I’ve had asthma all my life, long before the invention of inhalers, nebulizer medications, or bipap. I’ve been intubations several times in the past. I have many triggers, and am on two inhalers (advair and spiriva) daily, plus singulair.

Add to that, I have a rare genetic fever syndrome that’s auto inflammatory, as opposed to autoimmune. It’s called, TNF Receptor Associated Periodic Syndrome, or TRAPS, for short. Most of the time, flares last from 1-5 weeks at a time. It causes fevers and flu like symptoms. But once in awhile, it goes ballistic and attacks my body - primarily almost always my asthma. It’s taken me from being an active critical care Field Training Officer Paramedic to being completely disabled.

Both of these diseases require the use of high doses of prednisone when things get out of hand, and hospitalization with crazy doses via IV.

So middle of last month, my TRAPS went crazy after my lungs. I spent 6 days in ICU on a ventilator, and another 3 days on a regular floor. Things never really improved... and by the 6th of this month, I was in trouble. Nebulizer treatments weren’t touching me. Worse, my heart was so insanely tachycardic (150 beats/minute just from trying to make some coffee and a sandwich) and I had chest pain. I went back to the ER and learned I was having a heart attack.

They did a cardiac catheterization and then an echocardiogram... no coronary artery disease, but I DID have damage to the heart muscle. They said I’ve had a “Type 2 heart attack” due to “breathing demand eschemia”. I was on IV iron, magnesium, potassium (all were so low!!), steroids, and hefty antibiotics...

I guess I’m hoping to hear from others who’ve had to deal with serious repercussions from their asthma. I just got home from the hospital this afternoon. Im scheduled to see a pulmonologist for the first time ever... Up till now, I’ve just seen an allergy doctor and my primary physician. What do I expect from the pulmonologist??

I’m 48, and now the proud owner of a wheelie walker... My life has changed so much... I just need some support, for any who are able to reach out.

Thank you for reading. All the best to you...