Asthma + Winter = More Attacks?

[num1habsfan]

This winter seems to be pretty harsh on me already asthma-wise, and i'm not sure why!

Everyday walking to and from school (i got just over a mile walk--about 3 miles in total) I have to take at least 1 of 2 puffs (usually 2)...

Even during the fall with allergies, it wasnt nearly as bad. But now even tho its only been between -5 C to -15 C (usually -15 C to -20 C with windchill), it feels like it freezes my lungs and somedays by the time I get to school I nearly pass out from my asthma acting up! I even try breathing through a glove and it dont seem to help

And i cant say i'm out of shape I walk 99% of the time!!

I'm just kinda worried whats gonna happen when it gets to -30 C or lower (or if it hits -47 with windchill like it did last winter )...how THEN am I going to make it to school without an asthma attack along the way?

Anyone else have asthma issues during the winter/cold??? and what do you do to help it?

added: I just realized most of you arent from canada lol ... so to save you some trouble....

-5 C = 23 F

-15 C = 5 F

-20 C = -4 F

-30 C = -22 F

-47 C = -52 F

~ lis ~

[hannahsue01]

The cold has always been horible with my asthma. I could hardly breath especially if I was physicly active in it. I would talk to your doctor about it and see if they have any advice. Also it helps to keep somthing around your nose and mouth such as a scarf.

[plantime]

Col air triggers spasms in my lungs. So does swimming in cool water. I have had a rough year with my asthma from allergies, and look for it to be worse this winter. I always wear a scarf doubled around my mouth and nose when it is cold enough to trigger an attack. I really feel for you, you are much farther north than I am, and asthma is miserable!

[tarnalberry]

Cold air, and dry air, are both known triggers for asthma attacks. You should absolutely wear a scarf around your mouth and nose, and make sure to inhale through your nose - it both warms and moistens the air.

Also, are you on maintenance meds for your asthma? That may be important through winter, unfortunately.

[num1habsfan]

Also, are you on maintenance meds for your asthma? That may be important through winter, unfortunately.

What do you mean by that exactly?

~ lisa ~

[tarnalberry]

What do you mean by that exactly?

~ lisa ~

Well, the maintenance med that I used to use, and may end up on again come Jan-April if I find I'm getting sick often again, is Advair. I used Singulair in the past, but it didn't seem to make a big difference. (It appears to only work on about 1/3 of asthmatics.) When my asthma was worse, my asthma doctor would increase my daily maintenance dose during times of 'stress' (this is environmental stress, or triggers, not personal stress) like winter. Of course, this was all separate from using my rescue inhaler (the Ventolin, or, in my case, Maxair).

[num1habsfan]

Well, the maintenance med that I used to use, and may end up on again come Jan-April if I find I'm getting sick often again, is Advair. I used Singulair in the past, but it didn't seem to make a big difference. (It appears to only work on about 1/3 of asthmatics.) When my asthma was worse, my asthma doctor would increase my daily maintenance dose during times of 'stress' (this is environmental stress, or triggers, not personal stress) like winter. Of course, this was all separate from using my rescue inhaler (the Ventolin, or, in my case, Maxair).

Oh well I was on Flovent for a year and then just this past fall he put me on Advair(125) because I was having more asthma attacks from basically no reason. But I hate relying on Ventolin so much. I guess maybe its because usually during the winter I get rides, and this year I walk. But still. Its scary to think what would happen if I left my Ventolin somewhere?

~ lisa ~

[TriticusToxicum]

Well, the maintenance med that I used to use, and may end up on again come Jan-April if I find I'm getting sick often again, is Advair. I used Singulair in the past, but it didn't seem to make a big difference. (It appears to only work on about 1/3 of asthmatics.) When my asthma was worse, my asthma doctor would increase my daily maintenance dose during times of 'stress' (this is environmental stress, or triggers, not personal stress) like winter. Of course, this was all separate from using my rescue inhaler (the Ventolin, or, in my case, Maxair).

Ditto on the Flovent. I avoid the stuff unless I really feel the need. This fall has been unusually rough on my asthma also, so I'm back on Flovent.

[squirrelgardens]

All the wood smoke from the neighbors isn't helping my asthma. Minnesota has terrible laws about air pollution.

Always suffer in the winter. Have a hospital quality air cleaner......but the smoke stiill comes in the house.

[Daxin]

There are inhalers that can be used as maintenance meds as well. Symbicort etc. You take them every day, and then use your ventolin as a resuce inhaler. Your doctor may have some samplers if they decide this could be helpful. Otherwise, if you can take it, you can use Singulair (pill). DS has asthma, and this is what we have noticed.

The cold air is not good for it, so I agree, wear a scarf.

However, the fact that we live in Saskatchewan may be enough in itself to mean cold dry air 6 months out of the year.

Good luck...hope some of this advice is helpful.

[num1habsfan]

However, the fact that we live in Saskatchewan may be enough in itself to mean cold dry air 6 months out of the year.

Exactly!! I think only us Saskatchewan residents can understand why I'm worried about my asthma. You know what its like...usually winter from September to April, then spring in May, summer in June/half of July, and half of July/August in fall

Well i see my asthma doc in regina again in January so maybe i'll wait til then to discuss this with a doc...

~ lisa ~

[kabowman]

Ditto to the scarf, that will really help. My son is on flovent and we range between 1 puff each day (went to no meds for about 3 months this summer) when his symptoms are mild to 3-4 puffs a day when they are bad, usually in the winter. He also uses his albuteral 2-4 times a day when he starts coughing and before swimming (on a club team).

Right now, after spending a weekend with dad and not doing his meds, we are trying to get it back under control again. He should have it back to normal in time to go back over there and mess it up again.

[Helena]

If you're having to take Ventolin on a regular basis (defined I think as over 2X per week. can't remember the exact dosage though) your asthma is considered to be out of control. Perhaps you should ask to see a respirologist who will probably try to find a way to control the attacks with maintenance medications. You shoud only be needing to take Ventolin for the rare emergency---it isn't supposed to be taken every day.

[num1habsfan]

If you're having to take Ventolin on a regular basis (defined I think as over 2X per week. can't remember the exact dosage though) your asthma is considered to be out of control. Perhaps you should ask to see a respirologist who will probably try to find a way to control the attacks with maintenance medications. You shoud only be needing to take Ventolin for the rare emergency---it isn't supposed to be taken every day.

Hmm you know what I just realized...could my asthma have gotten worse because I'm living in a basement (and have molde allergies) and my landlady has a cat, maybe I'm allergic to cats?

~ lisa ~

[Helena]

Living in a basement with a mould allergy would definitely make your asthma worse! Is there anyway you could move out of there? It might be worth going to an allergist for testing for environmental allergies----those tests aren't accurate all the time, but if you test positive for cats, it is a good indication that you should find a more allergy-friendly abode! Uncontrolled asthma can be really serious.

[num1habsfan]

Living in a basement with a mould allergy would definitely make your asthma worse! Is there anyway you could move out of there? It might be worth going to an allergist for testing for environmental allergies----those tests aren't accurate all the time, but if you test positive for cats, it is a good indication that you should find a more allergy-friendly abode! Uncontrolled asthma can be really serious.

Unfortunately its the only place i could find in this town. The other places were dumps are much more than I could afford. I'm only gonna be here til the end of April. then its back to my parents place and then off to one of the actual cities. But maybe I could get my dosage increased or something for the remainder of my time here...

~ lisa ~