Are there any severe asthmatics on the board?

My Dh is usually hospitalized once a year in the fall due to a severe asthma attack. Usually we see it coming, and it's Oct/Nov and this year it got really bad.

He has been in the hospital since last tuesday and is hopefully coming home tomorrow or friday.

It got so bad this time that he had to be intubated...

So we're both really freaked out by it and are wondering what else he/we can do to control his asthma so that it doesn't get to this point again.

As far as meds he's already on albuterol nebulizer (1-2/day maintenance)
albuterol inhaler (4-5/day maintenance)
ETA that he also takes Advair the purple disc in the AM.

and he can't take singular because he has severe allergic reactions to it.

Some people have mentioned controlling it with diet but I don't even know where to start on that.

I guess I'm just looking for any experiences if you have it...

-Melissa

Message edited 9/27/2006 10:40:08 PM.

Re: Are there any severe asthmatics on the board?

I am a severe asthmatic. The only thing that has helped me was Advair. Singulair and Flovent did nothing for me. I take Advair twice a day now, and I haven't had a sever attack in almost a year. Before this, I was taking my albuterol almost 4 times I day- I couldn't do anything. I couldn't exercise, or mow the lawn, nothing. This medicine has seriously changed my life. Now, there is nothing I CAN'T do.

I did notice last week when my allergies were getting bad that my chest started to feel tight, and I ended up having to take my albuterol. But, this is the worst it has been.

I hope your DH feels better soon!!

Re: Are there any severe asthmatics on the board?

He takes Advair too -- thats the purple disc, right? I know that he takes that in the AM.

I have heard from a lot of people that last week was a bad asthma week for them.

Re: Are there any severe asthmatics on the board?

Mold and Ragweed are very high and that affects asthmatics b/c the seedlings tend to be very sticky and stick to the nasal passages and bronchi. Diet does help. Basically wipe out anything white. It is similar to Atkins.

Has your DH also been tested for allergies (esp, food) Many people are allergic to wheat and just don't know it b/c the have become use to it (not really though b/c the asthma acts up)

Has your DH also seen a "top" pulmonologist instead of his primary? They run much more in depth test.

When I was hospitalized in May of 04 after what was thought to be an asthma attack, was a slight case of pneumonia (ever so very slight) But this through my body in the ringer!

He may also want to try accupunture and herbs. These have also helped me.

Good Luck!

Re: Are there any severe asthmatics on the board?

He does see a pulminologist although the last time he saw him was 6 mnths ago. One of the things that we've been talking about is that he should start seeing him every 3 months instead.

He did end up having pneumonia (showed up on his tests after being in the hospital for a few days) but we think he developed it while in the hospital and not beforehand.

Re: Are there any severe asthmatics on the board?

DH is also a major asthmatic and we have visited the hospital, more times than I care to count. Any cold becomes bronchitis and pneumonia. This is what works for him.

Prednisone- he would need to get a drs perscription, but it is a steroid that streghtens the lungs. We keep it onhand in our home and take it preventatively when I or the baby am sick.

Definitely advair 250 and singular and preventative Albuterol. But when an attack comes on, instead of albuterol in the hone nebulizer, the doctor prescribed him Duoneb, Albuterol and some other strong medication combined.

Makes a world of difference! HTH!

eta: october and november-it is always the same with us!

Message edited 9/28/2006 7:39:55 AM.

Re: Are there any severe asthmatics on the board?

I hope your DH feels better!

I don't have severe asthma. I've never been hospitalized, knock on wood...

but there are a few things... Does your DH know what his triggers are and how to avoid them? I'm assuming since it happens in fall it's at least partially allergic asthma. Someone else mentioned mold and ragweed which I am very allergic to. I control my asthma by controlling my allergies. Does your DH take any kind of allergy medication? When I started taking my current course of antihistamines I was able to stop my singulair and preventetive albuterol/combivent...

Your DH is much more severe, but it still may help. Also, I have had success taking Quercetin for allergies and chiropractic and acupuncture. Also, if your DH has food allergies diet can play in, also I'm not sure how well this works but if you eat a lot of foods with anti-inflammatory properties.

I have an awesome allergy/asthma doc who has helped me control my symptoms.

Message edited 9/28/2006 9:57:01 AM.

Re: Are there any severe asthmatics on the board?

I agree with pretty much everything that has been said already.

I take singulair and advair daily, and use my albuterol inhaler only when necessary. I also take claritan to help control my allergies.

Mold and dust are huge triggers, as are cigarette smoke and animal dander.

Without fail, twice year I have to get a nebulizer treatment and take prednisone. Continued use of prednisone causes bloating and weight gain since it's a steroid, so my doctor doesn't like to keep me on it long.

I noticed that my asthma got worse when I moved into an area that has large oak trees. The pollen from the trees causes my allergies to act up, and then my asthma as well.

Diet and environment definitely come into play when dealing with Asthma.

Best wishes to your husband, and I hope he feels better soon. It's a horrible, scary feeling when you can't breathe!!


ETA: I also have 3 ionic breezes from the Sharpe Image. They filter the air, which is good whether you're asthmatic or not.

Message edited 9/28/2006 10:32:04 AM.

Re: Are there any severe asthmatics on the board?

Def. talk to your Dr. about adding another dose of Adviar.
I'm supposed to take it 2x a day.
Unfortunately I don't have much info on Diet. Grapefruit & dairy is supposed to be bad, a hot cup of coffee in the AM & apples have some strange benefits.
Get an air purifier.
Do you/he know what his triggers are. You should concentrate on finding out his triggers and then controlling his environment.


I've also heard people having luck w a medication called Serevent.

Re: Are there any severe asthmatics on the board?

We do have an air purifier -- that we keep in the bedroom.

When he feels he is getting a cold he goes to the doc and they prescribe prednisone then -- but he's been trying to get them to give him a prescription for it to keep on hand and they won't do it -- maybe after this they will.

I definately want to look into the diet thing.

If any of you have good pulminologists in the Nassau area can you FM me about them? He currently sees the docs at Island Pulminary in Bethpage, mainly doctor Gordon, but I just feel like we should be doing more to prevent things like this from happening.