Asthma review

[6TIMES]

Good morning to you all and I hope you have a nice day.I'm going for my asthma review and I am dreading it I've put it off twice already but I've got to get it over with.I'm hopeless at the lung function test and I know because I'm stressed the blood pressure and pulse will be racing but you can only do your best

[BobD Volunteer]

What will be will be. I have a breathing test in a couple of weeks too and not worried a bit. Ask yourself WHY it concerns you and share that with the team when you get there. I'm sure they will re-assure you.

[6TIMES in reply to BobD]

Thanks for that, it wasn't so bad and I'm getting a new inhaler, but blood pressure was 120/70 and pulse 72 and STEADY, I've never been told steady in 10 months so I must be doing something right and I'm pleased with that, thanks bob you always give good advice

[doodle68]

Hi 6 Times why are you worried, I consider my yearly asthma review a patronising waste of time. Having done a peak flow reading (which is usually very good beacuse I do daily breathing exercises to help my lungs and heart ) the main concern is that I am using my inhaler correctly and I have to demonstrate how I do this. I am neither senile or a child so don't really think this is a necessary proceedure or a good use of time.

How I wish so much time and energy was put into my highly syptomatic P-AF about which no one at my doctors practice seems to be concerned.

[Buffafly in reply to doodle68]

I find my asthma review very helpful especially as it gives me a chance to complain about the GP s treatment or lack of when I have a flare up. Last time I was given a new reliever inhaler similar to my preventer because I have never been able to get the technique right with the usual one so very pleased.

I realise the reason asthma trumps AF is that AF is seldom fatal whereas asthma frequently (relatively) is. However I have also found most GPs attitude to AF is basically a bit of a shrug so the only way to get them to concentrate is to attend A&E frequently as there will be queries about why their patient is costing the practice so much 😈

I am interested to know what your peak flow is as mine is rubbish but my oxygen level is excellent which I put down to having lived at a high altitude as a young child - anybody feel free to correct me.

[6TIMES in reply to Buffafly]

MY peak flow was rubbish but the oxygen level was excellent but I'm hoping that the new inhaler helps

[doodle68 in reply to Buffafly]

I Buff I use a spacer with my Seratide preventer inhaler and never have any problems .

I rarely need a reliever which is a good job because Ventolin gives me the shakes .

My PF when well is 420 (which apparently is good for my age and height) . The only time my Asthma causes real problems is when I have a bad chest infection or if I go near smoke.

[Buffafly in reply to doodle68]

Wow, my peak flow is 270 🙁 so I haven't got much 'spare'. My problem was with the ventolin, couldn't get the gentle in breath because my duoresp requires a quick deep breath and now I do it automatically. Sounds like the chest exercises are very effective.

[doodle68 in reply to Buffafly]

Hi Buff that sounds dreadful . Mine has been as low as 200 when I contracted pseudomonas aureus and what felt like a permant chest infection. Logic told me if I could 'dry out ' my lungs with clean fresh air it might help so I started doing breathing excercise in the lovely fresh air we have here away from roads.

I was diagnosed with late onset Asthma but have had lung problems since being a child. I have a permant cough and very mucusy lungs (queried Bronchiectasis ).

I now use Diaphragmatic Breathing as well for AF it all helps the lungs.

Stay well....

[Enjoy in reply to doodle68]

My normal daily peak flow is 220/230 and drops to 200 when poorly. A puff of salbutamol when that low brings it up to 230/240. I have just been put on half a water tablet and my peak flow has shot up to 250.

[Auriculaire in reply to doodle68]

Try NAC - n acetyl cysteine. It fluidifies mucous and boosts the immune system at the same time.

[doodle68 in reply to Auriculaire]

Thank you Auticulaire I will look into that...

[Auriculaire in reply to doodle68]

I expect it is a form of "box ticking" like the statin conversation that garners a payment .