asthma attack

I  have copd,,I take spiriva,,,,,and albuteral,,,I work out doors and live in new england ,last winter it was around 20 degrees,I was fine then coughed twice went to breath and just wheezed to no weezing could not get any air in,,,after a  mintue maybe two,i weezed again,and remembered i had albuteral in my work bag,,,This attack came out of no were, I noticed in the cold weather It is harder for me to breath,,,Is there anything better then spriva,,,,

[National Jewish Health]

Spiriva® HandiHaler® (tiotropium bromide inhalation powder) is a very good drug and the benefit of it is sometimes enhanced when it is given with either an inhaled corticosteroid and/or a long-acting inhaled bronchodilator, such as Serevent® (salmeterol xinafoate).  However, your description of not being able to "get any air in" is not characteristic of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma, but more consistent with vocal cord spasm.  This interpretation of what happened is also consistent with your statement that, "This attack came out of nowhere."  Cold air is a notorious cause of bronchospasm in people with asthma or an asthmatic component of their COPD; sometimes but seldom a cause of vocal cord spasm.

Whether asthma/COPD or vocal cord spasm, additional medicine may not help.  But, addressing the problem of the effect of breathing cold air could be the solution of either scenario.  The avoidance of mouth breathing, the use of a cold-weather mask, which can be purchased at most pharmacies or a heavier weight version at medical supply stores, or breathing through a scarf, all of these will help.  Not to mention the avoidance of cold air, whenever possible.

[poofey]

I have emphysema/copd and asthma.  For fast relief asthma attacks I tkae albuterol but my physician prescribed me Asmanex and Foradil as my long acting meds.  I take both twice a day.  One of them have a steroid in it that she stated should keep me to very few attacks.  I have been on the combination along with spiriva for the emphysema for approximately two years.  My asthma attacks are very rare.  I usually get one only when my body is under alot of stress or smoke (cigarette or other).  I can say that I have only had maybe a handful of attacks in the past two years.  Prior to the asmanex/foradil combo I was on serevent but it was not as affective as the combo as it did not have a steroid and I felt weak with no energy all the time.  Now I am not as weak and my body has adjusted very well to the meds.  I am prescribed albuterol 2puffs/4 times a day but usually either never have to use during the day or rarely.  I hope this info helps.  Good luck.

[tomcat47]

Thanks,,,,I dont no what perscentage I have lost in lung capicity,but i work 11 hours a day,and anything physical I  get winded ,,I dont think the spriva does much good,,,

[tomcat47]

how long have you had copd,,???

[tomcat47]

15 YEARS AGO,,,,IM 46,,I STILL SMOKE 25 A DAY

[tomcat47]

how old are you and do you still work????also how long have you had it copd