I developed asthma as a adult after a series of respiratory infections. I started having sinus issues and developed seasonal allergies. I had one calendar year where I kept getting respiratory infections, actually I was sick 8 times in 12 months for about 2 weeks each time. This was back in the 80's when I was a young adult. Finally after a lot of this, I saw the primary care doctor who made a remark that I probably had pneumonia. I had been using a cough suppressant and sleeping sitting up because if I layed down, all I did was cough, and that was probably a mistake to try to suppress phlegm rather that help it move out with an expectorant. It was after this, that I developed chest tightness and was diagnosed with asthma and issued an Albuterol rescue inhaler.

I have allergies that trigger my eosinophilic asthma, and I have thoracic outlet syndrome that make my chest wall too tight on one side of my ribs. It has at times restricted my chest wall movement resulting in trapped phlegm that causes a chest infection. This can periodically happen and it usually starts as a sinus infection, and when I feel my throat start to get a bit sore from post nasal drip and my resting heart rate goes up a little bit, I know it has moved into my lungs and my air absorption is restricted by phlegm.

I found a solution for this because of being a Mayo surgical patient where I was asked to preemptively treat for nasal infections with an antibiotic ointment in my nose for several days before surgery. This works great to quickly clear my sinus/lung issues and I breathe better again. My doctor lets me keep a prescription on hand for this.

I also have done work with my physical therapist and done myofascial release to get my chest wall and lungs moving better. That helps a lot and improves the functioning of the weaker left side. Exercise does help keep my lungs working better.

I pay attention how I feel from day to day and tend to stay inside in my filtered air when there are high mold spores counts outside during damp weather. Molds are a very big trigger for me and I need to avoid them as much as possible because medications are not enough. I also do allergy shots, but really don't like doing it, but it does help when allergies flare.

Jennifer