Questions for those with asthma

I was diagnosed with mild asthma about 9 months ago and dr. prescribed an inhaler. No big deal, used it once or twice a month. Then, 2 months ago I came down with bronchitis. My once mild asthma is now an every day event. I ended up in the ER because I couldn't breathe. They put me on 3 days of prednisone which worked great until the 3 days was up. I went back to my dr and he put me on a week of prednisone and prescribed a $200 inhaler that I could not afford. After the week of prednisone was done, everything seemed to be fine except I am now using my cheap inhaler quite often. I have been on my apap for almost 2 years now with great success thanks to everyone on cpaptalk. Just wondering how common asthma is with those with sleep apnea and what the heck do you do when having a bad asthma attack. I panic really bad which scares the kids and the cats. What sets off the attacks? I am guessing it is different for everyone. Does asthma ever go away? Thanks everyone!

Missy

Missy, there are a number of studies that link asthma to low magnesium levels. You might ck with your doc about taking 400 mgms of magnesium citrate a day for a few months and see if you get some relief. Asthma is an inflammatory condition so anything you can do to reduce inflammation helps: eating lots of onion, shallots, leeks, scallions, ginger all help. Quercetin (a bioflavonoid) helps. While aspirin is an anti-inflammatory, it is not recommended for those with asthma. My mom has asthma and has found taking Coramega fish oils has helped.

My adult-onset asthma is long gone, so I can't comment on it with CPAP therapy. However, I got bronchitis at the end of last year that turned into the asthmatic variety. I was put on prednisone too; it helped. I found that as long as my congestion wasn't too bad, it had no problems using my nasal pillows. If needed @ bedtime, half a squirt of generic Afrin in one nostril kept it clear.

Best of luck find in resolution.

Muse, interesting post. I've had asthma (adult onset) for years before I started cpap. I'm now using my sleep doc/pulmonolgist as my asthma doc and my sleep doc. He's not told me any of this. I'm on a pile of meds right now, and continuing to wheeze.

I don't have "attacks" - I just wheeze worse and less. It never goes away. I get bronchitis too, and that takes MONTHS to go away, even with prednisone and other things.

Do you think the daily aspirin (81 mg) is contra indicated for asthmatics? It was recommended by my PCP, who I've ditched, and I'm in the process of finding another PCP. I've got a line on a good one, but I'm waiting for my insurance year to roll over before I see her. Too many doctor's visits this year.

I do take an Omega 3 & 6 fish oil supplement. And there's Magnesium in my Calcium supplement and my multi vitamin.

Interested to learn more. Maybe I should join an asthma group. Anyone know of an "asthmatalk.com" group?

Cheers,
Barbara

Babette wrote:Do you think the daily aspirin (81 mg) is contra indicated for asthmatics?

I've only read articles on aspirin in general, no specific mgs...it's confusing. I've been taking baby aspirin since BP went sky high. Developed some tendinitis when had IV antibiotics last Feb, so on 325 mgms/day to keep the ache down.

Babette wrote:there's Magnesium in my Calcium supplement and my multi vitamin.

Check to make sure it's not the oxide form, which is only good as laxative, and at least the RDA for women of 320 mgms. Mag used to be in our water, but it's not now so the estimate is that 3/4 of us are now deficient. Inner cities have epidemics of asthma and it was believed to be all due to roach dander, flakes, etc. (ugh hate roaches <shudder>), but when they did some nutritional assays, they discovered huge deficients in magnesium levels. Mag relaxes the smooth muscle tissue, like blood vessel lining & bronchiole lining & heart muscle. It regulates the electrical activity of the heart. It's involved into over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body besides being the second most abundant mineral in the body (or supposed to be). It's essential to uptake and management of calcium because calcium in the wrong place is devastating. I read it described as nature's calcium channel blocker. Book on it is "Miracle Mineral." If ya show up in an ER with atrial fibrillation, if they're up to latest practices they give an IV of magnesium sulfate -- if that's the cause, it'll work within 60 seconds, it's that critical to regulating the heart's electrical activity.

Babette wrote:Interested to learn more. Maybe I should join an asthma group. Anyone know of an "asthmatalk.com" group?

Like an Asthma for dummies Good luck on find folks who know much about magnesium.

Cheers!

I have adult onset asthma (severe, persistent), though I probably had exercise-induced asthma as a kid. I typically don't wheeze, as I cough instead. I've been taking Prednisone (for Crohn's) for many years, and when I was able to discontinue the Pred for a while, the asthma appeared. I got bronchitis that really never went away.... Anyway, my pulmonologist (also my sleep doc) tells me that asthma never goes away, though it can go into complete remission. This happened to me a few years back, and it was wonderful for a while. But the asthma returned with a vengeance several months later, and I ended up in ER....

My pulmonologist gives me a shot of 100mg Solumedrol rather than increasing Prednisone when I have a bad attack, and this works much better than boosting the Prednisone to 60mg! (Side effects are practically nonexistent.) For asthma, I'm on 10mg Prednisone daily, along with Advair, Intal, Atrovent -- and Xopenex as a rescue inhaler. (According to my PCP, Xopenex is a purer form of Albuterol which ironically makes asthma worse for me.) I also take Zyrtec, Singulair and Mucinex daily. Finally I add the old Sudafed (the one you have to get from behind the pharmacy counter) as needed at night.

Asthma can be allergic, and many asthmatics have particular triggers. For me, I find smoke, perfume, dust, mold and pollen to be the main triggers. Unfortunately chlorine now sends me into an asthma attack, so I've had to give up my water exercise classes. Many asthmatics find they are allergic to cats. I'm fortunate, as it's not the case with me!

Anyway, I used to wake up at night with terrible coughing fits, which is typical for some asthmatics. On the new meds listed above, the asthma is better controlled. Now that I'm on CPAP (three weeks!), I no longer cough at night at all. We're also hoping that I may be able to further reduce meds as CPAP works its magic.

My PCP had me add Magnesium, and my rheumatologist added vitamin D3. All my docs have told me to stay away from aspirin....

Thanks for the replies. I am going to look into the magnesium. My dr didn't say anything about aspirin which makes me mad. I take 81mg daily. I don't know if that's enough to set off an attack but I guess I better call him. I do have allergies too which are kind of bad right now. My brother suggested locally made honey which really helps him with his allergies. I think I read somewhere honey might help asthma. I am willing to try anything at this point. I can't take prednisone regularly because I am a diabetic and boy does that stuff make my blood sugar go through the roof.

Missy

An interesting book on Magnesium is THe Miracle of Magnesium, by Carolyn Dean.
http://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Magnesium ... 0345445880

twokatmew wrote:My PCP had me add Magnesium, and my rheumatologist added vitamin D3. All my docs have told me to stay away from aspirin....

Good to hear! I'm currently taking 800 mgms of mag citrate as it seems to give me the best relief from palpitations, migraines, and it's essential to the formation of insulin (my levels are still high even tho I eat low carb)...I'm taking no chances given that during events I get tachycardia.

I was extremely low in D, been on it since last Aug, tested barely normal last Dec, upped to taking 2000 IU/day D3..visited the vampire today for quarterly testing and D will be tested. I'd just do the sunlight thing but I'm now getting sunburned in a few mins and that's with sunblock on -- gotta love that better living through chemistry (prescriptions)! Mom's taking D3 and her balance is finally improving; I was worried about how often she was falling/walking into things -- she's still working in late '70s, active, and mentally all there with a memory that mostly better than mine...not sure if that's good or not !

and the cats

One of the worst triggers for allergies is cats. I hope that the cats are outdoor ones?

other known triggers......dust mites, tobacco smoke, carpet, strong perfumes or chemical fumes, etc.

Everyone is different though.

Hi! I grew up with asthma, 60+ years! Tried shots and lots of different inhalers but too many triggers (dust, cats, dogs, pollen, spring, summer, winter, fall...they all brought something) But thirteen years ago, my oldest grandchild had asthma so we took him to a specialist who prescribed the same two inhalers I was using (but not faithfully). One is simple albuterol and the other is a corticosteroid...right now I'm using Flovent because that's all the insurance wants to pay for but it works. He told him to use two puffs of each every morning and every night for "preventive" medicine and then he took shots for several years. In order to get him to take his puffs, we did them together every morning and every evening...lo and behold, my asthma episodes disappeared! I have been keeping this up ever since and have not had an attack in thirteen years! I never go anywhere without my inhalers.

Eleena wrote:

I was diagnosed with mild asthma I went back to my dr and he put me on a week of prednisone and prescribed a $200 inhaler that I could not afford. how common asthma is with those with sleep apnea and what the heck do you do when having a bad asthma attack. I panic really bad which scares the kids and the cats. Does asthma ever go away? Thanks everyone!

Guest

,

and the cats........hope they are outdoor!

The $200 inhaler.......did the doctor say this inhaler is to be used daily to prevent asthma attacks. There are some inhalers (typically, more expensive) that are to be used daily to help with inflammation, thus preventing attacks. If so, the preventative inhalers can help reduce frequency and severity of asthma symptoms. Have you let your MD know you cannot afford the inhaler? Some drugs have indigent care programs. If the patient meets financial guidelines, medication can be provided by the drug company. In the past, it was believed children may outgrow asthma. I'm not sure this is a popular opinion any more. If fact, asthma diagnosis is increasing in pediatric and adult population. It's certainly normal to be frightened when having an asthma attack. A commercial of a goldfish out of water attempting to breathe was popular a few years ago for public education about asthma and children. I suspect most people who have had a severe asthma flare can identify with the fish struggling to breathe. I once had an asthma flare while swimming followed by a poor response to an inhaler. I would not want to repeat that experience. Asthma doesn't have to be a problem with XPAP use. If your asthma symptoms are under control or being adequately treated, OSA treatment should be fine. When I have an asthma exacerbation, I used my APAP and medicated my asthma as usual. I used to also get up every 2 hours during the night for a peak flow checks during asthma flares. Now, I just set my pulse ox to alarm if I have a drop in 02 sats and treat asthma symptoms accordingly. Since you are having ongoing asthma symptoms, you really should consider talking with your MD about the inhaler you can't afford to see if the purpose is to prevent asthma symptoms. Not to frighten you but asthma deaths are on the increase and most are preventable. Your panic might aggravate your symptoms as strong emotions do increase symptoms in some asthmatics. An asthma plan using your rescue meds, preventive meds and peak flow meter may help reducing anxiety in asthma management. If you don't have an asthma treatment plan, discuss this with your MD/nurse and ask if a treatment plan is recommended for you.

Guest.........be careful when you pick on a Woman's and her Kat's. That's dangerous territory. And if you find cat pickin' necessarily, you can at least do so boldly by identifying yourself. Cats can certainly be a trigger for some people's asthma, but is not a definite trigger for everyone who has asthma. I had cats before I had asthma. (Onset near the same age my mother and sister began to have asthma...perhaps a genetic influence rather than kat induced asthma) I can rub my face in my cats fur and breathe just fine. A cat is cuddled to my leg now as I type, no asthma symptoms!!!! However, tobacco smoke, fragerances, cold air, ice cream, respiratory infection, intense laughter can send me over the edge with asthma symptoms..I'll take a shelter full of cats over one cigarette smoked anywhere near....Cats do not equal an asthma flare in everyone with asthma. In fact, there is a current theory children who are exposed to cats early in life, may have a decrease risk for asthma/allergy later..... Also for people allergic to cats who continue to have cats as family members..indoor/outdoor cats may not be the idea solution. When outdoors, a pet may bring allergens into the home as well. Many allergy and asthma clinics are beginning to realized the recommendation to get RID of Pets is not likely to occur and a discussion of management of pets in the home is more productive. I enjoyed passing an interstate billboard of a child, golden retriever, and ad for the asthma and allergy clinic at Vanderbilt University and Medical Center, as I drove to work....I knew they GOT IT......I had a few serious asthma flares after I first moved to Nashville..was treated in the Vanderbilt Clinic and NEVER once had a recommendation to GET RID OF THE CATS.......of course my response to a doctor who tells me to get rid of the cats is to inform the doctor he/she is more likely to be let go than the cats!!!!! Never give a kat person an ultimatum involving the cats!!!!!

elg5cats

Since I started on the CPAP my asthma has been so much better. I too have the cough presenting type. I don't wheeze I just cough until I puke - fun when at the office. Because of that it took a long time to diagnose.

I have found in the past strong hot coffee - especially cafe au lait helps if I can get it early enough.
Mine is triggered by perfumes, smoke, pollution and chemicals - hate hate febreze and those nasty plug in things, carpet glue, cleaning chemical and other nasty things like that.

I am also allergic to cats but I only seem to react to unfixed male cats. So I live very happily with a cat and dog. If there is too much pollution in the air they get washed down with Allerpet.

I used to feel embarrassed by the anxiety that asthma causes until I took a first aid course and learned that it was a normal reaction that one had to be aware of and treat with respect. Like the instructor said - if someone tries to choke you, you would panic too! Just knowing that makes me feel less anxious.

elg5cats wrote:...Never give a kat person an ultimatum involving the cats!!!!!

I concur, not an option! What's the alternative?

No cats now, my last 5 went to the great beyond and until I get my health managed will be cat-less *sigh* I miss them. I had asthma living with 5 in a huge apt and they weren't a trigger, turns out exercise & breathing cold air, both of which I hate, were . Mom still has asthma, when we had the cats, she was asked to please not let them sleep with her...she kicked out all but her favorite who slept on her feet...and changed her pillowcase nightly; the rest came and slept on me...never needed a blanket .

58 years old, asthma since I was 1. Have had cats, 2-4 at a time, all my life. Started xpap 6 years ago. Since starting xpap asthma symptoms have got less and less. The last year and a half I have used ZERO asthma medication. Yeah! Best meds I found for asthma were Flovent and Provental inhalers and Theo-24 tablets. Interesting thing about asthma/apnea, I used to do a lot of backpacking in the Sierras and the higher the altitude the better I felt. A guide on a trip to the Andes explained it to me this way. With asthma the problem is you have difficulty exhaling, so at higher elevations the pressure is lower and it is easier for you to exhale. It must be true as my best trips were when we spent time above tree line.

I don't have asthma, but do have another issue with my lungs that can cause wheezing. I did some research on things to help, and found that there is good research showing nebulized magnesium can relieve bronchial spasms in asthma. It can work as well as other inhalers.

I have been using magnesium sulphate (IV solution) and glutathione (IV solution) with hydroxycobalamine (special form of B12) in my nebulizer, and it works great for stopping the wheezing. I also take magnesium citrate, but somehow I can never seem to get enough, so the nebulizer is really a life saver for me. The glutathione and hydroxycobalamine are supposed to help your cells detoxify poisons, and putting it into the lungs helps those tissues in particular. My sister, who does have asthma, finds taking the hydroxycobalamine orally or by injection stops an asthma attack. This isn't usual, but it is absolutely repeatable with her. She now comes to visit me begging for an injection.

Some of these studies suggest the use of magnesium sulphate with sambuterol.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/545484_4
http://www.erj.ersjournals.com/cgi/cont ... t/12/2/341
http://medind.nic.in/iac/t05/i1/iact05i1p29g.pdf