Expert: Marc Rubin, RPh Asthma Educator - 5/16/2008

Question
QUESTION: If I can't breath, my throat feels constricted, I have had side pains and sometimes chest pains after excersize is that asthma? I don't want to ask my parents yet incase it's nothing because it would worry them. I really have absolutely no idea and this has been happening for about a year and a half not my whole life. It seems it's geting worse though."

ANSWER: Hi Gabbie,

It may be.

Does it only occur after exercise? When you stop due to the discomfort, does it resolve on its own after around 10 minutes? What kind of activities are you participating in that brings this discomfort on?

Do you  notice if this occurs to some degree when you are exposed to cigarette smoke, pets, or when you get a viral infection (cold/flu)?

Any personal history, or family history of allergies or asthma? Do you have any dry skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis? Sinus allergies? Acid reflux (where it feels like your meal burped back up resulting in a burning sensation in your chest)?

Think about these questions and then get back to me so I can give you some direction.

Sincerely,

Marc



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: generally only after excersize, yes if I walk or sit it will generally stop after a little bit,I ride bike run in gym and sometimes even when I ride horse I will get the side pains. umm..not around my pets but as I said on my horse, I'm not really ever exposed to cigarette smoke,and I haven't noticed when I'm sick. My Aaunt on my mom's side has Asthma to some degree, I don't have any dry skin conditions, my sisters and my mom and I all have a few allergies, and I don't think I have acid reflux. Thank you for helping. I hope you can answer.

Answer
Hi Gabbie,

It sounds as if you should go to an allergist for an asthma workup. Exercise, horses, family history of allergies all point in that direction. A family doctor is not really equipped for proper testing. Fortunately, if it should be proven that you do have asthma, with education you can easily take control and live a "near" normal life. "Near", because you need to be aware of those things that may affect you, and then take the proper precautions to still partake in those activities. Many Olympic athletes have asthma (as an example of an extreme case), so you make adaptations.

If you are concerned of the medication costs, and you don't have insurance, almost all of the manufacturer's have support programs that can provide their medications as a reasonable cost ( like $25 for a month unit of Advair that normally retails for $200.00). Also, many of the drugs are becoming available in generics, with more out later this year.

Let me know what the results are, and I can then give you additional guidance.

Good luck!

Sincerely,

Marc