Hello. I am 40 year old female with asthma, do not snore, about 10 pounds overweight. I frequently wake up with no breath and sometimes get scared its not coming back.(guess everyone here knows the feeling just nice to share it with people that understand.) I've told a couple of doctors about my symptoms one said stress the other said it was my asthma. He prescribed a rescue inhaler and Advair together to reduce inflammation in my lungs. I took this for a short time and sometimes it semed to make my chest ache more and after the bad media about saravent(sp?) I stopped using the Advair. I have had this for about 8 years now, and it really seems to be taking a toll on my memory and energy. I suppose the common sense thing to do would be to get another doctor's opinion. But how do you find the right one? Any comments thought apprecited.
thanks!

Lisa

Lisa wrote:

Hello. I am 40 year old female with asthma, do not snore, about 10 pounds overweight. I frequently wake up with no breath and sometimes get scared its not coming back.(guess everyone here knows the feeling just nice to share it with people that understand.) I've told a couple of doctors about my symptoms one said stress the other said it was my asthma. He prescribed a rescue inhaler and Advair together to reduce inflammation in my lungs. I took this for a short time and sometimes it semed to make my chest ache more and after the bad media about saravent(sp?) I stopped using the Advair. I have had this for about 8 years now, and it really seems to be taking a toll on my memory and energy. I suppose the common sense thing to do would be to get another doctor's opinion. But how do you find the right one? Any comments thought apprecited.
thanks!

Lisa

Lisa,

First stop, your pulminologist.  If you don't have one, get a referral.  Has your doc done a PFT? (pulmanary function test)  You need to eliminate your asthma issues, and at the same time you probably should get a sleep study done...

Mike,
Thanks for the advice! You know, I've had asthma for 24+ years, you would have thought at least one of my doctors would have suggested the PFT. Also, I have talked to some family members and it seems as though sleep apnea runs on both sides. Two of my father's brother's have had surgery for it and my mom's sister was diagnosed with it. Go figure. Couldnt run away from that if I wanted too!
Thanks again!

Lisa

Anonymous wrote:

Mike,
Thanks for the advice! You know, I've had asthma for 24+ years, you would have thought at least one of my doctors would have suggested the PFT. Also, I have talked to some family members and it seems as though sleep apnea runs on both sides. Two of my father's brother's have had surgery for it and my mom's sister was diagnosed with it. Go figure. Couldnt run away from that if I wanted too!   
Thanks again!
 
Lisa

 
Unfortunately asthma is one of those that the doc hears you wheeze, voila you have asthma, here is your rescue inhaler and or your advair.  Unfortunately, that does nothing to determine the severity of your asthma.  A PFT will determine the severity.  
 
Additionally, there are connections between GERD, asthma, and sleep apnea.  (my asthma was actually severe due to acid reflux, with the acid reflux treated, I am now in the moderate category)  So, that is potentially another avenue to explore.  
 
BTW,  How successful has the surgery been?  Have they had sleep studies after the surgeries to measure the success?