How do I tell if I have asthma?

[U2democrat]

I've always had bad allergies, and over the years I think I've been developing asthma. The last few weeks have been particularly bad, I'll be breathing normally but I won't feel like I'm taking in enough air. It's not just when I do activity either, but also when I'm lying in bed. This can't exactly be a good thing...any thoughts/advice?

[Carek1230]

You can develope asthma as an adult. Some people might even just have problems with asthma during athletics. It would be best to see a doctor and get a professional diagnosis. They can put you on medication or prescribe an inhaler to help with your breathing if it is in fact asthma. Good Luck!

[Vincent Vega]

You are describing what I have.

Ask your doctor, with me nobody really knows what it is, but it has something to do with the lung and stuff. Weird thing is, it feels like not enough air comes into the lung, but what really happens is that not enough air comes out again.

It's nothing too serious, but I still have to take medicine everyday which helps, but doesn't make it go away. At times, my lung capacity was at 40 per cent. Now it's at 80.

So I hope you didn't develop the same. The lung specialist I'm attending really can't say what it is, he just calls it asthma to make it easier for others.

Good luck.

[Bug]

That's exactly what's happened to me over this year.
Sometimes it gets kinda bad and I feel like I'm going to pass out. All my doctor gave me was an inhaler that doesn't help.

[JanuaryStar]

I've had asthma since I was a little girl...

I think you should go see the doctor to check if you really have asthma - there are a lot of good medicines for it these days which don't really bother you at all, they only help you breathe better!

Of course, they won't cure it, but you can seem to overgrown asthma, even if you develop a certain stage of it as an adult.

Good luck on it!!


@ Bug, there are so many different inhalers, and some doctors seem to prescribe the wrong ones for people. Maybe you should see another doctor/try another inhaler? Which one are you taking now?

[tpsglick2424]

I have asthma...But I didn't get it bad...I would go see the doctor...

My friend has asthma too and when he works really hard during sports, at the end of sports when he like calms down he starts throwing up because he worked so hard..

[ljclary]

Originally posted by U2democrat
I've always had bad allergies, and over the years I think I've been developing asthma. The last few weeks have been particularly bad, I'll be breathing normally but I won't feel like I'm taking in enough air. It's not just when I do activity either, but also when I'm lying in bed. This can't exactly be a good thing...any thoughts/advice?

I am not sure where you live but I know for me in the Northeast seasonal allergies have been at an all time high. I went to my doctor with the same conditions you are saying and she uped and changed my allergy medicing and things started to get better. They say that ragweed is usually as high as your ankle and this year it is up to your thigh!! Yuck... Hope you feel better soon.

[tiny dancer]

Just like ljclary said about living int the Northeast, the pollen count is way up. I just had a checkup with my doctor.and that 's what he told me. I have
been on shots on for 3 years and they sure do help me.

[southpaw_gil]

I developed asthma as an adult. Go see an allergist. They can run some tests to identify what you are sensitive to. For me, I found out I was allergic to cats (and we had 3 cats!). The doctor can set-up a specifc therapy for you including inhalers and pills. They might be able to give you shots over a period of time to reduce your sensitivity. Stay active - that helps too. Good luck!

[Laura M]

You can't tell, but a doctor should be able to.

[Bug]

Originally posted by JanuaryStar
@ Bug, there are so many different inhalers, and some doctors seem to prescribe the wrong ones for people. Maybe you should see another doctor/try another inhaler? Which one are you taking now?

Ambutral, or something along the lines of that.
All that seems to happen when I use it is nasty taste in my mouth a slight dizziness.

[U2democrat]

Thanks for all the info everyone, hopefully I'll be able to see a doctor over fall break.

My sister used to have really severe asthma, and she still has it but it's not nearly as bad as it once was.

Stupid allergies and whatnot

[Carek1230]

Good, glad to hear you will see a doctor and hopefully get some relief U2dem. You will be glad you did.

[ljclary]

Originally posted by U2democrat

Stupid allergies and whatnot

I hear you



Hope everything works out!!

[arw]

Originally posted by Bug
Ambutral, or something along the lines of that.
All that seems to happen when I use it is nasty taste in my mouth a slight dizziness.

Albuteral?

Make sure you shake it up really good before you use it each time. Also, try taking a few deep breaths before you use it. It's hard, since you can't breath, but it helps. Then once you put the inhaler in your mouth, point it so the opening of the inhaler is in line with the back of your throat. When you push down on the inhaler, take a really big deep breath so all of the medicine can go in your lungs. If you can taste it, you're not doing it right. You should never really be able to taste anything because it shouldn't hit your tongue. Also, ask your doctor for a spacer for your inhaler. It's a long tube that you can put on the end of the inhaler, the other part goes in your mouth. It filters the medicine so you don't get it all in one big puff. That way, you might not feel dizzy or shaky after using it. Albuteral, when used incorrectly, can give you the shakes. I prefer Maxair.

Good luck U2Dem. You really should get to a dr asap!!! I've had asthma for about 18 years. As a long time asthma sufferer, I don't think there's anything worse than not being able to breath! One thing to try to remember, and it can be hard to do, but if you feel like you're having breathing problems, don't panic about it or try to think about your breathing. The more you think about it, the worse your breathing can become.

If you have an questions or concerns, feel free to let me know. I've been dealing with this for a very long time. I basically live at my allergists office due to allergies and asthma. I'm kind of the "Norm" from Cheers when I walk into the office. Everyone knows my name.

[Liesje]

Laura, can't you see a Dr. at your school? Usually college Health Services are free, or super cheap for students. Plus, they can probably see you way faster and will refer you to a specialist if necessary.