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139385 tn?1231289318

I don't think it's asthma. Other options?

I do have allergies to dust, fur, and molds. Since HS (32 now), I have been plagued by sinus infections.  Last year, I had sinus surgery.  For about 3 months, breathing was fine. Of course, I wasn't moving around a whole lot. Then, I got 2 consecutive mild sinus infections. After that, I started wheezing and coughing (productive) whenever I exercised.  I just thought it was the dusty road. But, when we moved to a wetter climate, it continued to get worse. I had to stop exercising altogether.  I live in a 3 story townhouse.  I had to rest between floors.  Then, I found Sunrider (nutrition).  My symptoms improved for 3 months.  Then, with the stress of finals and general life disruption in the last 3 weeks, the symptoms have regressed somewhat. Everyone around me is screaming asthma and telling me to go to the dr. for meds. But, it only started after my surgery. I never had lower respertory problems before.  Upper respertory system works great now, but now my throat is all clogged up. Cold, dry air is essential for calming my so-called asthma attacks and breathing out is much harder than breathing in.  The wheezing is also aggravated by lying down.  So, sleeping is a challenge.  I'm used to being sick all the time and working at half capacity b/c of the sinus infections.  So, I can still function. I would really like some relief, though. I just want to be healthy.  And, I don't trust doctors. I have not had good luck with doctors thinking outside the box. So, I am doing my own homework before I make an appt. Does anyone have any creative ideas for what this might be?  Thanks.
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Avatar universal
WHAT SOUND CHARLEY IS SPEAKING OF IS "CROUP" SOUNDS LIKE A DOG BARKING...I DONT THINK THAT IS YOUR PROBLEM..
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I HOPE I HAVE HELPED. YES, CHARLY, MUSINEX IS A MIRACLE DRUG.
IT WILL GET RID OF ALL THAT MUCOS AND DRAINAGE. I FAILED TO TELL YOU THAT BECAUSE I ONLY TAKE IT WHEN I HAVE CONGESTION IN THE SINUSES OR IF MY EARS FEEL PLUGGED..
THE REASON WHY YOU ARE HAVING THE BREATHING PROBLEMS AND SINUS AFTER YOUR SURGERY IS BECAUSE NOW THEY ARE ABLE TO DRAIN. SO ONE HAND FIGHTS THE OTHER. YOU WILL HAVE TO TAKE SOMETHING TO STOP THE DRAINAGE SO IT DOESNT GO IN YOUR THROAT AND LUNGS CAUSING THE BREATHING PROBLEMS. MY HUSBAND WHO HAS NEVER HAD ASTHMA HAS BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. HE TAKES MUCINEX AND IT HAS HELPED HIM ALOT. IT IS OVER THE COUNTER AND FANTASTIC STUFF.
HOPE YOU GET TO FEELING BETTER. DID YOUR SURGEON TELL YOU TO USE A SINUS NASAL RINSE. YOU CAN BUY THE KIT THAT COMES WITH THE PACKETS OF CLEANSER AND SPRAY BOTTLE. IF I WASNT DOING THIS I WOULD BE BACK ON THE OPERATING TABLE...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey, My sister says that she tries to stay away from places where she knows she will probably end up having an attack.  But sometimes it is unavoidable.  She also told me that her husband found her some filter for their house and bought an air purifier and that has helped as well.  Hope you get some relief soon - this stuff can be miserable.  BTW, my sister also told me this weekend that she tried Musinex -d(?) and that it really worked well.
Good luck!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You have good ole allergy asthma...I have suffered with asthma for years but after moving to texas the allergies took over. I have had 2 sinus surgeries, many many sinus infections and asthma attacks constantly. I lived on my breathing machine. One night I thought it was the end for me. I could not catch my breath. My lungs felt like they were in my throat. To make a long story short. I was admitted to the hospital and a pulmonist put me on ADVAIR PUFF TWICE A DAY, SINGULAR AT BEDTIME, CLARATIN OR LORADADINE IN THE MORNING PLUS NASONEX SPRAY EACH MORNING. SOUNDS LIKE ALOT OF STUFF BUT AFTER YEARS OF SUFFERING I HAVE BEEN FREE OF THE BREATHING PROBLEMS AND HAVE NOT HAD AN ASTHMA ATTACK. I STILL SUFFER WITH SINUS PROBLEMS ALTHOUGH I DONT KNOW HOW I COULD BE WITH ALL THE STUFF I TAKE. WHAT I FOUND WAS THE SINUS WAS DRAINING INTO MY LUNGS AND CAUSING THE COUGHING WHICH WAS TERRIBLE. THIS IN TURN CAUSED THE LUNGS TO RESTRICT WHICH BROUGHT ON THE ASTHMA.
MY SINUS PASSAGES WERE TOO SMALL SO THEY WERE ENLARGED SO THEY COULD DRAIN. I USE A NASAL RINSE AND IT STILL SICKENS ME WHEN I SEE THE JUNK THAT COMES OUT OF MY NOSE. BLOWING IT DOESNT HELP. SO IF I WASNT DOING THE SINUS RINSE MY SINUSES WOULD BE ALL BACKED UP AGAIN AND PROBABLY NEED A 3RD SURGERY. ALL THESE THINGS GO TOGETHER AND CAUSE THE BREATHING, COUGHING AND OTHER PROBLEMS YOU ARE EXPERIENCING. SEE YOUR DOCTOR AND TELL HIM ABOUT THIS MEDICATION I AM TAKING AND SEE IF IT HELPS..
Helpful - 0
139385 tn?1231289318
Thank you Charley and SING.  Those comments are very encouraging.  My husband thinks that it must be gunk dripping down that is causing the lower congestion and coughing, too.  I know from experience now that the effects of allergies can be insidious.  This still doesn't explain why the lower respiratory stuff started after the surgery, but I think I would need someone to look inside my head again to figure that one out.  

So, what I gather from you two is that if I can get the allergies under control, I should be able to minimize or get rid of the asthma symptoms.  Well, I'm back on my Sunrider consistently again, and it is helping.  Maybe more of that and the stupid plastic mattress cover (we actually vacuum the bed) and sweep my floors more often and whatever else I haven't thought of for controlling the allergens, and I might be okay eventually.  If I can avoid taking medicine on a regular basis, I'll do the lifestyle changes first.  

Thanks again for these suggestions.  Have you got any more ideas on how to deal with allergens in the house?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey, I just got off the phone with my sister.  I read your post to her - (hope you don't mind) - and she said it sounded just like her.  She said her allergy doc told her that it is allergy induced asthma.  She takes meds for the allergies and has an inhaler for the asthma - and she said that the cough you described in your last post sounded just like hers as well.  I hope this helps - let me know if you find out anything from the doc.
Helpful - 0
139385 tn?1231289318
Thanks Charley.  I would appreciate any info. you might be able to dig up.  I agree.  Smoke is very bad for breathing.  I try to stay clear of any toxins if I can help it.  Fortunately, my husband is very understanding about that.  If we smell smoke at the door, we find another restaurant.  I don't know if my cough sounds like a seal, though.  I have trouble with those kinds of descriptions.  It sounds strained or almost choking.  I don't know if that helps at all.  Very loud.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, My memory is really bad so if I think of the name of this I will let you know but my son used to have these times where he would cough and it would sound like a seal barking....can't recall what that is....but also, my sister moved from NC to SC last year and she developed allergies and asthma after she moved there.  I think there were some issues with the humidity and stuff as well.  I will talk to her sometime this week and let you know what she says.  My sister has always been a well person and like you, started with constant sinus infections...still dealing with that I think.  She is otherwise a very healthy and active person.  I do know that going to clubs or bars or restaurants where smoking is permitted really kicks things up and it takes a day or two before she feels good again.
Good luck to you - I will be in touch
Helpful - 0
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