When is it time to change to a different asthma inhaler?
As I was using my asthma disc the other day, it dawned on my that my asthma has been well controlled lately.
Hhmm.
I was looking over the 'step wise' approach listed in the national asthma guidelines a couple of weeks ago.
One of the recommendations is to 'step down' medications if your asthma has been in control for 3 months. I think I'll set an appointment with Asthma Doc. I'm on a combination medication right now, sometimes people can step down on their doses or strength of their daily controller inhaler. Or - they may be able to step down to an inhaled corticosteroid.
I was looking over the 'step wise' approach listed in the national asthma guidelines a couple of weeks ago.
One of the recommendations is to 'step down' medications if your asthma has been in control for 3 months. I think I'll set an appointment with Asthma Doc. I'm on a combination medication right now, sometimes people can step down on their doses or strength of their daily controller inhaler. Or - they may be able to step down to an inhaled corticosteroid.
Check with your doctor and see if they think you are ready. They should do a pulmonary lung function test to see your lung capacity and review your use of Albuterol to determine how your lungs are.
As I look out the window at the snow and cold weather, I wonder if this is a good time for me to step down. We're headed into flu season (and pneumonia season for us), so this may not be a good time to step down my treatment.
Also, cold weather is a big asthma trigger for me. In fact, shoveling snow out in the below freezing weather wasn't great for my lungs.
That's the thing about asthma - it requires constant tinkering with medication to get the right dose for my body. And my kids may need a different inhaler an a different dose.
That's the thing about asthma - it requires constant tinkering with medication to get the right dose for my body. And my kids may need a different inhaler an a different dose.
The worse time for me is spring and summer - even with allergy medicine - we're all constantly sneezing. And then that leads to that tight chest feeling and an asthma attack.
In summer, we don't usually have to worry about influenza and pneumonia. Of the 12 times the kids were hospitalized for asthma, the most common reason was for complications with pneumonia.
I have to take Kitty for her weekly allergy shots on Friday anyway, I might as well set an appointment for myself with Asthma Doc. At least it will save me a trip.
In summer, we don't usually have to worry about influenza and pneumonia. Of the 12 times the kids were hospitalized for asthma, the most common reason was for complications with pneumonia.
I have to take Kitty for her weekly allergy shots on Friday anyway, I might as well set an appointment for myself with Asthma Doc. At least it will save me a trip.
Mother/daughter bonding time (although she would prefer a trip to the mall). Maybe we'll have to do something fun after seeing Asthma Doc.
Shopping anyone?
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