Asthma Attacks and Triggers

Thank you for sharing your story about your asthma attack, so sorry you had to go through this!

While I have a bingo card filled with the usual triggers, there is one that stands out. Wood fire smoke. It's my kryptonite. I don't know if its because of a previous house fire, or growing up in a home with smokers, or just bad luck, but I can go from "I can do anything" to "How far is the bathroom?" in 2.3 seconds.

Seasonal impact on smoke triggers

This summer has been pretty good for me. My asthma has been well controlled and I've been feeling pretty good about things. My neighbor's smoker was broken, burning was banned due to wildfire risk, and I was living the dream.

Enter Autumn. Rain starts, fire bans are lifted, wood stoves are lit (including ours). The family quickly gets back in the habit of closing windows and doors the minute we see smoke, I carry a mask in my pocket, we have a brand new air tight wood stove.

How smoke affects my asthma

Then comes the other night. I'm wondering why I have no energy. Just the thought of getting up to go to the washroom or for a snack feels like a big deal. Bedtime comes. I open the back door to take the dog for a pee when it hits me. Thick, nasty smoke. Someone is burning rubbish. Not just branches or leaves, but probably wet wood and rubbish. I slam the door, turn on the air purifier, and reach for my rescue meds. Now I know why I'm exhausted. Some smoke has got in the house. I take an extra puff of steroids before bed and suck on my Ventolin like it's a lolipop. And then this sinking feeling washes over me. We're back here again. Do I need to move? Will I be able to sleep? What about the plans I had for the next few days? Will I be too tired? My breathing is short, I can only talk in 1 or 2 word clips. My heart is beginning to race from the Ventolin. Slowly, my breathing gets a bit better and I'm finally able to sleep, but my lungs are on high alert.

Managing my asthma despite smoke triggers

Any whiff of smoke now sets them off. My week isn't what I imagined, but I also feel grateful. Grateful for my family who quickly shuts doors, my doctor who believes me, and my husband who will get me snacks when the kitchen feels like it's three miles away - uphill. As I write this, the air outside my window is grey with smoke. A sure sign it's not safe out there. But it's not always like that, there are better, easier days. Kudos to everyone out there who deals with this on a daily basis! I see you!