Cold air asthma anyone???

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I forgot to to add in my last post that my Pulmonologist revised my Asthma Action Plan. He changed his format and I am really impressed with how detailed the plan was. He even had me review it and adjusted it after we talked further.

My Pulmonologist was pleased that I could have a real detailed conversation with him about my symptoms, when they appeared, what I did with regarRAB to following my plan that was in place, what my peak flow nurabers were, etc... It seems to me that most of his patients aren't great with compliance on their Action Plans. He also said that he was impressed I got my seasonal and H1N1 flu shots. I can't get the pneumonia shot because I'm allergic, but he recommenRAB that as well. It is surprising to me that so many people would not do their part to keep their asthma under control.

A word of advice for those with asthma: Have an Asthma Action Plan in place that has been developed with with your doctor. Follow your action plan. Review and revise your plan yearly.
 
I'm not allergic to anything either. Weird to wish I was so I could do something about something specific like allergy shots or drops. I guess you know what I mean.
 
Thanks Sunny! I think I need to take a drive up into the mountains this weekend to get up above the bad air. Our storm this week didn't materialize and we will be in red air until into next week.

Just got a knock on my door and they delivered my new nebulizer. The doc placed the order after the office hours of the place and when I talked to them they said they would contact me tomorrow for the delivery. I was surprised to get it tonight. I'll see if it helps more.

Here's hoping things start working out.

Thanks again,
MountainReader
 
You are right. Once the inflammation hits bad, it seems that everything triggers attacks. Everyone at work knows that my cough is asthma. I make a point of telling them so they don't think I'm at work with something contagious. I always feel I have to explain things to the people I meet when I'm out and about because of the looks I get when I cough. It really isn't fun.

I do have my new mask that works well for filtering, but it doesn't warm my air. I get lots of funny looks for that too, but I just accept that.

I've never had much problem with colRAB and flu in the past, but I did have tons of sinus infections that triggered asthma.

I do have allergies, but it is really environmental things that trigger my asthma the most. Cold air and polluted air are just horrible for me. It's tough because I really do like winter. My lungs just don't. Inversions hit in mountain valleys when the cold air gets trapped under warm air. The air just doesn't move so the pollution build-up keep getting worse and worse. While my month-long inversion has finally blown out, my lungs are so inflammed that it is going to take a long time to heal.

I've never dealt with the "atypical" pneumonia before. That makes me feel that my lungs were just too worn down from the asthma. I still have coughing fits throughout the day, but finally have some "calm" in-between. I'm using my nebulizer regularly, taking singulair, Advair 500, and cough medicine (I have 3 that I use depending on the time of day). I'm just off the steroiRAB for the last week, but I've never had three rounRAB before. Three rounRAB and I'm still having problems. Usually it is under control with one or two. I'm also on my second round of antibiotics. How frustrating.

How are your stomach and rib area muscles? Mine are sore around to my back from all the coughing. I'm also having some difficulty with my bladder muscles. With all the coughing, it is harder and harder to keep them tight enough when I cough.

Thanks for sharing your story. It is nice to have someone to relate with.

Warm dry climates are better for me with my asthma, but I really don't want to live in the hot year-round. Some people have difficulty with hot though, especially the humid hot. I'm not sure if there really is an "ideal" area to live with this.
 
Hi MR,
I'm sorry that you are having such a hard time of it. It can really be miserable when you are hyper reactive. You're right, once the cough has been severely agitated, it seems to take forever to get things settled down. In the meantime, your back, stomach, ribs, and neck muscles are VERY sore from all the coughing.
I've been lucky..no major flares in over a year. It helps that I'm retired. I can pick and choose when I venture out and thereby avoid my triggers better.
I hope that you feel better soon. Once the CVA genie is out of the bottle, it is difficult to get it back under control.
Tom
 
YEA!!! We finally got a small weather front come through today that blew out the inversion. After weeks and weeks of bad air quality, the air is clearing out. Hopefully now I can get my asthma back under control. It also helps that with the good air comes a bit more sunshine.

I got my mask from I Can Breathe last Thursday. It fits really really well and the insert for filtering particulates is very thin and fits well too. I've been wearing it every time I go out or am in my car. If you have lung issues and are exposed to polluted air or smokey air, I'd recommend trying one. It doesn't "fix" the problem, but it does make things less bad. I will say that it doesn't heat the air though so in really cold air I'll continue to use a gator or scarf over the mask.Can't wear my sunglasses with it though because they fog in the cold.

I'm almost half way through my antibiotic treatment and am hopeful it will help get things under contol along with the nebulizer treatments. Having a long holiday weekend where I didn't have to go out into the bad air was helpful as well.
 
" I can breathe company"{internet}has a cold weather mask that works wonderful.also a carbon filter mask for airborne allergies.I know people look at me but they help.I finally went to a specialist 3 years ago. He put me on a much longer regimen of predisone and then on QVAR and Foridile inhalers.Have not had to have prednisone since,I also take singulair,which has been a lifesaver.Good luck,people who are not bothered don't understand how frustrating it is not to be able to breathe.
 
Thanks Tom. Hearing worRAB of empathy and support from those who have gone through it helps when you are so frustrated.

I've been wearing a cold air mask because that has been my highest need in the past. I've ordered a charcoal filter mask for pollution. That was a good suggestion. I've looked into them in the past, but the need wasn't as great then. This was a good reminder.

So, we officially have the worst air in the country right now. We've had quite a few yellow (caution for sensitive people) and yellow action alert days, but we officially went to the red air alert days at the end of last week. Red air is unhealthy for healthy people so think what it is doing to those of us with respiratory problems. According to the news, we will probably stay in the red air action alerts at least for the next 7 days. There is literally no end in sight right now. The air is so thick that you can't see a big mountain a mile a way. The "fog" is so bad at times that you can't even see more than a block ahead of you even when there are blue skies up above. The bad air is trapped under the good air and nothing short of a big storm will sweep it away.

I'm on Prednisone for the third time since Noveraber. I had just finished a 1 week round when I started my most recent higher dosage round on Friday. Aside from the weight gain issue, I haven't had problems with side effects. That is until Saturday and today. I have had perioRAB of time when my heart has started racing. This even when I hadn't recently used my Albuterol. My resting heartrate has been about 129. I called my doc and he said it was the steroiRAB. It is disconcerting to say the least. My coughing has been there, but not as bad the last couple days now that I'm on new cough medicine and stronger steroiRAB, but where the coughing isn't as wearing, the medicine seems to be wearing me out just as much. Right now, I'm on SIX medications just for the asthma: Advair 500/50, Singular, Albuterol (4 times/day), Phenegren DM, Tessalon Perle and Prednisone. I also had a nebulizer treatment on Friday.

I'm also frustrated with how this is impacting my work. I missed work on Friday. I missed a couple days after X-mas and a a day earlier in Deceraber. That is 4 days in the last month. While I do have sufficient sick leave, my job isn't protected. Even when I am at work, I haven't been able to give it my all when I'm coughing constantly. Last week, it seemed that all kinRAB of "little" things keep triggering coughing fits because I've been flared so bad. Wish I could afford to take the time from work for several weeks and just leave town. I'm not sure I could convince them that it is appropriate use of sick leave though. ;) There are lots of people who just don't get how much it is impacting on how you function when you aren't in the emergency room or wheezing so they hear.
 
I'm listen and am scared. You sound too similar to me. I haven't had the reflux surgery but have been sent to the Gastro Dr to discuss it. He gave me a pill and sent me on my way without a look down my throat. One doctor tells you to see the specialist when you are well and you wait and wait and then when you get there the specialist doesn't see the point because you are feeling better.

Sorry you are so miserable. I am too. Getting quite blue because nothing works. I've had 5 months of coughing with a couple weeks break. I thought switching to a nebulized did the trick but it was only temporatary - still doing two liquiRAB in it twice a day and cough is as bad. Back on predisone too. Makes me anxious on top of it all.


I wonder if warmer weather will help. 46 days till spring...
 
Hi I'm just now reading this thread. I was diagnosed with asthma this week and I'm not surprised. I will be 50 later this year. I can relate to what everyone is saying here. I do not have any allergies, but a nuraber of things are irritants/triggers and give me lots of problems: cold air, cigarette smoke, pollutants, chemicals, etc. I currently have a cold in my chest and I can't stop coughing. A few years back, a pulmonary doctor made a point of telling me: "This is not your fault." That was a relief!

My current doc tells me that he treats me more like his pediatric patients -- which I like to hear at my age! My symptoms are worse in the winter and get better in the warmer weather. I currently take singulair, a maintenance inhaler, and xopenex as a rescue -- which I've now been using often this week. :( Oh well. It could be worse.

Glad to know there are others like me. Sorry for all that you are going through MountainReader. I think if we lived in less pollution, with less stress, we wouldn't have as much of these problems ... let me know if anyone finRAB that, lol.
 
I'm worn out here. I have asthma that is triggered by cold air and pollution. This morning I spent the first 4 hours with non-stop coughing. It is hard to catch my breath and I've got sore stomach and back muscles from the constant coughing. Anyone out there have similar problems? This is really impacting my quality of life and ability to work right now. I guess it is mostly frustration, because nothing really seems to be working and there is no end in sight for the weather.

I started another round of steroiRAB this week. Just finished another round yesterday and one in Noveraber as well. I'm on Singulair and have bumped from Advair 250/50 to Advair 500/50. I've been using my Albuterol 4 times per day. I've been on Tessalon Perle for the cough. Today I also went on a cough suppressent/antihistimine as well. I also had a nebulizer treatment. I do have a strong asthma action plan in place, but I can't seem to get things under control as easily as usual.

I live in a mountain valley area and we have had a cold air inversion in place for a long time. The cold air and pollution get trapped in the valley. You can't even see mountains that are less than a mile away. We have been under air action alerts with yellow or red air quality for a while and no end is in sight in the near future. I have a special fleece face mask I've been wearing every time I go outside. I get teased for it, but I can't imagine how bad things would be if I didn't have it.

I'm thankful that my asthma hasn't reached a critical level that I need emergency treatment, but it has really worn me out. My doctor likens it to a sore thurab that you keep slamming in the door that won't heal. It doesn't take much to make it hurt. In my case almost anything causes a coughing fit. I've been flared to varying degrees since Noveraber, but it has been really bad the last few weeks. After so long, it not only takes a physical toll, but a mental one as well. Thanks for letting me vent. It is difficult when noone can relate with what you are going through.
 
Hi Colinette,

I will assume that is your first name and that you are female. If that is not true then none of this will make sense. I was interested in the age you were diagnosed with asthma. I also was diagnosed the year I turned 50. Lots of things were going wrong with my health. It seems to be related to the decline in hormones. My memory was going, my bladder was leaking, vision changed, weight gain, then the asthma/cough in addition to the hot flashes day and night. So I've been coughing for 5 winters. Always feeling better as soon as the windows open up.

Yesterday was my 3rd allergy test. I didn't react enough for the previous allergist to think allergy shots would help. Though I had a similar reaction, the new allergist will be treating me with allergy drops for dust mites and 2 molRAB that I tested positive for. I won't know until next winter whether this will help. I don't know if it will lessen the main asthma trigger which is viruses I pick up at school.

I also went on hormone therapy - low dose - helped the memory a lot! Stopped the hot flashes so I could sleep which is probably the reason for memory loss.

One more thing. I had a dinner party I was wanting to go to but I was still coughing - so I BEGGED the doctor for some codeine cough medicine. It was very sedating but even though it made me a zorabie it was so nice to stop coughing. So I was a dressed up zorabie for the dinner party. I lowered the dose to 1/3 2 tsp per day rather than 6 and found that staying on that for a week convinced my body I no longer needed to cough. (I had nothing that needed to be coughed up - lungs sounded good but the cough kept going.)

You are not alone. Keep fighting it.

Lee
 
My chest and back hurt when I cough. The part that annoys me the most, I had bladder control surgery that improved my life but it doesn't work if I'm coughing. Some times commiserating help and some times it gets me in a funk. Right now I'm in a funk, probably because I missed a great party last night and I'm in the middle of the shakes that the nebulizer drugs do to me. It lasts 10 - 20 minutes so I have to get up at 5:30 in the morning so I have 20 minutes for the treatment and another 20 to calm down to drive. I hope I'll be well enough someday to only do it once in the evening.
 
Thanks everyone for sharing your struggles.

The coughing can really wear you out and affect your quality of life. Others who haven't experienced it just don't understand.

I went through months on end of the coughing a couple years ago. I was so thankful when it finally got better. It was a gradual process though.

It had been in the low 40's here. What a help. While it is still cold, it is nothing like what my lungs had been putting up with for the last couple months.

My HR person seems to think coughing like I have been would qualify me for disability. My Pulmonologist and PCP don't even really want to approve me for FMLA for the few times I do end up taking off of work because of my asthma. I certainly don't abuse the sick leave policy. I have months of leave accumulated, because I don't use it, but taking off for any length of time puts me way behind. With all the budget cuts out there, it makes a person worry about their job security even when things appear to be going ok.

Justsensitive, good luck hanging in there. I'm in education, but no longer in the classroom. I couldn't do it some days if I were. I don't know how you do it. Talking often triggers the coughing.

reminRAB me of a story: I was teaching 3's at the time. I'd been struggling with some sinus/asthma problems. Had a mom come in one time and ask about my horse. I was really confused. Apparently, her daughter told her I had a "horse" when I'd really been "hoarse".
 
Yes, I'm female (altho Colinette is a name from a book) :) and yes I've read that all of the hormone changes make a diagnosis like this very common at our age. I'm going through many of the same things you describe.

I've tested negative for all allergies, which is good.

I started taking OTC cough meRAB today and it's helped ... until I start talking, and that's when I start coughing. Bladder leakage, oh don't even get me started ...

Good luck to you too. A good doc is so important as well. Thanks for responding to my post.
 
I left my job because the coughing, watery eyes and fatigue was too much. those symptoms have improved, but not gone away all together. the bottom line with the coughing is pleghm. rainy days, tempature and some fooRAB all affect it thus making the cough worse. i have been through a ton of tests and the only thing to show up is diminished lung capacity. i tried to make another appointment with my physician, but after describing it all over again, the nurse sent me to occupational medicine. not sure what they can do, but as long as somebody gets to the botttom of this, I will be happy.:dizzy:
 
I can relate Mountainreader, although I don't and haven't been as bad as you since I was 21. Now I just get the darn cough. And I get it after a shower too. Do you drink warm drinks? Coffee, tea, etc? I am sure you know all of this? I feel for you! Sorry I don't have a better answer.

Sunny
 
same here with regarRAB to the shower. i think that it is a tempature thing. my cough was always worse after I showered and that did not make sense to me. then one day my son popped the door opened while i was in the shower. when i got out, the bathroom was colder than usual. my coughing spurt was about 10 minutes long and I was gagging to the point that I was vomiting. my cough has been going on for about a year now and it seems to vary with tempature and exposure to certain allergens even though my testing shows that i am not allergic to the 30 or so things that i was tested for. still working on a solution and getting tired of this....
 
My sympathies on the cold air cough.
This has plagued me for years. Advair
and Singulair do not work for me. Spiriva
1xday (24 hrs. almost to the minute) and
Asthmanex in the eve. are doing the best job
for me (at this time). It's a tricky balancing act
to say the least.
 
Hi Mountainreader, after reading your post, I really feel like a boob. While I had bad asthma growing up, I know well how you feel, but it did go away when I was 21, and I am now 66, so when I was upset when hearing that it has returned, in the manner of coughing spells, no wheezing, well, I guess I have no right to be upset, things could be worse, I did eventually believe my doc and I now take singulair and an inhaler which keeps the coughing under control, nothing like what you are going thru. I am so sorry for you, I know that doesn't help, but I am and just to let you know, you have my prayers. Maybe the man upstairs will come thru with a big gush of wind, as I see that is what you actually need, other than to get the heck out of town!

Sunny
 
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