Is asthma and the outcome or prognosis any different in older people?

Is asthma and the outcome or prognosis any different in older people?I've been hoping to grow out of my asthma sometime or another, but it doesn't seem to be happening, and sometimes wonder what will happen in the future...

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I would like to think that too-heres hoping!!

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Ooops.

Seem to have posted twice and can't delete duplicate post!

Hope you grow out of your asthma too Bluejam

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Hi Mia,

I can't produce references for this at the moment - will have a look later - but generally people who develop or continue to have asthma as adults do not grow out of it, although of course the natural history of the condition is such that there may be bad periods and periods of relative remission.

Even childhood asthma, which is often thought of as something that children 'grow out of', can recur later in life, although it is often less severe.

Sorry to disappoint you - I think we're all pretty much stuck with it at the moment.

Em H

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Hi Mia

my asthma started when I was 22 after the birth of my 3rd child, after 10 years the symptoms seem to get less and less. At the age of 55 it came back with avengence, I don't know why, maybe it was the start of my menopause and the change of hormones (as with pregnancy) I am 61 now and try to keep it under controll but still have about 4 splats a year when I have to take steriods.

I love to read all the messages on here although I don't often reply.

Good luck to everyone suffering at the moment and take care of yourselves.

Sheila

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Hello Mia

Interesting question. My asthma started recently at age 62. At the time of diagnosis GP said that there is an asthma older people get but didn't elaborate and I didn't think to probe at the time. Perhaps I will at my next appointment. I've had no prognosis.

Best wishes

liz

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Hi all,

Thanks for your replies.

It’s interesting to read about how asthma comes and goes at all stages of life and of how for women hormones also seem to play a role. Could be the same for guys as well?

I was diagnosed with asthma during early childhood -can only remember being wheezy early on and SOB after a while. After forty-five years I’m STILL hoping to grow out of severe chronic asthma and same exacerbations which are only controlled by continuous corticosteroids - for me the ubiquitious pred.

Had a chat with respiratory con (also an asthma sufferer) last week about my question and his response was similar to what we all seem to have experienced...

Asthma is variable both in severity and unpredictability, whatever your age or stage of life. The focus should be on maintaining control as much as is possible.

In short all the usual sensible advice for getting older whether teenage, twenties/thirties… and so on.

The phrase ‘no news is good news’ springs to mind!

He also told me that asthma will not permanently damage lungs.

Mia