Flu and Asthma

[philstar22]

I am an asthmatic who recently contracted the flu. Normally, I wouldn't be worried, but this seems to be a case that is worse than I usually get.

The problem is that I'm out of reach of a doctor at the moment. I'm taking my regular meds as well as some cold meds, but they don't seem to be doing the job.

The biggest problem has been my breathing. It hasn't reached threatening levels, but it has been concistantly low on the peek flow for several days. I have been taking the maximum dose it says on the inhalor box, which is 8 puffs a day. That is stretching it pretty thin. Is it possible to take more than that? Is there anything else I can do to help my breathing? I have no access to a nebulizer.

Also, what is a safe dose of tilenol? The med I'm taking has 700 mg plus 10 mg of decongestin and 4 mg of antihistimine. Is it safe to take any more than that?

If you have any other suggestions, that would be great. I really don't want this to turn dangerous as we have no easy doctor access.

[hava]

Get more oxygen into the body, and this breathing will help with the asthma and you will not need to increase the inhaler use.
Anulom Vilom - Deep Breath-in through left nostril keeping right nostril closed
then  - Breath-out through right nostril keeping left nostril closed
then   -Deep Breath-in through right nostril keeping left nostril closed
then   - Breath-out through left nostril keeping right nostril closed
and repeat this cycle for upto 15 minutes. Maximum 3 times day.

[LV]

MandaSue, I understand what you're going thru. I've had similar symptoms as you, but mine began appearing in April 2001. Out of the blue, I started having tightness in my throat when I swallowed or talked. I had some relief in Jan. & Feb. 2002, but the tightness in the throat has reappeared. I've seen an allergist, who skin tested me for food allergies (I already get allergy shots for nonfood allergens). I had an MRI of my throat. Neither of these tests was positive for anything. Only recently did I have a CT scan of my sinuses, which showed I have a huge infection. This was done after I had already been thru 2 heavy-duty antibiotics. I'm now on a third, this time for 4-6 wks. I have to see an ENT in a few weeks to see what's going on. I don't know if sinus problems have contributed to this throat swelling/tightness. It's very uncomfortable, though. Frustratingly, my regular doc says it's caused by stress. I think stress plays a factor in any illness, but I don't think stress is the root cause of my problem. I'd love to hear back from you to see how it's going.

[Concerned lady]

Some things that helped (and are helping) me with my sinus condition are:

1) Nasal irrigations which I do daily
2) A hot water vaporizer
3) An air cleaner
4) not overdoing on milk products
5) addressing my form of Gastro-Esophageal Reflux, called LPR (Laryngeal pharyngeal reflux)
6) seeing a good doc to see if anything else is a factor, that meeds to be addressed

You can email me if you'd like to compare notes. My email is ***@****

Sincerely,
Carol

[MandaSue]

Extra information.  I did have a CT scan and was told everything looked great.  That's why the tightness is bothering me because I can't figure out what's causing it.  I do believe I am having some drainage because I also ocasionally get that stinging feeling when I talk or swallow.