Best products from r/Asthma

I feel you, this is almost exactly my situation minus the basement and arthritis. The only thing you can really do is go to extraordinary lengths to keep the basement clean and allergen safe. If it is a large room, you might need another air purifier (make sure they're HEPA filters). Seal off your door with something like weather strips and floor draft blocker to keep the allergens out. If there are windows, look into what you can do to make sure they are air-tight as well. I have literally duct-taped the frames of my windows before when allergy season was peaking.

Running a humidifier and keeping the room at ~45% humidity also helps me, but you have to be careful as humidified/uncirculated air can cause mold growth. If the humidity is a problem, look into getting your own de-humidifier. Amazon has a really small one for ~$35 that might be better than nothing.

For the GERD, I've found that dietary changes are the only thing that really helps me. I'm taking prilosec right now and generally have to take a Tums in the evening, but staying away from fatty food is what helps me maintain the symptoms the most. I wish I could help more than that because I know a lot of this seems like common sense. But yeah, my symptoms only started improving when I made physical changes to my room: sealed the door, blocked the AC vent completely (something about it was actually triggering my asthma more when it would run), taped around the perimeter of my window frame except where I need to open it, and make sure to clean dust under my bed/around the room once a week.

Also, get a NetiPot or something equivalent and use distilled water to rinse your sinuses daily. It's imperative that you only use distilled water with the salt mixture packets the nasal rinse things come with. That has helped my allergies tremendously.

edit: this is the sinus rinse kit I got https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004H1RA6U/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Just get the pack of 50 salt packets and you're good to go. I believe they also sell a starter pack with the 50 salt packets included. I can't stress enough how much this has helped me personally with allergies.

You should go back in. Things like allergies and infections can make asthma worse. If you have indoor air-quality issues and a small place the little UVC air purifiers work great (for me, at least.) They kill mold spores before they can reproduce. (Could be the best $29 you ever spend). You can also try washing your sinuses and throat out with salt water. Read up on nasal lavage and jalai neti. If you're getting sinus infections frequently that can be a huge help too. Good luck to you! Hope you are feeling better soon!

https://www.amazon.com/GermGuardian-GG1000-Pluggable-Deodorizer-Guardian/dp/B000G2BESO/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=germ+guardian&qid=1571406237&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&sr=8-8

And what you describe does sound a lot like asthma, so it's not an obvious misdiagnosis.

https://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/protecting-your-lungs/breathing-exercises.html

When I was younger, I took singing lessons and learned to play the recorder, as anything requiring measured breath will help built up your lung strength. You can learn those things from youtube now, which is cheaper :)

There's also devices that can help. It does take practice https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CZZGHMV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 This device exercises your lungs, but the way the ball in it vibrates it clears the gunk out of your lungs kind of like when you pound on your chest, but it doesn't hurt.

Keep in mind- all of these exercises are going to make you a little dizzy if you do them right, because you're going to flood your system with more oxygen than it's used to getting, so do them at home sitting where you're safe!

All of these things take time and consistency- you have to do an exercise or two every day. However, they're pretty easy to work into daily habits, because they don't really take much time. After a handful of months, you will totally notice a difference.

I have 3 of these and 2 of these. We have the bigger ones positioned throughout the house, and the smaller ones on each side of the bed. They work pretty well, and seem to be pretty energy efficient. I also buy high quality filters for our HVAC.

One good thing to do is get a decent quality dust mask like this one and wear it while you give the place a thorough dusting, scrub-down, vacuum, and then air it out, before moving your stuff in. Use wet wipes to dust instead of a duster, since they trap dust instead of just flinging it into the air. Make sure you get the blinds, the windowsills and windows, the tops of doors and doorways, all vents, and the baseboards. Take breaks when you need to.

Then, as you move, do the same thing to your stuff. Dust your furniture with wet wipes, since moving it kicks up a lot of dust no matter how thoroughly you regularly clean. It may be a good idea to also use either nasal filters or wear a mask for a day or two until all the moving dust settles. Doing this should help a lot.

FYI, Advair's patent has lapsed, so there's generics now! My mother in law uses Wixela Inhub (Mylan phama). Might be worth looking in to!

Maybe get one of those finger clippy pulse oximeters? If it's your asthma making you tired, likely that would be due to inadequate oxygenation. A little pulse ox like this one would show you your blood oxygenation percentage in real time. Anything below 95% would definitely cause fatigue, and anything below 90% is urgent care worthy, if not ER.

After several trips to the ER a very awesome RN got me setup with a program for people without insurance. With Bridges to Access I was able to get Adviar 500/50 3 months at a time for a year before needing to renew.

In the meantime, I've had success with this short term.

Asthmanefrin Asthma Medication Refill, 30 Count https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071RRHJBV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_EW6ZDbVJT0BPN

Pepcid is a specific ant acid in that it helps reduce prostAglandin - it’s an h2 antagonist

These might be helpful for you and your doctors: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4903110/pdf/210_2016_Article_1247.pdf#page18

https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(19)31116-9/pdf

It’s more than just taking drugs. It’s also addressing lifestyle, dietary and environmental factors.

Back to just asthma: if you got steroids and a lot of nebulized albuterol it’s very stimulating and can really tax the adrenals. Might I suggest adding some adrenal cortex to see if that helps pick you up https://www.amazon.com/Thorne-Research-Adrenal-Cortex-Capsules/dp/B000FGWDAY

https://m.pipingrock.com/adrenal-glandular/raw-adrenal-glandular-bovine-350-mg-90-capsules-7381

So? I'm talking about something like this. Worked great in our two bedroom apartment.

I have severe persistent asthma and cut grass and smoke are my big triggers. A hepa filter is a godsend https://www.amazon.com/GermGuardian-AC4825-Sanitizer-Allergens-Guardian/dp/B004VGIGVY/ref=sr_1_2?hvadid=77927961929488&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&keywords=hepa+filter+air+purifier&qid=1569333126&s=hpc&sr=1-2 this is a link to the one I use and It, alongside my meds helps when my crazy redneck neighbor gets smoky.

I hope this helps

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Cheers

I’ve used this one with a propeller and it worked just fine CASEMATIX Asthma Inhaler Case - Travel With Your Portable Inhaler While Keeping it Dust and Dirt Free - The Ideal Medicine Case For Protecting and Keeping Your Inhalers By your Side https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0764LV8QH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_mlS-AbN6MACQJ

You can try checking here: https://www.samterssociety.org/ There's a section on the site where you can look for doctors in your area. They also have a facebook group.

Fish oil supplements help me a ton. I find it helps decrease inflammation. I used to get really bad chronic hives and I noticed the fish oil seemed to work better than the steroids for bringing them down. (I was doubling up on the fish oil dose. Still do a lot of the time.) Also, I've noticed alcohol, even small amounts (like a sip) can cause sinus swelling - a lot of others with AERD/Samter's triad have trouble as well, especially with red wine or beer. (I think it's been estimated that at least 80% with AERD have sensitivity to alcohol.) I've also noticed coffee helps in bringing the swelling down. I usually have a cup 1 hour after waking. (I wait an hour because of something I heard on Thomas DeLauer's youtube channel, but I'm tired and don't want to explain it wrong.)

I haven't seen a doctor myself that even knows what Samter's Triad/AERD is, but NSAIDs put me in the ER twice and after the second time I was told never to take them again or I could die, so between that and my other symptoms, I'm pretty sure I have it.

This looks interesting to me, but haven't tried it yet: https://lactobacto.com/best-probiotic-for-sinusitis/

I ordered this one because it's cheaper, but it just came today and haven't tried yet, so no idea if it's good or a dud: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0744YXT58/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's definitely a bit weird, but what worked for me was supplementing with food grade diatomaceous earth. It works miracles for clearing up acne and excess lung mucous, pretty much overnight. Here's a link to the stuff on Amazon

The only thing I guess i can recommend is the air filter. I keep it on 24/7 on low and it picks up all the dust and bad stuff in my bedroom. Without it I would wake up snorting and with an itchy feeling in the back of my throat. I'm sure it's mostly allergies but dust can have a huge effect on your asthma.

Hopefully it's not against the rules to link products... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004VGIGVY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fAfKzbKPVXFZQ

My pulmonologist recommended a nasal irrigation system after my asthma flared up due to post nasal drip and sinusitis. I've used it 3 times so far and for the first time in months I can breathe out of both nostrils. I've heard it can be good as a daily cleaner to get pollen out of your nose. This is the one I bought.

A spacer is a plastic tube that goes between the inhaler and your mouth. It's designed to make it easier to get the maximum meds into your lungs.

http://onebadlung.com/wp-content/uploads/Asthma-Aerochamber.jpg has a pic of a spacer.

This is a power lung - https://smile.amazon.com/Powerlung-Plb-k100-Active-Series-Breatheair/dp/B00076RCJ4/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1468840919&sr=8-5&keywords=Power+lung

If you have higher t than normal, it probably actually eases your breathing to some degree.

I got this netting type stuff off of Amazon and put it over my vents to help block dirt and dust from blowing into my room. Something like this. It really helped me with dust, worth giving it a shot for smoke.

I have a Honeywell Air Genius 5 which has a washable filter and it seems to work pretty well for my small, two bedroom apartment. It would be ideal for me to have two, one in the living room and one in my bedroom, but it already makes a considerable difference. I can tell if my roommate has turned it off while I was away the moment I walk through the door.

Honeywell AirGenius5 Air Cleaner/Odor Reducer, 250 sq. ft. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009P7SVHS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_TwRCybGTYHGAX

if you are having problems with dust mites and other airborne allergies I recommend an air purifier ( HEPA ).

I got one of these and it's amazing.

https://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-17000-S-QuietCare-True-Purifier/dp/B000050AQ5/ref=sr_1_9?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1486777375&sr=1-9&keywords=honeywell+air+purifier