Update on Asthma

Okay, I went back to my doctor and wrote down a list of questions to ask him before I went. He sat down and really took the time to explain my peak flows-where I was and where I am at currently, had a copy of my asthma action plan and went through that and explained when to use my epi-pen.

My peak flows last summer were ranging around 325 and right now I am at about 550. He would like to see me at about 700 before we start reducing meds simply because I live 45 mins from the nearest hospital. He told me that I will probably be on symbicort or some type of corticosteriod for the rest of my life as well as albuterol-even if my peak flow goals are met. He then told me that asthma and maintaing control is really going to come down to being aggressive treatment and recongizing the signs and symptoms of a severe attack.

He then explained that I have a pretty severe case of asthma because my attacks-although fewer and farther between-are becoming more severe when they do happen. This is an issue because, he explained, the attacks are more likely to cause me to go into respiratory arrest. So, he outlined that if I can't get my attack under control within 10 mins, I need to dial 911 because it may take the ambulance awhile to reach me (they are coming from 15 miles away).

He did feel I have a touch of pneumonia and doubled my daily dose of predisone for the next ten days.

While this wasn't the best of news, I do feel better knowing better what to do. I also feel better that all these meds I am currently on can be either decreased or stopped over time-at least some of them. I realize that I have a lot of work to do but it's a goal I feel I can reach over time.

I just thought I would post this update-it's good to know that asthma doesn't have to control my life.  

[Tammy2009]

Yay!!  Good news and a great story.  Keep working!