Question:
It all started 4 years ago. In about April of 2001, I began having
difficulty breathing one morning. It was really bad, and lasted for
about 2 months. Many trips to doctors, pulmonary experts, and
emergency rooms couldn't diagnose my condition. It has never been
that bad since, but has come back in varying intensities every March
or April or so. The only symptoms are trouble breathing (can't catch
a breath), and tightness in the chest. I don't cough, and I don't
wheeze (as far as I can tell). If this is in fact allergy induced
asthma, what treatments are available, as I have been without
treatment for 4 years
Answer:
I have allergies and asthma. I can have an ongoing allergy attack that
makes my asthma worse or more sensistive, but doesn't actually set off
an asthma attack (breathing out of control). I can feel my lung
capacity go down, and I'm more "aware" of my breathing. Sometimes,
I'll have a cough or a sore throat to go with it. Also, when I have
this problem, I cannot lay down flat. I will feel pressure in my lungs
and have to cough. So I will sleep propped up.
I can go days or weeks like this and not have an actual asthma
breathing attack. I do know that I can easily set one off by adding a
trigger, so I am very careful during those times.
It is quite possible that you are have asthma problems without a full
breathing attack. In fact, I went over 2 years without using my
inhaler, and went to the doctor for a bad cold. She was more concerned
about my asthma than my cold. I was surprised about that, but two days
later, the cold was completely gone, and the rest of my symptoms all
felt like typical asthma. I just hadn't recognized them because of the
cold.
Also, my asthma does get worse in spring when all the allergens go
crazy.
