Asthma Attack Relief?
 

About 20 years ago, I went through a few months where I had exercise induced asthma. Used an inhaler, not a big deal, never a signficant attack. Then whatever it was in the air was gone and I never had one again.

Until today. I got a silly little lemon scented air freshner for the wagon. About an hour after opening it, I decided it was too strong. It was making my eyes itchy. That was probably the start of the attack. Right about then, a Dodge Caravan dies in traffic right in front of me. The passenger hops out and starts pushing. She's about 50. Not about 50 like I am where pushing cars is part of the deal, but the kind of 50 that really shouldn't be pushing cars.

I threw the 4-ways on and hopped out to help. Had to push the van down the block, around a corner, then a slight uphill grade - really had to push hard. Two fellows joined in and we got it over the rise and into a parking lot. Walking back to my wagon, I was dizzy and could hear my lungs squeaking - full blown attack. The bad part lasted probably 20 minutes. Lots of mental feedback, got sorted out and headed home. Threw the air freshener away - it actually re-triggered the attack as soon as I touched it.

It's been an hour and a half now. I'm definately past the "attack" but I've never had one this strong (and back in the day - I had an inhaler). Chest is still wheezing. I mostly feel like curling up and sleeping but there is quite a bit of housework to be done.

What can I do to hurry up the recovery? Need to get things done so I can go riding tomorrow.

angela

you want to go see an allergist

If you were closer I would give you one of my salbutamol inhalers. Doesn't happen to me much either, but I use it and Pulmicort when I get a chest cold and during the fall when there is lots of airborne crap if required.
Might not be a bad idea to have an emergency inhaler around....

i am a respiratory therapist.

you need to see your doctor.

that said, an over the counter inhaler might help, as in afrin (this is "speedy", similar to albuterol). you may also try claritin.

my suggestion is that you get it diagnosed. and get a rescue inhaler. your doctor will probably recommend something different, but it sounds to me like you just need some good old albuterol (proventil) to keep on hand.

that said, i'll bet that afrin will get you feeling better than you do, without seeing your doctor right this second. i do recommend that you talk with your doctor ASAP.

As above... You need a puffer now. How convenient is it to get to a doctor now?

However you should be able to buy one directly from a chemist.
Locally, If you provide ID they'll sell them over the counter without a doctors prescription. (S3)

oh, and coffee (due to the methylxanthines) or chocolate might help, in the short term. also, green or black tea.

and don't mess with this. it can be life threatening. if you can literally hear your lungs wheezing, a trip to the ER or insta-care clinic is definitely in order.

Does anybody have a contact number or location for Angela?

Call her now and check on her...

I'm OK - thanks guys. Started to feel better about half an hour ago. I definately feel tired, but it's "normal" tired. I'll head for some real rest now.

After that first post, I basically fell asleep for about an hour on the couch. Our daughter woke me when she came home. It was just about all I could do to keep awake. It was still hard to breath, my back ached. I'm allergic to a sulpher drugs and dried food cured with sulpher. This was the same type of back ache I get when I tangle up with that stuff.

In hindsight, I definately should have gone into the urgent care clinic. We lost our old health insurance and I dont have a doctor under a new plan. Just didn't feel like dealing with it. You know, waiting endlessly, forms to fill out, etc.

It's on my "to do" list for Monday. Get that sorted and pick up an inhaler.

OH, and piss on the housework. ;)

angela

Go to Vons/Walmart and buy Primatene mist, $20 no prescription. Soon to be banned because of CFC's on 1/01/2012.

It is my professional opinion as a doctor that you definitely should not be doing any housework until you get this sorted.

good idea to be sure someone is home with you until you see an MD; get the offspring to wash all your bedclothes in the hottest water you have & might as well use a fragrance free detergent too (Tide Free is effective) -- this will get rid of any dust mites

avoid exercise for now & absolutely do not vacuum or raise any dust

stay indoors; be sure filters on your heating system are not clogged ('dirty' is ok) -- again don't do that yourself

BTW - tree pollen counts were super high yesterday

you will want to see an allergist & get tested; like most people in W. Oregon you seem to have an allergy

it may get MUCH worse when grass pollen hits in a month or two

Bugger the housework Angela...how are you feeling?

I have a few friends with severe asthma - women the same age as you (don't worry I'm only a few years behind you ;) ). It's horrible for them. See a doc and get an asthma management plan sorted for yourself - you owe yourself this.

angela, are you ok?

Hi Randy! Yes, I'm fine. It was an intense but entirely isolated incident. I mean who the heck has an asthma attack from air freshener at a car wash... :rolleyes:

angela

"who the heck has an asthma attack from air freshener at a car wash... "



certain types of perfume affect me something like that. feels like a belt tightened around my chest and can't get enough air in. an old girlfriend wore a perfume that made it hurt to breath. I 'd make her go home and shower before I'd let her in the house. the truckstop I buy fuel at has an automatic room freshner deal above the door. today I gagged so much I almost threw up. I hate going inside to pay it chokes me so much. the same happens as I walk by an old lady doused in perfume. it's like stuffing a rag down my throat

I get asthma problems going to movie theaters. They sweep up the popcorn, but never clean the fabric seats. I did an indoor air quality study once for the Tonight Show, with Jay Leno. The crew was having respiratory problems. The amount of human skin cells, dander, etc on the seats and floors was disgusting. They cleaned all the seats, carpets, everything, and the problem went away.

If I eat "cheap" Chinese food I get a wheeze in my chest... I use a puffer when this happens.

I have asthma. My advice to you...Go see a allergy doc, now.
There is nothing worse than trying to breathe... and you can't.

Specific allergy or not, you need an adequate respiratory investigation and above all some properly working medication. In my experience (albeit with kids), such a sudden, rather intense episode is often just the top of the iceberg so to speak. It very often predicts are more or less ongoing inflammatory reaction in the airways that needs to be addressed properly, both short and long term.