Living with asthma: Come introduce yourself & meet others

@jenniferhunter Another thing I did was chew sugar free cinnamon gum. It really kept my throat clear.

@sharrondriver I also use an Aerobika to clear mucus and also take Mucinex. You will need to find the combination of meds and activities that work for you. Stay with the process, it will get better in time. If you are still struggling, though, contact your doctor.

Thanks , was up at 2 am another attack

@sharrondriver Hi Sharon, so sorry to hear what you’re going through.I believe It can take a few weeks to get the full effects of symbicort and your dr. M
may decide to give you a different or higher dose in time. They might also decide to add a second emergency inhaler like atrovent if they think it would help. I also use Aerobika to help clear the mucous(kind of gross but it helps) stay hydrated and take steamy showers. My doctor does not recommend Musinex for me as he feels it is bad for asthma but other people may feel differently. The important thing is to work with your doctor and stay with the plan. good luck!

@sharrondriver
Have you discussed with your doctors about using single formula Mucinex? It really helps reduce the thickness of mucous and phlegm.

I use it all the time when my mucus and phlegm gets so think can't cough it up easy from where is starts to fill my throat.

Also look at your hydration and keep hydrated.

Hi I am Sharron I presently have been having asthma attacks now I have horrible thick slimy mucus and it want come up , Dr started me Symbicort on Wednesday and Albuterol , also doing Albuterol nebulizer then after that sodium chloride nebulizer , started that 4 days ago how long before this mucus comes up

@jc76 The non prescription things that help my asthma (allergic asthma) are sniffing a good ole jar of Mentholatum (such as Vicks) for awhile or cough drops because they also have the same Eucalyptus in them and it kind of paralyzes the muscle spams in the windpipe temporarily allowing it to relax so mucous can move better, and I'm known to just put on a mask if I will be exposed to a trigger (like mold spores) when I need to be outside. I use HEPA filters inside the house which help. There have been times that my physical therapist has helped me breathe better by treating tightness in my muscles in my neck and chest with a hands on stretch. I do have neck tightness which can affect my breathing. I do my best to stretch on my own at home.

@colleenyoung
How the heck do you keep up with all of us? Thanks for asking and remember all those posts?

The pulonary tests are brutal. Took about 1.5 hours and ended with coughing and a lot of irritation. But I finished all of it including the so called inhaled triggers. What my PCP said that the test did not reveal Asthma. He believed it was a larynix (spell) type issue but I question the symptoms of that which says you can't talk when it is triggered and I can.

He has order a CT scan now which I just had this morning (05/08). He did suggest Alberterol (spell) but was hesitant because I have Heart Failure and a lot of PVCs. Alberterol can make worse he said so he prescribed an inhaler to use prior to race called Atrovent. Very expensive but worth it if if prevents the onset as just can't continue swim when it occurs.

I truly think I have Astma or bronchitis triggered by emotions and/or stress. I don't think there is a way to duplicant those type triggers for rule out Asthma. I do fine swimming in pool. However the last two races I was injured in one that brought on the onset of symptoms and the other masks leaking (could not see) in a very deep lake swim.

My PCP is still doing tests and I hope we find a cause. I know I should not want asthma but I know this disease can be treated especially if caught early or caused by triggers. At least it would have given me a cause of the problems and a way to treat it.
Thanks again for asking, keeping up with us old gusy, and caring about us!!!

What did you learn at your appointment, @jc76?

@mpeters
Thanks!
I just got an appointment with my PCP (Mayo) on 6th to go over my test results. Hopefully like you mentioned I will get the diagnosis of what is wrong and can get a treatment plan.

The pumonary test itself was brutal. I left exhausted with sore throat, lips, gums, chest, bronchial area and lots of coughing and phelm. But I finished all of it.