I am new to the DX of asthma and things are going very poorly. I take advair 500 - 2 puffs a day/ Nasonex - 2 sprays a nostril/ abuterol as needed.

Does anyone have asthma? Can you tell me if it hurts to breathe? I have been on these meds consistently since Jan - this is the first year in about 10 years that I have't had serious sinus infections but I have been and am very sick - coughing like I used to before meds, and this really hard time breathing.

I have looked asthma up but I' m not positive I have it...

so does anyone at all have any suggestions.

does it severly limit your life?

Thank you very much.

[Gemstone]

I have asthma.

The hurting to breathe might be more from bronchitis. Asthma gives me a tightness in my chest but I wouldnt call it pain. But if I have some sort of chest cold or bronchitis with it I will hurt.

Asthma only limits my life if I am having a flare. I have had it all my life so I guess I am used to it. I have had a bad enough flare that I am hooked up to a ventilator in the hospital before, but most of the time it isn't so severe.

According to me doctor asthma is misdiagnosed a lot, but I wouldn't worry about the diagnosis much. I would worry about finding some meds that give you relief. A lot of bronchial diseases are treated very similary.

Have you told your doctor that you are still having a lot of problems? You may need some oral steriods for a short period to get things in check or antibiodics if you have an infection.

You may also want to consider a specialist if it is possible. That is one of the best things I ever did for myself. The pulmonologist helped a lot more than my primary care.

[(JD)]

Does the nasonex cause your sinus to bleed? It often does that If you are prone to sinus infections (I am, just from crying...thinking I'm allergic to my tears?) you might want something stronger like astelin? (sp?) Yes, you can hurt from both asthma and bronchitus... and they often go together. I'm sorry you're hurting and having trouble breathing, neither is easy to deal with, and can be very panicking...... keep that under your best control.

I have friends who sware by the Advair, but it takes time to build up (not a rescue breather.)

Feel better ((((hugs)))

[Danialla]

My husband has severe asthma and has been through all kinds of meds. The worst was the 18 years he spent on oral prednisone, along with his inhalers.

He is now on Xolair....what a miracle drug for him!! Every two weeks he gets two shots in each arm and he is completely off his prednisone!!!!

He does use advair when needed. Good Luck and I hope you feel better soon.

[Eva1nder]

I have adult onset asthma and when it started I didn't believe I had it. I wasn't sure what was happening to me even.

I am constantly going through periods of starting treatments when I have a crisis and then I'll slowly just stop when I'm doing better b/c I can't believe I have a problem ... only to end up yet again having a problem.

I suffer from chronic sinus infections as well as bronchitis and often pneumonia as well.

I had been doing well for the past 1year and a half and my pulminologist actually told me back then that if I didn't come and see her continually ..not only when I had a problem ..not to come back.

Well a month ago I had a serious asthma attack..one unlike any other because of an unusual situation and I'm now after non-stop prednisone, neb treatments every 4 hours, advair, singulair, zyrtec D and antibiotics because it lead to a sinus infection and bronchitis.

I ended up sucking it up and going back to the pulminologist ...she took me back and yelled at me.

It's a frustrating thing and it's hard to get used to I guess.

[PetulantWolf]

Hi. Sorry to hear youre having these problems. It was very scary to me when Iwas first diagnosed.

Quitting all dairy helped me tremendously. I take advair too but use less when I stay away from dairy. It is not a cure all, but really made a big difference for me. ANd I use Rhinocort, which Im happy with. If youre allergic to pollen wash your face and your hair a lot during this season.. and checkout this website:

www.drweil.com

Hugs