Hi Brianna.  My name is Lisa and I have had asthma for 28 years.  I was like you but that bad.  I remember in my high school years, in and out of the ER, missing school, doc appointments. allergy testing, allergy shots once a week for 4 years(they didn't work.)  Allergy shots were started at once a week for a little while.  Then  they would try to go to 1 shot every 2 weeks.  The injection site would swell to the size of a 50 cent piece.  Then I would have to go back to the once a week shots.  I was on and off steriods, breathing treatments, and inhalers and pills.  I remember  that my mom kept the ped doc phone number memeorized, and going into his office late at night for a breathing treatment.  This past year has been really bad for me too.  I can't afford to see a doc about these flare ups so I use Primetime Mist inhaler.  Most dr say that a lot of allergens has a lot to due asthma triggers.  When I lived in Austin,TX I hardly had any attacks, maybe like once a month.  Now that I am back living in my home town I have gotten bad again.  Im using my inhaler like 5 times or more a day.  So I really think my home town is not a very good place for me to live in, but I got really sick with diabetes, had to move back plus my hubby wanted to be closer to his mom.  For those six years I lived in Austin I lived life.  I was able to do things that I couldn't do in my home town.  So I kinda know how you feel during those attacks.  And I'm so sorry anyone has this chronic problem.  I don't want to call it a disease because I don't think of it as one.  I like to call it my problem. haha I just wanted you to know that you're not alone in this.

lisaalldredge,

Thanks for the comment! I know I am not alone! It can just be a frustrating thing to deal with. For me they have never been able to try the allegery shots and such because I am allergic to allegery medication.... hmmm. anyways I deal with my asthma by simply not letting it rule my life. I take my medications, when I feel an attack comming on I take my rescue inhaler, and if I feel I need to I start steroids and call my pulmonologist.  For me, I have lived in one small town my home town all my life. It is out in the country, and so moving to a big city to a dorm was a big change.  This tells me that I will need to probably live in my home town or some where like it all my life for my asthma does best there, but more importantly than that I love the country feel.  I have done a lot even with my asthma such as gymnastics and dance team, and marching band.  whether or not this is a problem or a disease I don't think really matters, it just something we have to deal with and allways will.  I feel frustrated at times because of all the meds I have to take, and because I hate the taste of the steroids if they get onto your tongue when you try and swallow them, but all in all I have had asthma for so long that I really can't remember life without it.

Brianna

Okay. I can easily see being very angry about your asthma. At least it was diagnosed early enough to prevent long term damage physically & psychologically. How about going 50 years knowing everytime you start to run you experience shortness of breath in less than 50 feet. Even though your legs want to keep going, your lungs are saying no more. The only way to cope is to stop anything more strenuous than walking. Do you know what that gets you? FAT. When I was 54, I went to an allergist who diagnosed bronchial asthma and started me on inhalers. A couple of weeks later, I discovered what it is like to walk 25 feet and still have enough air to sing. It has been 10 years this week. I am still having a hard time remembering when to use my albuterol. Usually, my husband will ask, 'are you ok?' when I am coughing. Within a couple of minutes after using my inhaler, the coughing stops. Also, I often take off to walk or hike and forget to use my inhaler first. Then I have to take a break and use it. Maybe I didn't get adequate training or it is just plain hard to modify  ancient habits.