Trying to figure it out...

Hi everyone,

I've just started to try to find out about asthma as my Mum (in her 60's) has just been diagnosed as suffering from it, and it has shocked me as I don't really know very much at all about it, and seeing her struggling for breath as she has a chest infection at the moment was just so scary

I've spent a while looking online for info about it, but was was so helpful was to read all your messages and see how supportive people are- I've started to realise what people go through in terms of managing it, I'm ashamed to say that I had no idea before I started to look.

I just wanted to ask if anyone knows why she has been prescribed steroid tablets, as well as a blue inhaler? She says it is short term, but I'm wondering how that can work as steroids don't cure asthma, do they? Is it just as she has a chest infection it is a kind of emergency measure, and then she can go back to using the inhaler if she gets wheezy? Sorry to sound so ignorant about this, but i'm really confused!

Thanks for any advice and all good wishes to you all,

Beth x

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Hi Beth

Just a short answer as I'm really tired whilst writing this, but you've pretty much answered your own question - steroid tablets are usually prescribed for 5-day stints to provide extra relief for the inflammation and extra mucus that occurs during a chest infection or severe attack. Only a few of the most severe asthmatics are on steroid tablets long term, steroid inhalers are much more common and more safe to use (not to say the tablets are unsafe - this is worthy of a whole thread in itself!)

Once your mum has finished the course then yes, she will just go back to using her blue inhaler when she gets wheezy. However, her doctor may feel it wise to give her a steroid inhaler after she has had a course of tablets, just to keep the inflammation down. Don't worry, steroid inhalers are perfectly safe and normal, and if i were to hazard a guess, I'd say that perhaps at least 95% of asthmatics take one regularly, all but the most mild.

If you have any other questions then please ask, I know it is daunting to see a loved one go through this.

Emma x

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Hi Emma,

Thank you so much for your reply, I can't tell you how much better I feel for having read it! You have really helped to calm all sorts of thoughts, thank you..

Beth x

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Hi Beth

Once your mum recovers from her chest infection I'm sure things will be a lot better.

Just to say don't be too worried about reading on here about frequent trips to hospital ITU etc. This forum attracts a disproportionate amount of asthmatics from the more severe end of the scale. The majority of asthmatics live perfectly normal lives with well controlled asthma using just one or two inhalers usually including a steroid one. They are so busy carryin on with their normal lives in fact they dont post on here!!

Marmite

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Hi Marmite,

Thanks for your message- it's really reassuring to hear that for most people asthma is manageable, and that it isn't always as scary as it sounds. I felt shocked when I realised how difficult it can be for people who are at that extreme end of the condition- it has really opened my eyes to what they experience, and I hope so much that medical advancements will find more solutions or ways to make life easier. I'm so glad there are forums like this, it has helped me a lot to get info from people who have experience with this condition, when I was panicking!

Thank you and all good wishes, beth x