Another season and while I once taught about asthma, I now have asthma too. It has
started late in my life. It does give me more of an insight as to what I am teaching others
about asthma. I had an allergy test and came out allergic to everything or to most triggers.
I am glad that I know enough about the disease not to panic but to try and find what works
better for me. At this point, I am overwhelmed with the many meds I have to take. Waiting for the
It's good to hear from you Campisa 😊
Glad to hear you know your triggers. It took me a while to figure out the medications that worked best for me and my asthma...
Cara
Hi campisa
Sorry to hear that you’ve had a ‘learn through experience’ situation... I hope things are starting to calm down for you now that you’re diagnosed!
I’d take the allergy tests results with a pinch of salt... I’ve had a few and if I’m flaring up I’m basically allergic to everything, but if I’m well I’m only allergic to a few of them and my ‘blood’ allergies are different to my ‘skin’ allergies. Key point is to find an antihistamine that works for you, keep a set with you at all times (just in case), carry an epi-pen (if required) and your ventolin, then a lot of your ‘allergies’ might be deal-able with rather than needing to avoid everything!
Yes there are lots of different meds that you might be put on... just remember to try and ‘add’ them slowly and separately so you can know what works, what doesn’t, what’s giving you side effects etc etc - there’s nothing worse then spending money on a drug that you later find out doesn’t really do much for you! 3 years ago my asthma spiralled badly, the hospital panicked and gave me 3-4 new drugs at once, 2 years later I realised that 1 of them wasn’t doing anything for me and I don’t think it ever did (went without it for a few weeks and had no change in my symptoms 😒).
The hardest part for me was getting into a pattern for the meds so I didn’t forget them - even now I keep ‘emergency’ packs in my bag just in case I forget to take them or end up out when I need them (if I’m at a friends house etc).
Keep calm... you know your theory - now it’s your practical experience being put to the test.
Any worries don’t hesitate to post on here - I’m sure that whatever you get put through, and whatever questions you have, somebody on here will understand and support you, and usually someone will have similar experiences if not answers!
X
They know I’m allergic to something because both my neutrophils and esinophils go really high. However, whatever the allergy is/are doesn’t show up on allergy testing, so they can’t be directly treated. I would be a candidate for Nucala or Xolair but I’d have to win the lottery to afford the $1700 (yes) copay.
The asthma puts me in the hospital about every five weeks, last three times on BIPAP and in ICU.
I’m 72 and have only had asthma for about 3 1/2 years, acquired after an extreme exposure to incense.
In addition to the extreme sensitivity to fumes (even very low level road fumes), I have reactive airways. A tube down my throat for an endoscopy for five minutes was enough to trigger it. I had surgery that lasted 1/2 hour and spent five extra days in the hospital because of my extreme reaction to the anesthesia.
At least I have no COPD, but pretty much the only type of asthma I don’t have is cough variant.
It's probably unlikely that you have the range of allergies that you think - maybe (& of course with the major caveat that I'm not a doctor, so this is guesswork) it could be that you have raised IgE levels due to particularly severe allergies to one or two things. I know some of my readings have been 'off the scale' for years, but that's specifically around aspergillosis & the effect that has on me.
Like I said, I'm not medically qualified, so that's worth exactly what you're paying me for it (as we say around here!) but just a thought as to how simpler allergy tests might get 'tricked'.
You obviously have a detailed knowledge of asthma anyway which is a good thing - so many people with late diagnosis (& no small number who have always had it) don't really know much about it, so you're starting from a good position in terms of management.
PS I know what you mean about the meds - I have a 2-course breakfast; drugs & cereal 
Campisa- I know that the many meds are a turn off and can be a challenge, but consider a visit to a pulmonary specialist from your current doctor's referral. He/she will be able to properly diagnose the symptoms correctly and get you on meds that will bring you around to getting your asthma under control without 6 or more prescriptions.
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