I am a 38 yr. old female with asthma and allergies since 2 yrs. old. Last severe asthma attack was at 16 yrs.old. Since then,I use an albuterol inhaler or a 1/2 of a brethine maybe once every 6 mos.
Two weeks ago, I had to go to the emergency room for an asthma attack since the inhaler(it was 3yrs.old) wasn't helping to regulate my breathing. Next day, I saw my asthma/allergy dr. who sent me for chest/lung xrays and bloodwork. She also gave me Advair 250/50 and Rhinecort. I started using both that day. Since then, I have a pressure or heaviness behind and slightly above my sternum and feel like I have something stuck in the back of my throat. Also sore throat and body aches. When I returned to the dr. for 1 wk. follow-up, I mentioned this and she gave me Singulair, told me xrays and blood were fine and said the heavy feeling was from being around the allergens that caused the asthma flareup. It seems that these new meds have many more side effects than my former meds(a little shakiness)and I feel as bad as when I had the attack. In fact, some days I feel like I may have another attack. Can these meds be more of a problem than they are worth? Are they meds that I'll be on long term?Will I breathe deeply without pressure again? I don't recall feeling a heaviness so low and for so long after an attack before. I did go without Advair one day and the heaviness went away, but upon deep inhaling I'd feel a bit of congestion(?)but no wheezing. Thanks for any advice.