What sets off your asthma?

[staci]

I have never had major breathing difficulties before, but have had extremly bad asthma-like symptoms for the last month (likely I had it mildly before and was is worse now because of the pregnancy). What set off the initial attack was the dry ice at a disney on ice show.

Since I am new to all this, I really dont know what will set me off. I am pretty bad right now, Albuterol 3x a day and finishing up some Flovent 2X a day. I cant vaccum, walk outside, etc. without having difficulty. It is the doctors opinion that it should begin to show some improvement (and has shown a little already).

So my question to you is, once I start feeling good enough to go out again, what should I avoid? I know everyone is different but I would really appreciate hearing your experiences.

 

[Purrrrfecta]

dust mites, mold, and the cold when pregnant

 

[Mandabella]

Everybody's asthma is different. It really is a learning experience to find out what your triggers are and what medications you need to be healthy. I remember when I was child I got this really cool workbook for asthmatic children from my allergist. It was a great tool to help me understand and to help me explain what was going on to others.

A lot of things will set mine off (especially my allergies): dust, dust mites, cute and adorale furry pets that I want but can't have but I still play with once in awhile, fish/seafood, extreme emotion, extreme cold or heat/humidity, pollen, ragweed, mold, real christmas trees, sometimes ice cream, exercise, etc.

When I am outside in the winter for prolonged periods of time, it helps to keep my mouth and nose covered with a scarf. When exercising, I tend to take a hit of albuterol before I start if I am not feeling 100% before I start. Otherwise, I keep it on hand if I start to feel tight in my chest. For everything else, I take my meds and do my best to avoid what I can.

 

[kilee]

Mine is triggered by high exposure my allergies---- which are cat dander, pollen, oak, and dust. I also seem to have more sensitivity when I have a cold.

 

[LoveWDW]

I agree, everyone is different.

Mine is mold, dust, freshly mown grass, pollen. Also I have exertion-induced asthma. If I breathe too heavily when exercising I can have a spell.

 

[j's m]

All of the above plus any kind of perfume/cologne.
Also stress (like my Mother in law)
While I was pregnant, my asthma got way better, I was able to stop my meds and stayed off them for a year. Then the asthma came back.

 

[Tiggeroo]

dust, mold, certain cleaners and chemical smells.
Something must be really bad right now. I was at my sisters in Pa for a couple days over the holidays and i've been paying for it ever since. I haven't been on asthma meds for over a year. I've been on everything as well as a couple breathing treatments. If you're not getting better you may need a course of steroids. It is sometimes the only thing that works for me and you feel better very quickly.

 

[micknpluto]

For me...

Cat dander #1 for me (I use to have a cat until I started having asthma and all of a sudden became deathly allergic to them at the age of 21, very weird)

When the weather has an extreme change from cold to hot or visa versa

Dust

Sometimes exercise will bring it on.

 

[kellib36]

People with asthma should use their albuterol 30 minutes before excerising.

Two that get me a lot are aerosols and any very strong scent...perfumes, candles, etc.

 

[staci]

Thanks everyone. I really do appreciate all these replies. I know that everyone is different but at this point I am totally willing to stay away from anything that sets off any of you for the next six months if it will make me feel better!

To the person who brought up steroids, I tried prednizone and had a really bad reaction. So the doctor said the flovent inhaler was essentially the same but it would take much longer to work since it was inhaled and not digested???

To the person who said theirs got better during pregnancy, I hear that is pretty common. From what I read, 1/3 of people stay about the same, 1/3 get better, and 1/3 get worse. Apparently I am in the final category, but I guess I would rather deal with 9 months of this than a whole lifetime!

Thanks again to everyone and if anyone else has something to add, please do!

 

[Aimeedyan]

I have never heard someone say Prednisone is similar to Flovent. And I've been on Flovent. I think you need something to kick start you back into shape. I just finished another round of Prednisone just for that reason - nothing else does that for me. If you're not breathing that well, I would head back to the doc.

Do you have a peak flow meter to monitor your lung capacity and breathing? Do you chart? I do this so I can get the results back to my asthma specialist but to also know for myself how i'm doing. This tells me if I need to use my albuterol a few more times, call in prednisone, etc.

As far as your question, sometimes I can pinpoint why I am not breathing and sometimes I can't. My environment is my major trigger - we recently moved to a new city and I'm not adjusted yet. I actually have been breathing very poorly (thus the Prednisone). Some animals, dust, things outside, smog, etc all are triggers for me. Exercise is, as well, and sometimes steam - like a steam shower.

I'd go see an asthma/lung specialist if you're not already and get in control. Good luck!

 

[foxfire]

My DH has asthma. He had it badly as a child but then it "went away" and he thought he'd outgrown it; however, it reappeared in adulthood about 23 years ago. Some of his worst triggers are cigarette/cigar/pipe smoke, car exhaust, perfume/cologne, printing inks in some newspapers, very dusty conditions, freshly cut grass, molds, scented soaps, candles, and there are others. He's very sensitive to many things so he has to always be aware of his surroundings to try to avoid the worst triggers.

 

[Reflection]

Cat dander, litter box smells, mold, and the scent from certain cleaning products are triggers for me.

 

[Aidensmom]

My allergies, the cold, and exercise set mine off. Luckily I live in FL so the cold is something that doesn't occur much, but it did this weekend!

When I was pregnant, my allergies were more intense, so perhaps that is what is making your asthma seem so bad right now.

 

[Jakesmom504]

All of the above plus any kind of perfume/cologne.
Also stress (like my Mother in law)
While I was pregnant, my asthma got way better, I was able to stop my meds and stayed off them for a year. Then the asthma came back.

It's funny, my docter told me when I was pregnant to expect my asthma to get worse however, mine too went away, and then came back right after my son was born. I had to stay on my pills throughout my pregnancy but never had any attacks.
Stress also gets me, ESPECIALLY my MIL!!!
Also excercise, and all of the usual allergens, although we have a dog and he doesn't bother me at all!

 

[kilee]

My dog doesn't bother me either. However, I've been allergy tested several times and I don't test as being allergic to dogs- but I do test as being allergic to cats.

Now I can spend time at my sisters and not have an attack. She currently has 1 cat- but is in fact getting another. However, her cat lives 97% of the time in her bedroom. I don't know if this makes a difference. Usually I'll get some small sinus issues and some mild chest heaviness- but no actual attacks. On Christmas Eve I went to my mom's cousins. She is a foster mom to cats and had 7 there that night. After 2 hours-- I sounded like I had a severe cold and I was having full attacks. We had to leave. Sad to say I think I'm not going to be able to go to that family function anymore.

 

[staci]

It's funny, my docter told me when I was pregnant to expect my asthma to get worse however, mine too went away, and then came back right after my son was born. I had to stay on my pills throughout my pregnancy but never had any attacks.
Stress also gets me, ESPECIALLY my MIL!!!
Also excercise, and all of the usual allergens, although we have a dog and he doesn't bother me at all!

What kind of pills do you take? Do they really help alot? I will be going back to the doc next week and want to talk about long-term options at that point (when they subscribed this medicine I think they thought it was a one-time thing due to the dry ice, that would go away. Now Im not thinking its leaving for awhile).