Hello, I would like to
take a few minutes of your time to discuss Asthma. It has been a
major part of my life the last 22 years. I first noticed that I
was having trouble breathing at about the age of 20. I was on
vacation with my husband and 2 year old daughter. We were in Branson, Missouri,
at Silver Dollar City, and I noticed that I could hardly breath, or
keep up with my husband while walking the hills of Branson. I had never had
problems like this before. Several years went by and the problem
got increasingly worse. I also started to suffer from bronchitis
quite frequently. As much as 3 times in a 2 month period. It was
at this time that my doctor decided to send me for further
testing. I went to the hospital and went through the breathing
tests. After they were finished with me, my husband had to
practically carry me out of the hospital! Then came the
results,Asthma! I didn't have it as a child so this was a shock
to me. Then testing at an allergist reveled that I was allergic
to almost everything, trees, grasses, arachnids, molds, cat and
dog dander. I was told that I could take allergy shots for 5 or
more years, but that they probably would not help me because my
asthma and alllergies were probably environmentally caused. It was also suggested that I remove all carpeting, draperies, and anything else
that can trap dust. The allergist also told me to get rid of my cats and dogs.
I am an animal lover, so to me that was out of the question! Don't get me wrong, I like fish and aquariums, but you can't pet a fish, and it won't cuddle up on your lap and purr. So I kept the animals and like a fool suffer...lol!
Over the years I have
been on just about every type of medicine available.Theopoline, Theador,
Proventil pills, Vancerill, steriods, you name it and I probably have used
it at one time or another! I do pretty good most of the time, but
I do get occasional flare ups. About 4 years ago I had pneumonia,
I thought that I was going to die! I was stupid and refused to go
into the hospital, so I had to go to see my doctor everyday for
over a week. I was out of work for almost 2 weeks, and it was
another several weeks before I felt like I would get back to some
type of normal stamina. Since then I do what my doctor tells me to do. I
take a yearly flu shot, and I take a pneumonia shot when it is
time to. I had to get a nebulizer machine for at home to help me
breath when I have trouble. I was joking with my doctor several
years ago, when she asked me how I do it ( breath) and I told
her that it is sometimes very hard to and I sometimes feel as though I have the lungs of a 67
year old woman. She looked at me and with all sincerity in her
voice she said," Joann you do have the lungs of a 67 year
old."
With my Asthma I get by okay most of the time, I use my proventil inhaler ( rescue inhailer ),
and I use my Azmacort inhailer. I have a very good doctor, she
takes care of me, even when I don't take care of myself! I honestly feel terrible for
children that have this disease. As an adult I can cope with it,
but it must be hard on children. My oldest grandson shows signs of possible asthma. I hope that someday they will
find a cure, or at least a treatment that will help everyone
suffering from this terrible lung disease. Until then all we can
do is stay aware of the latest treatments available. I have
listed below some links with all types of information on Asthma.
There are many others out there. But the best line of defense is
you and your doctor!
Asthma: American Lung
Association
Alergy and Asthma Network Mothers of
Asthmatics, Inc.
American Academy of Allergy Asthma &
Immunology (AAAAI)
Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Online
Allergy and Asthma Magazine:
Spring & Summer 1999
Patricia Wrean's Asthma and Allergy WWW
Resources Page
I Am A Proud Member Of:
Phenomenal Women Of The Web
You are the 
person to visit this page.