Help, I can't breathe!

I'm scheduled for my castle visit on July 20. This past week I've been having a lot of trouble breathing. I was diagnosed with asthma a couple of years ago when I'd been coughing for months, but I never took the diagnosis very seriously because everyone in our family was diagnosed with asthma that month, including the cat, and I thought that was too much of a coincidence. After trying various meds that didn't seem to help, I saw a specialist who said the asthma was gone and I should "try not to cough." His advice sounds cavalier, but it really helped.

Last week I ended up at the doctor's, wheezing and hyperventilating. She scolded me for not using my inhaler (Proventil), but I hate using it because it makes the symptoms worse instead of better. She said she didn't want to change my meds so close to surgery.

It's 6 AM and I woke up seriously considering going to the emergency room, but the last time I went there with trouble breathing nobody saw me for three hours and I finally gave up and went home. I tried the inhaler and seemed to take the edge off a little, but I still feel like I'm drowning. I figure if it's going to take three hours in the emergency room, I might as well just wait three hours and go to the doctor's when they open at 9.

This all pretty new to me. I don't know anything about asthma. I've been wheezy before, but I've never had this much trouble breathing. I don't know if it's a panic attack or an asthma attack or a virus. They've been spraying a lot around here for mosquitos; maybe that's setting me off. Or maybe this is God's way of telling me not to do the surgery.

I know you guys can't give medical advice, but I'm at a loss. I'm afraid if I go to the doctor she'll just say to use my inhaler and I'll feel like an idiot. It does seem to be helping a bit now. Should I let my gyn know this is going on, or wait until my pre-op on Tuesday to tell her? Anybody with more experience with asthma than I have out there? Can you give me any advice? I'm really scared about anesthesia when I can't even breathe just sitting around the house. I've never had anything like this happen before.

Dear Karen: I'm sorry to hear that you are experiencing problems breathing. Very Scary! I am also concerned that your doctor does not seem to be receptive to your distress. I will keep you in my prayers.

I really feel for you. I have had asthma my whole life, and understand how scary not being able to breathe is. I would try to find a different doctor who is more understanding, and doesn't "scold". It is very possible that the stress is triggering it.

I have asked the nurses at my gyn to recommend doctors for different things for me and they have always given me great recommendations. Maybe you could ask around for someone who you would be more comfortable with. I would probably run it past my gyn because it is something that can get serious.

Best of luck!!

((( Karen )))

First of all - take a deep breath and try to be calm. Anxiety does seem to esculate other problems. I know that it's not easy being calm but please try

I definately think that you should call your dr this morning and make an appointment to see him/her as soon as possible. I don't have asthma but a good friend does and just seeing her attacks is scary. Ask if there's anything that you can do that's more effective than what you're already doing.

I also think that you SHOULD let your gyn know about the asthma and any other problems that you may have. He/she really needs to know everything that he/she is dealing with before your surgery. Pre warned is pre armed.

You're in my prayers. Please let us know what you learn and how you're doing.

s

Hi Karen,

Sorry to hear you are having problems I too have asthma and mine acted up really bad when I was scheduled in January to have my TAH. I am now scheduled for a week from today and I am having a few problems also. I am taking Pulmicort, which is helping a lot. I do believe stress makes it worse and lets face it, this really is a stressful time. I have panic/anxiety disorder so that doesn't help. It does sound to me like anxiety is definitely playing a part but I would strongly agree with everyone else's suggestions to call BOTH your doctor and your gyn.

As a sidenote, I am having a spinal as opposed to general, so maybe you can ask about that. She said it would be easier because of the asthma.

I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers,

Let us know what your doctor says.

Mary

Thanks, everybody. The Proventil seems to have kicked in and I'm doing a lot better. This is just all very new to me.

Darlin...please take your asthma seriously. This could be a reason for postponing your surgery. I have had asthma since I was 2 and that is the main thing my dr is concerned about. I am not trying to scare you however I would not want anything to happen. I have to have a medical clearance from my regular md for him to release me and say my asthma is under control. I have not had an attack in 2 years and I am doing everything possible for nothing to trigger me.

You might need to find out if you have trigger things that gets your asthma started. It could be the pesticides, the weather, or some foods. You never know. One thing all of a sudden could trigger a wheezing, shortness of breath episode. Go ahead and see someone now so they can try and get this under control before you have this major surgery.

GOOD LUCK AND BEST WISHES.

((((Karen))))

I'm glad that you're feeling a little better. If your GYN doctor is not aware of your asthma, I think that you should definitely let him or her know before surgery to avoid or prevent further complications during surgery. This way, he or she will be able to make the best decision regarding anesthesia, medication, etc. Also, if your breathing worsens, please don't hesitate to contact your primary physician. Your doctor should be flexible and, as far as possible, he or she should take your feelings and concerns into consideration. I'm sure that there is more than one way to treat asthma. Your doctor should be willing to find the best treatment that works for you.

Giant s to you.

I too have asthma, started as an adult . Most of the time it's under control I don't even think about it . But humidity, cold air, some candles, perfumes, laughing hard, crying hard, and yes stress are just some of the tihings that trigger it. Sometimes I never know what the trigger is.

Always use the inhaler as soon as you feel like you can't get enough air. Kind of like someone is sitting on your chest. It will help. Once my asthma kicks off and I don't use the inhaler soon enough, it just gets worse and the inhaler won't work for me then. I have to go to the emergency room.