bad chest tightness when in college buildings

[ubuffman2001]

For quite a few years now, I have had some type of asthmatic reaction when I walk into certain buildings. I am attending school right now and every time I enter the school buildings, my airways constrict and I can hardly breathe, without coughing alot. Usually about 20 minutes after I leave and go outside I feel alot better. Medicines I take for this include Advair, albuterol, pulmozyme, and inhaled tobi. Alot of the time I take 400 mg of motrin as that seems to help. I used to take zithromax 3x a week, but it never helped with the inflammation.

Has anybody else experienced this, and what have you done, or what medicines have you taken to help relieve the symptoms?

Thanks alot.

 

[Emily65Roses]

Is there any way your school has asbestos or something in it that could be really detrimental to your health? You should ask someone in the school about that. I have certain places that my airways constrict a lot more, but usually it's places with dirty air, or smoke everywhere.

 

[JazzysMom]

It could be the heating/air conditioning systems. Any school facility is required (in New York State anyway) to test the air quality. Appropriate measures are suppose to be taken when those levels are not within the regulated limits. Another possible problem might be the cleaners used. Any products used should have a MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) somewhere that can be reviewed. This tells you the contents of the cleaner, who made it & what known side affects occur. Of course its "general" so if you have a chronic illness that makes you more sensitive then it might not show on the MSDS. You should be able to get in touch with someone at the school. It could be as simple as cleaning a filter in the system. I would start with the Nurse or whoever is in charge of Environmental Services. If you are not sure where to start....start with a teacher & work up. Although states vary in regulations there has to be some similiarity in their accountability. Dont take NO or I DONT KNOW for an answer. I have seen it happen both in our local schools & the local hospital I use to work at. In the hospital we were able to contact our Union as well as Quality Improvement (which is actually directed toward patient care not employee bitches). Even if it is not hurting you long term, its causing a problem for you that can interfere with learning. I have it when entering certain stores. I have it when I enter my daughters school in the Winter time. I dont spend enough time there to raise a stink, but I tell my daughter who has allergies if she ever has a problem breathing or coughing to let me know. Let us know what happens!

 

[nobody]

I have had this problem before. It was air quality. Commecial buildings generally have filters at the intakes, but not always replaced in a timely fashion. I found this out first hand. Ask the building engineer when the last time the ducts were cleaned/ filter changed.
If you appeal to him and his expertise - he'll probably take care of this for you.
-steve

 

[anonymous]

It could also be mold in the buildings.

 

[ccflewallen]

i have also experienced these symptoms in colloeg buildings. I attend Western Ky University and it has been confirmed that the building in question that I have these symptoms in has BLACK MOLD in it. This might be something you may want to look into at your school. Albuterol usually does the trick for me although I have taken the others. The best and I do mean the best practice for CFers is exercise exercise and more exercise. Not just any exercise either. We have to condition our lungs and keep them in shape. Endurance is a big key. Every week or so, increase your exercise velocity. This will increase the amount of "power" you can put into a cough. Of course this is just from my own personal experience, as I am certainly not a doctor or even close. Also, I have been hospitalized for severe hymoptisis once and that was scary. It was caused by chronic bronchitis and a really bad cough. I also have pseudamonas arigenosa (spelling) and function normally with it, at least for now.

Chris

 

[anonymous]

omg...I have that problem at school allllll the time...I thought I was the only one. It especially affected me when I stayed in dorms (I'm living at home now). I tried everything...windows open, albuterol more times a day, advair...they all seemed to help but only for a little amount of time. What really worked for me was prednizone. I know it's not great to be on it all the time, but it's nice to use it every once in a while if possible just to get some relief. Best of luck with it...and my guess is that it's the vents and tons of dust.


erin
20/f/cf

 

[anonymous]

There's no doubt there are "sick" buildings -- particularly those airtight ones built after the 60s. Our college has one I simply cannot breathe in. I complained to the powers that be, one of whom (who said she has asthma) privately admitted that the yearly air-quality testing mandated by the government really gets done every 10 years and even then is basically a joke. I used to work for EPA and considered releasing the OSHA hounds, but in the end it seemed more practical simply to request to work in another building. I didn't want to get into my precise health details, and so of course I came across as a hypochondriac, but I was granted my request. Anyway, rather than accepting the problem is with YOU, consider reminding your school or office that it is legally obliged to provide a safe and healthy environment. After all, if you're having breathing difficulties in a particular building, it's pretty certain other people are too.