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JORAVETZ
Posts: 85 7/14/11 7:56 P
If you are not getting anywhere with your current doctor then you should consider switching docotrs or seeing a pulmonoligst. I've had asthma since I was three years old. Allergy, exercise, emotional induced. I have a rescue inhaler. I've been on advair, but am now taking singulair which has allowed me to cut back on the adviar. I also have sleep apnea, so I am seeing a pulmonologist for that. However, when I was little and first diagnosed it was done by a specialist up at the children's hospital in Portland Oregon. If you start to feel your lungs close up the best thing you can do is inhale steam from a vaporizer. Also, work out in smaller increments. I danced in grade school When I first started I could barely do it and then had to use my inhaler. The second you start wheezing back off. If you keep it up, slowly your lungs will get stronger.
But, I do think you should see a different doctor for a proper diagnosis.
SparkPoints: (12,168)
Fitness Minutes: (9,133) Posts: 776 3/9/11 9:20 A
I am not sure but you usually cannot take any type of asthma medication just prior to one. Even if it does it may still be able to give the doctor a little bit of help in diagnosing whether you have asthma or not. Believe I know how doctors can be. About 20 years ago I had "bronchitis" for 3 months. Went to two or three different doctors for this. Went on three rounds of antibiotics. One doctor actually asked if I had asthma, which at the time I had not been diagnosed yet, but never did any testing or even giving me an inhaler. I now know that I was probably having a bad flare of asthma and probably at the very least needed an inhaler if not a round of steroids but no doctor would take the time so I coughed for 3 months before it eased up.
Just me again. Just thinking. A lung function test - does that work only if your lungs are inflammed or restricted at the time of using it? I mean this only happens to me when I'm exercising... or out in the extreme cold.
LYNETTEBO
Posts: 14 3/8/11 3:52 P
Thanks Littlelorit. All the doctor has done is listen to my lungs and of course they are ok - cos I'm not doing anything. Sometimes it's like pulling teeth out here - small rural area with doctors who don't really want to be here. I've had pneumonia and bronchitis in the past so I don't know why the doctor would think it impossible that I can't breathe when I exercise. Oh well, guess I'll have to keep trying - maybe I'll finally get a doctor that gives a hoot. Thanks again.
LITTLELORIT
SparkPoints: (12,168)
Fitness Minutes: (9,133) Posts: 776 3/8/11 3:34 P
Lynettebobo has your doctor done a chest x-ray and/or a pulmonary function test and/or blood gas test. These are better indicators of whether you might have asthma than just listening to your lungs.
I have asthma but do not typically wheeze. I generally only have severe coughing spells where I cannot catch my breath. I was told for years it was just a bad case of bronchitis. Finally went to an allergist who did a pulmonary function test which showed I had asthma.
I have an albuterol inhaler should I start to wheeze
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LYNETTEBO
Posts: 14 3/7/11 4:27 P
I've always wanted to jog, but every time I've tried I find myself wheezing. I've mentioned this to my doctor several times and of course he checks my lungs then and there but they are always clear. I know being overweight doesn't help, but I see people on the The Biggest Loser for example running!! I'm not that big. So, why can't I run? Are there any natural over the counter treatments??
BECKYI
Posts: 2,520 10/13/10 11:34 P
The last time I saw my pulmonologist a couple of years ago he said I had mild asthma. He gave me an inhaler but told me to use it only as needed.
Becky
Becky Issa
Co-leader for Southwest Houston: Spark Official Houston Team
Co-leader, The Slowest Loser
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NANCYRUBIO
Posts: 284,598 10/10/10 6:52 P
No, had it when I was younger but not now.
Depression is the impression left by fear. Be willing to fight the fear. Conquer it with love.
Nancy Rubio Oro Valley, AZ
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LYNMEINDERS
SparkPoints: (109,102)
Fitness Minutes: (42,814) Posts: 10,613 10/10/10 6:44 P
very seldom....seem to have got over that the more I walk....
LYN EST +19 hours NZ zone
BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND
Leader Meeting the Daily Challenge of Diet & Exercise team.... Co-leader Daniel Fast Team BLC 18.. Powerful Prism Panthers Team BLC 19....Powerful Prism Panthers team Summer 5% Fall 5% Challenge.... Cloverleafs team Beck Diet Solution Team 100 Days of weight Loss challenge..
5% winter into Spring Challenge... Leader of the Cloverleafs Team in 5% challenge
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THEWINNER33
Posts: 3,363 10/2/10 4:25 P
No that is one problem that has not hit me as yet.
The will of God will not take you where the Grace of God cannot protect you.
Give me a sense of humor, Lord,
Give me the grace to see a joke,
To get some humor out of life,
And pass it on to other folk!
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RICHERYL
Posts: 478 9/30/10 1:43 P
I do suffer from allergies but luckily, not asthma. My allergy meds are used only when I need them and not daily.
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NANCYRUBIO
Posts: 284,598 9/30/10 12:17 P
Not any more
Depression is the impression left by fear. Be willing to fight the fear. Conquer it with love.
Nancy Rubio Oro Valley, AZ
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PAWKETS
Posts: 1,471 9/30/10 12:13 P
I have allergies and asthma one of the reasons we moved to N.C. Exercise does cause and attack and I need my inhaler didn't know fish oil could help I take fish oil to lower my colesterol.
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BETH5612
SparkPoints: (4,357)
Fitness Minutes: (1,875) Posts: 88 9/30/10 10:06 A
I have seasonal allergy-related asthma. I take a fish oil (Omega 3) supplement daily, but haven't noticed any impact on my asthma. For all of us Slowest Losers: for years, I thought the trouble I had taking a deep breath and my seeming inability to build cardiovascular ability through biking were related to being overweight and/or lazy. It was the asthma! Once I got on proper medications and could take deep breaths while biking, I started getting fit and losing weight.
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CAROLYN0107
Posts: 25,831 9/30/10 6:45 A
I have severe allergy induced asthma that is mostly controlled with ADVAIR. I have my bouts when I need to add Albuterol but mostly ADVAIR keeps me from coughing. Exercise may aggravate my asthma but is not the cause.
"Not Perfection but Progress" in my lifestyle changes.
"Victory is won not in miles but in inches. Win a little now, hold your ground, and later, wi
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LRWRIGHT149
Posts: 442 9/29/10 8:28 P
I used to suffer from exercise induced asthma, but medication keeps it under control. I haven't been to the ER in almost 15 years, since ADVAIR came out. I also take fish oil tablets, so get the Omega 3, but that is more recent.
Linda Wright There's a cat in my lap so I can't get up!
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TRACIE52
Posts: 839 9/29/10 6:31 P
I have asthma though I haven't had an attack in 5 years. Funny enough I just wrote a blog about not letting asthma hold me back anymore. It is now controlled by medication. I don't think Omega 3 helps my asthma at all. I used to take it quite religiously and still suffered quite badly before the current meds.
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LITTLELORIT
SparkPoints: (12,168)
Fitness Minutes: (9,133) Posts: 776 9/29/10 5:23 P
I liked the article. I have had allergies all my life and was diagnosed with asthma about 16 years ago. I wish I could take Omega 3 but it made me so nauseated when I was given it during my last pregnancy.
My best is advise is not to push yourself and remember your medicines. Also keep your allergies in check as this is often linked to asthma.
SparkPoints: (79,119)
Fitness Minutes: (82,186) Posts: 6,207 9/29/10 4:03 P
Hi Team, I was just doing some SparkPeople article reading and came across something I'd like to share. I myself don't suffer from seasonal allergies or any form of asthma but I know its an issue for many especially in the Spring and Fall.
This article covers the benefits of adding Omega-3 oil to your diet in supplements and how it can help reduce asthma. Give it a read and if you are a sufferer consider printing the article to ask your doctor about before attempting. The link is: www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_art icles.asp?id=806
Do you have any other tips for dealing with asthma?