New asthma diagosis: I went to doctor... - Lung Conditions C...

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New asthma diagosis

Patish6 profile image
21 Replies

I went to doctor friday. I have influenza and very short of breath and my albuterol inhaler wasnt helping. They did my peak flow and it was at 250. They did an albuterol neb and my peak flow was 275. They sent me home with steroids and antibiotics and told to go to er if it happened again i am new to this and not sure when to worry. I had a horrific night and couldnt sleep. Saturday my peak air flow went down to 250 again so i used my son's nebuliser with albuterol and it still wouldnt go up and so i went to the er and they wouldnt do anything. My oxygen was fine and i wasnt wheezing but i was very short of breath. They offered me tyleonol. I finally said please just help me with my breathing and they offered duo nebs and that finally worked. Omg i could finally breathe. They gave me a perscription for atrovent and albuterol nebs. What did i do wrong? When do i become concerned? I have not seen a specialist yet but i need a plan. This was awful and frustrating.

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Patish6 profile image
Patish6
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21 Replies
mrsmummy profile image
mrsmummy

One of the worst things when diagnosed with a lung condition is being left in the dark. Here is some reading to start your journey. blf.org.uk/support-for-you/...

Patish6 profile image
Patish6 in reply to mrsmummy

Thank you!

peege profile image
peege

Hi, what a nightmare. I think the terrible nights sleep was due to the steroid tablet. I believe we're supposed to take them first thing. When I'm on them I set my alarm for 5am to take them & go straight back to sleep, it really helps

hopetorun profile image
hopetorun

I dont sleep well on steroids. The other thing is i get very hungry. I can understand your anxiety over this. But that will make things worse. Try to relax your shoulders and do some contolled breathing. That will help. Take care and speak to your gp again.

Patish6 profile image
Patish6

I go back tomorrow. Is there anything that you find helpful to talk about that is important other than sob?

Caspiana profile image
Caspiana

Hello Patish6 .

When we come down with something like influenza, it can cause fluid buildup in and around the lungs and inflammation which would make breathing with our already compromised lungs more difficult. So, catching anything for us "lungies" is a dangerous thing.

I don't know why your ER would not do anything to help you. And I'm sorry that happened. It must have been extremely scary and frustrating.

Winter also in general is harder for us.

I hope your follow up visit went okay. Let us know how it goes, if you'd like to.

Take good care.

Cas xx 🌹

Patish6 profile image
Patish6

At my follow up visit we decided to do a steroid taper for 5 more days and we talked more about what things I can do when I get so short of breathe.

She mentioned on my chest xrays that I had a granuloma which I knew about from my xray 2 years ago. She then said i have graulomatious lungs. Im wondering if she confused the term?

Patish6 profile image
Patish6

I have a typo i cannot edit. It should ve granulomatosis

Caspiana profile image
Caspiana in reply to Patish6

Is that the same as granuloma in the lungs? Inflammation in the tissue?

Patish6 profile image
Patish6 in reply to Caspiana

Yes.

Caspiana profile image
Caspiana in reply to Patish6

What did they prescribe? In some cases there is no need for any medical intervention. And when do you go back to get it checked again?

Patish6 profile image
Patish6

Just A continued steroid taper and continue my nebs when needed.

Caspiana profile image
Caspiana in reply to Patish6

Do you feel any better at all?

Patish6 profile image
Patish6

Today. Finally. I used my inhaler with a spacer 4 or 5 times today. My peak flow was around 300 today. It feels restricted, but not where Im working hard to just get a breathe in. That doesnt sound better but it is.

Caspiana profile image
Caspiana in reply to Patish6

So, a little better? Please keep using the loop as to how you are doing. If you aren't improving, please go back to your doctor or get a second opinion. xx 🍀

Patish6 profile image
Patish6 in reply to Caspiana

I will. How soon do you tell if going down in steroids isnt good? Im quite nervous about dropoing dosage tomorrow.

Caspiana profile image
Caspiana

I understand. It is scary. I am assuming it's a very gradual drop? Over a long time frame? I guess only time will tell. What's your current dosage and have you tapered before?

Patish6 profile image
Patish6

I have been on 20 mg for 5 days and now 10 for another 5. I tapered 2 years ago but it wasbt nearly as bad as this year.

Caspiana profile image
Caspiana

Stay the course for now, I would think, but if you feel worse please call your doctor for advise. Thinking of you. xx

Patish6 profile image
Patish6

Ok. I just got a phone call to schedule a chest ct scan and angiogram. They said heart angiogram. Hmm. I wonder if they misspoke? They couldnt answer any questions. And the nurse today couldnt explain anything. Tomorrow i will call and get an exact wording of what is being ordered. So far i am not impressed that these tests were ordered without an explanation. And is a chest ct scan different than an agio gram? Wth. Im confused and perolexed. Im 41. My symptoms are better. My pfv is up to 400 so not amazing but im not using my inhaler near as often.

Patish6 profile image
Patish6

I had a rough 2 days. I started coughimg at 5 pm sunday and had to take 5 puffs of albuterol to calm it down. I was up all night coughing. Is this normal? I have felt awful for a l most a month now. I was just feeling better until sunday and now i am a little better but not great either. I still cannot get in to see a primary care doctor. I can go to a walk in clinic or the er. I do not have an asthma action plan. I just do whatever it takes to breathe......this sucks. Kudos that have dealt with it for years.

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