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Questions about why my asthma won't go away

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Posted 9/7/2008 5:49 PM (GMT -7)
I have been having a lot of asthma problems since July.  Had 3 bouts of bronchitis this winter and then I managed to clear up pretty well with only an occasional problem.  Since July I have been to a pulmonary specialist and cardiologist.  All heart tests are normal so not related to my breathing.  I also had a series of pulmonary functions tests(to the tune of $2000). They didn't really show much wrong and the dr. was a real jerk and nasty to me saying my problem was overweight even though I have lost 40 lbs.   I didn't have these problems at 40 lbs heavier.  I still have to pursue this with my PCP as I can't keep using inhalers 4X a day and doing nothing but sitting on the couch just so I can breathe. I also have to have some minor surgery but can't until the breathiing issue is solved.  I use an albuterol and azmacort inhalers and they do work. But I can't do much since I can't breathe. There may be one possiblilty that may be aggravating my problem.  I have a dog - a poodle.  He is almost 17 and on his last legs - incontinent, deaf, almost blind etc.  He still eats and doesn't seem unhappy but I know I have to put him down soon.  Does anyone think that the odor from the dog could be causing my problem?  He never bothered me before in all those years.  Also, does anyone use a xopenex inhaler?  My dr. said she would prescirbe one but she said they make you extremely jittery.  Would like some feedback on any of this.  If you have ideas or suggestions please, please reply as I am getting desperate here.  Thanks for your help.

Aurora

Posted 9/7/2008 7:50 PM (GMT -7)
Oh my Losing a pet is not easy and I'm sorry yours is dying.. You have my sympathies..My cat Max died this year and he was also 17 years old. 17 is a very long time for a pet and yours has had a good life, like you the thought of putting him down was hard but it was also a humane thing for him as he was not eating and I could tell he'd gone in spirit, when the time comes you'll know and it'll of course hurt. And sadly yes your dog could be causing some of your asthma problems. I know this sounds like a broken record but a allergy can be brought on at any time to anything. Could also be cause by the thought of your up and coming surgery as well. Allergies and Asthma is not an exact science, sorry, sure hope you find out whats causing yours soon.
Hope your feeling better soon, and you have my sympathies with the dog.
I wish I could help you better, sorry..
Lots of soft hugz
Posted 9/7/2008 8:31 PM (GMT -7)

Thanks Chartreux for your reply.  I am afraid the dog may be a big part of my problem.  Just the oder from incontinence is bad and he won't allow me to bath him so I think the smell from him is what is getting me.  It will probably be easier if I do have him put down now than get closer to the holidays and maybe get even sicker.  As far as the surgery, I am not worried about it.  Have had too many major ones to let this one get me.  The only thing I don't like is having to get up so early in the AM to get to the hospital as everything is outpatient now unless you are on your last legs.  But I will get thru this and will keep posted on how I manage.  Appreciate your help very much.

Aurora

Posted 9/9/2008 7:16 AM (GMT -7)
Hi Aurora60 My heart goes out to you I recently had to have my 2 beloved king charles spaniels put to sleep a week apart and it broke my heart.But they were suffering and had little quality of life.Oh how I miss them every day but I now know that they were causing most of my asthma problems as I was recently tested positive to dog, cat ,horse and birds.Since they left my asthma has improved considerably but of course I could never blame them .You will miss your dog but he will thank you for allowing him to go to rest before things get too bad.I will be thinking of you and I am here to support you if the inevitable occurs...be strong...hugs groovey.
Posted 9/9/2008 7:17 AM (GMT -7)
Hi Aurora60 My heart goes out to you I recently had to have my 2 beloved king charles spaniels put to sleep a week apart and it broke my heart.But they were suffering and had little quality of life.Oh how I miss them every day but I now know that they were causing most of my asthma problems as I was recently tested positive to dog, cat ,horse and birds.Since they left my asthma has improved considerably but of course I could never blame them .You will miss your dog but he will thank you for allowing him to go to rest before things get too bad.I will be thinking of you and I am here to support you if the inevitable occurs...be strong...hugs groovey.
Posted 9/13/2008 7:09 PM (GMT -7)

Hi Groovey, thanks for your reply.  I am just taking it day by day with the dog.  He is still eating and wags his tail.  I just don't have the heart to do this so I guess I am going to put it off as long as possible without making my poor baby suffer.  I think you can tell when their life no longer has any quality and that is what I am looking for.  I do have another poodle so will still have dog company but my other dog was picked out by my Mom when she came to live with us so there are a lot of memories there.  Will let you know whatever happens and thank you so much for your concern.

Aurora

Posted 9/18/2008 4:25 PM (GMT -7)
i use xopenex and symbacort neither one makes me jittery, the only one that bothers me and i do not use any more is the abuterol.
Posted 9/18/2008 7:29 PM (GMT -7)

Thanks for the info, Gonuts.  I have good days and bad days.  Today is good.  The albuterol and azmacort work well for me so my dr. wants me to stick with this treatment.  Read one of your earlier posts.  I too had to go to a pulmonary function specialist and cardiologist.  Took all the tests to the tune of very much expense.  No lung function problems and no heart problems.  I guess it is just asthma and bad allergies.  This only started this year when I had bronchitis 3 times over the winter.  I used to get asthma induced by a cold or respiratory infection but when that cleared up no more wheezing.  Why all of a sudden the wheeziing every day is a mystery to me.  My internist doesn't know why either.  She suggested a second opinion from a lung specialist.  I will go eventually, but have to have some minor surgery (unrelated) first.  I am thinking that this may stop as soon as we have a hard freeze.  I may also be having problems from my dog(poodle) as he is incontinent and smells bad.  He is almost 17 and on last legs but still putting off having him put down.  It's too heartbreakiing.  But it will be soon i'm sure and the hard freeze is probably 3-4 weeks away here.  So hopefully things will improve.  I think symbacort is for people with worse airway constriction than what I have.  But may ask dr. for xopenex the next time as everyone says it works so well. Strange that albuterol doesn't bother me.

Aurora

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