Effects of asthma?

[linkinshortie]

I have had very acute asthma since I was young, but it had seemed to go away until recently when I had a severe attack and was hospitalized. Before the attack, and now after, I have been very short of breath often and it seems that my windpipe constricts which is what makes it so hard to breathe. It sounds like I'm snoring! Although I have been taking my inhalers as prescribed, they don't seem to be helping as much as they should and I rely on the reliever way too much. Is this another side effect of asthma, has it got worse after the attack, or could this be something else?

Thank you for your time, Sam xx

[AndyRRT]

'shortie,

E-mail me at home: ***@****

I'm a registered respiratory therapist and certified pulmonary function technologist. I can help you with some of your questions on asthma.

-Andy,RRT,CPFT

[linkinshortie]

Thanks for your help. Well over the last couple of weeks I've tried just about every inhaler type under the sun, the nurse was baffled! Finally I have discovered one that basically has a much stronger and longer effect of the usual reliever, and I'm doing a lot better now. I have to take it every night and morning, but the nurse reckons that hopefully this won't be for too long. I can breathe normally (and without the snoring effect going on there!) 90% of the time. Thanks for persuading me to go along to the docs!
Sam xx

[National Jewish]

You will need to be seen by your doctor to know for sure if this is a symptom of your asthma or something else.  A pulmonologist would be the type of specialist to identify if you have a lung problem and the best treatment.

[starion]

Please make an appointment to see the doctor who is currently treating your asthma.  If s/he is not an allergist specializing in asthma or a pulmonologist, ask whether a referral to such a specialist might now be helpful.
Sometimes after we have a very bad flare up of our asthma, it can take a while for our lungs & body to recover.  It is NEVER a good sign when we are needing our rescue inhaler more often; my docs want to know if we are using it 2x/week or more!
Your asthma can be well controlled, you need to keep working with your docs to achieve that control.
Please post what you learn.
Starion