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)

Hi and welcome to Healingwell :) Are you in the states? Are you working? Can you try to get on the states health insurance plan (Medicaid)? If you don't and you qualify, definately persue this if you can. Unfortunately asthma is a dangerous condition and requires some sort of medication. Can you go into the clinic and ask them for options?

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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.

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Moderator, Allergies/Asthma

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

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dx Aug 2001 SLE and Hughes(APS), 2003 Chrondromalaysia patella, Hashimoto, PCOS and IBS, 1995 Gerd and Osteo Arthritis, 2004 Migraines, Chronic Bronchitis, Sinus Tachycardia, 2006 Fibromyalgia

Surgeries:98 Appendix, 99 Gallbladder, 01 Ectopic Preg., 02 c-section, 04 Hematoma Drain, 05 L Knee, 06 R Knee

Married 9 1/2 years
Mom to 1 miracle boy born 11/10/02 (took 12 pregnancies)
Meds
Darvocet
Toradol
Prevacid
Toprol
Vistaril
Prednisone(during flares)
Albuterol Nebulizer

Supplements
One a day
Ho shou wu(helps with the infamation and break through pain)
peppermint and green teas
Primrose oil
chaste berry

Primatine Mist can help sometimes. It is epinephrine in an inhaler & is sold over-the-counter in most pharmacies & drug stores.

Breathing the aroma of coffee can help too, if you're not allergic to it.

Benadryl (antihistamine) helps my husband when he gets an Asthma attack; be careful, it can make you sleepy. Claritin (Loratadine) is available over-the-counter also - and is a 24-hour non-drowsy antihistamine.

Ask a pharmacist if there are any other over-the-counter Asthma medications you can try.

Some stores like Walmart have walk-in clinics that don't cost as much. Call a pharmacy and ask if they know of any walk-in clinics.

I hope these suggestions help - good luck,

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-Razzle