Mild Asthma

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Rain820

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After a few years of on and off confusion of not knowing whether or not I had asthma, my doc suggested I do a lung function test.

Some background info...for years I have had some discomfert at times in my chest, allergy wise, I was told I'm allergic to the basics, mold, dust, pollen. But I also have a deviated septum which messes up my sinuses. For years I was on various treatments for the sinsus, and the nasal allergies, but I never really felt too much relieve so I just gave it all up.

However, now that I've had the lung function test, my doctor said it showed "very little asthma, nothing to really worry about". Well, I didn't want to go in for an office visit for a "consultation" so I asked if I could talk to the doc over the phone. The office called me back and said, the doc would like me to start on Syrabicort and go see him in about 2 months. I was kind of shocked because I've read that syrabicort is used for severe cases, and someone told me it's known to be "heavy duty" meRAB. Then I went to pick up my presciption, along with my Mom's for Syrabicort as well (she has COPD)., and my dosage is higher than hers. Why is he putting me on such strong stuff if my asthma is so "little"?

Also, I'm having an issue with now that I know I have it, I FEEL it more. Things I used to just pass off as nasal drip, when I get that ithcy throat dry cough thing, I'm wondering if that's actually an asthma attack, and it's freaking me out, quite honestly.

Anyway, I'm going to start the Syrabicort tonight, I've been putting it off because I wanted more info, but I have to trust the doc's orders, right?
 
I don't know what your asthma symptoms are, but it does seem a little odd to me that you'd be started on a high dose of Syrabicort right away. I also use a high dose of Syrabicort, but that's not what I started with. Each doctor has his or her own way of doing things, but generally they start with less medication then go to more medication until your asthma is under control.

Here's the deal with me...a big problem for me is nocturnal asthma. Albuterol didn't work because it doesn't last very long and I was waking up several times a night to use it. So I was started on a low dose of Syrabicort. I was still having some nighttime issues, though not as severe, and some problems during the day/evening so I was given the high dose, which is good. The long-acting bronchodilator in Syrabicort lasts a long time so I get some good zzzzz's :) Sometimes I use albuterol, but it's not too bad.

As far as noticing your symptoms more...if you feel like crap 24/7/365, then you suddenly don't...you take note of the times when you feel like crap again. It can be disturbing at first, but you'll learn what your "triggers" are, that is, what things cause you to cough, get short of breath, etc. In that way, you'll know to avoid those things so you'll feel better more often.

It's very helpful to learn about asthma/allergies. After I was allergy tested I got a short allergy education session and some good reference material. Also, my doctor/nurse has taught me a lot about asthma. The more you know the better off you are because things don't seem so mysterious and random.

I hope something I said has been useful. You should really talk to your doctor for questions about your medication, as he's the best resource for advice.

Good luck.
 
You are very correct, Ahhchoo, that each doctor has their own system. Mine starts you on a higher dose or more puRAB and then reduces it as the asthma gets under control...trying to get to the lowest possible with good control. I started at 4 puRAB of Flovent per day and am at 1 per day now. Can't really get much lower than that!

So I can see where he would have her on the syrabicort for 2 months and then come back for an evaluation. The OP should talk with the doctor then about adjusting the medication if all has gone well.
 
Thank you both for the helpful replies!

As of last night, I took my first prescribed two puRAB of the syrabicort. The instructions say 2 puRAB every 12 hours, and it's a one time only, no refill prescription. So, I assume what his plan is to see how that makes me feel and he will go from there. Unfortunately I did not remeraber to bring it with me today, so I can't do my 2nd puRAB until tonight, which will be a 24 hour period, I hope that doesn't screw up any progress, but my assumption is it's just a matter of lengthining the amounts. I plan to follow it as directed, once I can remeraber to bring it with me :)

In regarRAB to taking note of when I do and don't feel like crap, to know my triggers...I used to try and do that too back in the day. However, I then start to become TOO aware of things, and I've been called a "hypo, worrier, making things up" type too many times to want to go down that road. For example, I can see myself hanging with frienRAB or family, having a bit of a cough, and then saying, hmmm I think it could be this that's making me cough, since I just had it now and I started to cough, perhaps that's a trigger. They will (and have) told me that i'm being overly paranoid, hypo, etc. Granted, I know I shouldn't care about what others say/think, but I have noticed that I have those tendancies to become TOO aware of things, and worry about them, etc. But I will give it a try, and keep it to myself, perhaps, and just try to take note what affects me.

Thanks again, and best of luck with both of your treatments, hope you are both feeling well more than most of the time :)
 
OK just another follow up here. I've taken the Syrabicort once a day for a few days now (I admit I did miss a few due to the holiday). I don't necessarily feel an improvement, since I'm not really sure what my symptoms really are or aren't. Also, I kind of feel like as SOON as I take it, I feel slightly tight in my chest area. But I suspect it could just be my nerves or anxiousness about taking the medicine. The same thing would happen with the Albuterol whenever I took it, but then it would eventually pass and I would feel fine.

I hate being paranoid about this stuff, and I try to tell myself it's not bad for me as millions of people take stuff and are fine. So, how do I know if I'm really reacting to the med or if it's just in my head?
 
You may just be stressing over it. Or it could be the bronchial dialator that is corabined with the steroid in Syrabicort (similar to albuterol and therefore maybe a similar reaction).
 
Hmm, ok I'm gonna give it a few more tries and just mention it when I go see the doc. It's not anything at all unbearable. And it's kind of how I feel at any given time, really. Sometimes when I take a sigh, it doesn't feel like a good enough deep breath, and other times, it does. I can't ever explain it except that sometimes you take a deep breath and you feel it sort of release inside, but other times it doesn't. I don't know if that's part of the asthma, or if I just pay attention to my deep breaths too much. But, anyway, as I said, I'll just suck it up and continue to take my meRAB like a good girl, and talk to the doc in a few weeks.:cool:

Thanks again!!
 
You could try using a peak flow meter. In that way you could objectively demonstrate to yourself whether your chest tightness is actually less airflow in yor lungs or anxiety. Less airflow in your lungs...drop in peak flow after Syrabicort or albuterol. Anxiety...no peak flow change. That might settle your mind a bit. It would also help your doctor to help decide your treatment if you're having some kind of reaction to bronchodilators.

I actually like Syrabicort and I react well to albuterol. I've never had anxieties about using either because I've always had very positive results from both. If I miss a dose of my Syrabicort or even squirt one of my puRAB totally on my tongue (like I did today), I end up sorta hacking later in the afternoon and finally have to use albuterol in the evening. Suckage.

Good luck. I hope it all works out for you :)
 
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