Who should I see?

[ArcticChicken]

So, my asthma has been really bothering me lately, as in, I use my rescue inhaler most days. I think I need to be on one of the daily inhalers, and I'm wondering if I ought to see an asthma specialist.

I just called my doctors office and left a message, but they're busy as hell right now. My doctor is on vacation, and I think another one is out sick, so I thought I'd ask people here, and if the broad consensus is that I ought to see a specialist I'll start hunting for one now rather than wait for a call back.

[Der Cute]

I'd start looking for one, make an appointment and if you get your doctor's office calling you back first, try them. Does your doctor work with a team, does that team have a doc who does lung work? Try that too.
Please document somehow your attacks and severity. If you need to go to the ER for this, DO IT.

[Sapphire Silk]

It depends on your insurance situation; in some states you have to see your primary MD before insurance will pay for a specialist. Check with your plan.

If that's not an issue, go ahead and make an appointment with a specialist. If your current treatment plan is not working for you, then you probably need to get a second opinion, even if your doctor rocks.

Of course, if you get into respiratory trouble, see the Sticky guidelines and when to see the doctor in the office and when to go to the ER. I imagine you're pretty in tune with your own body if you've had long term asthma, though.

[ArcticChicken]

Wow, that was way quicker than expected. The office called me back, she's given me an Advair prescription and instructions to call the office tomorrow and make an appointment with my doctor.

[ralerin]

Also, once you've been seen and are still having attacks after, check what you've been eating. Chocolate is a common trigger, as are many other foods.