacking. Go away and stay away! Patrice

Response:

Hi Cormac, First you need to see an allergist and get properly tested for allergies. Second, you may have a chronically inflamed nostril or you may have developed a polyp in your nose.   Perhaps an "ear, eye,nose" doctor would want to have a look. As to what triggers your asthma, you need to play "detective" to try and sort that out.  Maybe keep a diary of when/where the asthma flares.  It could be more than one thing Have a look here http://www.aanma.org/aaadesc.htm (and you can’t possibly live in a plastic bubble..ie avoid everything but it can get better but you might always have to carry emergency medication with you). The others here might have some better recommendations about meds or perhaps you need to get a second opinion or go back to the doctor and tell him/her how you are feeling. I’m sure it’s not pleasant to have to live this way.  Hang in there and stay in touch, let us know how you are doing, OK? Watch for other responses too. Best, J – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Im a 15 year old…once, when I was about 7, out in a field i got all wheezy from the pollen, etc..ever since then i got wheezy alot…when i was 12 i went to the doctor, got becatide, and a ventalin inhaler…i was told i had asthma….the becatide didnt seem to help me…and the ventalin kept me awake…so when i was about 14 i went to a specialist, and got a seretide 100 inhaler…then after i changed it to a more powerful one (250)…it still doesnt seem to help…i dont have bad asthma…i almost contantly have a blocked nose, on at least on nostrel…whenever im wheezy im in a terribly bad mood…i think my astmha (or whatever it is!) is triggered by something…any ideas? my inhalers help a little..but not as much as they should…whats up? any ideas? anyone with similar issues? Cormac

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Im a 15 year old…once, when I was about 7, out in a field i got all wheezy from the pollen, etc..ever since then i got wheezy alot…when i was 12 i went to the doctor, got becatide, and a ventalin inhaler…i was told i had asthma….the becatide didnt seem to help me…and the ventalin kept me awake…so when i was about 14 i went to a specialist, and got a seretide 100 inhaler…then after i changed it to a more powerful one (250)…it still doesnt seem to help…i dont have bad asthma…i almost contantly have a blocked nose, on at least on nostrel…whenever im wheezy im in a terribly bad mood…i think my astmha (or whatever it is!) is triggered by something…any ideas? my inhalers help a little..but not as much as they should…whats up? any ideas? anyone with similar issues? Cormac

I used to get wheeziness, itchy-sore throat, blocked nose.  Sometimes I had to sit up in bed because I couldn’t breath lying down.  This started off when I was 11 and I was allergic to housedust. Nat mur, which is homeopathic sodium chloride gets rid of these symptoms and is a natural mineral from the health shop. see my website on cell salts at http://members.dynamite.com.au/hubbca – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Hi Im a 15 year old…once, when I was about 7, out in a field i got all wheezy from the pollen, etc..ever since then i got wheezy alot…when i was 12 i went to the doctor, got becatide, and a ventalin inhaler…i was told i had asthma….the becatide didnt seem to help me…and the ventalin kept me awake…so when i was about 14 i went to a specialist, and got a seretide 100 inhaler…then after i changed it to a more powerful one (250)…it still doesnt seem to help…i dont have bad asthma…i almost contantly have a blocked nose, on at least on nostrel…whenever im wheezy im in a terribly bad mood…i think my astmha (or whatever it is!) is triggered by something…any ideas? my inhalers help a little..but not as much as they should…whats up? any ideas? anyone with similar issues? Cormac

Response:

Question:

Hmmm… maybe I confused the two then.. Are there any reasons that the doctor would recommend against using the Flovent concurrent with Albuterol?  Please pardon my confusion here.. it was a long time ago, and franlky, many of the names start to sound the same.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Serevent is a modified form of the albuterol molecule. It has a slower onset and lasts longer. For these reasons it is supposed to be given as a scheduled dose, once or twice a day, with continued use of albuterol when needed. — CBI, M.D. Please note: It is impossible to accurately diagnose medical problems without seeing the patient and reviewing the entire history. These posts are intended to be helpful and informative. Always check with your doctor before following any advice given. Five months ago, I was prescribed Serevent and Flovent over the course of two weeks by different physicians (in the same office).  At the time, it was recommended that I not "mix" this regimen with Albuterol.  I cannot recall the specifics, but I am pretty sure that I was not supposed to use Serevent concurrently with Albuterol.  I think the timetable was something like within a week of each other.  It was okay to stop using Albuterol and start the Serevent, but you needed a week delay to go the other way. I bring it up because I remembered that the Serevent did not have the same "10 second" effect like Albuterol did.  Serevent worked, but it took the better part of an hour to fully relieve.  I was not satisfied with that, and opted to return to the Albuterol.. which meant *NO* inhaler for that week period, which was a struggle at the time. I’m sure you have seen my other recent posts about removing medications entirely from my life, but if this is not an option for you, beware of the situation with these two. For what it is worth, the relief offered by Serevent was longer lasting than the Albuterol, and it did not cause a jump to my heart rate. Good luck! Ty

Response:

Serevent is a modified form of the albuterol molecule. It has a slower onset and lasts longer. For these reasons it is supposed to be given as a scheduled dose, once or twice a day, with continued use of albuterol when needed. — CBI, M.D. Please note: It is impossible to accurately diagnose medical problems without seeing the patient and reviewing the entire history. These posts are intended to be helpful and informative. Always check with your doctor before following any advice given. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Five months ago, I was prescribed Serevent and Flovent over the course of two weeks by different physicians (in the same office).  At the time, it was recommended that I not "mix" this regimen with Albuterol.  I cannot recall the specifics, but I am pretty sure that I was not supposed to use Serevent concurrently with Albuterol.  I think the timetable was something like within a week of each other.  It was okay to stop using Albuterol and start the Serevent, but you needed a week delay to go the other way. I bring it up because I remembered that the Serevent did not have the same "10 second" effect like Albuterol did.  Serevent worked, but it took the better part of an hour to fully relieve.  I was not satisfied with that, and opted to return to the Albuterol.. which meant *NO* inhaler for that week period, which was a struggle at the time. I’m sure you have seen my other recent posts about removing medications entirely from my life, but if this is not an option for you, beware of the situation with these two. For what it is worth, the relief offered by Serevent was longer lasting than the Albuterol, and it did not cause a jump to my heart rate. Good luck! Ty

Response:

Five months ago, I was prescribed Serevent and Flovent over the course of two weeks by different physicians (in the same office).  At the time, it was recommended that I not "mix" this regimen with Albuterol.  I cannot recall the specifics, but I am pretty sure that I was not supposed to use Serevent concurrently with Albuterol.  I think the timetable was something like within a week of each other.  It was okay to stop using Albuterol and start the Serevent, but you needed a week delay to go the other way. I bring it up because I remembered that the Serevent did not have the same "10 second" effect like Albuterol did.  Serevent worked, but it took the better part of an hour to fully relieve.  I was not satisfied with that, and opted to return to the Albuterol.. which meant *NO* inhaler for that week period, which was a struggle at the time. I’m sure you have seen my other recent posts about removing medications entirely from my life, but if this is not an option for you, beware of the situation with these two. For what it is worth, the relief offered by Serevent was longer lasting than the Albuterol, and it did not cause a jump to my heart rate. Good luck! Ty

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Actually, they want to switch me to Pulmicort, but I have resisted becasue I don’t like it. When both my son and I were diagnosed with asthma the first prescriptions written were for Serevent and Flovent (he 110 and myself 44).  You also might want to ask about Accolate (which I take) or Singulair (different drug, basically same action). Patrice No, they have not..actually, I have not even heard of that inhaler

Response:

Note that most authorities recommend exercising AT LEAST 3 times a week, evenly spaced.  If you only exercise in spurts it puts a considerably greater strain on the body, plus you don’t make as much progress. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Good advice.  I’ve started with new medication (singulair, serevent, flovent) and exercise 2/3 times a week.  Exercise used to cause me to wheeze/cough.  But now I can actually say that I feel better after excercising than before.   I think that the point for exercise for many asthmatics is to excercise the lungs and bronchioles as you would excercise anything else. here is a question…how can running on a treadmill get rid of asthma if you have exercise -induced asthma and every physical exertion leaves you gasping? I think the idea is to get fitter so that every physical exertion no longer leaves you gasping. What one needs to do is exercise at a level that does not provoke one’s asthma. Depending on one’s current fitness level, that may mean doing just a small session on a slow treadmill – but regularly, say 2/3 times per week. Then, as one’s fitness increases, increase the length/speed of each treadmill session, again without upsetting the asthma. Combine this with suitable relaxation periods and a good, balanced diet and one should at least feel better. Jo.

Response:

Good advice.  I’ve started with new medication (singulair, serevent, flovent) and exercise 2/3 times a week.  Exercise used to cause me to wheeze/cough.  But now I can actually say that I feel better after excercising than before.   I think that the point for exercise for many asthmatics is to excercise the lungs and bronchioles as you would excercise anything else. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – here is a question…how can running on a treadmill get rid of asthma if you have exercise -induced asthma and every physical exertion leaves you gasping? I think the idea is to get fitter so that every physical exertion no longer leaves you gasping. What one needs to do is exercise at a level that does not provoke one’s asthma. Depending on one’s current fitness level, that may mean doing just a small session on a slow treadmill – but regularly, say 2/3 times per week. Then, as one’s fitness increases, increase the length/speed of each treadmill session, again without upsetting the asthma. Combine this with suitable relaxation periods and a good, balanced diet and one should at least feel better. Jo.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – HI, I"m new to the group and I’m glad I found you! This is what I have. ALL THE TIME… tight chest stuffy feeling in chest….like someone’s sitting on my chest, and/or squeezing chest, lungs hard to get a deep, clean, easy breath gets worse when it’s cold out, or, the pollen count is high have confirmed allergies Get bronchitis every year, and it lasts literally for months Wake up coughing, or with that liquid type feeling in my chest/lungs, gurgling 3 times now, on acitve exercise (hiking uphill, a long bike ride in summer, and during a stress test) I had VERY scary attacks….gasping for air, PAIN in chest, lungs, like, as someone in this group said, someone’s squeezing your lungs, cold, sharp pain, ……when it finally goes away, I’m still coughing, etc. for some time. The attack I had when hiking was horrible, thank goodness my husband was with me, I honestly did think I was going to die. And do you what my doctor said?  It’s panic attacks. He wanted to put me on Paxil. He  also told me to stop using my inhaler left over from a previous perscription, because he’s not convinced it’s asthma/lung problem. (THe inhaler helps, but it makes me a little wired..but at least I can breathe!) He ordered a stress test, which showed that my heart was fine, and went ahead with a chest X-Ray at my insistence. (dont’ know the results yet.) It’s possible he doesnt’ think it’s asthma because he doesn’t hear any wheezing….that’s about the only sympton I don’t have. Am  I crazy? Or is he?

Neither, I suspect.  Though it sounds like he’s of the belief that asthma == wheezing, which is unfortunately what a lot of docs believe, overtreating folks due to minor wheezing and undertreating "atypical" asthma cases.  You seem to have some sort of chronic lung inflamation. But you may indeed be suffering from "panic" of one sort or another. Probably you are best advised to get another doc’s opinion.

Response:

It’s possible he doesnt’ think it’s asthma because he doesn’t hear any wheezing….that’s about the only sympton I don’t have. Am  I crazy? Or is he?

Ask for a referral to a specialist so you can be screened for both asthma and panic disorder.  I would not trust a GP to be able to accurately tell the difference between the two. "Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink from doing so (just) because you might not like what you find."    General Colin Powell

Response:

There have been times when my chest felt tight and I’ve been a bit short of breath that my albuterol inhaler did not give me any relief.  I discovered that 0.25 mg of xanax made the tightness and shortness of breath go away. Since then I’ve learned to discriminate fairly well between the anxiety and asthma.  For me the big clue was that the inhaler didn’t help when and the xanax did.  If the inhaler is relieving the symptoms seems like there might be an asthma component to your problem.  Maybe you could get to a pulmonologist or asthma specialist (allergist) and get a second opinion.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – And do you what my doctor said?  It’s panic attacks. He wanted to put me on Paxil. He  also told me to stop using my inhaler left over from a previous perscription, because he’s not convinced it’s asthma/lung problem. (THe inhaler helps, but it makes me a little wired..but at least I can breathe!)

Response:

HI, I"m new to the group and I’m glad I found you! This is what I have. ALL THE TIME… tight chest stuffy feeling in chest….like someone’s sitting on my chest, and/or squeezing chest, lungs hard to get a deep, clean, easy breath gets worse when it’s cold out, or, the pollen count is high have confirmed allergies Get bronchitis every year, and it lasts literally for months Wake up coughing, or with that liquid type feeling in my chest/lungs, gurgling 3 times now, on acitve exercise (hiking uphill, a long bike ride in summer, and during a stress test) I had VERY scary attacks….gasping for air, PAIN in chest, lungs, like, as someone in this group said, someone’s squeezing your lungs, cold, sharp pain, ……when it finally goes away, I’m still coughing, etc. for some time. The attack I had when hiking was horrible, thank goodness my husband was with me, I honestly did think I was going to die. And do you what my doctor said?  It’s panic attacks. He wanted to put me on Paxil. He  also told me to stop using my inhaler left over from a previous perscription, because he’s not convinced it’s asthma/lung problem. (THe inhaler helps, but it makes me a little wired..but at least I can breathe!) He ordered a stress test, which showed that my heart was fine, and went ahead with a chest X-Ray at my insistence. (dont’ know the results yet.) It’s possible he doesnt’ think it’s asthma because he doesn’t hear any wheezing….that’s about the only sympton I don’t have. Am  I crazy? Or is he? Thank you! "rlee"

Response:

At this point, it is very aggressive.  I am on maxair (2 puffs, twice a day) followed by Flovent (4 puffs, twice a day)  and Rhinocort for my sinuses.  I also am periodically on Prednisone, and I have had a cortisone shot (a traumatizing experience) and am currently on Zithromax for Bronchitis.  I also use the Maxair right before exercise.

Have you tried adding one of the anti-leukotrine medications?  Another thing to look at is allergies – see if there is something that is aggravating the asthma. "Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink from doing so (just) because you might not like what you find."    General Colin Powell

Response:

Too bad that come spring time I have not been able to run.  I can berely walk to class, much less go for a run. If you’re only affected for the duration of a season, I should just take things easy until your symptoms abate.

If you do this then the asthma is now dictating your life.  Some of us refuse to allow this to happen. "Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink from doing so (just) because you might not like what you find."    General Colin Powell

Response:

I hate to let it control me and I don’t usually cut back, but I’ve been really sick this spring and so have been forced to.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Too bad that come spring time I have not been able to run.  I can berely walk to class, much less go for a run. If you’re only affected for the duration of a season, I should just take things easy until your symptoms abate. If you do this then the asthma is now dictating your life.  Some of us refuse to allow this to happen. "Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink from doing so (just) because you might not like what you find."    General Colin Powell

Response:

Actually, they want to switch me to Pulmicort, but I have resisted becasue I don’t like it.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – When both my son and I were diagnosed with asthma the first prescriptions written were for Serevent and Flovent (he 110 and myself 44).  You also might want to ask about Accolate (which I take) or Singulair (different drug, basically same action). Patrice No, they have not..actually, I have not even heard of that inhaler

Response:

When both my son and I were diagnosed with asthma the first prescriptions written were for Serevent and Flovent (he 110 and myself 44).  You also might want to ask about Accolate (which I take) or Singulair (different drug, basically same action). Patrice

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – No, they have not..actually, I have not even heard of that inhaler

Response:

No, they have not..actually, I have not even heard of that inhaler

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello Kristina, Has your doc ever suggested Serevent?  I noticed you are using your Maxair a lot.  My doc says if you use a rescue inhaler more than 2 or 3 times a week, then the asthma is not in control.  (Serevent is a 12 hour bronchiodialotor.) Just a thought, Patrice At this point, it is very aggressive.  I am on maxair (2 puffs, twice a day) followed by Flovent (4 puffs, twice a day)  and Rhinocort for my sinuses. I also am periodically on Prednisone, and I have had a cortisone shot (a traumatizing experience) and am currently on Zithromax for Bronchitis. I also use the Maxair right before exercise. I am very much fit.   I am a dance major at the University of California at Irvine, who loves to go for runs or swim.  Too bad that come spring time I have not been able to run.  I can berely walk to class, much less go for a run.  I usually just power my way through things and ignore the asthma symptoms, but it seems to me that the older I get, the worse the symptoms get.  I thought you were supposed to grow out of this, not get worse. How aggressive is your asthma management plan? I do not think that it is a good idea to ignore your asthma symptoms, these are warnings that there is a problem that you need to fix. Also, there is the risk of permanent airways damage resulting from poorly treated asthma. "Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink from doing so (just) because you might not like what you find."    General Colin Powell

Response:

At this point, it is very aggressive.  I am on maxair (2 puffs, twice a day) followed by Flovent (4 puffs, twice a day)  and Rhinocort for my sinuses.  I also am periodically on Prednisone, and I have had a cortisone shot (a traumatizing experience) and am currently on Zithromax for Bronchitis.  I also use the Maxair right before exercise.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am very much fit.   I am a dance major at the University of California at Irvine, who loves to go for runs or swim.  Too bad that come spring time I have not been able to run.  I can berely walk to class, much less go for a run.  I usually just power my way through things and ignore the asthma symptoms, but it seems to me that the older I get, the worse the symptoms get.  I thought you were supposed to grow out of this, not get worse. How aggressive is your asthma management plan? I do not think that it is a good idea to ignore your asthma symptoms, these are warnings that there is a problem that you need to fix. Also, there is the risk of permanent airways damage resulting from poorly treated asthma. "Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink from doing so (just) because you might not like what you find."    General Colin Powell

Response:

Hello Kristina, Has your doc ever suggested Serevent?  I noticed you are using your Maxair a lot.  My doc says if you use a rescue inhaler more than 2 or 3 times a week, then the asthma is not in control.  (Serevent is a 12 hour bronchiodialotor.) Just a thought, Patrice

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – At this point, it is very aggressive.  I am on maxair (2 puffs, twice a day) followed by Flovent (4 puffs, twice a day)  and Rhinocort for my sinuses. I also am periodically on Prednisone, and I have had a cortisone shot (a traumatizing experience) and am currently on Zithromax for Bronchitis.  I also use the Maxair right before exercise. I am very much fit.   I am a dance major at the University of California at Irvine, who loves to go for runs or swim.  Too bad that come spring time I have not been able to run.  I can berely walk to class, much less go for a run.  I usually just power my way through things and ignore the asthma symptoms, but it seems to me that the older I get, the worse the symptoms get.  I thought you were supposed to grow out of this, not get worse. How aggressive is your asthma management plan? I do not think that it is a good idea to ignore your asthma symptoms, these are warnings that there is a problem that you need to fix. Also, there is the risk of permanent airways damage resulting from poorly treated asthma. "Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink from doing so (just) because you might not like what you find."    General Colin Powell

Response:

I am very much fit.   I am a dance major at the University of California at Irvine, who loves to go for runs or swim.

In that case you’re on to a winner already. Too bad that come spring time I have not been able to run.  I can berely walk to class, much less go for a run.

If you’re only affected for the duration of a season, I should just take things easy until your symptoms abate. I usually just power my way through things and ignore the asthma symptoms, but it seems to me that the older I get, the worse the symptoms get.  I thought you were supposed to grow out of this, not get worse.

From my own experience, when I was younger I could exert my way through some fairly debilitating exercise-induced asthma. In later years, this was not the case. Now I take things easy when/if I feel the asthma symptoms coming on. Also, make sure that you’re not over doing the exercise/exertion stuff. Make sure your body has time to recover. Finally, keep your mind healthy by trying not to let it get you down. I failed miserably on this point. It seems the more agitated I became, the worse my symptoms became. You need a healthy mind as well as a healthy body and, in my experience, doctors focus on the body at the expense of the mind. Jo.

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I am very much fit.   I am a dance major at the University of California at Irvine, who loves to go for runs or swim.  Too bad that come spring time I have not been able to run.  I can berely walk to class, much less go for a run.  I usually just power my way through things and ignore the asthma symptoms, but it seems to me that the older I get, the worse the symptoms get.  I thought you were supposed to grow out of this, not get worse.

How aggressive is your asthma management plan? I do not think that it is a good idea to ignore your asthma symptoms, these are warnings that there is a problem that you need to fix. Also, there is the risk of permanent airways damage resulting from poorly treated asthma. "Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink from doing so (just) because you might not like what you find."    General Colin Powell

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The symptoms you describe are more severe than most people would experience.  Obviously, asthma varies from person to person. But I remember at about age 14 spending the summer charging up a hill with my bike, then stopping at the top to cough, wheeze, and catch my breath, then doing it again. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – oh and don’t forget the wheezing and the pain in your lungs like someone has their hand around them and is squeezing really tight. Start slow.  And recognize that EIA is over-diagnosed — much of it is really just normal breathlessness. here is a question…how can running on a treadmill get rid of asthma if you have exercise -induced asthma and every physical exertion leaves you gasping? Another tiring and boring doctors study done by guys who have never suffered the scary symptoms of an asthma attack. Common sense and a two-digit I.Q. tells us we need to exercise and walk, but what about the ones that are crippled, due to surgeries, disk problems, and lumbar stenosis, along with osteoarthritis….such as myself…….we cant even go to the pool…the humidity flares up attack….cant walk to strengthen lungs….hurts body too much….on and on….and on …round and round we go huh??? But isn’t it possible that exercise a little earlier might have prevented some of those problems?

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I am very much fit.   I am a dance major at the University of California at Irvine, who loves to go for runs or swim.  Too bad that come spring time I have not been able to run.  I can berely walk to class, much less go for a run.  I usually just power my way through things and ignore the asthma symptoms, but it seems to me that the older I get, the worse the symptoms get.  I thought you were supposed to grow out of this, not get worse.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – here is a question…how can running on a treadmill get rid of asthma if you have exercise -induced asthma and every physical exertion leaves you gasping? I think the idea is to get fitter so that every physical exertion no longer leaves you gasping. What one needs to do is exercise at a level that does not provoke one’s asthma. Depending on one’s current fitness level, that may mean doing just a small session on a slow treadmill – but regularly, say 2/3 times per week. Then, as one’s fitness increases, increase the length/speed of each treadmill session, again without upsetting the asthma. I think that the problem for this person is that the asthma takes effect before the aerobic heart and respiration rates can be reached (much less maintained). My advice here would be to reduce the effort level of the exercise and increase the duration until you can benefit from the exercise without having the asthma interfere. Of course you also need to keep in mind that this is not going to make your asthma any better – at most it will reduce the distress caused by asthma symptoms. "Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink from doing so (just) because you might not like what you find."    General Colin Powell

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here is a question…how can running on a treadmill get rid of asthma if you have exercise -induced asthma and every physical exertion leaves you gasping?

I think the idea is to get fitter so that every physical exertion no longer leaves you gasping. What one needs to do is exercise at a level that does not provoke one’s asthma. Depending on one’s current fitness level, that may mean doing just a small session on a slow treadmill – but regularly, say 2/3 times per week. Then, as one’s fitness increases, increase the length/speed of each treadmill session, again without upsetting the asthma. Combine this with suitable relaxation periods and a good, balanced diet and one should at least feel better. Jo.

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The first was to make them walk for one hour on a treadmill under the supervision of a physiotherapist. I am currently under a program with both a respiratory and physiologist. It is and excellent program as they monitor you closely. After each exercist I have to take both my oxygen level and heart rate. Would highly recommend this program.

I think the exercise/physical therapy sessions were one of the most valuable things offered to me at National Jewish.  I always did some level of exercise, but it is nice to know how far you can push yourself without killing yourself.  From the pulmonary stress test to the monitored (O2 sat, etc.) workouts, I once again became knowledgeable of how hard to work without out fear of an attack.  I too would recommend monitored work outs for the severe asthmatic getting back into exercise or just starting. Before you buy.

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The first was to make them walk for one hour on a treadmill under the supervision of a physiotherapist.

I am currently under a program with both a respiratory and physiologist. It is and excellent program as they monitor you closely. After each exercist I have to take both my oxygen level and heart rate. Would highly recommend this program.

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BBC News Sunday, 4 June, 2000 Can’t breathe? Get on the treadmill Regular treadmill sessions are better at relieving the symptoms of chronic respiratory disorders than talking walks outside. One hour of exercise, four times a week was found to improve the way their bodies coped with a sudden need for oxygen which would normally leave them gasping. Severe respiratory disorders labelled as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can leave the sufferer severely disabled. COPD is thought to cause as many as 3m people worldwide a year, according to the World Health Organisation. Many cannot even walk without getting badly out of breath, and some need oxygen supplies at home. Six doctors – five Spanish and one British – compared two ways of improving the breathing of elderly patients with COPD. The first was to make them walk for one hour on a treadmill under the supervision of a physiotherapist. The other group were asked to walk outside, covering three or four kilometres in an hour. Three times as good While regular outside walkers did improve their physical condition, the treadmill walking, which was twice as strenuous, actually improved things even more. The way this was measured was to take the time needed to increase the rate of oxygen absorption into the body once exercise has started. In walkers, this rate was improved by more than five seconds after eight weeks of exercise. However, the treadmill patients did three times better. Dr Luis Puente-Maestu, a lung expert from the Gregoria Maranon General University Hospital, said: "We wanted to find out to what extent physical exercise in a hospital environment could improve the patients’ condition. "We also wanted to see if there was an alternative solution, which could be practised by patients on a daily basis and therefore would cost the health service less."

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If you’re only affected for the duration of a season, I should just take things easy until your symptoms abate. If you do this then the asthma is now dictating your life.  Some of us refuse to allow this to happen.

Others (eg: me) do not have the choice. Jo.

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I might have used the wrong terminology but it is an instrument that you stick your finger in and it gives you both an oxygen level and heart rate reading on a meter.

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If you’re only affected for the duration of a season, I should just take things easy until your symptoms abate. If you do this then the asthma is now dictating your life.  Some of us refuse to allow this to happen. Others (eg: me) do not have the choice.

I guess it depends on how you look at life. "Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink from doing so (just) because you might not like what you find."    General Colin Powell

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Others (eg: me) do not have the choice. I guess it depends on how you look at life.

It depends more on whether or not the available treatment works for you. Jo.

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That is your oxygen saturation (we call it O2 sat for short, you may have heard that). Carrie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I might have used the wrong terminology but it is an instrument that you stick your finger in and it gives you both an oxygen level and heart rate reading on a meter.

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Question:

Hi!     Just to really understand what really wheezing is all about. Can anybody tell me what is the exact medical definition of wheezing? To my knowledge, wheezing is e disgusting sound made during breathing. This is the time where we will encounter xtreme breathing difficulties as there are too much mucus deep in the lungs.   Most of the time when i encounter what i called ‘wheezing’, i have mucus that are deep in my lungs that during breathing, i encountered tight and heavy chest. When i placed my palms on my chest, i can feel those ‘wheezing’ vibrations but the thing is that during normal breathing (which i tend to breathe in and out slowly, and not too deeply), i won’t be able to hear the loud wheezing .Neither will i get those loud wheezing sound  when i tried to cover my ears. However the moment if i tried to open my mouth and give it a deep blow out…u can hear all the mucus at work! does any asthmatic out there too are confused with the term wheezing especially when doctors need to ask you how often you have wheezings?

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Wheezing refers to high pitched tones heard during breathing. When speaking of asthma, wheezing is more specifically a musical polyphonic expiratory sound indicating noise generated by multiple airways of varying diameters and airflows having constricted flows resulting in airway vibration at various resonant frequencies which leads to the sound heard. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi!     Just to really understand what really wheezing is all about. Can anybody tell me what is the exact medical definition of wheezing? To my knowledge, wheezing is e disgusting sound made during breathing. This is the time where we will encounter xtreme breathing difficulties as there are too much mucus deep in the lungs.   Most of the time when i encounter what i called ‘wheezing’, i have mucus that are deep in my lungs that during breathing, i encountered tight and heavy chest. When i placed my palms on my chest, i can feel those ‘wheezing’ vibrations but the thing is that during normal breathing (which i tend to breathe in and out slowly, and not too deeply), i won’t be able to hear the loud wheezing .Neither will i get those loud wheezing sound  when i tried to cover my ears. However the moment if i tried to open my mouth and give it a deep blow out…u can hear all the mucus at work! does any asthmatic out there too are confused with the term wheezing especially when doctors need to ask you how often you have wheezings?

– Don Elton Columbia, SC http://www.midcarolina.org

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wheezing is produced by the narrowing of the small airways which are called bronchioles.  The narrowing is a combination of edema and constriction of the muscle bands which surround the bronchioles.  The actual wheezing noise is caused from the turbulent airflow moving through the above narrowed airways. Asthma management is aimed at reducing the edema which can be from a variety of causes, and relaxing the muscular constriction around the small airways. Without appropriate management you are dooming yourself to a lifetime of problems, some of which may lead to early death. Scooby RCP, EMT-P Perinatal-Pediatric Respiratory Specialist This mail is a natural product.  The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

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Wheezing refers to high pitched tones heard during breathing. When speaking of asthma, wheezing is more specifically a musical polyphonic expiratory sound indicating noise generated by multiple airways of varying diameters and airflows having constricted flows resulting in airway vibration at various resonant frequencies which leads to the sound heard.

Musical polyphonic expiratory sound… yeah, sorta like throwing your voice but deep within you.  Sounded like a sorta of high pitched sigh or whine, was the wierdest noise I heard when this first occured… I thought my husband was groaning at his computer in an odd tone till I asked him what that little noise was he was making and he said, "What noise?"  Is rather difficult at first to track that sort of noise cause my ears are more tuned to listening to things from the outside. It was rather exciting though, I remember thinking, "Now I’ll be dang! I do wheeze afterall!"  One of the funnier moments which occur from desperate situations. haha!!

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The polyphonic part is important in asthma. A monophonic wheeze suggests partial obstruction of a single airway. This is seen with a mucus plug, tumor, or foreign body. One patient was sent to me for evaluation of difficult to control asthma. He was about 40 or so and said he had developed asthma about 5 years prior and in spite of 6 medicines wheezed all the time and was very limited in activity because of shortness of breath. Even steroids didn’t help. On his physical examination I noted that his wheezing was much louder on the right than on the left (suggesting that perhaps the wheezing on the left was just transmitted noise from the right) and it was mostly monophonic in quality. This sound, and the fact that he had developed severe refractory symptoms as an adult where he had never had symptoms before suggested that perhaps he didn’t have asthma at all (not a bad guess when someone doesn’t respond to any of the usual treatments). At fiberoptic bronchoscopy he was found to have a guitar pick shaped and sized foreign body wedged tightly in his right mainstem bronchus. It was sort of like a large Dorito ™. There was a large amount of granulation tissue growing into the object so it couldn’t easily be removed. After removal and having a laser procedure to burn off the granulation tissue he no longer wheezes or has shortness of breath and no longer requires any breathing medicines – i.e. "asthma cured". The pathologists couldn’t clearly identify the object but guessed it might be denture material but the patient had no clue what it was or how it got there. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wheezing refers to high pitched tones heard during breathing. When speaking of asthma, wheezing is more specifically a musical polyphonic expiratory sound indicating noise generated by multiple airways of varying diameters and airflows having constricted flows resulting in airway vibration at various resonant frequencies which leads to the sound heard. Musical polyphonic expiratory sound… yeah, sorta like throwing your voice but deep within you.  Sounded like a sorta of high pitched sigh or whine, was the wierdest noise I heard when this first occured… I thought my husband was groaning at his computer in an odd tone till I asked him what that little noise was he was making and he said, "What noise?"  Is rather difficult at first to track that sort of noise cause my ears are more tuned to listening to things from the outside. It was rather exciting though, I remember thinking, "Now I’ll be dang! I do wheeze afterall!"  One of the funnier moments which occur from desperate situations. haha!!

– Don Elton Columbia, SC http://www.midcarolina.org

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Question:

That usually means that the practitioner does not think that air is being moved into and out of the lungs very well. — Good Luck, CBI, M.D. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A question… When a medical practionner says that an asthmatic’sr chest/lungs "sound tight" through a stethoscope, what exactly does that mean that they have heard/not heard, esp. relative to normal breath sounds and relative to "decreased breath sounds"? We’re not talking wheezing, as there is no wheezing going on at the time [even though the pt may be in a severe attack -- as a general rule they don't wheeze in this case]. Thanks! SW.

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A question… When a medical practionner says that an asthmatic’sr chest/lungs "sound tight" through a stethoscope, what exactly does that mean that they have heard/not heard, esp. relative to normal breath sounds and relative to "decreased breath sounds"? We’re not talking wheezing, as there is no wheezing going on at the time [even though the pt may be in a severe attack -- as a general rule they don't wheeze in this case]. Thanks! SW.

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That usually means that the practitioner does not think that air is being moved into and out of the lungs very well.

Thanks. SW.

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I was DX’d with Asthma last winter—-The Doctors thought I was having a heart attack–because I had such chest tightness & labored breathing–my blood pressure was very high also,   but in the end I just ended up with Asthma——I am going through a similar flare  this week—my doctor put me on 60mg of prednisone for two days than 50mg for two and so on plus I had to increase my Flovent from 2puffs 2x aday to 4 puffs 2x aday—plus a new inhaler Serevent which is 2 puffs 2xaday—-the Albuterol inhaler  when I need it which is 3 times a day—-So maybe you could tell me when does this all stop?????   Maybe I should be going to an Allergist—-I have absolutely no Wheezing what-so-ever……. I hate going through this again. Does anyone have any good advise for me???…. Thanks in advance to those who reply….Kdm

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Maybe I should be going to an Allergist—-I have absolutely no Wheezing what-so-ever…….

I won’t comment on the rest of your post, but I will comment on the no wheezing part. Not all asthmatics wheeze.  Some [I read somewhere that it may be as much as 30% of asthmatics] never or very rarely wheeze. A case in point is myself — I almost never wheeze.  And if I do wheeze it is as the acute attack is *clearing* [i.e. I am getting better] and even then it lasts only a couple minutes and can be easily missed.  Sometimes during a respiratory infection there will be a few little wheezes heard with a stethoscope, but even then it is Very Uncommon **for me**.  This can be problematic when dealing with medical professionals who expect "asthma=wheezing", but the peak flow meter and pulse ox usually set them straight  I have, however, also dealt with some great medical professionals who had no problem with the fact that I rarely wheeze. Anyhow, I just wanted to let you know that just because you don’t wheeze doesn’t mean it isn’t asthma.  of course, it doesn’t mean it is either, but that is of course up to your MD to decide. SW. THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE!!

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Question:

The fastest way to be seen in the ER is to carry in a child who is having trouble breathing.  

I agree, took my boy in once, an intern yelled across the hall way that they would be right with me.  I simply yelled back that I had a blue kid, and you would think it was the olympics as fast as he ran.   As far as kids, do not hesitate to go to the ER.

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Thank you so much to everyone who wrote with advice for me about my baby!  She saw her pediatrician Thu. and has been diagnosed with bronchiolitis.  It’s caused by a virus called RSV.  It produces symptoms much like asthma (wheezing, retractions, coughing, etc.) in babies because their airways are so small. She’s taking Pediapred and Proventil to help with her symptoms until the viral infection runs its course.  She’s still very happy and playful despite all the poking and prodding from all the doctors and nurses.  Here’s a picture of my little angel if anybody wants to look.  http://members.aol.com/LaurenS13/. Thanks again everyone for your help!

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Your baby may have RSV even though it is not the season for it.  RSV is a viral infection much like a cold but may cause serious breathing problems of which wheezing is only one of the symptoms.  Voice of experience do not ignore this could be very bad.  My daughter was 4 months old when she had RSV.  She went from wheezing to not breathing at all in a few hours.  She was very sick and I was very scarred and was thankful that I went to the ER.  One of my mottoes is When in doubt check it out."  Go to the pediatrician or the ER and do not be ashamed if it is a cold. Take Care and I hope your daughter is doing better today.  Pam

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This morning she has been wheezing, coughing, and has a lot of mucous in her lungs.  She was getting choked and having trouble breathing so I called the Peds Clinic.  The nurse said the wheezing indicates asthma and she might have to go to the ER.  She’s breathing okay now, so I’m unsure what I should do.  I don’t want to go to the ER only to find out the baby has a cold.

When you’re dealing with a baby who has a breathing problem you shouldn’t *ever* hesitate to bring her to the ER. So what if it’s only a cold?? The worst that’ll happen is that they’ll send you home. But if it *is* asthma and you wait because you don’t want to "bother" the ER staff, your baby may stop breathing. That’s their job. Let them decide whether or not it’s a cold.

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Last night my baby starting wheezing.  Her nose was a little stuffy so we figured she has a cold.  This morning she has been wheezing, coughing, and has a lot of mucous in her lungs.  She was getting choked and having trouble breathing so I called the Peds Clinic.  The nurse said the wheezing indicates asthma and she might have to go to the ER.  She’s breathing okay now, so I’m unsure what I should do.  I don’t want to go to the ER only to find out the baby has a cold.  Anybody out there know if her symptoms sound like asthma? Please e-mail with your answer.  Thanks!

The fastest way to be seen in the ER is to carry in a child who is having trouble breathing.  (This fact was learned when my daughter had croup.  As she was being assessed by 2 doctors and 2 nurses, a fifth person was asking me how to spell her name!  They didn’t even ask what insurance we had until she was stable.  She was fine after treatment.) Kim

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Last night my baby starting wheezing.  Her nose was a little stuffy so we figured she has a cold.  This morning she has been wheezing, coughing, and has a lot of mucous in her lungs.  She was getting choked and having trouble breathing so I called the Peds Clinic.  The nurse said the wheezing indicates asthma and she might have to go to the ER.  She’s breathing okay now, so I’m unsure what I should do.  I don’t want to go to the ER only to find out the baby has a cold.  Anybody out there know if her symptoms sound like asthma? Please e-mail with your answer.  Thanks!

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Last night my baby starting wheezing.  Her nose was a little stuffy so we figured she has a cold.  This morning she has been wheezing, coughing, and has a lot of mucous in her lungs.  She was getting choked and having trouble breathing so I called the Peds Clinic.  The nurse said the wheezing indicates asthma and she might have to go to the ER.  She’s breathing okay now, so I’m unsure what I should do.  I don’t want to go to the ER only to find out the baby has a cold.  Anybody out there know if her symptoms sound like asthma? Please e-mail with your answer.  Thanks!

It could be asthma or an asthma-like condition. I suggest you try to make an appointment with your pediatrician or one of his associates for today. ER is where you go when symptoms are severe or the pediatrician’s office is closed (or Urgent Care is closed) In ER, they won’t have your baby’s records (unless they have recently gone computerized) and the attending doctor may not know that much about your baby’s condition. It’s always better to see your regular pediatrician if possible, most will make time for urgent cases. If that’s not possible, go to Urgent Care or ER. Often symptoms of asthma are worse at night. If you go to ER in the daytime when symptoms have subsided, you may not get much attention. Ellis

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