Asthma - do you have it?

My FH just was diagnosed with asthma. He never had asthma his entire life. He is extremely active. My question is, do any of you have asthma or spouses/significant others and how does it affect your life, if at all?

Re: Asthma - do you have it?

I was always tested, but only diagnosed last year for it. I have horrible allergies and up until last year I never had a wheeze, now it is there. I have an inhaler, but rarely use it.

Re: Asthma - do you have it?

I was diagnosed with it in my early 20's. Mine is not crazy severe, but I do sometimes have difficulties when running and extreme cold and hot set it off. I just keep my inhaler handy at all times. All in all I have learned how to manage it pretty well. How severe is your FH's?

Re: Asthma - do you have it?

I'm not sure how severe. They put him on an inhaler and singulair (though they said he has no allergies?!). He has to go back in 2 weeks. They really didn't say too much. I'm hoping when we go back in 2 weeks, they say more and I'll be better prepared with questions.

Re: Asthma - do you have it?

Message edited 3/1/2006 5:05:42 PM.

Re: Asthma - do you have it?

I've had astham since I was a kid. i thought I "outgrew" it, but now it's back, my doctors say it's stress bringing it back. I get attacks mostly in the cold and when I'm stressed, but with my inahaler or a nebulizer treatment I'm usually fine.

Re: Asthma - do you have it?

Re: Asthma - do you have it?

I have fairly severe asthma. In '03 I was hospitalized for a week because the docs were not able to alleviate my wheezing. That was my second hospitalization that year and the third time I'd been admittted.

Thankfully, I was finally put on Advair after that. It's a miracle drug to me- I have a normal life and have had maybe 3 or 4 bad attacks in almost 3 years (that required me to use my nebulizer, but not visit an ER). There was a time when I was in the ER every two or three months. My asthma was not bad till my early 20s.

If your DH is not on Advair, my assumption would be that it's not that serious. Bad cases of asthma usually require one to be on some type of inhaled steroid, like what is in Advair. I also take Singulair but notice no difference in asthma symptoms, but it really helps my seasonal allergies.

ETA: Advair is not dangerous. Inhaled steroids are less harmful than oral ones. In fact, I have virtually no side effects. Because it's inhaled very little gets into the bloodstream. There are many asthmatics who would not be able to function without them, me included.

Message edited 3/1/2006 5:34:35 PM.

Re: Asthma - do you have it?

My doctors really warned me against advair...after giving ti to me in the first place..go fig!

I know if you need it, you need it. it's a blesing for some people, but if the asthma is relatively mild, it's better to stay away from the steroids if you can.

Re: Asthma - do you have it?

I've had it since I was a child, but have not had an attack in the last ten years. I am 40 now and occasionally suffer from some shortness of breath, but no actual attacks.
I was extremely active until the last year or so, when I have gotten completely lazy and fat!

Re: Asthma - do you have it?

A lot of the time the most active people have asthma. I think I only had one attack during physical activity...and it was probably just b/c it was a cold day on the soccer field!

Re: Asthma - do you have it?

sort of.
I don't have it all the time but the minute I get sick- like a bad cold or something, I have to use the inhaler to help me breathe better.

Re: Asthma - do you have it?

Re: Asthma - do you have it?

i have asthma. i exercise. i use my pump before the gym

Re: Asthma - do you have it?

I have asthma and unless something else is bothering me or it's really humid out, it does not really affect me at all.