How your Asthma feels like?
Hi everyone,
Iam from germany and Iwas diagnosed with asthma.
Can you tell me how your asthma feels like?
Sometimes but not always I got the feeling that I cannot breathe deep enough into my chest. It feels like there is some lung volume missing sometimes while inhalation.
Sometimes I can breathe freely. This changes in minutes.
Sometimes I get chestpain. But the heart is absolutely okay. Sometines there is dizziness abd sometines it gets better with endurance sports.
The typical asthma medication wont help. Salbutamol and similar.
Once they seen a pneumomediastinum in the CT but no other abnormalities.
Now they want to treat with Xolair (Omalizumab) because of to high IgE Values.
Is there someone with a similar course of disease where Xolair helped? And how you tolerate it?
Iam a little bit afraid of anaphylaxis!
Hi
, and welcome to our online community. You have certainly come to the right place as we are all about all things asthma and asthma related. I am hopeful others in the community will see your post and question and respond by sharing their own personal anecdotal experiences managing this disease.
I have something to contribute as well. The sensation you are feeling about having difficulty inhaling is not uncommon. That is because asthma is considered to be an 'obstructive' disease of the lungs. What that means is that the 'defect' occurs during the exhalation phase of breathing. Asthma airways can be affected by bronchospasm, inflammation and mucus - they are classical symptoms of asthma. This prevents the patient from exhaling completely thereby trapping air in the lung. This, in turn can compromise the next breath (inhalation). That may be why you are feeling the way you do.
What do you think?
Leon (site moderator asthma.net)Hi, thank you for your reply! Even my doctor could not describe it like you did! I think this syndrome is called "Air-Trapping" and can be quantified in a CT Study with maximum exhalation.
Hi again, MG89 - it is my pleasure!
Yes, you make a good point! There are aspects of obstructive lung disease (like asthma and COPD), that result in air-trapping. In many instances, the 'air trapping' is revealed on x-ray as hyperinflation of the lung, sometimes with a flattened diaphragm. The bronchospasm associated with asthma is often times reversible and this part of the disease should be discussed at length with your doctor. If you are not satisfied with your present physician (since he was unable to explain this), you may want to seek out another who is more well suited to your needs.
What do you think?
Leon (site moderator asthma.net)`
great question! I often use metaphors when trying to describe my asthma because it seems easier for people to understand. On a daily basis, I would say my chest feels really heavy. I feel like I can get the air in alright, but the exhale is difficult and exhausting. I say it feels like there are elephants on my chest doing jumping jacks! Good luck with Xolair. I understand the fear about medication side effects, but I know a lot of people have had great success with some medicines that haven't worked well/reacted well with others. Wishing you well! -Corinne, moderator Hi, I feel like I can't breathe deep enough almost all the time. however I used to cough almost all the time so it's better than uncontrollable coughing.
I have an appointment scheduled in early December. At my last visit he gave me a sample of Breo but I couldn't tolerate it. I'm absolutely exhausted all the time.
Hi Nighfala - thanks for letting us know you have an appointment scheduled for early next month. I will wish you 'good luck!' and ask that you please check back and let us know how this all turns out for you!
All the best,
Leon (site moderator asthma.net)
