Asthma in Arizona

[Snowman9000]

We were south of Tucson for November and December, and now are in Casa Grande.

My December was horrible. It started with a bad cold. Then sinus infection, and now some type of asthma that isn’t responding to a rescue inhaler. Every day I have some episodes. I have a doctor appointment tomorrow.

Anyway, has anyone here ever had a similar experience out here? Prior to this I have never had anything like this. At this point I am hoping it’s asthma and not something worse.

[John_Joey]

Update... What was the outcome of the doctor's visit?

Needless to say, hope all is well.

[navegator]

The choyas propagate by clinging to the furr of animals, since we do not have furr the spines actually penetrate the skin and with the moisture the tip of the spine curls and anchors until the choya falls off, unfortunately the spines stay in the skin and take time to be brought to the surface, what ever you do stay away from them and if you do get them on you do go see a doctor, it urts like hell when stung, been there once, two of them on my head the rest on my winter jaket that got ruind getting them off, they will ruin bike tires.

navegator

[aguablanco]

We also have the Plague in the Four Corners area. The air in Phoenix is, right now,very polluted. Some say worse than Beijing. Hanta virus is not common outside of Canyon Country. Hope you feel better soon.
RichH

[azrving]

Jumping cholla. My official worst and most wicked plant on earth. I see them on the side of the trails as I ride by on power toys. If you actually landed on one I think you would be in the hospital on morphine while they pluck them. They go through leather gloves and some shoes.

[navegator]

Yes "hantavirus" carried by mice, the way it workes is that they mark the trails by urinating drops and that dry out and the urin actually becomes a type of dust, more prevalent in closed structures, when swept it becomes airborn and is inhaled.

Sorry about the spelling, there are also a lot of dust particles that can be airborne, specially in winter's dry weather and in spring and summer pollen, some desert flowers open at night only and are polinated by bats.

If you do not live in the dessert but are visiting and the simptoms persist, do go and check with a doctor, some times an antihistamine will help other times a move is needed.

Parts of California, Arizona and New mexico are within to desserts, the Mojave to the North and the Zonoran to the South each with its own distinct plants and flowerin cactus, steay away from the "jumping choyas" they are nasty.

navegator

[IDman]

I lived in Tucson for 2 years in the 70s and found that my biggest problem was from the Russian Olive trees that were so prevalent. That, plus the other dust, dryness, etc. all helped me decide to move.

[Padlin]

I had similar last Jan in Tucson, it persisted till we got home in mid March. Went to my Asthma doc who blames it on allergies. He put me on Singulair this winter, won't know if it works for a while.

[John_Joey]

From the ash coming off of the burning of the sugar cane fields the DW developed Bronchitis. Went to the Urgent care Doctor, 12 days on Augmentin, plus heading back north (out of the burn area) fixed it.

Over the years I've seen more then a few posts commenting on the allergy problems some snowbirds have in AZ.

Valley Fever Clicky

[azrving]

We were just shopping in Casa Grande and then headed west. We bypassed the stench of the cattle ranch in Stanfield but when looking west it looked like it was on fire with smoke to the hills on the west side. We use a sinus rinse product called Neilmed. Read the directions and use the proper water. Very important. I consider it more of a preventive maintenance product not a cure

I use Ipratropium bromide when I notice my sinus getting messed up. I use that and take aspirin and put hot towels on my face/neck/head. If I dont knock it out early it moves to my throat and then chest and the only way I kick it is with antibiotics. At that point I'm hacking and spitting/coughing green and yellow.

My wife has been flushing her sinus yesterday and today.

[Acampingwewillg]

A couple year's ago we came back from a 3 month road trip and I thought I had a cold! I did the typical over the counter fixes for about two- three weeks but it just lingered on. Finally went in to see the doctor, he said, you probably picked up a virus on your travels and put me on antibiotics. Took that prescription for the 10 days, still no improvement and went on a stronger antibiotic and a chest X-Ray. The X-Ray was not conclusive but my primary care doctor got me in to see a Pulmonologist.

Long story short, after a Cat Scan, I did have Valley Fever. I had traveled thru Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. I had actually mentioned this possibility to my doctor (Valley Fever) on my very first visit but he didn't have enough experience to fully diagnose it(not uncommon).... fortunately the Pulmonologist did have experience in diagnosing and treating Valley Fever. Once on the Anti fungal drug...it cleared things up within a few weeks.

Unless you know for sure you don't have this pain in the Butt Fungus, it might be worth your time to have it checked out!

[jhlady]

Snowman9000,

I had the same problem when I first got to Arizona for the winter many years ago. The types of plants and allergens in Arizona are a lot different than the Northwest or Mid-west. I am not a doctor, but unless you have a medical reason not to or your doctor advises against it, I would start taking over the counter anti-allergy pills such as Zyrtec etc. and see if your symptoms improve. I buy the generic version at Costco. If so, stay on them until you leave. I have gotten to where I take them nightly regardless of where I wander and it seems to keep things in check. Hope this helps.

John

[ppine]

Many people get infected sinuses from inhaling dust. This especially true if they are coming from some place much wetter with higher humidity. It helps to irrigate your nose with a hot shower or inhale some steam.

[2oldman]

Snowman9000 wrote:

2oldman wrote:
I get bronchitis about every 3 years in Quartzsite. I love the place but not enough to keep risking that! I have not been to the area you're asking about.

I could have bronchitis, I suppose. What happens to you, when you get it?

I feel absolutely terrible. So weak I can hardly move. I don't seem to have a lot of congestion or coughing, but I just feel dead.

Edit: now I remember.. I hack up green and sometimes brown stuff. Nasty.

[maddog348]

Similar to 'hantavirus' as carried by mousies??

[navegator]

When you are at the doctor have him check for "Anta virus" it is comon in the desert and can be lethal if untreated.

navegator