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Don't think i've ever done 2 blogs in 2 days but today I had my second serious asthma attack which let me tell you are extremely unnerving.
Basically the day started off pretty normal, got up a little late from screwing up my alarm after the time change and ended up skipping breakfast. I printed off my material for class and took a look at my paper proposal mark for one of the anthropology classes i'm taking atm. Right now, im attempting to major in zoology and have been working quite hard to get good marks on the midterms. I started off with computer science but have been working on getting all my prerequisites. My last prereq is biochemistry which I am currently enrolled in. With all of the work put into my biology classes, I let this paper proposal slip through the cracks and got something like a C (6.5/10) and it set me off.
I was fuming on the way to school and I believe a combination of anxiety and asthma started to constrict my chest. It was fairly hard to breathe but I knew from my last trip to the hospital how to calmly take breaths when put into a situation like that. It was bad enough though, that I had to stop like 4-5 times in a 15 minute walk to the train.
After finally getting to class after another 2-3 stops to catch my breath, I finally got to my class but was still struggling as hell to get oxygen. Eventually the constriction started going into my throat and I knew I wasn't going to take any chances, it's very scary when the constriction starts to get that tight, and I told my buddy Keith to call the ambulance. Paramedics were on the way but it was getting to the point where the deep breaths had to be done pretty rigidly instead of, for example, holding it in for 5-10 seconds and then letting the breath out. My hands and legs started to shake furiously but I knew if I focused on my breathing I wouldn't get the blackout and hyperventilation symptoms I had on my first asthma attack. The paramedics showed up soon after and began an assessment. After doing a test for my oxygen content, it was decided by the numbers to give me some extra oxygen.
All-in all the paramedics did a great job as usual and im really thankful for them yet again.
While school can be stressful, don't go overboard like I did this morning. Im still shaking a bit here at home as I write this and contemplate the true importances of my life at the moment instead of some stupid paper proposal. It's 10% of my mark and can easily be brought up with the 2 class papers.
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Hong Kong9157 Posts
You don't have a rescue inhaler? Get one!
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Dood, that stuff is scary. :/ Are you able to get an inhaler or something to help you out when that kind of thing happens? I assume you don't have one since this is only the second time it's happened. (Or maybe not since you said serious?)
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The meaning of serious is enough that I believe theres a very good chance I will blackout if paramedics do not show up. I've had many normal attacks over the years which instantly clearup after using an inhaler. In both of these cases, it's as if the inhaler gives you temporary relief rather than stopping it on the spot. Also, having an inhaler not completely clear your symptoms is an immediate tell that this is a more intense attack. Hmmm, also i've found in every intense attack i've ever had, the chest constriction is far greater, it feels like your entire upper (and even lower chest in this case) goes numb. It's like you can't feel the torso of your body. Just a head and legs 
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Wow sounds scary Chris! Glad your ok.
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Get a puffer and epi pen.
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I've actually been thinking that I might have asthma lately myself. It occured 5 days in a row that I had a hard time breathing when falling asleep and waking up in the morning(till about 11 am). I really had to breath manually, and think about every breath I took. I hope I don't have asthma though 
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On March 13 2012 03:04 Arnstein wrote:I've actually been thinking that I might have asthma lately myself. It occured 5 days in a row that I had a hard time breathing when falling asleep and waking up in the morning(till about 11 am). I really had to breath manually, and think about every breath I took. I hope I don't have asthma though
There is a lot worse things than asthma. Its very treatable.
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Calgary25986 Posts
Whoa that's nuts. Take care of yourself, for the future of Calgary Starcraft!
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On March 13 2012 03:43 Chill wrote:
Whoa that's nuts. Take care of yourself, for the future of Calgary Starcraft!
^ this. That's so scary T_T.
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I remember having one when I was a lot younger, the hard to breathe and remember freaking out. Sucks man I know the feeling, out of curiousity why don't you have an inhaler? I know I had one on me when I had asthma (I don't seem to have it anymore as I got older it kind of went away thank god).
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I had an inhaler, and it was used, problem being in this case it was only temporary relief rather than stopping it completely. Im pretty sure both cases that it has failed is because of a combination of elements. In this case I think it was part asthma and part panic attack and in the previous one I mistook an allergic reaction to cats for asthma and I freaked out because my inhaler was failing.
I'll have to look more into it.
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Epi will work wonders for anaphylaxis or status asthmaticus, talk to your doctor.
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You should do several things:
-First of all you should visit your doctor, you might need to increase your antiinflammatory therapy.
-Second, as an asthmatic patient you should ALWAYS carry an emergency inhaler and an aerochamber, wherever you are
-Asthma usually worsens in the presence of allergens, infections, or bad treatment. You should try and identify the aggravating agent that's causing trouble.
-Finally, you should know when you're getting worse and should increase your inhalatory therapy appropriately for a few days to prevent a major crisis. Pay attention to shortness of breath, cough during sleep ir exercise, and increases in required inhalations, all of these suggest your airway is constricting. You shouldn't wait so long before consulting your doctor.
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Take care, Chris! We'll have to get out for a drink when you're all wrapped up with tests.
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Just in case anyone care:
Got another asthma attack today, so I went to the doctor. Got ventolin(e). Any good/bad experiences? Is there a reason for trying to get another asthma medicine?
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Ventolin is usually quite effective, have not really had bad experiences aside from situations where it was my fault by confusing the symptoms. I've found advair to be highly effective which is basically a preventative tool to the asthma attacks in the first place. It has a long acting component that works for approximately 8 hrs if I remember. Still ensure to keep inhalors + aerochamber on yourself as mordk mentions above even if you are on something like advair. Oh, and don't listen blindly to TL members go look up advair yourself as well
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Calgary25986 Posts
Dime why didn't you come to barcraft you dummy??????
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stressed out as hell with finals + term papers + final assignments. I will be at the next one for sure as it is after finals. I have 320 BP O.o so it's not just barcrafts that I haven't been attending.
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Salbutamol/Ventolin is a very standard inhaler for asthma. It's currently what we carry on the Ambulance. I hate the aerochambers, I find if someone knows how to use the puffer, its a lot less hassle than those damn things. It is a beta-2 agonist, if you do take too much you will notice it will increase your heart rate, etc.
Also, Epi-pens (in your case), does help with asthma but you would only take it if it were an extreme attack.
@KingDime; I hope you're joking, otherwise seek medical help immediately.
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Calgary25986 Posts
320 BP = blood pressure?
wtf go to the doctor immediately
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If you have a systolic blood pressure of 320 you aren't posting on TL.
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If you have a systolic of 320 you need to go to A&E immediately.
Your symptoms do not really seem to match with an asthma attack, seems far more likely to have been a panic attack, and the feelings you experienced and the treatment given seems to match with this.
In the UK usually patients would be asked to try something like CBT which can be accessed for free online here:
http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome
Give it a go!
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On March 28 2012 08:33 KingDime wrote:
Bonus pool......
fucking gold
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EPT
