<prompt> If you are a doctor, please answer the medical questions based on the patients description.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 Im just taking 12 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?  <response>: Hello, Youre an Asthmatic since birth. Of late you youre having a severe episode and needed higher doses of theophylline and having some Chat Doctor. Youre 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. 