About Sue Enlow Expertise I can answer questions about asthma, COPD, and other respiratory diseases. I can also answer questions about breathing treatments and medications, ventilators, life support, aspects of ICU or the critical care environment, and CPR.
Experience I've been a Respiratory Therapist since 1990. I am currently a Supervisor, and I have worked in various hospitals in Southern California including teaching hospitals.
Question It's very simple, let me sum this up really easily so you can
answer. Recently I've been having trouble breathing. If I was to
describe it I'd basically say as though you cannot breath in
enough air to relax. As though you stop just short of acquiring a
full breath. I just went to an Allergist yesterday, basically they
gave me testing which was the first I've had in years. They did
asthma testing, breath testing, etc... they seemed to think all
was well, except for my left nostril being congested (which I
didn't notice).
They gave me Singulair, then a nasal spray... I came home, tried
both, I'm not sure the nasal spray does anything, and the
Singulair just seems to have made breathing more difficult. I
don't think it helped at all, but I also can't say it alone is
responsible for making me worse. The problem is this, I went to
the ER a week ago about this, they found nothing, I got allergy
medication and it's done nothing, so what in gods freakin world
is wrong with my breathing.
I mean the best way I can explain it is... I can breath, it just feels
like down my left chest there isn't enough air coming in, then I
twist left or right a bit and I breath better, it feels gone, then I
eventually feel it again. I'm on antidepressants but I don't think
this is anxiety, it seems to be really just odd. I suppose it could
be I'm anxious and tightening my chest somehow, but I feel this
is to severe to be something so simple. Sometimes if I bend back
it gets better. That's about all I can say, it's a mystery. Was
hoping you'd have some insights... considering they tried an
asthma treatment on me which did nothing, and they found no
reason to suspect any heart condition, what it could be I may
never know.
Answer Hi Sam,
Thank you for your question. First of all, Singulair is a 'maintenence' medication. It needs to be taken everyday for a while before it will take effect. It's not used for emergency or sudden breathing problems. It helps to prevent problems and keep current problems under better control. Unfortunately, all medications don't always work for everyone.
There are so many different things that can cause breathing problems. It's always good to have allergy testing done, but I also recommend that you see a Pulmonologist, or someone who specializes in lung problems. This type of doctor can do different tests than the Allergist and can hopefully figure out what is causing your breathing problems. I am assuming that you had a chest x-ray done, and hopefully a CT scan as well. It is very important that you find a doctor that you feel comfortable with and remember, you always have the right to a second, or even third opinion.
I know you were hoping that I could diagnose your problem, but I'm not a doctor, and I can only try to point you in the right direction. I wish you luck, and please let me know how you are doing, or if you have any other questions.
