i feel like my lungs are shrinking

As you know, I don't have asthma but I just wanted to say hang in there hun. I hate seeing my son with asthma too because it makes me feel so powerless. I'm curious, have you seen a pulmonologist? I can't remember if you said or not.

Kanani: I hate to see someone who has trouble taking a breath! Has anyone taught you pursed lip breathing? Asthmatics have air trapping which makes it feel like your lungs are becoming smaller. What happens is that for each time you take a breath in and then exhale, part of the air is trapped in the lung. The lung uses the components of the air breathed and leaves the rest which simply takes up space. By doing pursed lip breathing, you exhale the trapped air allowing more air w/O2 to enter the lungs. You can do pursed lip breathing by taking a breath in, pucker up your lips and blow out twice as long as you took the breath in. Hope this helps!

Thanks you.

Pegleg, I googled in "asthma and trapped air" and was amazed at how much I found. No one has taught me any sort of breathing so I'm taking your advice. So far so good, I don't feel 100% but do feel like at least my lungs have expanded some. Does this mean my medication isn't working or that my asthma is worse?

Initially I was classified as moderate chronic (persistant) but I'm rarely without symptoms, even with medication. I told the nurse on the phone yesterday that, if this is as good as it gets, then this sucks!

Does anyone else here have trouble with perfumes? Honestly, I can't think of anything that is on the trigger list that is not a trigger for me. This stuff came out of the blue last year while visitng my family in Ohio.

Kanani: I'm so happy that you tried the breathing exercises! I wish all asthmatics would perform this simple manuever everyday ... only takes a few seconds ... and see how much better their lives will be! It isn't that your meds aren't working, it's because you have air trapping & the meds can't reach down to the alveoli (oxygen exchange area). Also, if you are classified as a persistent asthmatic, do you take a corticosteroid such as Advair? An asthmatic's airways are always slightly inflammed (you can't feel it because it's so minimal); this med will decrease the inflammation & help to control your symptoms much better. Also be sure to rinse mouth well as this can cause thrush ... no big deal. Be sure to use an aerochamber on your MDI (albuterol, etc) in order to receive all your med ... w/o one you can lose up to 40% of your meds & not respond well.

When you know that you're going to be around one of your triggers (such as a relative w/perfume), take your breathing tx approx 15 min before exposing yourself to the trigger. This will help a great deal. If you become tachycardic (high heart rate) when you use your MDI more than the usual, ask your MD to switch you to Xopenex MDI, this med doesn't increase HR or if it does, it's much more minimal than Albuterol. Ck w/insurance to see if they pay for it. Also, if you find yourself having to use your MDI more than usual, call your MD as this means that your routine tx is not working for you.

Hope you feel better soon. Keep up the exercises! They will help make your life better!