How do I know when its time to go to hospital?

I've been diagnosed with asthma for 18 months although i've had milder symptoms for a very long time. Last week my asthma was getting worse after having a cold. I saw the nurse at the gp's but my peak flow at the time was ok. she did believe i was worse at times though and increased my inhalers. Monday when I woke up my peak flow was 250-300, My best is 450, and it took 40 mins to be able to get out of bed. today (tues) was 250-300 again and took an hour to be able to get out of bed. I lost count of how many times i used my blue inhaler. I am on preds now because I phoned my doctor later on. But what I want to know is when do I ask for more help? This is the worst it has ever been and I am still on a learning curve with how to manage it.

Thankyou

[yaf_user681_8975]

I would follow the advice on here under 'All about asthma' don't leave it too long if it's not improving with meds get some help.

I'm new to asthma and left it too long and needed to stay on hospital for a week.

[Hidden]

Hey Button,

I'm sorry your feeling so unwell, asthma uk's advice is as followes;

The following guidelines are suitable for both children and adults and are the recommended steps to follow in an asthma attack:

Take one to two puffs of your reliever inhaler (usually blue), immediately

Sit down and try to take slow steady breaths

If you do not start to feel better continue to take two puffs of your reliever inhaler every two minutes, take up to ten puffs.

If you do not feel better after taking your inhaler as above or if you are worried at any time – call 999

If an ambulance does not arrive within 15 minutes repeat step 3 while you wait

If your symptoms improve and you do not need to call 999, you still need to see a doctor or asthma nurse within 24 hours.

However if your not having an attack as such but genrally feeling dreadful I'd go back to your gp or asthma nurse and ask for more advice. They should be able to help you with long term prevention of asthma flare ups too, by changing your medications around or adding something in. Another option would be to phone the asthma nurses at AUK the numbers in the red box at the top left of the screen, the nurses are great and will be able to give you advice on what to do. If you do become very symptomatic and your inhaers not helping don't mess around phone 999, or get yourself to A and E.

Good luck and I hope your feeling better soon,

Ally