Asthma/Tight Throat

I'm 35.  As a child, I would wheez from being around cats, dust, and from extertion in cold weather. I never saw anyone until 2.5 years ago in IL.  Dr gave me Advair 250/50 and Singulair. I moved to CO 2 years ago. I have always had Xopenex but have never used it up until this winter. This winter/spring I have been sick 4-5 times with sinus infections, lung mucous, flu, cough. I have had a short dry cough for 9 months now.  I never have seemed to get over one cold before I got the next.  About 2 months ago I started to get the jitters, racing heart, tingly.  I saw the Dr and he put me on Levaquin which didn't do anything.  He said I must not have got over the flu/cold.  On the last day of the Levaquin i came down with a horrendous cold.I went to the allergist and she put me on Zithro and said I had a sinus infection. I was still having the jitters etc and I was thinking it was from the Advair so I am now on Asmanex.  Asmanex isn't working.  As far as my Xopenex, I have used it in the past 2 months about 10 times and that was the first time ever.  It gives me terrible racing heart, palps, jitters.  My issues are a chronically stuffy nose, chronic cough, off and on jitters, tight throat with mucous which makes me feel like I need to go to the ER when it happens.  I feel like I'm going to gag and I get very short of breath/winded, post nasal drip.  My issues are mainly the daytime hours.  I don't notice myself coughing at night.  The throat issue is the worst. When I take the Xopenex my throat seems to open up a bit. My blood work is fine except billirubins are high.  Dr. thinks it's Gilbert's.  I was just put on blood pressure medication 1.5 months ago.  I was on Protonix but now Zantac as they suspected acid reflux.  It's not helping. I have at least one bout of stomach aches and diarrehea in the middle of the night per week.  Stool somewhat loose regularly.Current Meds: Asmanex Zantac Cozaar Singulair Rhinocort

[National Jewish Health]

Sounds like you have had a dreadful time this winter, not only with asthma but with chronic inflammation of your nose and sinuses.  The reason(s) for your worsening are not apparent, but historically, such worsening in a new environment is often a consequence of exposures to allergens or irritants, either at home or in the workplace.  It seems that a number of factors are at work, including nose and sinus disease with postnasal drip, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and now, anxiety.

The "jitters, tingles, and racing heart" are probably due to Xopenex® HFA (levalbuterol HFA inhalation aerosol) and possibly anxiety.

Given that this illness is having a major impact on your life, you might want to consider seeking consultation at the National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver, Colorado, which specializes in the management of difficult to control asthma.

Good luck.