Chest infections

Since having asthma im always getting colds and chest infections and never free from them making my asthma worse. Before asthma i would be lucky if had one once a year and even had flu jab and Phumonia one. Is this normal to have so many infections ? I have tried hard to fight them off my self each time for a week but gets hell of a lot worse and have to see doctor and put on antibs and usualy steroids but on them daily now. How do you guys go on? And do you have more infections with asthma ! Edit -walk in centre today and more antibs ggrr!

[Hidden]

I know how you feel, these last 2 years, I seem to have had chest infections back to back, including some nasty pneumonias which have always knocked me for 6. Maybe it could be worth talking to your consultant as you may have bronchietasis on top of your asthma?

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Hi there, I am also having re-current chest infections. Dont know why but my Dr said that when your system is compromised even the weather can give you a chest infection. Sorry I cant be more help.

Take care & keep warm.

S.Mama

xxxxx

[angievere]

I think we are more prone to chest infections. GP told me that continually taking antibiotics and steroids compromises the immunity system - better if we CAN go without but of course we can't! Just don't know what the answer is....

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Also by being on them constantly, it makes the risk of resistance much higher.

I try to fight off anything I get myself first, using simple pain killers, getting plenty of rest and drinking fluids, THEN see docs or A & E as LAST resort.

[Hidden]

It sounds as though many of us are in the same position, I seem to have had a constant flow of chest infections, when the weather is better I can seem to get over them eventually but at this time of year they seem to hang about for ever and when I finally seem to get over one I seem to pick another one up straight away.

[Hidden]

Thats how I am and ready drop now .

Tried fight it off my self and now its to bad and really causing breathing probs

and air ways all inflamed with nellie on my chest and back.

xxx

[Hidden]

Correct about Nellie, I just wish that she would pack her trunk and say goodbye to the circus

[Hidden]

Nellie has a lot to answer to ! She just wont budge x

[Hidden]

Too right, Nellie Sod OFF! I like the Toy Dolls version youtube.com/watchv=eti21PVHXrg

""To Bombay

A traveling circus came

They brought an intelligent elephant

And Nellie was her name

One dark night

She slipped her iron chain

And off she ran to Hindustan

And was never seen again

Ooooooooooooo...

Nellie the Elephant packed her trunk

And said goodbye to the circus

Off she went with a trumpety-trump

Trump, trump, trump

Nellie the Elephant packed her trunk

And trundled back to the jungle

Off she went with a trumpety-trump

Trump, trump, trump

Night by night

She danced to the circus band

When Nellie was leading the big parade

She looked so proud and grand

No more tricks

For Nellie to perform

They taught her how to take a bow

And she took the crowd by storm

The head of the herd was calling

Far, far away

They met one night in the silver light

On the road to Mandalay

So Nellie the Elephant packed her trunk

And said goodbye to the circus

Off she went with a trumpety-trum

Trump, trump, trump

Ooooooooooooo...

Nellie the Elephant packed her trunk

And said goodbye to the circus

Off she went with a trumpety-trump

Trump, trump, trump

Nellie the Elephant packed her trunk

And trundled back to the jungle

Off she went with a trumpety-trump

Trump, trump, trump""

Random factoid-research has been done on CPR done to the rhythm of Nellie the elephant

Anyway, back to the topic sorry. These last 2 months have prob. been the worst so far for me. Never used to get colds/flu... before or feel wheezy, usually couch a lot and tight chest. Had sinusitis for years too with hayfever/allergic rhinitis but that's now a constant stream of green gunge down the back of my throat. Had several lots antibiotics and no better or even feel worse since the last lot with prednisolone two weeks ago. Come the closest I've ever felt to needing to go to calling out of hours GP/A&E as ventolin not helping much. Have asthma nurse appt 2moro so hope that's useful. Not sure what can be changed really as on step 4 management but that's for another post.

TJ

[Hidden]

love Nellie words x hope u get sorted with asthma nurse.Put on step 5 but wish hadnt got take any. Breathing to hard and painful xxx

[Hidden]

I kow that feeling Glynis. I am on steriods every 2 weeks for 5 days at a time and every 4-6 weeks I am also put on anti-bios too for a chest infection. Going back to doctors tomorrow with my asthma after a 3 hours stay in hospital yesterday which was a transfer from GP care to the hospital by ambulance. The doctor at the hoispital didn't even care what the GP said she wanted me admitting for at least 24 hours and this 24 hours was to be IV anti-bios and steriods due to a 90 minute asthma attack with sats of 85%. I am fed up with the whole asthma thing at the moment and I can't wait for the time when I go more than 2 weeks with out steriods again. My asthma has been down now for 15 months and counting and it has gone on for far to long

[Hidden]

How would i know if I had a chest infection?

[Hidden]

i usualy have a nasty cough and gunk in lungs and nose. Breathless and pain in ribs and between my shoulder blades and rough. Some times not alot of gunk. At the moment I have one and wheezing bad and coughing gunk up and nose and wheezing and in pain and asthma not good xxx

[Hidden]

Before it gets worse or another course of antibiotics it will b better to hand in a sputum sample for testing. Some times after a chest infection the lungs may still have a lot of gunk. But no longer an infection that needs antibiotics .

[Hidden]

it seems us asthmatics are prone to recurrent chest infections unfortunately cos of our lung condition itsellf as well as our weakened immune systems from pred + other steroids etc.. as well as stress from being run down/ exhausted from previous attacks...

ah... another day in the life of us asthmatics, hey!

it seems like its one infection after the other, only not always bacterial, some viral therefore not always requiring antibiotics, and on the other hand you get the stubborn buggers like the one i have at the mo, that wont budge for over 2 weeks!!!

x