Nothing wrong with venting.  I too had a coughing attack today as I was
walking in to work... and then for the rest of the day had chest pains...
tightness.. all the normal asthma stuff... and I got depressed also... and I
get that way when I've had a nasty attack.... or when I can't do something
because of my asthma.... but it does go away after a while..... hang in
there....

Steven

Yes, I can appreciate how you feel, I have just got over a three month
period of worsening asthma which ended in me undergoing hospital tests for
emphysema.  Fortunately I didn't have it but the thoughts that I did and my
worsening asthma condition did drag me down. Now three months on with better
treatment I am feeling great, my asthma is under control again and the
future looks rosie once more.  Hang in there mate, just around the corner is
a great day with your name written all over it.

Regards
Alan Lewis
UK

Well, let's see:  You have an attack of an illness that inlcudes
a variety of hormonal fluctuations.  You treat it with
medications that cause other hormonal fluctuations.  Plus, you
probably have an history of sequelae after attacks that includes
whole boatloads of not-fun things like ER visits, hospital stays,
and not having the energy to do things you want.  So, OF COURSE
there's stress, anxiety, and depression associated with having an
attack.

However, there's also things you can do to mitigate the severity
of the emotional backwash.  I'm assuming that you're diligent
about taking your maintenance meds and monitoring your peak flows
. . . prevention is WAY better than cure.  Treat the attack early
and agressively, which will minimize the hormonal flux.  Take an
antihistamine if you've had to use a significant amount of
bronchodilator; the medication will help quell the degranulation
effects of the mast cells and the sedation will take the edge off
the bronchodilator side effects.  If at all possible, REST.  And
don't feel obliged to leap forth and face the world, smile glued
firmly in place.  Get an answering machine or suscribe to voice
mail, and turn off the phone.  Make only those contacts and
perform only those tasks that YOU deem essential [actually, this
is a good bit of advice for ANYBODY  :)].  In short, take steps
to minimize the disequilibrium, and give yourself the chance to
regroup.

Chris Owens

"Steven D. Litvintchouk" <sdlitvin@earthlinkNOSPAM.net> wrote

My experience is very similar.  I get very, very bad tempered, in
particluar when I'm wheezy or tight-chested.  It's as if everything in
life is so difficult, any slight annoyance or adversity makes me lose
my temper.

On oral steroids I get very high and manic.  Can't sleep at all.  And
then afterwards I am exhausted and prone to get very depressed.  My
asthma consultant and GP both they this is a common reaction....has
anyone else found a way of coping with this?