How I Prepare During Flu Season for Asthma

 

 

 

For those of us with asthma, controlling the swelling in our lungs is important. If we having swelling in our lungs, and then get sick - we can easily develop pneumonia or bronchitis and end up in the hospital. This has happened to my children many times. 

 

We make sure we have refills on our daily, controller (anti inflammatory) inhalers, and when we only have a couple of refills left, we set an appointment with the doctor to make sure we have more refills. 

 

 

We also make sure we have a reliever inhaler - and I have them in several places so I don't have to run far if I have a sudden asthma attack. I have one in my purse, one in my nightstand upstairs, and one at my desk downstairs - just in case. 

 

 

When I get really sick (I'm looking at you COVID), my cough is so severe that it's literally impossible for me to use an inhaler. I can only use my nebulizer for breathing treatments. It allows me to just sit and breathe in the albuterol mist. 

When I try to inhale deeply to use my inhaler, I will start coughing so hard, I will throw up. I have also pulled a rib muscle from coughing when I had COVID, so I'll take "Sitting and Breathing in Albuterol Mist" for $500 Alex. 

 

It's crazy how many albuterol vials I can use during an illness due to pneumonia or COVID. I panic if my boxes run low - because you never know when a severe illness will hit. I feel calmer if I'm prepared with supplies, and the last thing I want to do is stand in line at the pharmacy while I'm sick. 

One year, my son and I had pneumonia, and he had just been discharged from the hospital. We stopped at the pharmacy, and we both so sick and weak, we struggled to sit on the bench and wait. I actually collapsed when I stood up to pay for my prescription. Not kidding. 

This was before pharmacies offered delivery. So I stock up now - just in case.  

This may sound silly, but I need a little comfort when I'm sick - and tissues with lotion really help. With how many times a day I am blowing my nose, I can get a raw and red nose. I don't need that on top of everything else! 

What did I miss? Are there other supplies you stock up on for cold and flu season? 

Stay safe out there my friends, the flu is off the charts. I've been watching the news and they reported we have had many flu deaths this season. 

This is terrifying! Please protect yourself and your loved ones this season.   

Hugs, 

Andrea