Breathing trouble

For two years I have been battling daily shortness of breath at rest.  Every month or so I have a bad bout with struggling to breath that lasts a few days to about a week.  I finally got a diagnoses of Bronchial Ashma.  I was never able to tolerate steroid inhalers.  I have now been put on Spiriva.  I have read that it doesn't usually work with ashma.  Is it normal to have shortness of breath daily with ashma.  I quit smoking when this all started two years ago and have not touched a cigarette since.  I was hoping to feel better.  I have never had such breathing problems as I have these last two years.  I am trying to feel confindent that I was given the right diagnosis.  It is very depressing to feel I have to live this way for the rest of my life when I am only 46 years old.  I am very thankful that it wasn't a worse diagnosis.

[Victoireh]

Yes, it is possible to have constant shortness of breath with asthma. That is how I started and still am like when it is out of control. The one good news is that steroid inhalers work very well for asthma and do relieve the chest tightness, shortness of breath and any other symptoms you may have. You said that you were a smoker? Did you doctor check to make sure you don't have chronic bronchitis? Do you have a cough, and produce mucous? This is very important thing to treat early. But even with asthma, it is important to get it under control as it can effect your quality of life and lead to possible airway damage. You really should be put onto a steroid inhaler inorder to get the asthma under control. After that you can step down on your inhalers till you come to the point where you are still in control of the asthma. Some asthmatics don't need to be on steroid inhalers full time, just seasonally when their allergies bother them. But generally speaking adult onset asthma is more persistent,so you might need it full time. In what aspect do you not "tolerate" steroid inhalers well? There are other meds available, but not nearly as effective. For instance Singulair works very well for those with really mild asthma, or works together with a steroid inhaier to enhance its effectiveness. But do continue to see your doctor, so that you can get your quality of life back. Take care.

[mkwins]

When I use the steroid inhalers, my chest gets tight, I get a cough and my breathing is worse.  Have you ever heard of anyone using Spiriva?  I see that it is only occasionally prescribed for ashma.  I do not have a constant cough but do have phlegm a lot of mornings.  Sometimes this continues somewhat throughout the day.  My PFTs showed that is was ashma.  I have went to many doctors at great Universitys and they have never said Chronic brochitis.  Yes, I have tried Cingulair but didn't have good results there either.  I had reflux surgery which has seemed to help a very little bit.  Thanks for your advice.

[Victoireh]

mmm...that's a tough position to be in. I do know one thing and that is a lot of the powder inhalers use some milk protein in them as part of their preparation, but in such small amounts that for most people with milk allergy, it shouldn't be a problem (of course that is not a guarantee for those with severe allergy). That is one reason for intolerance to steroid inhalers. I'm not certain about other ingredients in steroid inhalers, but perhaps you are allergic to something in them. Have you tried a number of other types of steroid inhalers? I haven't seen the aerosol ones anymore (probably removed for environmental reasons). There must be a way to get the steroid into your lungs without irritating them. Otherwise, the only option is to take it orally at low doses (say 5 to 7 mg). Not ideal but one must weigh the benefits against the negative sides of a drug. Getting one's quality of life back is also important.
You could try Spiriva, I'm not familiar with it, but if it works great. And if not, then you will have to sit down with the specialist and find a way to get on top of your symptoms.
take care.

V.