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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by celticmom on March 21, 2005, at 7:29:49
Hi - I had an infection induced asthma attack a couple months ago that put me in the hospital. I never knew I had asthma before that. Since then I have been more and more anxious about my breathing and last week I think I had an anxiety induced asthma attack. It wasn't as bad as the first because I was able to get to the doc and get the right rescue meds to control it.
My husband takes gabapentin, so I took some of his and it really seems to have helped with my obsession over my breathing. I'm not constantly thinking about it anymore. The problem is I find I need to take more and more to keep it under control.
Does anyone else have anxiety induced asthma? What do you take to control it and how successful has it been? I'd rather not go on an SSRI and the gabapentin is just too expensive still to keep popping them like candy.
Any suggestions are appreciated - thanks!
Posted by SLS on March 21, 2005, at 8:57:19
In reply to Medications for anxiety induced asthma, posted by celticmom on March 21, 2005, at 7:29:49
Are you looking to use something as a PRN to take only as needed or to take something every day?
Don't forget to visit the Alternative board for some suggestions.
- Scott
Posted by celticmom on March 21, 2005, at 9:06:54
In reply to Re: Medications for anxiety induced asthma, posted by SLS on March 21, 2005, at 8:57:19
Scott, I'm not sure what I need to be on. I don't know if I need something just to get me through the next couple of months while I find out exactly what is going on with my asthma or if this is something I need to consider taking on a regular basis.
Posted by fires on March 21, 2005, at 17:10:24
In reply to Medications for anxiety induced asthma, posted by celticmom on March 21, 2005, at 7:29:49
> Hi - I had an infection induced asthma attack a couple months ago that put me in the hospital. I never knew I had asthma before that. Since then I have been more and more anxious about my breathing and last week I think I had an anxiety induced asthma attack. It wasn't as bad as the first because I was able to get to the doc and get the right rescue meds to control it.
>
> My husband takes gabapentin, so I took some of his and it really seems to have helped with my obsession over my breathing. I'm not constantly thinking about it anymore. The problem is I find I need to take more and more to keep it under control.
>
> Does anyone else have anxiety induced asthma? What do you take to control it and how successful has it been? I'd rather not go on an SSRI and the gabapentin is just too expensive still to keep popping them like candy.
>
> Any suggestions are appreciated - thanks!
I've heard of execised induced asthma, but not anxiety induced asthma. Is that a term used by MDs, or psychologists, or both?Thanks
Posted by SLS on March 21, 2005, at 17:40:04
In reply to Re: Medications for anxiety induced asthma, posted by celticmom on March 21, 2005, at 9:06:54
> Scott, I'm not sure what I need to be on. I don't know if I need something just to get me through the next couple of months while I find out exactly what is going on with my asthma or if this is something I need to consider taking on a regular basis.
I've heard of the use of Xanax or Ativan to help prevent anxiety-induced asthma. You could use either as a PRN or as a daily regimen. Klonopin might work too, but would be used on a daily basis because of its long half-life.I'm just thinking out loud.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on March 21, 2005, at 17:53:05
In reply to Re: Medications for anxiety induced asthma » celticmom, posted by SLS on March 21, 2005, at 17:40:04
There are numerous meds available for asthma. Inhalers also work well if one feels an attack coming on. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by celticmom on March 22, 2005, at 7:15:44
In reply to Re: Medications for anxiety induced asthma » celticmom, posted by SLS on March 21, 2005, at 17:40:04
Thanks for the suggestions all. I will discuss them with my doc on my next visit. I think I prefer the PRN approach as I do not think I need them all the time. Do xanax or ativan make you foggy? That's my only complaint about the gabapentin. I've been pretty much in a fog since starting them. I've needed them, but I don't think they are a long term solution. Not to mention the cost.
Phillipa - I have all the meds to help the asthma itself, however, I find that they tend to worsen my anxiety. Albuterol and the like tend to make my heart race which sends me into an anxiety induced spiral.
Posted by SLS on March 22, 2005, at 7:27:11
In reply to Re: Medications for anxiety induced asthma, posted by celticmom on March 22, 2005, at 7:15:44
> Thanks for the suggestions all. I will discuss them with my doc on my next visit. I think I prefer the PRN approach as I do not think I need them all the time. Do xanax or ativan make you foggy?
They really shouldn't. You might want to ask your doctor for a few samples of each to see which you prefer. I found Ativan to be pretty clean, but most people seem to use Xanax to prevent panic attacks. It has been a long time since I tried Xanax, but I do recall it feeling different than Ativan.
- Scott
Posted by celticmom on March 22, 2005, at 11:56:04
In reply to Re: Medications for anxiety induced asthma » celticmom, posted by SLS on March 22, 2005, at 7:27:11
Thanks Scott - that's a great suggestion. I will ask for samples to see which I do better with. I'm tired of filling scripts (for DS mainly) only to find out after one or two pills that it won't work for him.
Posted by Phillipa on March 22, 2005, at 16:33:36
In reply to Re: Medications for anxiety induced asthma, posted by celticmom on March 22, 2005, at 11:56:04
Yes, you're right. Those meds for asthma definitely cause anxiety. That's why people with chronic breathing problems are such problem pts and demanding in the hospital. They're anxious, and the poor souls can't breath! Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by HilaryDanette on March 3, 2012, at 23:07:09
In reply to Re: Medications for anxiety induced asthma » celticmom, posted by Phillipa on March 22, 2005, at 16:33:36
I was just diagnosed with anxiety induced asthma. I couldn't get a deep breath in and my chest kept spasming. This has been going on for 6 days now. I though I had bronchitis. I went to the ER and had a breathing treatment. I had chest x-rays and a CT scan and nothing showed any problems. I've had three doctors appointments this week, three breathing treatments, using an inhaler every 4 hours, a z-pack of antibiotics, and oral corticosteroids. Nothing was helping. I was gasping for breath. Then my doctor said it was from having anxiety. I kept telling my doctor, no, I don't have anxiety, it isn't anxiety. But, he had me try Ativan for anxiety to see what would happen. And guess what? It worked. I was finally able to take a calm deep breath with no problem. I guess it was anxiety after all... I guess I just didn't recognize that I was so maxed out emotionally. Good luck to you all. Try inhalers and breathign treatments, steroids and antibiotics. But if that doesn't seem to do anything for you. It could be anxiety induced asthma. Try an Ativan or Valium and see if helps you to breathe.
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