Asthma Management

Over the last few months, things have taken a sudden turn for the worse. I’ve had several episodes where it all starts with this ringing in my ears followed by total physical exhaustion. So far, Ventolin has been my saving grace, but I’m also taking Hydrocortisone and Albuterol on a regular daily basis. They sent me in for imaging and saw a Pulmonologist, who basically told me that if things don't improve, we’ll have to move to oral medications—which, according to my primary care doctor, can be pretty harsh on the system.
I’ve recently started practicing Yoga, and I can't help but wonder if there's any connection to why I'm feeling worse.
If my memory serves me right, this all started during my last pregnancy.
I only do Yoga about twice a week, just some light movements plus Sun Salutation.
I’m looking for any insight you all might have regarding these medications, and also, is there any chance Yoga could actually be making things worse? (Personally, I doubt it).
Thanks

I wouldn't say Yoga does any harm; if anything, it helps because it incorporates breathing exercises that are actually super important when you're dealing with Asthma.

I think the specialists over at the Pulmonary Clinic, located right in the Chicago Community Health Center building, are pretty solid. You should definitely reach out to an experienced Pulmonologist. Personally, I’ve had a great experience with Dr. Alma Rozman—she’s a lovely woman and specializes quite a bit in allergies and asthma. She practices there. I actually just took an exam with her today...🙂

Zinc Plate
I'm not kidding around here—I used to be a hardcore asthmatic.
And yeah, even if this sounds absolutely ridiculous, start smoking; maybe it’ll actually help.
Nicotine has certain properties that trigger the production of other substances and whatnot... for me, my Asthma completely vanished only once I became a heavy smoker. 🙂

Back when I first started smoking, things were even worse than they are now.
Nowadays, nobody in my house smokes—not even once, and if they did, it would be right by an open window.
Honestly, just one single cigarette completely wipes me out; I’m still feeling the fallout from it nearly a month later.👎

boldgardener93 said:When I first started smoking, things were already hitting an all-time low. Honestly, how much worse can it actually get?
As of today, nobody is smoking in my house—ever again. From now on, if anyone wants to light up, they can do it outside by an open window. Is that really too much to ask?
One single cigarette was enough to completely wreck me. I'm still feeling the fallout nearly a month later!👎

This is absolute garbage... but alright, regarding those zinc plates—they actually work. My spasms have completely died down since I started wearing them. Does anyone else feel like this is actually making a difference?
Give it a shot. I know how brutal this can be—I’ve spent half my life bouncing between hospitals because of Asthma. Thank God things have finally settled down...

If you are living with asthma, seeking regular check-ups from a specialist is non-negotiable. You can effectively forget about relying on general practitioners.
I personally manage my care at the Chicago Community Health Center within their Pulmonary Clinic. Even though you should typically expect to wait about an hour and a half, the doctors there are truly excellent; I see Dr. Sanja Pelicarić.

When I first arrived for my appointment, she simply asked me where I had been all this time.

For two years, I was strictly following a regimen of two puffs of Albuterol and two puffs of Fentanyl patch in the morning, followed by the same dosage in the evening. During that period, my attacks vanished entirely, and I was able to toss my Ventolin straight into the trash. Since then, my doctor has gradually tapered my medication, and now I take just a single puff of Fentanyl patch in the morning, and that is it.

I experience absolutely no difficulties whatsoever, which is quite a feat considering I was hospitalized countless times before I turned fifteen.

I find this ringing in my ears somewhat peculiar. I have never encountered anything quite like it before. It is my understanding that attacks typically manifest during physical exertion, allergic reactions, or perhaps when one is battling a respiratory infection (such as a common cold, the flu, or a virus).

It would be prudent for you to undergo an allergy screening—and I suggest keeping a detailed journal of what you consume and where you are located when these episodes occur. Perhaps they follow time spent outdoors, or following the ingestion of specific foods... surely you will be best positioned to discern the pattern yourself.

Alright, so now you've got two solid recommendations for the Pulmonary Clinic in Chicago. What are you waiting for? 🙂

It’s a bit sad, honestly. I’m currently out of the country, but I wanted to say thanks to everyone for such detailed responses. I’ve noticed that whenever I push myself physically or have days where I don't get any rest at all, I end up feeling terrible the following week. I know how important it is to take my medications every single day, but I just haven't been sticking to it—I often forget once evening rolls around. About two years ago, because I was actually being disciplined back then, I threw all my inhalers away, and well, look where I am now...
I have an appointment scheduled with a specialist soon, and they’ve ordered a chest X-ray and a pulmonary function test (I think that's the right term).
Thanks again, everyone. Stay healthy. 🙂

You're right about that buzzing sound. I've got a bit of a cold right now and my sinuses are acting up, so that's probably what it is. It likely has nothing to do with an asthma attack.
Stay healthy, 🙂.

boldgardener93 said:You’re right about that buzzing sensation. I’ve got a bit of a cold right now and my sinuses are acting up, so that’s likely the culprit. It has nothing to do with an asthma attack.
Stay healthy.🙂 .

Not a chance.

Whether you're dealing with allergic or non-allergic Asthma, rhinitis almost always tags along for the ride. During an asthma flare-up, nasal congestion is a standard part of the struggle. When that nasal mucosa swells, you aren't just fighting for air through your nose; you're also blocking the sinus drainage pathways—which is exactly why those sinus infections and headaches kick in. Furthermore, it obstructs the Eustachian tube, which is responsible for regulating pressure in the middle ear. This leads to that annoying ringing or popping sensation in your ears. If you neglect it, you're looking at the risk of a ruptured eardrum.

I've been dealing with chronic allergic asthma since I was a kid. I'm on a maintenance routine where I use my Fentanyl patch corticosteroid spray every single morning, and I'm almost always taking Rhinocort tablets as well.
What happens once I get pregnant?
I can't just stop my treatment, but I've heard that during those first three months, I shouldn't be taking any medications at all.

I'm also not sure if I'll be able to have a natural birth, or if having asthma means I'll be looking at a C-section.

Has anyone else gone through something similar??

I don't have Asthma

but I'm curious—what did those doctors actually tell you?

See, I’ve been dealing with this other chronic condition since I was a kid... and from day one, getting all the info on what to do if I ever ended up pregnant was just part of the mandatory rundown they give you...

They didn't mention it to me. To be honest, I didn't even ask. But I'm at an age where pregnancy is definitely on my mind, and I've been dealing with this since I was six years old.
It actually just crossed my mind today. I thought about posting a question on Cybermed, but looking at their response times, they take up to two months to get back to you—they're really not the most reliable lately.

This is definitely something you should run by the doctors you normally see, though you might want to check out Reddit; if I recall correctly, there was a thread over there about Asthma during pregnancy, and as far as I remember, there are certain medications that are considered safe to use while pregnant.

Kyle Lee7 said:They never actually told me. Honestly, I didn't even ask. But let's face it—I'm way past the prime age for pregnancy anyway, and I've been dealing with this since I was six years old.
It just hit me today, you know? Like, out of nowhere... I thought about posting a question over on Cybermed, but honestly, looking at them lately, they take like two months to respond. Not exactly the most reliable crew if you need answers fast.

Sorry about that clunky sentence in my last post, 😵 but it looks like you caught my drift.

I reckon you might actually get a decent answer in a reasonable timeframe if you check out http://www.zdravljeizivot.com/forum/index.php

Dr. D. Husar always gives solid advice, though...

I probably won't ever quit, but I’ve practically conquered my Asthma by swimming a few miles a couple of times every week...

It doesn't cost you a thing...

Kyle Lee7 said:I’ve had chronic allergic asthma since I was a kid. I’m on permanent therapy—every single morning I take my Fentanyl patch steroid spray, and I’m almost constantly taking Rhinocort tablets.
What happens when I get pregnant?
I can't function without my meds, but I know they say you shouldn't take anything during those first three months.

I don't even know if I'll be able to have a natural birth, or if having asthma means I'm looking at a C-section.

Has anyone actually dealt with this??

Using heavy chemicals—you know, medications—while you're pregnant is definitely not ideal for the baby or their development; honestly, it's pretty much impossible to predict all the potential fallout. But, if you look at things logically, I guess you might actually have a really solid chance at permanently fixing this asthma issue you've been carrying since childhood.

The official medical consensus is that there’s no cure for asthma, and I mean, I totally get why they say that, but if you just accept the fact that the body can essentially "heal" itself—since our cells are constantly regenerating—then it makes sense. If those cells rebuild themselves based on the food we eat, or basically the raw materials (the micronutrients) the cells get for that renewal, then it isn't hard to conclude that the body can reset its own immune system. In that way, you could significantly influence that defense mechanism that's gone haywire fighting against your asthma.

I'll admit, I never would have even considered this possibility if I hadn't stumbled upon people who used to have terrible asthma—people who couldn't go anywhere without their Ventolin inhaler—but after they started on "cellular nutrition," they basically just forgot they ever had asthma in the first place.
I realize it’s probably hard for a lot of people to wrap their heads around this right now, but I guess there's a chance you could see it for yourself. 🙂

So, I was diagnosed with allergic asthma about a year ago, and honestly, the Seretide inhaler has been a total lifesaver for keeping things under control. Now I'm looking ahead—if I end up pregnant, what kind of meds am I actually allowed to touch? Has anyone here gone through that or dealt with it? Thanks!

Honestly, this isn't even a gynecological issue, Selim.