Is this common for asthmatics? What else can I do?!
Question: I woke up this morning and realized that I was breathing pretty shallow breaths. Took all of my medicine this morning (Albuterol, Symbicort and Spiriva) AND had a cup of coffee. While it worked for a few hours, the shallow breaths came back and my chest was tight. Had another cup of coffee and took Albuterol. Didn't really help. Chest still hurts and noticed that my heart was beating quicker than usual. Now I'm just worn out, feel weak, there are dark circles under my eyes. I'm wheezing when I inhale and am coughing a rattle cough. In between coughs I have to gasp for air and I'm wheezing when I do that.
Is this a normal occurrence even after the medicine? What else can I do? The cough and wheezing has died down a little bit but my chest feels sore now and I feel kind of weak...
Answers: I woke up this morning and realized that I was breathing pretty shallow breaths. Took all of my medicine this morning (Albuterol, Symbicort and Spiriva) AND had a cup of coffee. While it worked for a few hours, the shallow breaths came back and my chest was tight. Had another cup of coffee and took Albuterol. Didn't really help. Chest still hurts and noticed that my heart was beating quicker than usual. Now I'm just worn out, feel weak, there are dark circles under my eyes. I'm wheezing when I inhale and am coughing a rattle cough. In between coughs I have to gasp for air and I'm wheezing when I do that.
Is this a normal occurrence even after the medicine? What else can I do? The cough and wheezing has died down a little bit but my chest feels sore now and I feel kind of weak...
Yes, it can be common-it just means that your attack's a bit more stubborn this time. Sometimes if the medication sits stagnant for a couple of days, the more active medication migrates back to the canister. Shake the canister very well and squeeze a couple of puffs into the air when you don't use your inhaler for a while. You can insure that the medication that you ingest is the strongest and most effective medication that you have available.
If you're sure that your inhaler has medication in it, use 3 puffs 5 minutes apart for 15 minutes. If this doesn't work or you're unsure of the medication in the actuator, call your doctor for a refill. Take slow, deep breaths inhaling fully with a 2 second inspiratory hold. Make sure that you stay calm as well...the more upset you are, the worse your symptoms will be.
I don't understand why someone who takes Spiriva on a daily basis doesn't have a home nebulizer. I definitely suggest that you look into getting one for times just like these; speak to your doctor about it as soon as you can.
I'm not sure why you emphasize twice in your question that you had coffee...
Your shallow breathing is a result of your asthma, because you probably were experiencing air trapping, which is a cause of shallow breathing (there isn't enough space in your lungs due to there already being air trapped in there).
Are you short of breath? Do you have a fever? It could be something other than Asthma, as symptoms of respiratory ailment can be a result of many other diseases i.e pneumonia, bronchitis
That fact that you are worn out and feel weak suggest there may be something else wrong with you. A rattle cough suggests maybe bronchitis, as an asthma cough tends to be dry.
I would suggest you go to a doctor as soon as you can, because sometimes an asthma attack can quickly turn into Status Asthmaticus, which is the worst asthma attack that can happen. basically with that, even after inhalers, it will persist and get worst until you cannot breath at all. you then might need stronger medication such as continuous nebulizer therapy and IV steroids such as Solumedrol.
I would suggest staying on top of your inhalers, stop with the coffee (coffee stimulates your intestines and doesn't help with your lung issues, and its nutritionally empty), and visit your doctor.
One more thing: if you are experiencing shortness of breath, and you're inhalers aren't working, go to the emergency room, do not wait.