8 week long asthma problem

I know there are a lot of people worse off than me but am starting to get very paranoid.

In 6 weeks, I've had 2 courses of prednisolone (7 and 5 days @ 40mg). Just finished the last today, and given anti-biotics, as have had a cold and am wheezing a bit. The GP couldn't hear any infection though. Am on seretide (100 3 times a day), singulair and too much ventolin.

I've had lots of different advice from GP's (never easy to see the same one twice!). One strategy did work: to take a couple of puffs of my usual preventer with the seretide. However, this came from a locum and the usual GP told me to stop.

Now I've finished the steroid tablets, am taking antibiotics that I'm not convinced I need and still have a wheeze. The GP has referred me to a chest clinic (he said he would anyhow) but this may take 4 weeks. He says he can do no more for me. I'm now waiting for it all to crash around me. Its not helping that stress is a trigger.

My asthma hasn't given me any issues for years and its getting a bit scary. Has anyone experienced anything similar?

[Hidden]

Hi

Whats more upsetting the asthma playing up or you not feeling better?

[Hidden]

Hi,

The asthma. I'm struggling to cope with it with it (lack of sleep, wheezing etc). I think the really scary thing is how I'm going to somehow cope for a few weeks when the GP has said he can do nothing more.

Am getting stressed about it and thats only going to feed it. I did mention this but he seemed comfortable with the situation, thats where the discussion ended.

[Hidden]

Hi,

Sorry - messed up and put the reply in the wrong place!

The asthma. I'm struggling to cope with it with it (lack of sleep, wheezing etc). I think the really scary thing is how I'm going to somehow cope for a few weeks when the GP has said he can do nothing more.

Am getting stressed about it and thats only going to feed it. I did mention this but he seemed comfortable with the situation, thats where the discussion ended.

[Artey in reply to Hidden]

Try some Mindfulness or relaxation, it may calm your breathing down, it helps me a bit.

[angievere]

Hi Tina, I know how u feel, same has happened to my teenage son. GP said he couldnt do anymore and we must make an appointment with the consultant. It is scary when u think u are left to cope on your own. Apart from making an appointment with consultant, I just went back again a few days later and saw another GP (our usual one) and he was a bit more helpful.

If you feel your asthma is worsening, then go back to the GP (or another one). You dont mention if you take your peak flow. This one of the ways I measure how bad my son is - if it has dropped down to a certain level, we go back to the GP. If you haven't got a peak flow monitor then ask the GP for one on prescription.

Sometimes it takes a while for the chest to settle down after a bad spell. Good luck and I hope things improve for you.

[Hidden]

Thanks, at least its not just me!

I think my GP practice struggles with asthma. Am going with the locums advice, he's as much a doctor as the other guy. Am going to try it for a few days then see the asthma nurse. The doctor says I should see him but I think she'll understand what I'm talking about. I guess a change of GP may be on the cards though.

[Hidden]

Oops, yep, I found my sons old peak flow meter and am using it a couple of times a day. I'm also assuming that the chest clinic will want to see some record so am noting everything down. Its fluctuating by around 50% from the best I've had over the last few weeks.

The GP seems more concerned with what he hears when I visit but it might help explain things to the nurse.

[angievere]

Yes the clinic will find it helpful if you keep a record of your peak flow. I have been told to take reliever a few minutes before the preventer, but opinion seems to vary on that.

Sometimes when my son or I go to the doctor feeling terrible, he says we have a clear chest. I can never understand this when me/son feel so bad! So you're not alone in feeling rough but the GP says you sound ok!

I hope you find the asthma nurse helpful.

[Hidden]

Thanks - am feeling a lot more relaxed now

[Hidden]

Hi Tina

I hope you're begining to feel much better now? I've been on Prednisolone 5 times since April this year - many times for 2 weeks at a time. I'm having an attack almost every month and I struggle to regain control. I've been admitted to hospital twice this year also - all very unusual. I've been told asthma can get worse like this at different points in your life, so I'm guessing I'm going through a blip. So, you're not alone Tina...I know it's very worrying, but try to focus on getting better and keeping yourself relaxed. Stress is a trigger for me also, and I quite often phone Astham Uk if I have any worries I want to talk to them about - you can always do the same.

Thinking of you

Gareth

[Hidden]

Thanks Gareth,

Sounds like your not having a great time. I hope things improve for you.

A set of prednisolone and antibiotics calmed things down for me. My gut feel is that this isn't the end though, its starting to return but seems to be moving slowly. Pretty much true to the GPs prediction I guess.

Its a bit strange when this stuff comes out of the blue. I'm getting used to it now. Hopefully we'll both be back to normal very soon