what does asthma feel like......?

[simoncowellsunderpants]

Before Xmas I had tight chest no cough just the vague sensation that my breathing wasn't comfortable. Saw gp diagnosed chest infection gave course ab which I took but still the sensation was there. Saw different gp who gave me a ventolin inhaler and told me to take but wasn't convinced it was asthma. Anyway didn't take as by the time I'd got it all aymptoms had gone.
This week upper chest/throat discomfort is back but no wheeze and no cough. Infact not really short of breath just feel tight and uncomfortable but it is coming and going. Anyway I have taken the inhaler and sometimes it helps sometimes it doesn't. Does this sound like asthma to you? I am in my late 30's, gave up smoking 10 years ago and never have had allergies or excema. The only medical history I have is anxiety disorder ( I know this may be related but i'm not convinced). thanks in advance for replies!

[Mistymoo]

I'm asthmatic and when I have a bad attack I do feel like my throat is going tight. It is also difficult to breath out and that is the main problem - breathing in isn't so bad!

[oxocube]

When I have a bad asthma attack, its very frightening. I feel like I have to consciously take each breath otherwise I will stop breathing altogether. Each breath is very laboured, I cannot talk. I had a bad attack a few weeks ago because I forgot my inhaler (Foradil) and took dd to her riding lesson (am allergic to horses ). A mild attack can be simply a very tight feeling in your chest when you breathe.

Ventolin inhaler doesn't work for me. The one I take (along with preventative steroids) should last for 12 hours.

HTH

[simoncowellsunderpants]

so does asthma not last days then but more minutes - hours?

[oxocube]

If you treat it with appropriate drugs, it can ease within a few minutes IME

[Mercy]

I have very mild asthma and my experience of it (excluding one major attack) is of my chest tightening and my breathing being a bit restricted, usually accompanied by wheezing. Occasionally my shoulders are hunched up and everything feels 'tight'. A reliever works in minutes for me. I also have had panic attacks in hte last couple of years - there is no similarity in my case.

My brother's asthma is worse - especially around hay fever time. He has lots of wheezing and restricted breathing, he can go quite pale too, increased heart beat etc. His can last for hours tbh. A reliever doesn't really work so he's now on a preventer. He's been like since he was very young.

Sorry for a badly written post but HTH!

[simoncowellsunderpants]

still got this feeling couldn't get gp appt today so have taken inhaler but not sure if it is working would I definately feel a huge difference for how long and how long after inhaling 2 puffs of salbutamol would it take before it started working.
Also when I wake it's fine but kicks in a few minutes after - would this happen with asthma or would I wake with it.

[oxocube]

I would imagine the salbutamol would work for at least a few hours in most cases. If I forget to use my preventative stuff or take my inhaler every 12 hours, I sometimes wake in the night, funnily usually dreaming something which involves not being able to breathe, like drowning or being suffocated Funny how the mind works.

Have you had any allergy tests? Maybe its an allergy to pets (not in the bedroom) or something similar? Hope you get an appointment soon.

[swedishmum]

I agree with oxocube - it's the idea that if you don't consciously breathe, you won't naturally breathe in and out and you'll die. It's a terrifying feeling. Or else someone has put an elastic band over your lungs and you can only breathe in the bottom bit. You feel you need to breathe in fully and start to panic.

[foundintranslation]

I agree with swedishmum's elastic band image - that's pretty spot-on ime. I used to wheeze a lot, but now when I'm having a hard time breathing I get the elastic-band thing and pain across my lungs, just under my norks. Also, oddly enough, the area under my chin gets very itchy.

[zephyrcat]

I get the itchy chin too!

Asthma to me feels like someone is piling bricks onto my chest - bot painful but hard to expand when you breathe in.

I also find myself trying to yawn desperately just to catch that big breath...that calms it a little.