HOLY CRAP! Just had my first asthma attack

[Looney]

I've had mild asthma for the last couple of years... but it always crept up, taking a couple of minutes to build up, and i could always breath, it would just be wheezing. But just now, while sitting here, i had an 'attack' and could barely breath. i stumbled around my room trying to find the inhaler, and found it just in time. I could barely breath-in to even use the inhaler.

Even now, 2 mins later i'm still recovering... normally when i use the inhaler, i would be better almost instantly.

Scary experience, i thought i was going to blackout.

 

[kimagurealex]

Damn those late on-set asthma, that means you are having it for life unlike the juvenile type.

 

[Looney]

WHAT?!

Are you serious? I hope that isn't true. I've got Flovent, but i stopped using it since it's pretty manageable... except for this one attack. I'm hoping it's just a freak attack from final exam stress.

 

[toph99]

fun aren't they? :disgust:

good thing you're ok, but if that happens again i suggest you call 911 because they can be dangerous. if you can't inhale, you can't take your puffer which is not a good thing

 

[kimagurealex]

well, best of luck.

 

[Looney]

*flips kimagurealex the bird*

you scared the heck out of me. From what i'm reading, adult-onset asthma are mainly allergy-related or due to infections... which sounds like me. I can almost predict where i'll get them and when. Reading up on asthma, i found out i have Exercise-Induced Asthma as well. Interesting, never knew there were so many different kinds (there's aspirin induced too!).

http://cbshealthwatch.medscape.com/cx/viewarticle/402645_print

 

[Looney]

good thing you're ok, but if that happens again i suggest you call 911 because they can be dangerous. if you can't inhale, you can't take your puffer which is not a good thing

Yeah, it caught me by total surprise... i didn't think it would strike so quickly. I just remember taking a couple of breaths and then i couldn't anymore.

I remember reading stories of asthma attacks... there is this one story in my text book that describes how a girl was at a track meet, and while running, she had an asthma attack. While her mother was frantically searching through her purse for the inhaler, 3 other girls had stopped and offered theirs to her.

Interesting story to show how prevalent asthma is in our society.

 

[SilverThief]

Ive got it too buddy. Have had it for about 3 years now, and it only seems to be getting worse. Unfortunately, I work outdoors so I have mild flare-ups quite frequently especially when the weather changes.

A full blown asthma attack can definitely be scary. Most important thing to do is remain calm, panicking will only increase your heart rate, and your breathing.

 

[Looney]

Yeah, i'm going to go see my doc tomorrow. I wonder if i can get a stronger inhaler or something... two buffs on the Combivent i'm using now wasn't doing too much.

You're right, i was panicking... never had anything like that before, at first i didn't even realize what was going on. All of this happened within like 10 secs too (from time of attack to when i found my inhaler.

 

[MikeO]

I have asthma too

I had one attack about two months ago when I was visiting friend. He had some another friend there with a rabbit that I was unaware of and I'm extremely allergic to those damn cute things. It only took like minute and I could barely breath, I ran out and realized I had forgotten my inhaler (stupid stupid mistake) and started panicing.

I'm glad it wasn't any worse, I could still breath enough not to faint so I didn't have to call the ambulance, instead I called my mom to bring the inhalator *QUICK* and she did, in five minutes or so. She said she ran through red lights and stuff...

Scary sh1t

 

[Looney]

Wow, that is scary... i hope i don't get more of these sudden attacks. I've had them mild up until tonight.

 

[MikeO]

I've had asthma like five or six years, but only three attacks that I can remember. I know how to avoid them nowdays and after that recent attack my friends will be more careful too, but sometimes they forget... of course I'm not blaming them (or anyone else).

 

[Azraele]

Asthma's scary stuff. I had a friend die from an attack summer before last.

 

[cjchaps]

I have asthma and have had it since childhood. I don't remember this, but my parents tell me I used to get attacks when I was a toddler and I would start turning purple and blue. I think I have the type that gets better with age. I still start weezing every now and then from many things, such as temp changes, animals, or exercise. It's not a fun thing to have, and you have to remember your inhaler always! I got astma genetically passed down to me from my father. I'm 24 now, and it has gotten 10X better than it was 15 years ago. Good luck.

 

[vash]

Another asthmatic here. I've run the gambit of asthma:

1. Passing out on playgrounds.
2. Eating through medicine at age 5, stronger than a 24 year old male at 200 pounds.
3. Hospitalizations for a week at a time.
4. Hospitalized more than a dozen times.
5. Have my own nebulizer at home.

Its better now, I know what to expect, so its much more manageable. Here and there I need some steroids to kick in with antibiotics, but I am ok in a few days. Winters are generally the worst for me, so I'm not usually in the best of strength during the holidays.

vash

 

[tallest1]

<< I think I have the type that gets better with age. I still start weezing every now and then from many things, such as temp changes, animals, or exercise. It's not a fun thing to have, and you have to remember your inhaler always. >>

No one on this planet is deserving of an asthma attack, the fear it brings is undescribable. I remember being young and just falling on the floor struggling for dear life (it damn well felt like it) and .... man, it gives me the shivers thinking about it.

To those of you with heavy asthma, I feel your pain & I hope a definite cure is made for it VERY soon

 

[daveman]

My 8 year old son has asthma, he hasn't had any real bad attacks or anything. It scares me to death though. I watch him pretty close when he is playing sports, he can run good for very long without starting to wheeze. I wish I could take his place.