Was anyone in denial about their asthma? How can I learn to accept this? I feel like I'm being stupid, but sometimes a part of me just won't treat it.

[thinkinpositive]

Am I the only one? Im in denial.  I keep trying to say I'm cured.  I keep trying to blame my stress and say it makes it hard for me to breath.  When I cough up mucus, I just blame it on something I ate, allergies, or just the start of a cold.  LOL  I know all of these make asthma worse.  I guess I just need to accept it, but a part of me still doesn't.  

Is there an easier way to cope with accepting you have asthma?

I think I don't treat it or stop using my medicine, just so I can make sure I need it.  Then when I do start having breathing problems, I blame other things.  I'm usually level-headed, but why am I acting like a child?

[mpbosnia1]

I am 44 years old and have recently been diagnosed with asthma.  I have chronic sinusitis and allergies to everything.  I was diagnosed with psuedomonas bacterial pneumona about 2 years ago.  After that everything went ot hell.  Mucus everyday coughing up around 50 times.  People make fun of me all the time.  I am on advair and a rescue inhaler.  The funny thing is I can exercise and it doesnt get worse.  I dont think I have asthma.  I dont get attacks.  this is the way it is everyday every minute.  My PFT and xrays are always normal.  I recently stopped my advair and the congestion went away after 3 days. I think the advair was making the mucus come up.  I have been on advar for 1.5 years now.  I think it is masking my symptoms and causing my PFT to be above average.  I think my problems are from the psuedomonas that caused somekind of scaring that cant be seen on xray.  I know it appears that I am in denial but I know my body better than anyone.  I dont think its asthma.

[GrannyJo6]

It really is hard to keep up with something when you either don't see any difference or you are feeling so well that you assume you don't need the meds! However, being pro-active and taking charge of your own health care is vital to your well being! I am an adult onset asthmatic and also have other health issues, so am on plenty of medications! I have decided that what I can control I will, and what I can't control, I just have to let go of, hard as that is. Some days I do better at that than others! Using my inhalers has just become part of the daily routine. My asthma (and other disease processes) does not define who I am! Is it hard? Absolutely! Would I like to just chuck all the pills and inhalers, etc.? Absolutely! Also, having a new disease diagnosis can result in a grieving process. It is not unusual to feel the stages of grief - denial, anger, bargaining, acceptance. You can bounce in and out of stages, but it is OK to feel a loss when faced with having to adjust your living conditions and know that you have limitations now. Give yourself some time and permission to feel crummy about having asthma, but keep on using your meds as directed! This forum is a great way to get support and understanding. Best wishes!

[Oddbod]

Hi you must have read my mind. I was diagnosed with asthma last year following a chest infection which lasted for months. Then I was waking in the night not being able to breathe and producing huge amounts of mucous Yuck!!. I am 34 yrs old and never really suffered with anything for long. I new I was allergic to lots of things from having sinus problems at University so they tested me for allergies. What I hate about the asthma is you never really know when it is going to hit you. I feel terrible after the inhalers - spaced out from the preventer and jittery from the reliever. I also used to walk/hike a lot whereas now I tend to walk at snail pace. I even end up unable to breathe after a good laugh. I went back to the docs recently because feeling worse and he has told me I must keep up with the inhalers as I was doing like you and kind of weaning myself off. I never feel normal. Sorry for moaning and I know others have it a lot worse. Good luck to you!

[jennymoo]

I have had bronchialle ( spelling? ) for about 10 years and since I stopped living with a smoker 9 years ago only needed my inhalers when I got sick. Well last year I had a couple of bad chest colds and ended up on my preventative ( alvesco ) everday. I also had a flare up 2mths ago ended up in emerge ( scary ) and was off work for 2mths. I saw a allergist/ asthma doc he told me it was scaring from the chest colds and it could get better and may get to the point I can stop my alvesco. But I still am in denial to sometimes I won't use my rescue inhaler I talk myself out of it or take some deep breaths and ok so your not alone I hate having asthma I go a while without needing my rescue inhaler ( last time it was a mth ) and then I get congested and need it. I hate and deny it to. Good luck.

[thp636]

I didn't get diagnosed with asthma until I was 58. Since I had always considered myself bullet proof so I had a very difficult time accepting it. However I was convinced by having frequent attacks if I didn't take my meds and avoid my known triggers. It took me quite awhile to accept that this would be a lifetime change for me.

[Allisonc78]

Sometimes asthma can go into remission. It is more common for people that have had since they were little. For adult asthma not so much. Just have to remember by stopping medication it can get worse. You can prevent it from doing later damage by nipping it in the bud early. You seem to have good control over it so I wouldn't worry too much.

[thinkinpositive]

I guess you are right.  I think it makes me feel like I am disabled in some ways.  I'm going hiking with some friends and I have a fear in the back of my mind that I'm going to look like a sissy.  Now I know I'm not, it's just a burden on me as well as them.

I think I just believe that it will go away.  Everytime I feel better and have had no signs of asthma, I feel as though I'm cured and I don't have to treat it.  The sad truth is, once I stop, it always returns.  Mine is mild and I have been using Advair 250/50.  It seems to work.  I only use it once a day because I think it keeps me up before bed.  Anyways, I suppose I'll give it a shot again.  

I'm still hoping that I don't have it though.  Or, I'm hoping that it will clear up and go away.  I recently gave away my two kittens (allergic to cats since for 10 yrs), so I'm hoping they were the trigger to my asthma.

I hope the best for you as well.  I appreciate the friendly advice.

[BreathinStephen]

Don't worry, you're definitely not alone. Been there, done that.   I'm not sure why this happens .  This biggest problem for me is/was self esteem issues. Chronic diseases have a way of making you think you're less worthy than healthy people. Ive often felt like I was defective or something. I think the best way to over come those feelings is to take control of your disease.   Asthma in this day and age, if caught early , is very manageable.
Good luck.