How I Manage My Allergic Asthma
I was diagnosed with extreme allergic asthma when I was about 45. I, like many people were put on a asthma inhaler and told how to use it then left to discover it wasn't enough. I went to 4 different doctor's, until I found a fantastic Asthma/Allergy doctor on Phoenix. That's a 4.5 hour drive from where I live. He started a series of tests for allergies. Did a rack of 70 markers on my back. I tested positive to 64 of the markers. Some were food, some trees, grasses, shrubs, desert weeds, domestic animals and molds. He taught me how to know when it was an allergy, not a cold. He put me in the standard ProAir Inhaler, eye drops for my allergic red eyes and a nasal spray for my Rhinitis, called Dymista. I use sinus rinses during the high allergy season which work great. About 7 years ago he diagnosed me with COPD. Again, he got me started with inhaled medications for that the COPD. Now I am 74 and doing very well with both illnesses. My advice is; when you feel stuffy/have a runny nose that don't go away specifically during Fall and again Spring, go see a Asthma Specialist for Eyes, Ears, Nose and Throat. Your regular GP can give you a referral if your insurance doesn't let you just choose. Ask that doctor to do a thorough allergic panel on you. You will be glad you did.
Hi.
Thank you for sharing your positive asthma/allergy experience with us. It sounds like you were very proactive in searching for and finding a doctor who works so well for you. It's great to hear that with the right combination of treatments, you're able to manage both asthma and COPD so effectively. I, too, have allergic asthma and had a positive experience with an asthma specialist who also tested me for allergies. It’s such a relief when you find that one doctor who really makes a positive difference. So, I will second your advice about seeking out an asthma specialist and getting tested for allergies. Wishing you all the best. John. community moderator. I should get allergy tested. The last 6 years my nose has been a faucet. Haven't paid much attention if it's just spring & fall, but pretty sure my asthma is the allergic kind. I need to ask my pulmonologist. But right now, trying to figure out what to do about my recurrent stg 4 colorectal cancer tumor and my numbness going down the backside of left buttocks - might be a nerve wrapped around the tumor. Going for a colonoscopy by my GI on Thursday before we try to decide if I also have Chron's disease or Ulcerative Colitis.
Sending hugs to you and all my best wishes for the struggles you are going through. I hear how hard it is for you to juggle many different conditions at the same time! I just want to let you know that if you do have UC or Crohn's, we have a site for those conditions as well. You can find it at www.InflammatoryBowelDisease.net. We're here to support you, please keep us posted! -Melissa, team member
