stopped smoking and now asthma?

Hi All,

Hello mich52 how long were you a smoker for? did you have any asthma like syptoms while you were a smoker? it could be that your lungs are working overtime since you stopped. Need a good Asthma controller to bring down the inflammation in your lungs. I would ask a doctor for a nebulizer machine for you controller medication and Albuterol they are much more effective that inhalers. I have asthma also. Best wishes.

Hi Mich52

Hi,

I was a smoker for 15 years and never had this problem. I am taking the asmanax and singular and xopenex,(allbuteral gave me bad side effect). I am taking the xanax thinking it was from anxiety but still have the symptoms and the PFT showed the problems at exhaling mostly.

Thanks Young Lady

Dear mich52: Without actually listening to you breathe & doing a peak flow test, I think you are experiencing air trapping which is common among both asthmatics & people w/emphysema. This will cause chest tightness & also it will leave you feeling as if you can't catch a breath. It is hard to get a breath because you have "dead air space" in your lungs & you need to get this out in order to get the needed oxygen in. The following are the steps to pursed lip breathing. Performing this on a regular basis will keep you from becoming short of breath.

Step 1: Relax your neck & shoulder muscles. Inhale slowly through your nose for 2 counts.
Step 2: Pucker your lips as if you were going to blow out a candle. Exhale slowly & gently through your lips for 4 or more counts.

Remember: Always exhale for longer than you inhale. This allows your lungs to empty as much as possible. Exhale during the difficult part of any activity, such as whenyo bend, lift, or reach. NEVER HOLD YOUR BREATH.

Regarding your meds: Make certain you rinse your mouth thoroughly when you take any corticosteroids.

Bronchospasms will cause chest pains also ... at times they can be so severe it feels as if it's a heart attack. There are meds available to control them ... ask your MD.

I commend you for quitting smoking. Your panic attacks could stem from not being able to catch a good breath ... everyone panics when it feels as if we can't breathe. You are on your way to better health & I wish you the best. Let me know if you have any other questions. I'm a respiratory therapist & do volunteer work for asthma pts, so I know how frustrating it is when you don't have all the answers. That's why I believe that when you have a medical condition, you need to learn everything you can about it ... knowledge is power.

The above is intended for educational purposes only & not as medical advice.

Dear PegLeg,

I'm sorry, but there's no way to answer this question, but you are definitely on the right road. Try to do the deep breathing on a regular basis and I feel sure that you will see an improvement. Good luck!

Pegleg,

Thank you so much for your help, I really appreciate it.

PegLeg,

Iwent to the Pulmonary Dr today . He did a blood gas and can't figure out why its shows that I was hyperventilating when I was'nt. He said he would have to talk it over with his assoc.and get back to me. The reading was 26. Any ideas?

Dear Mich52: Sorry it's taken so long in answering, but my son was sick & then I caught it. My face still feels like it's on fire, but I wanted to get back to you re/ABG reading. Did he say the 26 was your Bicarb? If it is, then the normal range is 22 - 26. That's still in the normal range, but could be possibility of slight hyperventilating. Also it depends on what you were doing right before the test (did you walk into the lab at a fast rate ... maybe hurrying to get to lab)? What was your pH level? That will tell a lot more and also what was your carbon dioxide reading? Have you heard back from MD yet? Will try to get back to you as soon as I can. Good luck!

Hi Mich52, I am new here but understand your frustrations. I have diaphram

Hi Mich-
Stay away from Advair (it is dangerous, you can check this out on the net) Asmanex is better. Anyway, I was a former smoker and quit about 4 years ago and developed asthma about 1 year ago. Let me tell you, it has been a nightmare. It is wonderful that you stopped smoking now. Now your lungs will heal. You may wan't an anti-anxiety medication that DOES NOT interfear with the respitory system. I panic when I can't breathe, everyone does. Sometimes, real hot coffee will open up my bronchioles but I always use my inhailer. Again, I had a bad reaction on Advair, it has been known to make broncial spasms much more severe!!!! Stay away from it.
Sorry your suffering so much, never hesitate to call 911, or go to the ER, they are here to serve you. etc. Take care -

Mich52 your dr should order a CT SCAN w/contrast and this will tell if you have emphysema. If you have it, you will have scarring on your lungs. They can also tell if you have had alot of bronchitis over the years. The blood gas test is to check your oxygen level in your blood and many other things. They are not a very pleasat test to say the least. I had to have it done again the end of Jan and it took several sticks on one wrist. When she went to the other wrist no problems and probably the least painful one I have ever had done. I have ben on Advair for several years now and never had a problem. Everyone is different on how they react to meds. Susie

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My mom has fibromyalgia.maybe i could chat with you sometime and tell you about her.Keep me posted.Take care honey.


Age:13