Wheezing problem

rob7 · 12-03-2009, 08:24

A few months ago I returned from a deployment and noticed that I was sometimes wheezing at night and after exercise. It doesn't happen to me all the time just every now and then. I also have post nasal drip which is pretty much constantly going on. I've been to the doc a couple of times and at first they said it was bronchitis, then they thought it was a lingering effect of the flu, and now they are saying allergies.

I can still put out and complete strenuous exercise but it just annoys me and I want to get rid of it. Does anyone have any idea of what this could be or medications to treat it? Also, is it possible that the post nasal drip is causing the wheezing in my throat and that it isn't in my lungs?

Update: I've been doing a lot of research here lately and think I may have sinusitis because of the constant post nasal drip and congestion. I also get a weird smell in my nose sometimes (hard to explain). Anyway, I was thinking the post nasal drip from the sinusitis may be causing the wheezing.

Does this sound feasible?

Thanks for your time and answers.

JJ_BPK · 12-03-2009, 09:04

How old are you?? You may be getting adult on-set allergies. I started when I was around 35 trs. 1st was red wine, then white wine, then at around 45 yrs beer.. Doctor says it's the live yeast. My nose will whizz-up then hard sharp hang-over like headaches.

If I stay away from wine or beer for a couple months, I can tolerate a couple cans before it kicks. But I abstain and stick to whisky neat.. No Problamo..

It's a bit of a problem here in the Conch Republic, as most of the local haunts are Beer-n-Wine joints.. I sneak in a little flask-cell-phone( c pic).. 4 oz's of Love..

rob7 · 12-03-2009, 09:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJ_BPK

How old are you?? You may be getting adult on-set allergies. I started when I was around 35 trs. 1st was red wine, then white wine, then at around 45 yrs beer.. Doctor says it's the live yeast. My nose will whizz-up then hard sharp hang-over like headaches.

If I stay away from wine or beer for a couple months, I can tolerate a couple cans before it kicks. But I abstain and stick to whisky neat.. No Problamo..

It's a bit of a problem here in the Conch Republic, as most of the local haunts are Beer-n-Wine joints.. I sneak in a little flask-cell-phone( c pic).. 4 oz's of Love..

I'm very sorry that you have reactions to beer...that's not good at all. I think I'd much rather have my little wheeze after a run than being allergic to beer.

At least you've still got whiskey, which is much better in my opinion anyway. That cell phone flask is genius by the way, I need to get one of those.

To answer your question, I'm 25. Do you think it could be adult on-set allergies causing this wheeze?

Thanks.

olhamada · 12-03-2009, 09:52

Like JJ said - late onset allergies leading to mild intermittent and exercise induced asthma (sort of a continuum and only gets worse with age). Depending on severity and frequency, you may want to look at an albuterol inhaler, keep using Zyrtec, and if it gets bad, consider Singulair and/or Advair.

Talk to your doctor.

Same thing happened to me after my last deployment. All that damned dust.

JJ_BPK · 12-03-2009, 10:03

Quote:

I'm very sorry that you have reactions to beer...

Don't be sorry,, It just means my kids can't get away with giving poor ol Dad any cheap beer.. They need to buy the good stuff..

Quote:

That cell phone flask is genius by the way, I need to get one of those.

It was from the kids.. The bar-maids know me and my trick,, but we're regulars and get a buy.. I leave good tips..

Quote:

To answer your question, I'm 25. Do you think it could be adult on-set allergies causing this wheeze? Thanks.

I mentioned the allergies as I did know your age,, 25 is a bit young,, but it may be something to ask your doc. Tests for the common allergies are fairly simple and can elimate most of the easy problems. A lot of people have allergies and never are professionally analyzed.

My only prior allergy problem was dog's. If I pet or play with SOME BREEDS,, it's like someone put pepper up my nose. Our Cocker was an exception, she slept on the bed and never bothered me. Our mutt-husky-shepherded-lab was just the opposite.. As long as he didn't sit in my lap and give me his loving, I was fine,, but he was a big lover,, 90 lb lap puppy..

Before you go, write down all the new thing that may have happened while you were away.. Did momma get a puppy/cat/snake for friendship and security? Did you change soap (laundry,hand,car,dish)? Are you using a new dry-cleaners?? Did momma get a new plant she calls Audrey?? ANYTHING can kick in an allergy..

Get yourself checked,, You don't want to be wheezing on ambush,, bad ju-ju..

All of this is non-professional,, self-taught,, so it's worth about ...

My $00.0002...

Sacamuelas · 12-03-2009, 10:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by olhamada

exercise induced asthma

That's my guess too. Course, I fix teeth, not lungs, for a living.

PedOncoDoc · 12-03-2009, 10:23

JJ sounds spot on for most of his response(s). This may be allergies leading to some reactive airwar/bronchospasm. Inflammation in the nasal lining from allergies can cause hyper-reactivity further down the mucosal lining in the airways. OTOH, this could also be the first manifestations of asthma or, if you've had a lot of inhalant exposures, COPD - although you are young for that condition. If they think it's COPD they should test you for a genetic condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Common things being common, you should get allergy testing first and see if you have any exposures you can remove or if you get benefit from medications. Things that should be tested include airborn/environmental allerges as this doesn't sound like a food thing if you only notice it after exercise and at night. Likely culprits this time of year are molds; pollen allergies occur mainly in spring, and dust and danders are year-round.

There are plenty of medications that can be used. Nasal sprays like Nasonex or Flonase are the way to go for the nasal drip if this is allergies, systemic allergy medicines such as Zyrtec can be used in tandem. If your wheeze persists you may be in need of an albuterol inhaler - use it 20 minutes before exercise then as needed afterwards. If you find you're needing albuterol more days than not then you may benefit from either a once daily pill such as Singular which helps with allergy-induced symptoms, or from 1-2 time daily maintenance inhaler such as Flovent.

HTH, please feel free to contact me with any more questions or if the medical eval turns anything up.

alelks · 12-03-2009, 16:30

I have the same problem and it's allergies in my case.

I was first diagnosed with Asthma/COPD. I knew it wasn't that so I went somewhere else and they diagnosed it as allergies. Well I've had normal, what I call hay fever for many years but I developed this wheezing and cough at night mostly when I laid down in bed.

Long story short it was definitely allergies. I take either Zyrtec or Claritin as about every 6 months my doctor told me it was a good idea to switch between the two as you develop a tolerance over time and they don't work as well. I found in my case that this was true. He also prescribed Nasonex which got rid of the nasal drip (down the back of my throat).

I get it twice a year. Once in the spring and once in the fall. Sure glad it wasn't Asthma too.

ZonieDiver · 12-04-2009, 16:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJ_BPK

How old are you?? You may be getting adult on-set allergies. I started when I was around 35 trs. 1st was red wine, then white wine, then at around 45 yrs beer.. Doctor says it's the live yeast. My nose will whizz-up then hard sharp hang-over like headaches.

If I stay away from wine or beer for a couple months, I can tolerate a couple cans before it kicks. But I abstain and stick to whisky neat.. No Problamo..

It's a bit of a problem here in the Conch Republic, as most of the local haunts are Beer-n-Wine joints.. I sneak in a little flask-cell-phone( c pic).. 4 oz's of Love..

Crap! And I thought I was the only one! Red wine and beer cause allergic reactions. I deal with it! I cannot accept the alternatives.

PedOncoDoc · 12-05-2009, 06:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZonieDiver

Crap! And I thought I was the only one! Red wine and beer cause allergic reactions. I deal with it! I cannot accept the alternatives.

Does white wine do the same? The problem may be a sulfa allergy. Sulfites are used in the preservation of wines and beers. You might be able to bypass your allergy if you go with "organic" wines that are sulfite free.

My wife has the same problem with wine, less-so with beer - which leaves more of the good stuff for me, but is able to get by with the sulfite free wines. She had a severe reaction to sulfa medications as a child. If this ends up being the case, you may want to be wary of commercially made dried coconut as well (very high in sulfites).

Red Flag 1 · 12-05-2009, 06:58

if it worth saying, it will be quoted.

ZonieDiver · 12-06-2009, 14:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by PedOncoDoc

Does white wine do the same? The problem may be a sulfa allergy. Sulfites are used in the preservation of wines and beers. You might be able to bypass your allergy if you go with "organic" wines that are sulfite free.

My wife has the same problem with wine, less-so with beer - which leaves more of the good stuff for me, but is able to get by with the sulfite free wines. She had a severe reaction to sulfa medications as a child. If this ends up being the case, you may want to be wary of commercially made dried coconut as well (very high in sulfites).

PedOncoDoc, and RedFlag1 -

I had been told that before - about the sulfites - and found it to be true. I just wish I could afford the organic wines! <g> Thanks for the advice...