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Im 19 now. Have trouble just walking, talking and eating...

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My asthma has become very severe in the last year. Im on four neb meds that I use twice a day, use vest airway clearance, take allegra, singulair, and theopolin to help me breathe. I had to start home oxygen therapy this weekend. I feel weak all the time. Used to run track, cross country, and play competative soccer until I was fourteen. Im 19 now. Have trouble just walking, talking and eating now because I lose my breath. Any reccommendations on strengthening lungs? Is there safe exercise to help this? Also I always have an infection making me full of mucus. So frustrating. Any ideas for strengthening the immune system? At this point is it beneficial to continue peak flows daily or is it pointless? Does anyone track o2 stats? Is the oxomitor accurate? Are there cheap options and is this helpful? I was recently in the ER and have had EMS called on me several times before where my asthma made me unable to talk. Do you find bracelets for medical info useful? I seem to be juggling different neb options. Which ones do you find to be the most effective? Any suggestions for asthma treatment, preventative care, exercise, tracking would be much appreciated. Ive never been so severe and really want to stay on top of it before too much damage is done.
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replied March 27th, 2012
Welcome to e health forum.

Your symptoms and history given indicate you may be having severe asthma, with excessive or abnormal mucus production.

Mucus that is abnormally thick and sticky may overwhelm the mucociliary apparatus, inhibiting normal airway clearance. The decrease in lung function, is due to blocked bronchioles, due to the excess mucus ‎production. The decrease in airflow reduces the oxygenation and this increases your fatigue, and ‎other symptoms. ‎

Peak flow meters should be used regularly to check how well the asthma is being controlled. During an asthma attack, it can help determine how well the short-term, quick-relief asthma medication you are on, is working.
The Lung function should be measured - Every morning, before taking asthma medications ; During asthma symptoms or an asthma attack ; After taking medication for an asthma attack and other times as recommended by your doctor. Everytime you see your doctor the peak flow readings, severity of your symptoms and efficasy of medications, should be informed. This helps in optimizing your treatment as needed.

Most FDA approved oximeters are useful to self check the oxygen saturation, and in case of severe attacks, with very low saturations, timely request for medical help, would be extremely helpful to save lives. In case, the saturations are low, during sleep, then sleep studies can be ordered to check for sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea.

The best way, you can be helped is with intensive physiotherapy, where you will be taught a range of breathing exercises also called Active cycle of breathing techniques ‎‎(ACBT). ACBT involve you repeating a cycle made up of a number of different steps. These ‎include a period of normal breathing, followed by deep breaths to loosen the mucus and force it ‎up; then you cough the mucus out. ‎

You might continue to work with your pulmonologist as well as a physiotherapist who can provide additional information and help to get you better.


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