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My asthma started when I was 18 years old. I was on my way to a party. I told my friend I couldn't breath and she paniced and went to her mom's instead of to the hospital. Her mom said to take me to ER because they lived in an out of the way area and that by the time they found the house...I could already be getting help. We didn't know what was wrong. All I knew was it was getting harder to breath. By the time I got to the hospital, I walked into the ER door and collapsed. I was blue. They finally brought me too and I was in the hospital for several weeks. I don't remember much about it. But I do know..that night changed my life. I was put on Prednisone, which is a corticosteroid to help keep my asthma under control. It made me gain weight at a rapid rate...and within the next 10 years..my whole life would be different. The doctors didnt' know much about Steroids back then. The didnt' know to tell you to take Calcium with it. Now I have major calcium deficiency and have dental problems, back problems, etc.. I am in constant pain. It has hurt my vision and at age 20 (right eye)and again at age 30 (left eye), I had to have catarac surgery and implants.I was on steroids so long unattended (14 years)that it shut down my adrenal gland. Now, anytime I get sick..or have any kind of trauma, I have to take steroids again. Its a vicious cycle. It is not just a price I pay. My family pays it too. I have mood swings, illnesses caused from the side effects of my medicine, etc. When someone finally helped me to get off steroids, it was an awful time. The mood swings were terrible. I went from being in a state of such happiness to totally losing it and slamming my fist into a brick wall. Trust me, I knew better..and I knew it would hurt. lol..It was the hormones and all things going on inside just tore me up and I totally lost control of myself and my good reasoning. The withdrawal of the steroids made me distrust everyone and the pain in my body was awful. I ached when I got up and I ached when I went to bed. I still do now. If anyone tries to get you to take steroids for asthma or anything else...please use your head. Prednisone, Medrol, Corticosteroids...whatever you want to call it is a GOOD DRUG! It really can help you..but be sure that it is a quick taper dose and not anything long lasting. Be sure the benefits outweigh the side effects. Mine did but I suffered terribly because of lack of knowledge. They know things now..so it is much safer. If I didn't take it..I would not have been able to breath..so it was worth it to me....But I could have done things to make the side effects a little less traumatic for all involved if everyone had been more informed. Here are a few links for info on Steroids. Please remember..this steroid is NOT the same as what athletes commonly take!
Thanks
to National Jewish Hospital of Allergies and Immunology..At age
19, I finally understood what asthma was, how it worked and how
to anticipate an attack. 
They had
classes to teach me what was happening during an attack. They
also ran tests so they could be specific on my particular case.
It was wonderful. I learned a lot. They also have Lung Line
Service
Asthma,
Allergies & Immunology Online
The Allergy
& Asthma Network/Moms of Asthmatics
ClubHouse
Asthma - good for Kids
Wee Willie
Wheezie Asthma Education - Parent Zone
American
Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
Sniffles &
Sneezes
Acute Asthma
During Pregnancy
I will add more later..
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