Alright guys.

I was born as asthmatic, and when I was 6 years old I underwent shots in order to reduce the severity of attacks. For some reason it eleminated them all together, much to my happiness. (No gay jokes ya'll) I've been free from the symptoms of asthma for well over 12 years. However, within the past month, it seems to have returned. I cough constantly, cannot run very far or do very athletic activities. My little sister can outrun me. Yes, it hurts. I have some inhalers I was given last year that I started using today. It is *supposed* to work for four hours (with two puffs every 4 hours) but the effects only last for 2. The stuff is called ALBUTEROL. What is it?

Anybody know of anything that might help? This is really gonna kill me because I am going fishing tommorow and it involves a LOT of hiking to get to the spot.

Ben

Do you smoke?

Albuterol is standard stuff for asthma.

When you say it was given to you, do you mean prescribed or given by someone else? You do not want to be using this stuff without a prescription.

If your asthma symptoms have returned you need to find out why.

Go see a doc.

Nope. I hate smoking. Never smoked in my life. I did get some second-hand smoke a year or so ago, but it was always momentary.

The Albuterol was prescribed to me a year ago. I went to the doctor a week ago, and he just gave me something to clear up my chest. I've cleared out the bottle and the problems remain.

Oh hey, where's Dr. SGTAR15? IS DOCTAH A-15 IN DA HOUSE?

Ben

Albuterol is pretty good stuff.

As far as anything else that would help....If your asthma is being triggered by allergies, talk with your doctor about something like claritin.


-FOTBR
(the asthmatic who's allergic to pretty much EVERYTHING that's alive unless its human)

Quoted: Albuterol is pretty good stuff. As far as anything else that would help....If your asthma is being triggered by allergies, talk with your doctor about something like claritin. -FOTBR (the asthmatic who's allergic to pretty much EVERYTHING that's alive unless its human)

Claritin is OTC now. Might be worth getting some to see if the asthma is being caused by allergies.

Quoted: Quoted: Albuterol is pretty good stuff. As far as anything else that would help....If your asthma is being triggered by allergies, talk with your doctor about something like claritin. -FOTBR (the asthmatic who's allergic to pretty much EVERYTHING that's alive unless its human) Claritin is OTC now. Might be worth getting some to see if the asthma is being caused by allergies.

Cool....didn't know they'd changed it (haven't needed it since leaving home and the three cats and a dog )

Albuterol is a beta-agonist inhalant.  It binds to the beta-2 receptors on bronchial smooth muscle cals in the lungs.  Stimulating these receptors results in bronchodilation, allowing easier passage of aire in and out of the lungs..  If your asthma is becoming worse, I'd suggest you see an allergy and asthma specialist.  You made benefit from allergy testing, which can help you learn what triggers your asthma attacks....and maybe avoid exposure to those antigens.  More severe cases of asthma may also be treated on a long term basis with an inhaled steroid.  Good luck.

Doctor sent me over something called 'prednisone'. I take FIVE pills today, four tommorow, 3 the next day, etc. They're small pills so no biggy, just gotta takem' with lots of food etc.

Ben

the prednisone is a steroid, so along with helping with your asthma, it may permit you to hit 71 home runs this year, or grow man boobs, I forgot which. Ha ha! That was just a little medical humor, which explains why there are so few Docs on the comedy circuit.

Prednisone is an oral steroid. Fairly long term effect; however none of the steroids are for acute bronchial spasm. Albuterol is a bronchial dilator, however its effect are relatively short in duration. Depending on your condition your doctor may recommend an inhaled steroid like Flovent.

FWIW:

a. You should determine what allergen affects you the most. My worst is cat dander. I despise cats!
Has anything changed in your household? New carpet? pets? plants? moved to new area?
b. If you are placed under a steroid treatment, do not stop taking the medications just because you feel better.
c. Do not smoke.
d. When you start having difficulties breathing, DO NOT PANIC. Try to calm down and breathe normally (I know easier said than done) but it works.
e. Avoid overexerting yourself in cold weather without properly warming up. Breathing in cold air could be a trigger.
f. Burnt gunpowder is good for your asthma, just kidding. It provides you with a time to relax. I would wager that you never had an "attack" while you were at the range.

I have endured asthma for over 40 years. Don't let it get you down. In addition to shooting skeet, rifles, handguns I scuba dive, spearfish (free dive), kayak, race bicycles and usually I can out hike most of my younger partners, in my younger days I was a martial arts practitioner. For intense activity sports I knew that I could never outlast my opponents, therfore it was all or nothing for a short period, you learn to play your strengths,  can your little sister out run you at 100 yards?

Regards

ACK

Quoted: The stuff is called ALBUTEROL. What is it?

One of the finest substances ever created.
I've had Asthma my entire life and Albuterol
has kept me in "remission" since I was a little
kid.

Two puffs when needed and the symptoms
are gone very quickly.