Asthma and other respiratory conditions

I do not have chronic asthma, only mild, but I use a preventative inhaler and have Albuterol in case I need it. I do also have severe allergies which can trigger my asthma. I take Zyrtec every day. My friend who comes with me, is about the same. Neither of us have ever had any issues at Bonnaroo, even on dusty years.

I have heard that drinking a lot of water does help the body with respiration but I don't know if it's a myth - either way, I drink TONS of water there. I also do not go anywhere without my inhaler. I guess different things trigger different people, and maybe your friend's asthma is way worse, so I have no idea how it affects them.


Edit: I found this online about staying hydrated:

Dehydration produces a large amount of histamine, which creates back pain, inflamed joints, allergies and asthma. The lungs need water almost more than any other part of the body, when the body lacks sufficient water the lungs feel tight and sensitive.

When your lungs are dehydrated, the free passage of air is obstructed so that water does not leave the body in the form of vapor. If you simply increase your water intake this will help to actually prevent asthma attacks. If you or your loved one have ever experienced them you know just how frightening and horrible they can be. You will be delighted to find your symptoms decrease just from drinking 8 to 10 eight ounce glasses of pure water daily. However, doctors warn that being overly enthusiastic and drinking water in excess of this amount is not helpful. Keep in mind that Mom was right, it's wise to do all things in moderation. If you are like me and many others, we get too busy and forget or avoid drinking so we can limit restroom visits. But your health is much more important and it's a small price to pay. If your urine is not a very pale yellow, or even clear, you are not getting enough water (taking B-complex vitamins will result in bright yellow urine).

Singulair*. And it works pretty good. I bring a couple of inhalers with me which I usually need to use a couple times a day at Roo because of the dust. If you have a bad attack the medical tents have the nebulizer breathing treatment machines that will get you feeling nice and jittery in no time. My friend had to use those just about every day last year and even left early because it was so bad for him. USE THE BANDANA FACE MASK!!!

roonectar, or anyone with dust-trigger asthma: get a NIOSH 95 particulate filter like this one for attack prevention. I use them when I'm sanding. They work great.



Amazon: NIOSH 95 particulate filter

For fun, draw, like, big bear teeth on it or something. A Darth Vader mask. Wear the Roo bandanna over it. Hang a lampshade on it; you get the idea.

Edit: actually, get two and change out after a couple of days. But one should do the trick.

Jeez...it just occurred to me that decorated dust masks would be a slam dunk for vendors to sell on Shakedown. Glue little blinking LEDs all over them...rhinestones and glowsticks, or KEEP CALM AND MURDER WOOKS or whatever.

Oddly, I always found that sweet tea helps me. But maybe that only works in the South...

But yeah, a quick acting inhaler is a good idea. I didn't have too much trouble last time I was there (only mild asthma) though smokers here and there had me reaching for the albuterol.

Mine isn't too bad and I've never really had too much of a problem while there, like you said it always comes afterwards. Last year I had a pretty an attack a few days after. I've basically come to terms with the fact there isn't too much I can do I just always carry my inhaler and don't hesitate to use it.

This is really good to know and exactly the information I was searching for. I have chronic bronchitis and pretty bad asthma. I've been having a terrible time of it this summer so far and as of this last week, I've been using my nebulizer breathing treatments quite frequently. I was hoping to find out if the medical tent had one I could use if I got desperate. It's too late for me to be in access (I don't even know if I would qualify for it.. guess I should be looking into that for next year) and it's not like I would have anywhere to plug in my own nebulizer if I brought it.

Allow me to chime in. I've treated lots of asthmatics over the years and have published an article in a medical journal on asthma (nerd alert), so I know a little bit!

Definitely have a rescue inhaler such as albuterol or Ventolin. Make sure that it actually has medication in it before you pack it, if you've had it for awhile. The newer ones have counters that tell how many doses remaining. With the older inhalers, they used to say put it in water/see if it floats, but research has not upheld that method. If in doubt, use the days before Roo to get a refill. You should always have one anyway.

Controlling dust/inhaled allergens is key. The bandana trick works well when it is dry and dusty. I bring a neti pot or saline sinus rinse bottle every year and use at least once daily, sometimes more. I just use bottled water and premix packets that are easily obtainable at any pharmacy. Even if it is not dry and dusty you will be inhaling ambient smoke, etc. to some degree.

Since allergies are a major asthma trigger for many, consider a non-drowsy allergy medicine. Claritin does nothing for me and doesn't seem to for many people...I happen to prefer Zyrtec as it works very well for me and is available in generic form (ceterizine) for a reasonable price. There are isolated cases of people who say it makes them drowsy but by and large most people - myself included - do well. Allegra is also very good but more expensive.

Word of caution: when buying the allergy medications OTC do not buy the kind with added decongestant. They have D as part of the name (i.e. Zyrtec-D). This is important because decongestants have the effect of raising the heart rate and blood pressure as a side effect. With the potential heat conditions and assorted recreational things that you might be imbibing in, you don't need anything else jacking you up.

If you are on a controller medication like Advair or Flovent, make sure that you continue to use those daily as prescribed so that your lungs are adequately protected. Missing a day or so won't make a huge difference, but don't get so caught up in pre-Roo prep that you forget your controller med for more than a couple of days.

Lastly, another benefit of staying well hydrated is that the mucus in your body stays thinner and it is much easier to expel dust and smoke particles.

Hope this helps.

This is really, really good advice. I never would have thought of this. I use Zyrtec daily and when needed, I use Aleve-D Cold & Sinus. Are you saying I shouldn't use that while I'm there? Also, my albuterol will obviously jack my heart rate up. That's pretty unavoidable though, as if I'm using this- I'm desperate and seriously cannot breathe. I normally don't have too much of a problem on the farm but I've had a rough summer so far and I'm predicting it's not going to magically clear up while I'm there next week.

COPD is the worst. lol

Any of the "D"econgestant medicines completely wire me out - heart racing, lack of sleep, etc. That is why I ended up going the allergy shots route. They were the only thing that helped, but I didn't like being so dependent on those. I'm a little worried about 'roo this year, I went to a super dusty desert festival about two weeks ago and contracted what I've been calling the black lung, hehe. Probably more of an environmentally induced bronchitis, but man I felt awful. I'm still suffering from the cough, and worry that it will put me in a more susceptible state for getting it all over again. Thankfully 'roo is not as dusty as it used to be with more grass etc, but I'm definitely brining a bandana and probably will bring a nasal rinse too and of course a trusty rescue inhaler!