Asthma

[misschan]

Is it worth the hospital or wait till morning?

Hi guys its 5am here. I suffered the flu three weeks ago, which cleared up a week after. Whilst I had the flu I had the worst chesty cough. The cough then dissapeared and has since come back as a tickly cough. However for the past 3 nights, with tonight being the worst. I have woken up breathless and grasping for my inhaler. The more I cough the more my chest tightens.

I was diagnosed with mild asthma at a very young age but I am beginning to think it's gotten worse.

[Sunny602]

I would get immediate help if your coughing and tightness continue to get worse even with treatment. A bad asthmatic attack can go downhill fast...What you describe is how I feel when I am in the throes of an asthma atttack. First that tickly annoying cough...which doesn't go away even with sips of water. Then the chest tightens up and the coughing gets worse....At this point, I am usually nebulizing back to back Albuterol. For me, if the second treatment doesn't break it, I know I need to get to the hospital where they can be more aggressive with meds and such. If you aren't getting relief from your inhaler, then yes get it checked out.
As for whether your asthma is getting worse...it could be, but I know from personal experience that really bad colds, the flu etc...can kick up my asthma for some time after the infection. The airways are just so sensitive. I would definitely see your doctor about this though...I sure that he may do more tests to see if the asthma has indeed gotten worse. I hope you feel better soon..sunny