My Life as an Asthma Mom

  Does having asthma move you up the eligibility list to get COVID?  Well, it depends.....how's that for a non answer?! Some states consider asthma a high risk medical condition, but some don't. That worries me, because  there are so many different types of asthma. A person who uses their inhaler once or twice a year is NOT the same as someone who has been in the hospital multiple times for asthma.  My kids were in the hospital 12 times for asthma (2 of those were in ICU). Having a child almost die from asthma is VERY different from someone that uses their inhaler once in a while.  My state doesn't consider asthma to be a high risk medical condition - which means I am still VERY worried about my adult kids. Just because your kids are adults doesn't mean you can stop worrying about them ya know! 😁 Why are those with asthma NOT high risk for COVID?   A February study reviewed 57 other studies with over 1/2 a million people with asthma. They looked at how p...

    Needles.  Who really likes them?! I was at the lab getting some blood drawn when the tech asked me if I was okay. I said yes - needles are no big deal. I have had many surgeries, so needles are nothing compared to that!  But many people are REALLY scared of needles.  Years ago, I was at the lab waiting for a blood test, and saw a big, burly construction worker in front of me. Suddenly, I heard a thud and saw that he passed out - face first.  The lab worker was there alone and quickly yelled for me to grab smelling salts. After frantically searching the cupboard, I found them and tossed them to her. She held the smelling salts under his nose and then had me help lift him back into the chair. I was shocked at first, then had to stifle a giggle. Clearly this man had not had many surgeries, nor given birth 3 times...... Most moms have a lot of experience with medical procedures - including needles, epidurals, and c-sections. But you don't needles to treat a...

  Last week, our family of 5 all starting having problems with allergies ......already! It's mid February, and our usually snowy state has not been getting our usual snow storms. In fact, one of our storms went around us and ended up in Texas. They aren't used to the snow and most of Texas hasn't had power for days.  I guess they are all trying to keep warm, and that's straining the power system in Texas.   But our state is mostly dry and warm With the warm and dry temperatures here,  we are already having pollen.  I thought it was too early for pollen, but with an unseasonably warm and dry winter, spring has decided to arrive early. I could tell because all 5 of my family members (who live in different areas of the state) starting complaining about allergies the same week.  Hmmm When To Start On Allergy Meds   I was just listening to a national allergy and asthma webinar and the presenter said he tells his patients to start on allergy medici...

Well, it's been over 20 years since my 3 kids and I were diagnosed with asthma, and it still rears it's ugly head at really bad times. Like this morning's commute! There I am, driving down a 5 lane road at 55 miles per hour and something got me. I have no idea what happened. Did I pass someone mowing their lawn? Was pollen drawn into my car with the other fresh air? All I know is that suddenly I felt that little twitch in my throat. Then it got worse. Then the coughing started. Drank water from my water bottle. Nope. Grabbed my inhaler and spacer from my purse (which I ALWAYS keep on the passenger seat next to me when I drive.) ** I do recommend pulling over to use your inhaler if you can. I was locked in on all sides with fast traffic and couldn't safely pull over on the shoulder at that speed without putting myself at risk** One puff. Wait a minute to see if that helps. Sigh. Eyes are watering, cough is getting worse. 2nd puff. Okay, I'm safely in the parking gara...

    I saw something interesting on the Dr. Oz show, he was talking about how changes in weather can affect your health. One of the things they talked about was a 'fake allergy attack.'  The guest on his show was talking about what can happen when there is a sudden drop in temperatures-say 10 to 20 degrees in an hour. Dr. Oz explains what happens inside the nose, but I can't tell it as good as he does, so if you want to watch the story, click here. He also talks about how thunderstorms can trigger asthma attacks. The wind gusts that come before thunderstorms are often filled with dust and pollen. And guess what happens when we breathe all of that in? Yep, the Drama Queen Effect-our bodies over react and cause an asthma attack. He also showed a stretch that has been shown to reduce asthma attacks. You put your hands above your head, lace your fingers together (palm side up) and stretch. I would like to find the research on that, or at least know how to spell the name of the...

(CNNhealth) Many of you may have watched Diana Nyad getting ready to swim 103 miles from Cuba to Florida-at age 61! Wow! I thought it was an interesting story, but then I really paid attention when I heard that she had to end her swim because of asthma. She was only half way into her swim when she had to stop. She was very upset and has been training for this swim for 2 years. But asthma isn't something you can plan for. She said she used her inhaler 40 times during the 29 hour swim and even used some oxygen, but she couldn't beat her asthma. I think people that don't have asthma don't understand what asthma can do to your body. They may take for it for granted that they can breathe, but when you can't breathe and aren't getting the oxygen you need, it just wipes you out. You are so tired and weak, that whatever you have planned to do is probably going to have to be cancelled. It's hard to explain to someone that doesn't have asthma...