Influenza and Asthma

[philstar22]

I believe that this question goes in this forum. 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'm normally at 400 on mine, but it has been down at about 300, with it dropping below 300 a few times. I have been taking the maximum dose it says on the albuterol inhalor box, which is 8 puffs a day. That is stretching it pretty thin, because that means I have to wait 6 hours between doses. 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 are other options for medication I could take. Tilenol, at a 700 mg dose, doesn't seem to help. This is day 5, and I still have the fever.

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. As an asthmatic, my immune system isn't very good, so it could easily become worse.

[philstar22]

Okay, thanks, I will do that. I hadn't realized it was that serious since it had only been below 300 for a short amount of time. Last time I went to the hospital because I was worried about it when it was down around 300, my blood-oxygen level was only down about 1%, so I figured it would be the same this time.

Sorry about posting this in the wrong forum. I had assumed that it was the right one.

[Forum-M.D.-EC]

Your question isn't off topic, it's just that I can't treat you over the internet.  This forum is for general questions about treatment, not specific to you as an individual patient.