Hi there:
I literally just subscribed to this group. I am hoping for some feedback and
shared knowledge/opinions/experiences.

Up until a couple of years ago, my only respiratory issue was seasonal
pollen-triggered hay fever, mild incidents of skin rashes (usually
weather-triggered) and allergy to wood dust. Lived with two cats, no problem.
Work out aerobically on a regular basis, now 33, reasonably fit female, no
family history of respiratory problems, though my mom has had skin rashes due
to unknown allergies.

In 2000, I started to see an increase in nasal drip and sneezing, but Claritin
was effective. In 2001, it got worse.
I have no idea if living in NYC, a mile north of Ground Zero, has anything to
do with this (and my problems are infinitesimal in light of *that*)--but in the
year 2002 my allergies became full-blown. Claritin did nothing anymore.
Constant nasal, inner ear and throat problems, strep throat and finally
bronchitis that forced me into the emergency room because I could barely
breathe.

In 2003, trips to the allergist (who was horrified by how 40 test shots showed
a reaction to *everything*) resulted in all sorts of prescriptions to see what
would work--nasal sprays, pills, and also albutrol and Advair Air discus. I
must admit, I ignored the asthma meds because I was sure it was "just" severe
allergies.  But last month, despite a regimen of Zyrtec, Flonase and OTC meds,
I began having severe night episodes of dry coughing and shortness of breath.
Not every night, but an increasing number. I also noticed that after
particularly vigorous workouts, I would cough a lot and spit out some phlegm.
It  was as if my lungs temporarily cleared somewhat, only to constrict again at
night.

I started doing the Advair Air Diskus and it started helping immediately. No
more night wheeze, and suddenly I could run four miles instead of three with
less effort. My chronically running nose and chest congestion also eased up. Is
this related or coincidental? (maybe the insanely long stretch of freezing
weather is just causing a hiatus?)
But this also forced the realization on me that I must be, in essence,
asthmatic.
Is this common? To develop asthma out of allergy symptoms? Is it possible I
will get to the point of having asthma "attacks" and need emergency inhalers?
Or do I have a "mild" case of asthma. Will it ever go away? If I did steroid
shots or simply moved to a less allergen-filled environment, would that affect
my asthmatic symptons?

I know, I should ask my allergist. I will at my next appointment. Her working
in a harried environment where she always has five patients waiting, she
usually gives me a check-up, says I'm congested, writes out a bunch of
prescriptions and rushes off. I never heard her say, "You have asthma." But
with prescriptions of albutrol (which I haven't used) and Advair, don't I? Was
curious to see if I can get some feedback, and maybe empathy, here.

Thanks for reading.
--acey