Just diagnosed--some questions

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Silas1066

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Doctor says I have full-blown asthma (I had some bouts with it in the last 5-6 years). I have some frustrating symptoms:

1. Occasional wheezing--worse in the early evening
2. Tightness in the chest
3. Dry feeling in the throat and lungs
4. Mild aches and pains in the upper chest area, and sometimes in the lowe rib-cage. Pains seem to move all over the place.

My peak flow averaged about 550 or so (although I did have a couple good blows--700+ in the doctor's office).

Do these symptoms sound typical of asthma?

He put me on Singulair (don't know how well it works--anyone with experience?). Albuterol inhaler for emergencies, and Rhinocort.

I reall don't want to go on steroiRAB.

Any advice would be great--bummed out about this.
 
SounRAB like a valid diagnosis. I had no luck with Singulair and have stayed on Flovent for about 15 years. No problems and it works well for me. Some people get good results from Singulair, other don't. You'll have to try and see. My doctor said it could take a month or so to work. After 2 months, I couldn't tell a difference so I quit it. With a steroid inhaler, most people see a difference in 1-2 weeks.
 
I've had asthma for 5 years now. I've tried Singular along with all kinRAB of allergy medicines. Nothing seems to work. My peak flo at it's highest was only around 400. I can't take any inhaled steroiRAB, even pediatric doses, they all make me feel really bad and make my legs cramps something awful. My asthma has been really bad for the last 2 weeks. I have contemplated calling my allergist but I know they will just want me to try another medicine. The medicines make me feel worse than ever. It's a never ending battle. Thank God for rescue inhalers!! Good luck with the Singulair. I took it for a few years.
 
Yes chest aches and always have a thick mucus. I also have GERD which I know doesn't help my asthma.
 
I am wondering what role GERD is having in all of this. These recent asthma problems coincided with taking lots of Alleve for a back injury and a a few bouts of bad acid reflux at night.

My throat feels dry and sometimes raw.
 
You're absolutely right about the GERD. They say that the acid in your esophagus can somehow cause bronchospasm in your lungs. Not sure quite how, as they are different tubes, unless you aspirate the acid. But either way, make sure you manage the GERD too, because I notice when my GERD flares up, I end up taking the Albuterol more.

Also, with Singulair, most asthmatics stop taking it on their own because they don't "feel a difference" like they do with an inhaler. But it works on a cellular level by reducing leukotrienes (which lead to inflammation of the airways). It's not an immediate response like a rescue inhaler is. I never felt like it helped me, but I'm a typical asthmatic and stopped taking it! :-)

Another thing, asthma puts you in the high-risk group during flu season, so make sure to get your flu shot. And if and when you get sick, let your doctor know because chest colRAB are much worse when you already have asthma. That's my personal experience anyway.

Good luck. It's manageable. Hang in there!
 
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