Expert: Kevin Smith - 8/30/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello,

I had an asthma attack last Thursday that woke me up at 3 am with fever feeling, burning lungs. I didn't have an inhaler around since I haven't had an attack in almost 2 years. Been managing my asthma will- was my mistake. Now I have upper abdomin pain almost like a constent hunger pain or pain one edges of rib cage, and if I push down on my belly button pain as well. It comes and goes since Saturday morning. Attack happened on Friday 3am. No dirrehea or vomiting or headaches or really back pain. Just mainly pain first thing in the morning then dull pain though-out the day some wheezing and no loss of appetite. Advil help but not really.

Any advise what it could be. I'm going to see my regular doctor asap.

Thanks,

Eric

ANSWER: Hi Eric,

I wouldn't be able to say with any degree of certainty what's going on with you right now. Did you experience any coughing during your attack? Are you running a temperature now? Any dizziness?

I think your own course of action is going to be the best - you should visit a dr. or a walk-in clinic or emerg if your symptoms maintain or get any worse. You should be visiting your own dr., as you say, ASAP.

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

QUESTION: Hi Kevin,

I experience some coughing and bad taste in my mouth.. kinda trying to vomit but couldn't the night it happened with night fever then in the morning I was ok. Then Saturday morning it started happening the abdomin pain. My asthma is okay not just have the adbomin pain it seems to be getting better but right after I eat a meal I feel the adbomin pain again.

I'm not running a temperature or have dizziness. I feel fine except for this pain., Just some tiredness and adbomin pain right after eating that lasts 3-4 hours.. and morning pain on empty stomach. No back pain but left side of back feels pressure, tendor.

Using the inhaler and anti-acids seem to help. Drinking achohol and citrus drinks etc make it worse.

But even with anti-acids pain still there.

I will call my doctor tomorrow.

Thanks,

Eric

Answer
Hi Eric,

It actually sounds like you're having some form of stomach condition that could be coupled with acid-reflux ( which can set asthma off for sure ).

I would definitely get ahold of your dr. on this one - as there are quite a few stomach conditions it could be, but a guess would include things like an ulcer and/or moderate to severe acid-reflux. In this case, your asthmatic symptoms may be because of this.

If it turns out that AR is going to be an issue for you, the dr. may wish to put you on an acid-control medication such as Pantoprazole or such.

Let me know how things go, and good luck with your dr.!