Asthma is so bad - discouraged. What to do next?

This may not be something you can do . I take OTC Guaifenesin expectorant tablets for mucus relief . It is a maximum strength expectorant . They are 1200 mg tablets . 12 hour extended release . I take one in the morning and one at night. They help me with mucus , I can tell that it does thin it . I also drink water. Lots of water. I have never used a nebulizer. I don’t have asthma. I have stage 4 emphysema. Since 2023- I quit smoking in 2002 . But I did smoke for 39 years. Peace and Love to all here. ☮️♥️ Crystalena

Thank you for your question. Hypertonic saline nebulizer soln is good for bronchiectasis as it will thin the secretions. For asthmatics/those with COPD, it is not tolerated as well - since it usually is very irritating to the airways - leading many to an asthma attack which is counterproductive. Many people also like to put in water or sterile water in the nebulizer - thinking this is helpful - but is not good since it is irritating as well and really does not thin the mucous.
When writing, I was specifically referring to asthma and not bronchiectasis. They are two different diseases, even though both occur in the respiratory system.

@pht1123
May I ask you the source of your information about hypertonic saline nebulising being counter productive?

Also I have heard many times that we with bronchiectasis should avoid steamy bathrooms as they can harbour NTM.

@sharrondriver Hi Mrs. Driver. I might suggest that you speak with your pulmonologist and ask for testing for bronchiectasis. Have you been on any biologics or other immune suppressant drugs for any of your diagnoses? The symptoms you speak of remind me of exactly what I was going through for 3 years prior to being diagnosed. I couldn't get to the bottom of it with my prior pulmonologist (he just kept switching me from one biologic to another without any sputum sampling, CT Scan of chest, blood work, etc. My new pulmonologists ran lots of tests and accurately diagnosed me with (obviously severe asthma since birth) but with bronchiectasis and now I have a compression vest (Baxter The Vest APX), and also use the ipratropium bromide 0.5 mg and albuterol sulfate 3mg in nebulizer followed by sodium chloride as well 7%. I use the aerobika flutter valve and learned how to huff cough. The vests are very expensive, but my insurance covered it (as they do cover for cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis diagnoses). Obviously, I am not a physician, but I do recommend talking with you pulmonologist about testing. I will refer you to Bronchiectasis and NTM Association for more information. The very best to you.

Hi Sharon,
I've written before 1/26 and 1/27. Hoped you would be feeling better by now. It is exhausting to have continual asthma exacerbation. I am asthmatic more than 50 years. I am a nurse of 40 years, with certifications and extensive training regarding asthma. There have been many changes in care. Please see your pulmonary md/np as they know you and how your asthma reacts.
Some suggestions - which can only be decided with you and your md:
Do you need to go on Prednisone tabs? Even a short course can help, and then wean down. Watch your blood glucose, as it will increase with steroids, whether you have diabetes or not.
Is your steroid inhaler the right one for you? There are so many different ones, and it could take time to find the right combination with the least amount of side effects. There are also steroids for nebulizer.
Arformoterol tartarate is a medication (like a 12 hour albuterol) via nebulizer - which may be helpful.
There are also anticholinergic medications which could be recommended. All would need to be checked that they are safe for you - looking at any other medical conditions you may/may not have.
Another route would be for a biologic injection - of which there are many - which can be discussed with your md. Each patient is different.
Unfortunately, I am steroid dependent, but try to prevent exacerbations, and dread going up on steroids with all of the side effects.
Increase your fluids as medically allowed, to help thin the secretions. If you are really not doing well - the ER would help. You can also get a nebulizer to keep in your car, if necessary. There are car charger converters which plug into the cigarette lighter and allow for a nebulizer in the care, if you do not have an electric outlet in your car.
It is good to also check your cardiac function - with an echocardiogram - to make sure your heart is functioning well - outside of your asthma. Symptoms often cross over between the cardiac and respiratory areas of the body. This cold weather does not help either. Good luck.

@dcypherzzz
NO.
I had chest pressure from my asthma and long haul covid. Because of the chest pressure they wanted to r/o cardiac issues. My EKG and CXR were normal.

@mlillich All these asthma meds started causing heart problems!

@crn thanks , take care

@lisalucier Because of all the toxic chemicals that are put into our everyday products It took forever to see where the problems were, what might have been the problem and what actually was a problem. I found that my toothpaste was made with chemicals that I did not want to keep putting into my body. I tried different toothpastes the ones that were advertised as organic. Finally I started brushing with soda, and rinsing with peroxide diluted not full strength, 10% peroxide and the rest water.

Hello Sharron.
My credentials: 69 years old. Asthma my whole life with Bacterial Bronchitis and now Bronchiectasis. I'm retired. NEVER smoked.
My(35 year) career was ECMO Specialist Perfusion/Registered Respiratory Therapist. Speciality in NICU/PICU Level IV, ER, Transports, CCU, ICU.

Ahh Breztri(MDI) the new drug of choice and expensive. It's got a Bronchodilator, Pulmicort(steroid) and Glycopyrrolate to dry up your secretions.
So your nebulizing your Albuterol Q4? And then doing just a saline Tx. also? Are you wheezing? How often is your MDI?
Sodium Chloride(saline/salt water) is very MUCH still used to thin secretions because it works! Especially if you have CF(Cystic Fibrosis) and need Hypertonic saline. I use it in a nebulizer.
Since your getting a drying agent(Glyco) that's good and should help.
I second using Mucomyst. You would use that with your nebulizer and bronchodilator. But you do have that drying agent in your MDI.
Did you go to ER or your PCP? And did they do an x-ray?

You need to go to a Pulmonologist. Period. And definitely a allergist / immunologist.
Asthma sucks. I wouldn't wish what I have on anybody.