Difficult Asthma Case Studies

Discover how proper treatment can improve patients' quality of life through nine stories told by patients with severe asthma and clinical experts

By Kristen Ziegler

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Severe asthma's heterogeneity makes finding treatment difficult. Up to 15 percent of people with asthma do not respond to standard inhaled corticosteroid therapy, resulting in close to 2 million emergency room visits, 500,000 hospitalizations, and 4,000 asthma deaths annually. But treatments for individual patients have been found. We asked asthma specialists and patients to share their most challenging asthma cases and the therapies that improved patients' quality of life. Read their stories by clicking on the pictures below.

Please, ask your doctor for a referal to a Pulmonary Rehab Program. If you do not have one in your area, look for an Asthma Clinic. They have Respiratory Therapist that can teach you how to use your medication effectively, proper breathing techniques to reduce shortness of breath, and get you on a exercise program that is best suited to you. They will monitor your oxygen levels and vitals. Also, get a VO2 exercise test. This will give you numbers that can help your therapist with the exercise prescription. Shortness of Breath is a sensation, but it is not dangerous. The pulmonary rehab therapist will be there to monitor you and help you with the correct techniques to reduce any anxiety you have/get when exercising. Good Luck

Monica Beeson, Supervisor, Saint Francis	January 20, 2012
Tulsa, OK

I am 50 years old i was diagnosed with chronic asthma a little over a year ago i was in the emergency room with exacerbations 9 times last year and seem to be on prednisone every other month, I have tried all the inhalers but seem to have the best luck with dulera inhaler, my issues lately is no energy only able to work 4 hours max. I could use some help finding some energy.

theodore Mclaughlin	January 03, 2012
Bishop, CA

I have had asthma for 53 of my 56 years and have tried everything. Three years ago, my doctor said everything look good and normal. I told her it was not normal to feel like XXXX and weigh 350lbs and to have to take prednisone every other month. Can't we look at something else? So she said let try thyroid replacement threapy. I haven't lost any weight but I feel good, want to get up every morning, and can now jog in the pool for 1/2 hr without getting winded and have only had 1 hospital stay in the last 3 yrs and the next ????? Yes, my thyroid is still in the normal range. I hope this might help someone else dr. I can't explain it but we're goooooooood!!!

marsh goetz	January 02, 2012
sandy, UT

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