Those with asthma-- a ? (Likely will turn into a vent too).

Do you have a nebulizer at home? When I start getting that out of control feeling I run my nebulizer. The trick is to stay on top of your asthma. Don't wait until you're in crisis to use your meds.

Do you have an allergist? A pulmonologist? Do you take meds daily for asthma and/or for allergies? Do you have a maintenance inhaler? A rescue inhaler? A backup nebulizer?

Asthma changes as you age.  What worked for my dad a few years back, no longer works.  He's on THREE different DAILY meds!

Right now, I have been in a relatively stable phase with my asthma.  When i was in my 20's and 30's it was BAD.  As I've aged (now 47) it's not super bad other than since I've had Covid but even that is getting better.  I'm hoping that it doesn't get bad again but, well, it might and I have to deal with that.

I'd get in with a pulmonologist and see what they can do for you.  Asthma is scary and attacks are even scarier!

Stay away from sources of mold and smoke.  If you know you've been exposed to a trigger, shower and change clothes as soon as possible.  Maybe you even want to have a backup shirt and a travel face wash or wipes in the trunk in case you can't get home right away.  See an allergist to clinically identify your triggers-- maybe you need to be treating an allergy proactively rather than your asthma reactively.

And find a better doctor who will work with you on your asthma meds.  I know that's easier said than done, but yesterday is the time to start looking for one because at least around here, most offices are booking two to four months out.  Get on people's waitlists-- I just had one of my appointments moved up a month.  

Also (and you don't have to answer this, Cecilia, I'm just thinking out loud), is it safe/appropriate to be using a nebulizer from another person's illness?  I've never used one, so I don't know, but it seems like you should not... kind of like you wouldn't share a CPAP.  

With a nebulizer you need the PRESCRIBED medicine to go in it.

Just wanted to mention that I had asthma (diagnosed by a doctor and was being treated with a nebulizer) but a few years ago when I stopped eating diary my asthma completely disappeared! It was such a surprise to me and even more so to my doctor when I went in for my annual test (you know the kind-you sent and blow out something on a screen like birthday candles). At that last test I had absolutely no trouble blowing out all of the candles and even had left over air. 

I haven't had a touch of asthma since and that was 7 years ago. It's not easy to stop eating all dairy (the cheese is the hardest part) but it is doable and maybe worth a try to see if it helps? There is a book called "The Cheese Trap" by Neal Barnard along with other books you can read about how diary isn't good for us. 


 

I do not have asthma, but DH does. His is very well controlled by daily medication, and he only needs a nebulizer when he gets sick. In his experience, a good doctor made all the difference. Is there a doctors office near you that specializes in asthma/allergies? If your previous doctor was not helpful, then you need to try different doctors until you can find one who can get your situation under control. My DH usually only sees his doctor once a year, unless he gets sick, and has never needed to go to the hospital in the 26 years that we’ve been together, although he did have a few hospital stays as a child. Finding the right doctor is essential for you to get this under control.

You need to see a pulmonologist and possibly an allergist to determine the cause of your asthma. Your maintenance meds need to match your need. There are some newer drugs and maintenance protocols for eosinophilic asthma, for example, which may be treated differently from exercise-induced asthma. If you're allergic to something, you may need to be taking meds for that (or adjusting environment/diet, etc.).

It is VERY important that you address this sooner rather than later. My husband is a severe asthmatic, and has been intubated previously for severe asthma attacks. Inflammation is no joke; get treated appropriately NOW.

I feel your pain. As I sit and write this I'm waiting for a call from my Asthma Doctor. I go to the Asthma and Allergy Center. My issue is my allergies are dust mites, pet dander.. all things I can't avoid.

I take biweekly shots, Inhaler 2x a day and have a nebulizer and rescue inhaler.

Yet still.. last night I was coughing and gasping for air all night long.

I wear a mask, I use an air purifier near my bed and also on my desk at work.

Those are my suggestions. I'm gonna follow this and see if anyone has anything I haven't tried yet. We are out of medicines that I haven't been on.

My daughter has asthma, eczema and food allergies. She uses Advair and an albuterol rescue inhaler and carries an epipen. As a child, she took Singulair everyday and nebulizer treatments for asthma attacks, and visits to specialists for peak flow, skin and blood tests to find her triggers.

Recently, an allergist recommended a monthly injection of an anti-inflammatory to control asthma and hives. There are a few to choose from--dupixent, fesenra and xolair. She feels her breathing has improved after the injections.

cecilia --Please see a doctor concerning your asthma.I wish you better health.

Go to an asthma specialist.  It's their job to know the right maintenance meds.  You need to be doing that to control the asthma attacks.

Usually they are listed as Asthma & Allergy specialists.   I've been going to one since I was born (40+ years).  My asthma has been under control and I haven't had a true asthma attack since 1998.