How is Asthma treated in the ER? UPDATE--Back from the ER

[Aimeedyan]

From your symptoms, and the fact that the multiple nebulizer treatments aren't solving your issues, I think it's time to head to the ER. They can give steroids or another type of nebulizer that you can't do at home. I can't imagine you'll be able to turn around at this point - esp since you've dealt with it all weekend. Laboring for air that long will really wear you out. You don't want to do that all night.

 

[disfan07]

Ahhh.....astham in the ER...im very knowledgable about this unfortunately.

For me, i have never gone and not been admitted. But mine is steroid dependent asthma.
My last admission was 2 weeks ago. In the ER they gave me a neb treatment and IV solumedrol. Did a peak flow meter and they admitted me. Spent 5 days on the pulmonology floor with neb treatments every 4 hours, IV solumedrol every six hours and IV antibiotics.

Normal treatment for me is neb treatments. If they have to give me more than 2, they admit me. Plus IV solumedrol.

Just read your last post. You need to go NOW!!!! Trust me. I'm in the ER at least every 2 months with an asthma attack and the last time i let it get to where you are, i was admitted for 7 days. Don't mess with asthma

 

[lovetoscrap]

Back from the ER.

I really had no idea that I was letting it get that bad. I used my inhaler again while in the waiting room. They gave me albuterol and atrovent and i feel much better now than I have all day with all the albuterol treatments. They did chest xray--it was fine.

They actually didn't stick any needles in me. They said to just go with oral Medrol.

I am breathing much better now--able to catch my breath and stand up straight. And I am calling the allergist to get an appointment first thing tomorrow. But for now I am exhausted and off to bed. Thanks everyone.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Glad you went. The Medrol will work quick, but you still need a daily controller. Too many flare ups. Sleep well - ps Medrol keeps me awake. Declare the next few days, work-free days, and heal.

 

[lewdyan1]

Hope you continue feeling better!

 

[KeeperOfTheCastle]

I go to a Pulmonary specialist for my asthma and this is what really made the difference. I am on meds daily ( Advair and Singulair) to keep under control. When I was being treated by my GP I was getting sick all the time. He would only treat each flair up and nothing else. I only see my Asthma Doc 3 times a year-but I can call anytime I need to. Once I had to call him when I was on my Disney vacation. He prescribed meds and I was able to enjoy the rest of my vacation.

 

[MizTink]

going to the proper doctor can make all the difference in the world. this is the time to find a pulmonologist.

 

[safetymom]

I would suggest visiting http://www.nationaljewish.org/about/contact/lung-line.aspx

This hospital worked miracles with my husbands asthma!!!

 

[angeluna]

I'm glad you went and are feeling better. I've noticed that people with COPD (asthma, ect) don't really realize how bad they're getting until they just about fall on their face. I've had some tell me they always cough, or always just a little short of breath, so they don't know it's gotten worse until it's too late. So happy that you're doing better. Take a few days to rest and recover.

 

[C.Ann]

So glad you went to the ER and are feeling better now..

Get some rest..

 

[mjkacmom]

I brought dd6 in when she was 2. I had given her many treatments at home, and finally gave up and drove in a snowstorm. They gave her 2 - 3 treatments, and then prednisone. She was hysterical after all of those treatments - high as a kite! My pediatrician prescribes extra of the melt-away steroids for me to keep at home, so we can bypass the ER.

 

[jfoofj]

Hi there... I'm a respiratory therapist who worked for years in an ER (now in an ICU) and it is a really good idea for you to know what your peak flow is when you are feeling good and at what point your Dr feels you should seek medical attention. It is a helpful tool to see how bad the exacerbation is, and we do it pre and post neb Rx's to see if you are opening up at all. You can give yourself nebs at home till a certain point, but you don't know what your O2 sats are... in the ER we can monitor that, give you supplemental O2, back to back nebs (in which case you should really be on a heart monitor because a lot of Albuterol can make you VERY tachycardic), IV steroids, and other diagnostic tests such as a chest X-ray etc. We can also intubate and manage you with mechanical ventilation if need be.

Maintenance meds have really come a long way in recent years (Advair has changed my mother's life) but if you are even questioning if you can manage your asthma at home, you should probably be seen. I just attended the wake of a former co-worker (yes, a respiratory therapist) who died at home because she was trying to treat herself and she died. It can happen, I've unfortunately seen it. Be on the safe side!

 

[lovetoscrap]

I just attended the wake of a former co-worker (yes, a respiratory therapist) who died at home because she was trying to treat herself and she died. It can happen, I've unfortunately seen it. Be on the safe side!

So sorry to hear that.


I have an appointment next week with the allergy and asthma specialist. I think what I need most is allergy testing and to get on shots to control the triggers that are setting this off. But certainly I will see what she wants to do in the meantime to get this under control.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Glad you went - glad you're feeling better - and really glad you have an appt!!

 

[5 for WDW]

I am glad you are feeling better!

Asthma is no fun. I wish I could say I had no experience with it but, two of my kids and I all have asthma. I take Symbicort (inhaler) twice a day, two allergy meds at night (Singulair and Xyzal) and Xoponex as needed.

The last time I was in the ER for Asthma was last winter. They took me by Ambulance and I was given IV push steroids which were no fun at all. Two neb treatments and Prednisone and I was finally able to go home.

Thankfully, my daily meds keep my Asthma under control. Attacks are not common. I hope you can have similar success!