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I've been having shortness of breath just walking up the stairs.

Posted , 3 users are following.

always_worried
always_worried

Doctor diagnosed me with asthma and gave me an inhaler and I only used it twice since august. Twice in one day. I dont think it worked and I think maybe the doctor miss diagnosed me. Im scared to use my inhaler cause I also suffer from mild panic attacks. Like I am right now cause I feel short of breath. When I used the inhaler it made my heart race and I felt jittery.  Is that normal? My chest feels lil tight and a little pain only when I breath in deep. Whats the worst that can happen if I use the inhaler and I dont have asthma? 

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Jan999
    Jan999 always_worried

    Posted

    Hello. When you first use your inhaler it is common to feel as though your heart is racing and you can also feel jittery. It sounds as though you are having a panic attack probably made worse because of the worry of using your inhaler. If you don't have asthma using an inhaler won't do you any harm. Make an appointment at the doctors surgery with the practice nurse who does the asthma clinic. She is the best person to put your mind at rest. These nurses are specially trained in asthma care and she'll tell you one way or the other if you do have asthma.
    • always_worried
      always_worried Jan999

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply.... I will see about seeing someone for asthma.  Maybe I was just tired from coming up the steps and started panicking cause I felt short of breath and thinking of it to much. 
  • Jan999
    Jan999 always_worried

    Posted

    Should have also said if you aren't using your inhalers properly you won't get the relief you need. A practice nurse will check your technique as well.
    • always_worried
      always_worried Jan999

      Posted

      Yea... I wasnt sure if I was using it right. I remember shaking it up and letting all the air out of my lungs  and pushing it down and when I pushed it down breath in deep and hold it in till you had to breath. Is that correct? I havent used it since august. 
    • Jan999
      Jan999 always_worried

      Posted

      It all depends on what type of inhaler you have been prescribed. Some work more efficiently with a spacer (a large plastic device that the inhaler pushes into). You really need to see the asthma nurse at the surgery. She'll measure your peak flow and see how well your lungs are coping with the asthma. Remember asthma is not something to be taken lightly.
    • morgan_amiko
      morgan_amiko always_worried

      Posted

      there are videos that you can refer to on how to use the inhaler correctly. I think you can just search 'how to use inhaler correctly' on youtube. That should be another good tool that you can use as well smile 
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