Living with asthma is the hardest thing I face on a daily basis.

[JeanReynolds]

Hello, I use to have allergy induced asthma until 6 yrs ago Christmas night when I stoking a fire and it drew the moisture it off my lungs. Unaware that such a thing could cause a sudden attack, three hours later barely getting to my car and driving myself to the ER, breathing 70% room oxygen air. ER doctor informed me of the fact I now had full blown asthma. There's nothing more terrifying than not to be able to breathe and every movement you make causes your breathing efforts to worsen. I live in constant fear of not being able to breathe, because since I have lost my job with insurance I can't afford the cost of the meds nor the visit to the doctor. I've been blessed with friends that have helped me with some of the meds I need but for how long. Why isn't there an organization that helps individuals as myself with getting their medications and proper treatment. See, I know that if I had Advair, I don't require my rescue inhaler not my nebulizer. My asthma is uncontrolled and no one seems to want to help me. I use to say I don't wish this on anyone, but now maybe if they experienced 2 minutes of having to fight for your breathe while trying to make your loved ones not freak-out because that causes you to panic even more which in turn makes breathing even worse than before. Then when you're breathing fine again to have the pain of muscle strain in your chest for a few days because you fought for every breathe.

How I wish people would understand that asthma is a serious disease that compounds other diseases, such as heart problems, migraines, depression, and anixety. These are just a few that I have mentioned. So why is it the only thing you see talked about on TV is an oxygen tank and how it made Sally's life more free and mobile. That's BS, I don't want to be tied to a breathing machine and I'm sure no other asthma patient does either. We want to live our lives to the fullest enjoying everything around us. So if anyone can explain to me why we are not taken m not seriously that would be great and if there's any kind of help for getting medications. Please let me know.

[Suerkaplan]

Jean - about paying for your meds... have you heard of Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs).

Prescription assistance can be offered in the way of Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs), which are created by pharmaceutical companies to provide free or discounted medicines to people who are unable to afford them. Each program has its own qualifying criteria.

Go to this website to learn more. needymeds.org/pap

And good luck!