AsthmSOBGerd

[frustratedtotally]

HH to all. Note to all resp thers out there, we REALLY appreciate your input, pls keep it coming! I am in my 30's, just quit smoking and have had SOB,asthma sympts for 4 gruelling mths. Seen all the major players to no avail. I was in contact with an allergic trigger at the onset and the symptoms just kept getting worse. I have constant SOB (feels like I can't fully ex/inhale and leads to panic attacks, embarrasing!), asthma like symts, cough, normal sputum, acid reflux (Reflux controlled now for 2 weeks, LOSEC is amazing!). I am going crazy trying to figure out my problem!!!!!! I am taking Symbicort and Ventalin daily as well. CT, PFT, C-xray, Blood, PFlow are fine.  My house is quite old and one of my triggers, dust, may be coming through the vents. I had apnea at night but that has been controlled with Symb. Plssss help me. Feels like something is caught in my Trachea, and throat is often sore. thx to anyone who can shed light!!!!Best regards to all out there, I know how you all feel.

[National Jewish]

Your symptoms may or may not be related to allergy or asthma.  It is hard to tell from what you have described.  One common problem, seen more in females, is called vocal cord dysfunction (VCD).  This is a condition that can mimic asthma.  However, VCD is not helped by asthma medicines.  While inhaling the vocal cords should open to let air into the lungs.  With VCD the vocal cords close together during inhalation.  This makes it difficult for air to get into the lungs.  A lot of the same things that trigger asthma can trigger VCD including upper respiratory infections, fumes, odors, cigarette smoke, singing, emotional upset, post-nasal drip and exercise.  Sometimes the trigger is not known.  These attacks are also often seen with panic attacks.  Testing needs to be done while you are having symptoms.  Breathing tests may be normal, but the “breathing in” or inspiratory part, also called a flow volume loop will show little airflow while you are inhaling.  A laryngoscopy is a procedure done by a specialized doctor using a camera at the end of a flexible tube to see how your vocal cords open and close.  VCD is treated by a speech therapist that will instruct you in open throat breathing techniques.  Counseling can help you identify and deal positively with chronic stress, which may be an underlying factor in VCD.  Please read our Vocal Cord Dysfunction MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/vocal.html for more information.  It is worth checking out.

[starion]

Have you been evaluated for allergies, gastric reflux, and vocal chord dysfunction?  All are fairly common in asthmatics & can worsen lung function (or when optimally treated IMPROVE lung function).
You can read toof info about all of them at www.NationalJewish.org, particularly their MedFacts.  Your internist or whatever doc is treating your asthma should be able to help evaluate you for these conditions.
Good luck!
Aloha,
Starion

[Ellis7]

Re: Dusty air--make sure to change your furnace filter frequently. A HEPA air filter in the bedroom might help.
Or whole house electrostatic filter in furnace.

In addition to GERD [gastro reflux], you might also have post nasal drip. If you have any nasal congestion it needs to be treated [rhinitis, sinusitis]. Its important to breathe thru the nose to filter the air going to the lung. If you have PND,
nasal sprays should be tried; like Nasalcrom, or a steroid one like Nasonex. Saline nasal washes can help.

For reflux the treatment is:
*no meals near bedtime--be careful of spicy food, chocolate
*elevate head of bed with blocks or use a foam wedge to elevate upper body [pillows don't work]
*drugs like Prilosec or Nexium

[Concerned lady]

Dear Frustratedtotally,

If it's possible for you to be seen at Nat'l Jewish (they use a team approach), that could be very helpful. Nat'l Jewish (Denver, CO) is great at diagnosing challenging respiratory cases, including where several things are happening at the same time.

Nat'l Jewish can help you discover what role each of these has, in your specific case: allergy, gastric reflux, asthma, sleep apnea, environmental insults (dusts, fumes, etc.), possible adverse effects of any meds you are taking, including asthma meds, other factors, etc.

You can speak with a Lung Line nurse, by calling 1-800-222-LUNG(5864), weekdays, 8am-4:30pm (Mountain standard time) to get more ideas of what to do now.

My husband and I were greatly helped by Nat'l Jewish, when no-one else had a clue! They were the antidote to frustration from not getting a full diagnosis!

Good luck to you.

Concerned lady
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

[frustratedtotally]

Thank you all for your time and help! It is greatly appreciated. I will seek your suggestions. Best Regards, FT