Anyone have asthma?

[picklespickles]

i try to keep dairy products at a minimum, just a special treat. it makes a serious difference. soy milk, etc.

lots of fresh air.

preventive medicine can change the quality of his life. being "addicted" to something that literally keeps you alive is not a problem.

hope he gets support and realizes he's not the only one.

 

[nccountrygirl]

Asthma is a very dangerous thing if not kept under control, When we lived in S.C. our pastors wife had an Asthma attack during sleep and suffocated because of it. She was only in her 40's. It is not fair to you and your chilren for your husband not to try every thing possible to control his Asthma, as there is so much out there that can help him get a handle on it. Laura

 

[poppycat]

I had severe asthma up until I got pregnant with my first child and that seemed to change a lot of things in my body, so now I only have mild symptoms from time to time.

The biggest helps for me have been:

An air filter on our furnace/ac.

Caution with foods I eat. I'm allergic to nuts and some fruits, plus the usual assortment of pollens.

Avoidance of any exposure to molds. I'm now convinced that my parents house that I grew up in had some kind of mold problem. The day I moved out I started feeling a lot better (of course it may have something to do with stressful environment too.) But also there was a piece of plywood under our deck that had gotten moldy. Just picking it up and taking it to the trash gave me problems.

A shot of espresso now and then. For some reason a huge jolt of caffeine works almost as well as the albuterol inhaler.

Avoiding (when possible) sudden temperature changes. I keep the house pretty cool in the winter, that way it's less of a shock when I go outside. Same goes for the ac in the summer.

Unfortunately even though I rarely have a severe episode anymore, my lungs are still damaged from when I was a kid.

Sorry your husband has to go through all of this. It is very difficult. Hopefully he'll find some medications that help.

 

[chicknmania]

I have had asthma for years. My circumstances are a little different, I think mine was caused by smoking. I quit smoking four years ago. I had a really bad attack a few months ago month and my doctor refusted to refill my Albuterol. I went to see him and he said I was using it too much; that you're only suposed to use it once or twice a month. He gave me an Advair inhaler with the Albuterol for backup. I never had to use the Albuterol at all whien I was on the ADvair. After a month and a half, I quit using the Advair because I couldn't remember to keep using it, didn't like the idea of using it when I didn't really need it. I've been two weeks without either inhaler and have had no problems. You might want to ask, it comes in different strenghs.

 

[hencackle]

Here's a link for a drug-free breathing technique that I remember reading about. I don't have asthma, nor do I know of anyone that has used this method--its just FYI.
http://www.correctbreathing.com/buteyko.htm

Flu shots?! Sorry, mom'sfolly...I wouldn't allow that junk in my body to harm my immune system. I haven't had one since the '60s. Now I know why I would be somewhat sickly that winter: flu shots

 

[nccountrygirl]

I had a flu shot about 15 yrs. ago and it made me the sickest I've ever been in my life so no more flu shots for me, ever.

 

[arwmommy]

The daily maintanance drugs WORK!!! My children both have asthma (my son was trached and on a ventilator for 2 years, and has significant scarring in his airway) and they have been on Singulair for years. Yes, morphine is addictive, but I can't think of a single asthma drug that is---- and even if it were, it would still be worth it--- you MUST breathe. He needs to do everything possible (daily meds, inhaler/rescue meds, nebulizers when it is bad, being careful about things like dust, dander, etc) to keep himself healthy.

Have him meet with his pulmonologist and have them explain how to use a Peak Flow Meter--- this is a small device that measures lung capacity daily (or several times a day, if necessary). You will be able to see that he is having problems with his lung capacity before he even realizes he is getting sick, or starting a flare. This way you can attack it quickly before it gets out of control.

Good luck. We know that there really is nothing more important than good health in our family, and are willing to do anything we can to keep it that way, we hope your family does too!!

 

[mom'sfolly]

The American Lung Association has a very good website with all the asthma meds listed, with side affects, articles on asthma management and other things. Definately worth checking out. About the flu, annually in the US about 36,000 people die from the flu, mostly the elderly and the very young, but also immuno comprimised people and people with chronic lung disease.

 

[Rosalind]

Roslind what cures have you found?

I worked on two drugs currently in clinical trials. One made it to Phase 2 (there are 3 phases), we won't get the partial results back till halfway through next year. So far it looks good in the few asthmatic volunteers we've had. The other is just starting clinical trials this year for tolerability.​

 

[hsm5grls]

THANK YOU THANK YOU everyone. I just read all these posts to DH and he finally gets it.