Ok I'll chime in, not from a scientific perspective of course but as a patient.

I have asthma which evidently developed after a particularly evil bronchial illness about 5 years ago. Probably developed in tandem with the fact that I was working in a basement of a building and I'm sure mold count didn't help.

At first they thought it was just a virus, but I continued having problems so they put me on steriods. I hated them, they made me feel crazy. Several appointments later, they said it was asthma. After trying several inhalers (preventive) and having some severe or interesting reactions my doctor prescribed Pulmicort and I've not had an ounce of trouble (nor an attack) since. Matter of fact, I can't even remember the last time I needed to use the albuterol for "quick relief", though I do keep it with me just in case.

As far as a med holiday, my guess would be no for asthma sufferers but that's based on personal experience as I once went out of town for a long weekend and forgot my preventive....by the third day my lungs were feeling heavy etc.

Interestingly, my only trigger seemed to be hot and/or humid air. Still bothers me if I'm extremely active in that type of weather condition.

Gypsy,

Warm temperatures and high humidity are not good for asthma sufferers. A 50% humidity or less environment with cooler temperatures are optimal for most.

IMHO you got by without using your ICS inhaler for a few days due to the residual effect of the medication you are using and also possibly due to not coming in contact with one of your "triggers" during that particular time frame.

I learned a neat trick the other day from a lady Physician I call on. Her daughter is an asthma patient. When her daughter goes for a run, she braids her albuterol inhaler in her ponytail so she doesn't have to hold on to it while she runs. It's there if she needs it. Neat trick.

Doc, I agree. The weekend in question was in the winter months and since I have no other known allergies or triggers it wasn't really out of control. I figured if I started to experience any distress I would have had my doc call in a prescription to the local pharmacy.

Neat trick! I usually put things like keys, my cell phone etc in my "fanny pack".

You learn something new everyday.

I've heard the term before but never put 2 and 2 together before.

Thanks.

Sweetbriar,

The inflammatory cells of an asthma patient hyper-respond and become inflamed to stimuli that does not bother you and I making it impossible to breathe.

Doc,

IMHO, an "Asthma Holiday" is an extremely bad way of handling meds. I don't know who invented the term or the practice but I liken it to playing russian roulette. Whe I go running I put my Ventolin inside a small pocket that is on my cassette player. It is there when I need it and lately it is every other day. I do better when it is warm and humid just the opposite from other Asthma patients. I cannot handle dry cold air.

Handy little thing that goes around the waist. FS would be proud, it's black leather and goes with everything. :D

You don't have your asthma under control if you need rescue (albuterol) meds "every other day".

The idea of warm humid air might be something different for you and me up here in northern Ohio.

I guess I was thinking of something that was worn braided in the hair. Sorry.

My lungs LOVE warm and humid air, and they tend to get a bit croupy (for lack of a better word) whenever I'm in a dry environment. I just spent two days in a casino and could feel the dry creep down in my chest because of it. I live in the deep South and keep the windows open as often as possible, even if it's just a few hours at night. Would that be an indicator that I'm unlikely to get asthma? Are there any solid predictors on who gets it or who wouldn't?

75% of people with asthma show signs and symptoms before the age of 7 yrs. I doubt you have it if it hasn't manifested itself by now. Could you get occupational asthma? Yes, but that's another story.

Atopy or a genetic predisposition to allergies is the number one factor as to who gets it. If one of your parents has/had allergies, you have around a 40% chance; if both of your parents have allergies the odds go up to around 60%.

Humidity is a trigger to asthma. Asthma patients should try and get the humidity in their home down to 50% or lower.

I had asthma with active symptoms back from when I was 6 years old to the age of 12. Took some heavy medication for it and I believe due to that I havent needed to take any medication for it nor had any symptoms for nearly 7 years now.

Asthmatic seizures are definetly nothing to joke about. I personally had around 3 of the more serious type of seizures, but never got hospitalized because of them, even though I was hospitalized for testing and treatment on a few occasions.

From what Ive gathered the early diagnosis and treatment of asthma play a key role in minimizing it's effects. A lot of physical excercise never hurt either.

Does e.g. the US Army test recruits for asthma? In a hypotethical situation would what I mentioned above be a disqualifier for attending SFAS/SFQC?

PS. Every person who has asthma should always keep the seizure medication with him/her.

Thank you for your time and answers. If my post was inappropriate then feel free to remove it.

Thanks

EDIT: Sorry for being stupid. A disqualifier it is.

This has been flogged to death.

Read the stickies.

TR