Asthma, no insurance/doctor/inhaler... help?

I only started developing asthma symptoms about 1 1/2 years ago and up until a few days ago it was just irritating and uncomfortable, more or less, but it's gotten to the point where I've almost stopped breathing at around midnight the last few nights... it's scaring me and the stress is making me outright ill. I was told about a clinic in town that can give me treatment, but they're closed tonight, I'll have to wait until tomorrow morning.

Can anyone tell me if there are any products or physical methods that can be used to lessen the severity of an attack tonight? It's really got me scared, and I don't have the money to afford an emergency room trip.. just like I can't afford health insurance... the bill for that trip would totally ruin me financially and make me -wish- I had let myself die. (half-joking, and I'm not saying that I won't do it if it gets to the point where I can't breathe, but I don't want to have to do it....)

Post Edited (the_hyena) : 10/21/2007 7:54:09 PM (GMT-6)

Thanks for your response Red_34. Fortunately, I did pretty well last night, I made sure to keep well hydrated and relaxed my breathing when I felt an attack coming on, it was still uncomfortable but it didn't get serious. Unfortunately, however, I headed to the low-cost clinic today and they said that they can't help new patients and that there's an 8 week waiting list before you can see anyone, and I'm leaving the area long before then. None of the other numbers for places they gave had any answer, so it looks like I'm left to fend for myself here.

I don't think I could qualify for Medicaid, I tried Medical (I'm in California and 22 years old by the way) and the eligibility test said I couldn't qualify. I'll be away from this dirty inland area and back to the coast in about 2 weeks, which should help drastically, so I'll just have to rough it out until then. In the meantime could anyone recommend any methods of reducing asthma severity? I know it's incurable and technically needs medication, but there's not much of a choice... I'll still call 911 or drive myself to the ER if things get really bad again, but I'm looking for things that I can do to avoid that course of action entirely for the time being. Any help would be appreciated.

Here are some natural remedies I use when my bronchitis acts up I usually choose one or two of these items and take them twice a day. Not as good as my inhaler but does seem to help me breath better. Most drug stores also carry otc inhalers.


A strong cup of coffee can help, cranberry juice, Eucalyptus tea, a teaspoon of garlic powder, or a teaspoon of ginger.

Hope this will help atleast a little but if you're having that many prob you need to see a doc asap.


Staceymommy