[RozG]

Finally called paramedics today...been having extreme trouble breathing and times where I can't breathe at all. I always put breathing probs down to pneumonia coz my old doc did...but nope, just got told it seems like asthma and given an inhaler to use. Not sure I'm using it right though...like the spray hits my tongue....ain't in supposed to hit my throat? To be honest it don't really matter so long as it works and I can breathe a bit again.

[katheryn]

sorry you are having trouble breathing
is your anxiety making your breathing worse

((((((((((((((((kj))))))))))))))))))))

[happyflowergirl]

Hi Kalamity Jane,

Not breathing is very serious, including asthma, which i also have. Which inhaler are you on? You should be inhaling the fumes or whatever you want to call it, it needs to get into your lungs to work.

[jbug]

((((u))) I too have asthma and know how hard it can be sometimes. With me having bronchitis right now its doubly hard. Take care and maybe get a spacer to use with your inhaler it helps get the meds where they need to go in your body.

Jbug

[RozG]

((((katheryn)))) my breathing's worse with the cold. roll on summer eh?

((((happyflowergirl)))) I'm on the blue ventolin one, not that I know what that actually means

((((jbug)))) sorry you got bronchitis now too, you take extra care!

((((everyone))))

[katheryn]

if im not mistaken is the blue one to open up airways

[RozG]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
katheryn said:
if im not mistaken is the blue one to open up airways

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Yeah, the blue one is to open up the airways. The paramedics had to give me that one as i couldn't take in the oxygen, so doc has me on that one...and i have to always have it on me.

[Perna]

Get a spacer, Kalamity. I'm lost without mine :-) Your doctor might be able to give you one (I got mine in the Emergency Room where I had to go for my first bad asthma attack; it was part of a "package" they gave me).

http://www.asthma.org.uk/all_about_a...s/spacers.html

[RozG]

Thanks Perna, these were mentioned before but I wasn't sure if they were available in the U.K. as the pharmacist looked at me like I had six heads when I asked for advice on how to use this inhaler properly. I'll definitely get one of these tomorrow though as I just can't get the hang of this stupid thing.

[Perna]

You might try what a girlfriend suggested to me; an empty toilet paper roll? A doctor suggested that to her, LOL. I guess you could also use a small, empty water bottle or something, make your own. Anything that will contain/direct it better so you can suck it in instead of squirting it on your tonsils. Doesn't even taste very good!

[RozG]

Never thought of improvising. And you're right, it doesn't taste good.

[katheryn]

go to the surgary ask to see the asthma nurse they can prescribe you a spacer and they will help you learn how to use the puffer properly

im quite surprised the doc didnt tell you to see the asthma nurse before you left with the script

[RozG]

me too but thanks for that advice coz there is an asthma nurse at my surgery, i've just not been thinking straight with all this and yep, that really is the docs job too make sure people get adequate support and advice.

[RozG]

"Reliever inhalers are usually blue and you take them to relieve symptoms. They work quickly by relaxing the muscles surrounding the narrowed airways. They are essential in treating asthma attacks. If you need to use your reliever inhaler 3–4 times a week, you should go back to your doctor or nurse and have your symptoms reviewed so that they can be kept under control."

I just read this. I'm on the blue one and I'm using it 3-6 times a day as needed as I never thought to ask how often I can use it. Does anybody else here use the blue one that often?

[(JD)]

If you are using your rescue inhaler a few times a day, all the time, and not just when you are dealing with an attack per se, then you might benefit from also having a maintenance inhaler (different med.) Everyone responds differently so keep trying until they find you meds that help you immensely. Don't settle for ok on this, there are great meds out there!

I would think that if you are having difficulty breathing that something as large around as a tissue roll will not be suitable? Shake the container slightly and time your ability to breathe in as deeply as you can with when you push the sprayer. Hold your breath as long as you can with the medicine in your lungs. Once you feel some relief from the first puff, then take the second. With the second puff you should be able to inhale more of the medicine and hold it a bit longer. If you find you aren't getting alot of med with the first puff, talk to your doctor about using 3 puffs of your rescue breather instead.

Just as important as your medicine is the ability to think calmly and not tense up. The fear that settles in when you can't breathe fights against your breathing. Keep telling yourself to breathe more slowly, take deeper breaths even though it hurts more...and know you will get through it...one way or another.

[RozG]

Thank you Sky, I have to admit to not being very assertive with docs etc when they obviously can't be bothered explaining something, so thank you for taking the time.


And to everybody who's given me info and links...much appreciated as I now know what points to bring up at the clinic on Monday. But it's all helping me control my breathing for now so to everyone...

[Perna]

I'm prescribed to use the albuterol (blue one), 2 puffs every 4-6 hours as needed. If you use it more often, you get side effects, etc. and it also means it's not "enough". My asthma has gotten "worse" over the 3 or so years I've had it, I had to go to the emergency room the first time and I've been back there once, last year (?) when I was using my inhaler every two hours for too long.

Sometimes the asthma will seem to go away for a few days or weeks even but then will come back; it will start back slowly, I'll only need my inhaler a couple times a day but then that will become 4, then 6, etc. When it gets too many times and I can't "beat it back" :-) then I'll usually have to call and see the doctor. They'll prescribe prednisone and that will wipe it out for a bit and "reset" me.

I have a second maintenance inhaler/puffer, Flovent, you all call it Flixotide: http://www.inhousepharmacy.co.uk/ast...y/flovent.html that is a "mild" maintenance or "preventer" one. Some of them are not very nice, have a literal side effect of "death" and I told my doctor I don't ever want those kinds. I'm supposed to use the Flovent inhaler twice a day, 2 puffs in the morning and 2 at night. It is supposed to keep me from needing the blue Albuterol as often.

[RozG]

Thanx for this info Perna. Docs round here have a bit of a rep for not being able to be bothered beyond the basics and I got told was "take this". Thanx, you're a big help.

[wisewoman]

It is VERY important to use a spacer or aero chamber. I don't know what to call them. There is something wrong if you need to use it so often and sometimes I have needed to take oral steroids in addition to the preventative and the rescue inhalers. It is important to spek with your doctor.

[RozG]

Thank you wisewoman I will first thing Monday.

[RozG]

Hi all

Hate to be a pain but i can't see my doc til 2moro evening at the very earliest so...question please....

i know this inhaler opens up the airways but is it supposed to make your lungs more phlegmy than they were before, maybe coz it's opened the airways to release what couldn't get released before...hope this question makes sense..lol

[wisewoman]

Yup and yup. (the phelmy thing)

[Perna]

Yup, when you first use the inhaler, first puff, it might make you cough; that's because of the phlegmy thing :-) Coughing is good.

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Some people with asthma produce a clear and at times sticky (mucoid) phlegm (sputum).

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http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec04/ch044/ch044a.html

[RozG]

Thanks wisewoman

Thanks Perna