<s>[INST] I have been having a very hard time with my asthma for the past month.  I have had asthma since I was born.  I am 57 now.  This past episode has been very different.  My theophylline level went out of wack high and I had to stop it from Monday morning until Wednesday night to bring the level down.  Now I'm just taking 1/2 the dose twice a day.  My potassium level was also lower and my pcp doubled that.  I feel very weak in walking up the stairs in my house, which is also new for me.  Is this to be expected with such a severe asthma attack? [/INST] Hello,You're an Asthmatic since birth.Of late you you're having a severe episode and needed higher doses of theophylline and having some drug related side effects. You're also suffering from hypokalemia.Instead of oral you can go for inhalers with your bronchodilators. Use a short acting  form. The systemic side effects will be less.Long standing pulmonary disease will give cardiac problem called Cor pulmonale.Evaluate your cardiac status.Correction of hypokalemia. </s>