Mild Asthma Still Have The Flu Jab?
Sep 3, 2013
So it's getting to that time of year again and I'm wondering if I should have the flu jab. I have mild asthma ( I only have symbicort and ventolin) and have never had a proper attack or flu. I was only diagnosed two years ago, but it's likely I've always had it (I'm 19) according to the nurse given that I have a history of breathing issues.
Last year the surgery I was with didn't receive any of the vaccinations until december. I was offered on but refused as it wasn't convenient at the time. I'm a student and had a two weeks of term left, full of exams and assignments. As I always feel unwell after jabs I didn't want to risk it!
Personally, I don't feel that I need it and I don't want to have one when people need it more than me, but I also don't want to be stupid and refuse it and then end up unable to breathe!
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RECENT HISTORY
First, I am diabetic and have had a fairly normal healthy life except in the last two years where I gained 40 pounds, did not control my blood sugars well, and went off the rails. I have had a lot of issues this year, but to focus on my most recent issues, I had a A1c of 10.5 two month ago and went to 9.1 a month ago finally to 7.6 right before my single incision laparoscopic with robotic-assisted single-incision surgery to remove my infected gallbladder (Hida Scan 11% no gallstones). 6 month ago i started experiencing a lot of bloating, indigestion and took charcocaps that helped a lot after meals.
Two weeks ago I went out for a cup of iced coffee (huge coffee drinker 3-4 cups a day for a long time no problems for years), and something hit me, it felt like a sharp pain and instant feeling of bleh no appetite and sick feeling the rest of the day. This continued for a week before I knew something was wrong, I could not have anything acidic or felt like I could eat anything. I had just seen my doctor for a bike accident a month prior to get a referral to a PT and osteopathic doctor. I had a l3/l4 compressed nerve with a twisted sacral (this is much better now with some minor spasms in my right leg from time to time). With all of that pain (took hydrocodone and muscle relaxants to sleep, sleep was poor) and school, I figured I must have given myself an Ulcer. My doctor game me a ppi-omeprazole (i've never had reflux and didn't then) since I had symptoms of some burning sensations and this chronic dyspepsia so this would treat the possible Ulcer for two weeks while I was sent for an ultrasound to check out my gallbladder (family history - Mom, aunt, and uncle had their's out with gallstones). The ppi sort of helped but I just was fatigued, could not eat anything but a bland diet, I had chronic dyspepsia and general nausea that I could never shake. My daily caloric intake decreased with each new day and food just made me generally feel sick, however if I skipped meals it would still be bad, worse with food.
TEST RESULTS
After the Hida scan came back positive with an ejection rate of 11%, I scheduled my new a1c test, ekg (family history of heart disease), I was cleared and scheduled for surgery. I stopped taking the ppi as I believed this to be the cause of all my problems. btw, I was 254 the end of june and lost 25 pounds by the time of surgery (average daily caloric intake ~900-1200 prior to surgery
POST SURGERY
After the surgery 7/21-one week ago, I had my two days of pain and adjustment, and recovered decently with a soft food and liquid diet. I noticed the general sickness was gone! Hazzah!, except on Saturday I was feeling bloated, cramping, and I could not eat a solid one bite without feeling sick. I knew I was constipated. I stopped the pain meds the day before and I knew I had not eaten too much but it was over a week since i went. I took magnesium citrate and nothing after 7 hours, I drank another 1/2--then BOOM it was insane. I was sooo wiped out and tried to replace lost liquids but I believe I was dehydrated. I was sick that night and stomach was not happy.
Sunday was much better but I was wiped out still and felt generally just depleted of all my energy. I ate, walked a bit and then came back home. That night I started feeling very uncomfortable and the symptoms were somewhat similar to prior to surgery of the general dyspepsia and nausea chronically. I could not sleep because of my back problems (had to sleep upright on my back all week). I woke up in the middle of the night turned to my side and then all of a sudden I felt a warm rush of something just above my stomach and the constant burn in my stomach no reflux. I could not sleep until the morning.
NOW,
I have had really bad gas (low fat diet) for the past few days. I was getting and feeling better on day four but now this!
I felt extreme discomfort all day, felt like a low grade fever 98.6 (no fever) incision site is also slightly red, but the doctor said to call if I had a fever. I was worried about an SSI. The pain was like I threw up (I never have even starting out back in at the coffee shop) and that ache afterwards. The burning sensation let up later in the day after I took some antacids and saltines (I must have some acid issues, but I have read a lot of people suspecting many people may actually have low acid).
The thing is a lot of people have episodes after food, but mine is chronic with mild discomfort, burning sensations, upper abdomen and stomach discomfort (with some nausea), and food helps it initially and then it comes back. I feel week, slight low grade fever even though I don't have one. I keep thinking I have an infection of H. Pylori or something. Food takes a while to do much, I walk after I eat everything. I feel like I could eat but I get so much bloating and indigestion that it is uncomfortable. I drink plenty of water, but I wonder if I am low on essential things for the long ongoing low calorie daily diet. I can't eat more then 800 calories even with smaller meals-since Thursday.
Why was my gall bladder inflamed in the first place? I had no stones, and the surgeon said I had a very long a big gallbladder (ready to rupture!) that was really inflamed including a little on the liver. Pathology reports came back negative. I theorize my rapid change in weight and blood sugar levels inflamed the organ or an infection.
Possibilities:
diabetic Gastroparesis
H. Pylori
Peptic Ulcer (was never officially tested)
Gastritis
Anxiety
Low/High Stomach Acid
Low bile leak?
Sphincter of oddi dysfunction
What I feel could help:
HCL Betaine
Digestive Enzyme (Garden of life chewable vegetarian)
ppi (I would hate to take them unless I had to)
something to coat my stomach if I do have an ulcer to heal
ability to eat more so I can have more assimilated minerals, ect.
Anxiety med (first year i've had a lot of anxiety-mainly school related and upcoming wedding planning for next year
more tests!
My burning anxiety questions:
When will I get my appetite back?
(i really suspected my odds were decently good that I would get better after surgery, I had a great surgeon)
Did anyone have any of these chronic symptoms? Is it due to an infection or some issue with surgery?
Have some people eventually been able to eat what they wanted after a period of time?
How many had these excessive bloating, indigestion, nausea and general malaise through the day, worse a little while after food or between meals?
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I have a VERY mild soreness (if I can even call it that) just below my rib cage towards the right side, but only if I move in a certain way--it doesn't really hurt to the touch. I have no diarrhea, no fever, no back pain, stools are normal color---only a brief pang of nausea now and again, but it's not constant. Also, it doesn't bother when I eat greasy or fatty foods. I find it hard to believe that it's gallbladder related, but not sure whether I should see a doctor or not. It has subsided since the beginning of the week. Anyone else have this and it not turn into anything serious?
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I used to have breathing difficulty and when I have it, I always get fatigue and won't be able to sleep. things that triggers this condition include dust, cold drinks, oil fumes and so on. lately, this condition has suddenly reappeared. I have a serious tightening of d chest, shortness of breathing, water dripping from d nostrils and cough. what is the solution
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I have asthma usually managed with symbicort inhaler and ventolin reliever. I get intermittent chest infections and consequently I have been taking prednisolone occasionally for 5 years now - 2 or 3 times a year along with antibiotics when I feel I can no longer function at all normally and have to resort to going to the doctor's. I take 30mg a day for 5 days and they work very well. I am concerned reading other experiences of taking prednisolone and the horrendous sounding side effects. I have always known these drugs are not "good" for you but they have provided me with such effective and fast relief that I have continued to resort to them, albeit occasionally. I have no severe side effects - some interrupted sleep, heartburn etc. Can anyone tell me if, at the levels I am taking them, whether I am likely to suffer the side effects other people speak of - e.g. weight gain/redistribution, moon face, osteoporosis etc? Also whether the side effects go away and how long they last once you have stopped taking the pred?
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Just been diagnosed with sarcoidosis of both lungs. Also have Fibromyalgia, Asthma and various other medical problems.
Had bronchoscopy and biopsies on Tuesday, felt every one taken from my right lung was in complete agony. Had x-ray 2 hours later and was told there was no pneumothorax and sent home.
On Wednesday I was in a lot of pain, but as I was seeing my consultant on Friday decided to wait to see him and it had subsided somewhat by then. Told him about the pain and he sent me for another chest x-ray which confirmed I had a pneumothorax, which he said would heal on its own.
I have to go back next week for another x-ray to see if it has healed.
He said that he wouldn't prescribe steroids at the moment and will be sending me for another lung function test in the next 3-4 months to see how things are going.
Just feeling very tired and slight pain from the pneumothorax.
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My peak flow best is 400, and normally is around 300 plus or minus 10-20 points. Ever since I walked through a cloud of cigarette smoke yesterday, it's hovering in the low range, although not quite to the red zone. And of course, it tends to get worse at night, after office hours. Don't really want to keep hitting the rescue inhaler as much as I have. Do you think if I wait it out it will gradually get back to a normal range, or should I break down and seek medical attention tomorrow? Still trying to learn how to manage asthma and what my personal limits are. Thanks!
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I've been diagnosed by my doctor three weeks ago. going to a specialist on the 22nd of this month. Just want to know what happens now? It's going on three years having trouble breathing. They said i had asthma.
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Well I'm 21, coming 22.
Quit smoking after doing it for 6 years and 2 months!
Last cigarette 52 hours ago and I'm NOT going back!! I've been using the eCig - they're brilliant.
But I'm so worried - could my asthma have progressed into COPD?! Sometimes when walking vigorously, I get tight chested, but it goes away by itself.. I think I've always had that?
My lung capacity hasn't changed (yes, I actually measured it all those years ago when I started).
Reading about COPD is what made me give up. Basically, is smoking for 6 years long enough to change my asthma into COPD?
* Smoked 10-15 a day for first 2-3 years, then 20 a day the past 3 years roughly
* Used reliever inhaler 2x per day during that time
* Since stopping smoking, I've only used my reliever in the morning
* Have a very dry cough with tiny amounts of phlegm - when smoking had more phlegm!
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I'm having some problems with my allergies, and was sent to spirometry to check if something was wrong with my lungs as well. The results were suggesting I had mild asthma, however I smoke from time to time, and I haven't told the doctor about it because my parents were there. To be precise, I smoke one cigarette every other day. In comparison to other people, I know it is not much, however, is it possible that this small amount could have triggered the heightened concentration of carbon monoxide in my lungs which indicates asthma ? Thank you.
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For the past couple of months I've started belching /burping ,it's not acid ,I get a feeling of a lump at the back of my throat and feel the need to rub my upper chest / throat to help relieve it.
I have asthma to ,not sure if the two are connected ,it's a new problem for me ,I'm 69 and was diagnosed with asthma back in 1992.
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I would just like to ask anyone's opinion of my latest blood tests, as I have no idea if they're good or bad.
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What is the mechanism of action in inflammation in asthma vs pneumonitis?
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I was diagnosed with pleurisy and the pulmonary doctor gave me dulera. Has anyone else been prescribed dulera. And is asthma related to pleurisy.
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So, I had bad wheezing after a cold from last winter. A regular doc prescribed me Symbicort. I had been taken it regularly, but recently my wheezing went away, so I stopped taking the Symbicort just to see what would happen with my wheezing.
The wheezing has gradually died down, but now I have trouble breathing at certain times during the day especially at night around 8 o'clock and on. I can't tell if the wheezing going away is a good thing or a bad thing. Also, sometimes, I also feel a murmuring sensation in my upper chest when inhaling.
The biggest thing is when I inhale I don't feel like I'm getting enough air. I want to go to a pulmonologist, but it looks like it might be a while before I'll get in. I have a few doses left of my Symbicort and want to save them.
I'm uncomfortable going to sleep and I'm also nervous about things like the "silent chest" since my wheezing has really died down. It's also really humid where I am right now, so I don't know if that's factoring into my trouble breathing. Lastly, I also have had panic attacks in the past, so I'm always hesitant to go to the doctor over things like feeling like I'm not getting enough air.
How can I tell the difference between a panic attack and asthma?
Do you think it's asthma? Why does it seem to happen from 8 o'clock at night and up? What can I do so I can sleep?
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I am 24 years old, 82kg and been stressing about my health for the past month.
I first experienced a very fast heart rate from a short 2 min jog up the road were i had to stop and wait for my heart rate to slow down.
now since then my stamina has gradually gone right down to the point were I am unable to go up two flights of stairs without my heart racing and feeling out of breath. bearing in mind at rest I only experience a tight chest no shortness of breath.
To rule out heart problems I recently had a Echo-cardiogram,ECG,holter test and a chest x-ray. I was told all my valves were fine, my arteries were not blocked and my ecg came back abnormal but it was not serious. (all these tests were done in the past 3 weeks)
Now as I had my consultation with an expert they noticed I was wheezing and I explained to her every single day my chest feels sore and tight. even now as i type laying on my bed. I was diagnosed with asthma when I was a child but I seemed to grow out of it, however back in 2006 I had similar feeling to what I have experiencing now which is tight chest pains, shortness of breath. but I cant remember my heart jumping really high from exertion of walking up the stairs.
so now I am going to visit my asthma clinic on thursday to see what they say,suggest etc.
So my question is could these symptoms of tight chest and short breath be linked to my fast heart rate?
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I'm a 21 Year Old Girl. I Am 6ft 10, and Weigh 8 Stone 6. I Haven't Had an Asthma Attack Since I Was 7, But Still Have Mild Asthma (or So My Doctors Think) I Suffer Rather Bad With Anxiety.
I Had My Peak Flow Done Today, and It Was 400.. Is This Ok? Iv Look On The Peak Flow Chart and Some Say 400 and Others Say 500..
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I've been having this horrible feeling like someone has a hand around the base of my throat, but I can breathe mostly fine. It's a horrible feeling. It gets worse when I lay down. Also I've been feeling lately like I can't breathe and I have to take a deep breath almost like a fast yawn. My inhaler only works for a couple of minutes and then it's back. I went to the ER and they said it was anxiety, which it is not. I make an appointment with a pulmonary specialist tomorrow. Anyone have any ideas as to what it could be our how I can help it until I can get to my doc?
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I am looking for a med or meds to replace Advair for copd.
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For two years I have been battling daily shortness of breath at rest. Every month or so I have a bad bout with struggling to breath that lasts a few days to about a week. I finally got a diagnoses of Bronchial Ashma. I was never able to tolerate steroid inhalers. I have now been put on Spiriva. I have read that it doesn't usually work with ashma. Is it normal to have shortness of breath daily with asthma. I quit smoking when this all started two years ago and have not touched a cigarette since. I was hoping to feel better. I have never had such breathing problems as I have these last two years. I am trying to feel confident that I was given the right diagnosis. It is very depressing to feel I have to live this way for the rest of my life when I am only 46 years old.
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When I have restriction in my breathing it seems to directly effect my heart right away. My heart beat will speed up really fast and be pounding very hard while I feel like I'm breathing through a straw. And when I'm around cigarette smoke I have heart palpitations.
Some times, just the act of standing up will cause my heart to start pounding. Often I notice my pounding heart first before I even realize that my lungs are restricted.
It's like the two go hand in hand. So I think the restriction in my lungs, which can get triggered by physically exerting myself or even standing up, is causing my heart to speed up.
But, the weird thing is, I have asked other people with asthma if their heart beat does that when they are having trouble breathing and they said no. So, I'm wondering why mine does then.
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