Weird asthma presentation
Hi everyone,
I have multiple conditions so it can be quite hard to recognise what's going on. I spent all day in a bad way. Struggling to keep my eyes open or even sit up. Unable to eat or drink. I thought another condition was flaring up but then in the afternoon I realised my breathing was funny. Short heavy exhales. So I took my rescue puffer and my lungs feel more at ease and now I'm hungry. This is not what you think of when you think asthma attack. I felt like crying too. That often happens during asthma for me too. But it takes me hours to realise what's going on because my brain is impaired. The second I start doing anything, even sitting up I struggle again. Dam this fatigue.
Hi. That sounds like it was really hard to deal with. Asthma is tough on its own, and having multiple conditions can be difficult to manage. Not all asthma attacks are the same, and it's usually a good idea to use your puffer at the first sign of trouble breathing, even if you're not sure why it's happening. I hope this week is better for you! If you want to tell us some of your other conditions, we may have websites for them as well. Or you can look at the full list at the very bottom of this page. All the best! -Melissa, team member
thank you. Doctors don't teach you anything useful with asthma so I had no idea how many ways attacks can look different. Especially when doctors even say it's not asthma because even they expect them to always look the same. It made my heart do crazy things. It was scary. Spring gets windy which isn't ideal so I started having my preventer morning and night. That's fixed it.
I have hEDS, POTS but also being tested for a Congenital condition either myasthenia syndromes or something mitochondrial. Plus pelvic congestion.I'm glad the preventer is doing it's job. That's a relief. We do have a site for myasthenia gravis if it turns out you have that. You can find them at www.Myasthenia-Gravis.com. It seems like a lots of people experience POTS and EDS together. You're not alone in any of this -- reach out anytime. -Melissa, team member
Thanks. Myasthenia gravis is autoimmune and not the same as congenital myasthenia syndromes. That's obviously a congenital type and they require different treatments. But it's good to see so much support these days for things not recognised when I grew up. I grew up to my mother saying things like she wishes she had cancer because people understand that. She can't do what people expect of her. Her neck couldn't hold her head up. She struggled to sit up. My 10 year old nephew can't at his young age. Whichever congenital disorder this is, 5 if us in the family have it. Pelvic congestion has just been confirmed. Had that my whole life but finally get the diagnosis at 46 but they also found a large uterine fibroid which I do feel and it is bothering me. So much stuff. It's never just one thing with chronic illness.
I hear you. Hopefully you can get the fibroid out and it's uncomplicated. And thanks for the education about myasthenia syndrome -- I am good at asthma, but there are many conditions in our Health Union family that I know nothing about. Always learning around here! Have a peaceful week. -Melissa, team member
If I’m trying to sleep and I feel an odd restlessness, like I can’t get comfortable, the covers aren’t right, I toss and turn…it’s asthma. Even after 10 years of this, asthma is the last thing that comes to mind. As soon as I figure it out and take my rescue inhaler, I’m asleep with 5 minutes.
right. Why is that? Why don't we think of it immediately? Thank you for sharing. When I take the quiz to check how well it's managed I say it doesn't impact my sleep I didn't associate what you described with asthma. I didn't know it can cause that. Thank you.
