severe asthma attack help

My girlfriend gave me a list of the items she is allergic to so in the event I have to get her to the emergency room, I will be able to tell the doctor what she cannot have that they usually treat asthmatics with. I am putting together 2 emergency kits, one for each of our autos- portable nebulizers, epipens, inhalers, and any other medicines she has that she usually keeps. I learned more specifics that he really did not do all that much that I couldn't have done its just that he was at her home visiting, and that's where her medicine was. He does not know I exist yet, and for now that is for the best. That is more to the point she was trying to make to me.

dburke,

I totally agree with what Susie has to say.  No matter what your girlfriend says, if she is not responding, by all means, call 911.  Some of us asthma patients can be very stubborn and that includes me.  I hate the ER and I don't want an ambulance taking me any where.  I almost died a couple of years ago because I let an asthma attack get out of my control.  I didn't want to go in an ambulance, so I called a friend to take me to the ER.  I got a nurse who was having a bad day who told me I was not having an asthma attack because I was not even wheezing and sent me back out to the waiting room.  Fortunately, my friend had taken me into my doctor's office before when I was in full-blown attacks and she knew I was about to die.  She called my doctor who immediately made a phone call to the ER and I was taken right back.  I had no air moving in my lungs at all.  When you get to that point, you can't wheeze.  If I had not been so stubborn and called 911, they could have been treating me immediately when they picked me up.  I am hoping I have learned my lesson.

Good luck with your asthma patient!

Carla

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 Epilepsy, asthma, GERD, depression, hypothyroidism

Thank you for all the replies. She is finally back to herself again, and I am getting a real education on what to do the next time from her and all of you. I will not hesitate to call emergency assistance if I think she needs that. She is very knowledgeable, and cautious, and hopefully it will be a while before it gets that bad again.

Thank you again, and I will keep looking here for more info and updates.

Dennis

Vangelina,

Do you think you could find an allergist who would take them on.  It is a known fact that asthma patients treated by allergist do better.  Here is a good web site for you about peak flow meters and other information:  http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=22586#whatis an allergist would give you one or you can buy one for about $10.

In my opinion, and I am not a medical professional, just a person who has had a lot of asthma attacks and had to learn how to deal with them, I think your 8 year old could start out by measuring his peak flows when he's doing well, maybe in the morning and possibly at night so that your would know what his norm is.  Then when he has some wheezing, but not exactly an asthma attack, see what those numbers are, which they should be lower.  Then when you have to use the nebulizer, use the peak flow first and see what the numbers are, don't keep repeating it though, because it can use up his air.  But it can let you know when you are in real trouble.  They call it the green, yellow and red zone.  Red zone is when you call 911.  Keep a record of all of these with the dates and times, you might be able to pin point something that is triggering his attacks, doubtful, but worth a try.

You really need to talk to your doctor about this, but I strongly encourage you to try to find an allergist to treat the boys.  Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you.

Prayers,

Carla

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Moderator, Allergies/Asthma

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Epilepsy, asthma, GERD, depression, hypothyroidism, tinnitus

Are you referring to Another Day or me that was put on the ignore? If you don't respond to this then I know it was me! lol But I am trying to find out the solution for you. Hang tight.

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