Asthma ProdromeAside from asthma, I have struggled with severe migraines since I was a teenager. They are debilitating to the point that I sometimes have to be admitted to the hospital...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
The Emotional Toll of Being a CaregiverIf I only knew what I was getting myself into when I had my first child 32 years ago... I tried to prepare to be a good parent. I read...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
What Is Medical Gaslighting?If you have ever felt dismissed by a doctor, you may have experienced a type of bias (prejudice) called medical gaslighting. Medical gaslighting can happen to anyone, but it most...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Getting the Right CareLiving life as an asthma patient is a way of life. It is all I have ever known. I was diagnosed at around 2 years old. Good management and care...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
My (Almost) Clinical Trial ExperienceFor the past few years, my lungs have been in a place that many doctors consider to be medically mysterious. I had tried every single asthma medication on the market...Reactions0reactionsComments7 comments
Wildfires and Air QualityOver the last few weeks, the east coast of the United States has been dealing with wildfire smoke blowing down from Canada. The air quality index has been high (the...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
Asthma at Pride: Festivals, Outdoor Events... and BelongingThe first weekend in June I went to Pride Winnipeg for the first time, and my first time at a pride festival! It was shaping up to be our hottest...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Finding Connections in Waiting Room CI was recently in a waiting room for a respirology follow-up appointment for my severe asthma and I came across a wonderful patient experience moment. I have been fortunate to...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
How Asthma Has Affected My Body ImageGrowing up, I fit the mold of a quintessential American child. I was healthy, thin, and athletic. I was a competitive swimmer, gymnast, and did ballet. My health was fairly...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
My Current Treatment Regimen for Severe AsthmaI developed asthma when I was about 16 years old, following a few rounds of severe sinus infections. What started as occasional shortness of breath evolved into more severe asthma...Reactions0reactionsComments25 comments
Medical Gaslighting and Asthma: What Is It?I was watching the Today Show and stopped in my tracks when a story came on about medical gaslighting. Maria Shriver was reporting on the problem that, when women complain...Reactions0reactionsComments30 comments
Things You Cannot Do During Severe Asthma AttacksSevere asthma attacks are the worst. If you have not had one, I hope you never do. If you have ever had one, I am sure you know exactly what I...Reactions0reactionsComments24 comments
"Best" Opinions - Are They Really?Getting other opinions is nothing new for me in my pulmonary journey. I wrote an article about my experiences with second, third, fourth, and millionth opinions a while back. For...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Asthma Triggers While TravelingI was excited to be visiting a different city for a work conference. The last time I visited, my asthma was significantly less well controlled and I may have even...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
A Fluid Asthma Action PlanI did not develop asthma until I was in my late teens. I was kind of diagnosed as an afterthought. I had been dealing with multiple chest infections and slowly...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
A Team Approach: The Parallels of Severe Asthma and (Apparently) Chronic Pain: Part 2Editor's Note: This is the second article in a 2 part series. Read the first article here. In my early days of asthma in Winter 2008, I no longer had...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Chipmunk Cheeks From a Corticosteroid Inhaler?I am on a Zoom call and am looking at myself on video. Who is that person with the Chipmunk Cheeks?! What is wrong with my face? I could not...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
My Thoughts on Allergy Shots for AsthmaI went through allergy shots when I was a kid. If I remember right, I was 10 years old when I was first tested for allergies. I remember hearing the...Reactions0reactionsComments14 comments
How Electronic Messaging Has Improved My Asthma CareFor many years, I could only gaze upon doctors who used technology to communicate with their patients between visits with envy. While I can only communicate with 3 of my...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Keeping Your Asthma Medical Records OrganizedKeeping track of your medical records is essential for your health, especially when you or your child has asthma. With organized medical records, you can track changes and find patterns...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments