Diagnosed today.

I just wanted to say hi to everyone in the forum and ask a quick question.

I was diagnosed with Asthma today after having ongoing problems with coughs, wheezing and alot of chest infections.

It has lifted a weight of my shoulders finally knowing what has been making me feel so poorly for so long.

I just have one question, I have been given an Brown inhaler and a volumatic spacer to start using and was told it will take approx 4-6 weeks for it to start to work however the information I was given suggested 14 days.

Which is right?

Cheers,

D

[Hidden]

Hi and welcome!! I am newly diagnosed too, i know what you mean about the relief. I didn't realise what I'd been putting up with, thinking it was 'normal', you start to realise there's so much you'd just got on with but can actually be stopped with the right medication.

I was first given a brown inhaler but it almost instantly made my symptoms worse. I was then moved to a purple one (steriod + LABA) and saw slight improvement after about a week and even more after a week of double the dose. Unfortunately it can be a case of trial and error before you find the right medication/dose but you might find the one you have is the right one for you.

I'd monitor your symptoms and peak flow if you haven't already, and dont hesitate to speak to AUK/post on here/see GP if you have any problems or questions.

Good luck Jo xxx

[Hidden]

hi welcome

You can ask the asthma nurse on Auk(asthma uk) about the correct dosage they may refer you back to your doctors but will still be helpful. Glad u finally got some answers about ur cough etc.

Look after yourself.

gill

[Hidden]

Hi there, and welcome!

I'm new too, to asthma and the forum. I'm also on the brown inhaler and was confused by what I was told in terms of how long it should take to make a difference. My experience was about two weeks in I was still having symptoms, so the doc increased the dose and things improved after a few days.

If there's not a big improvement after a couple of weeks, tell the dr.

[Hidden]

Hi wildwookie,

welcome to the forum. Its good news you've finally got a answer to your ongoing probs. One thing i did think of was to keep a peak flow chart as you can take it back and show your dr,its easier with a record rather than trying to remember them.You have a written record of your med doses/asthma attacks/p/flows and give the gp lots of useful info. Also if you use a spacer remember to clean your teeth and gargle after using inhaler as it cut down the risk of thrush etc. The inhaler should kick in about 2 weeks, if youare still having probs go back to gp and they can adjust/change your meds. The site also has lots of leaflets in pdf and actual leaflets that you can order.

regards

sj

[Hidden]

Hi, welcome to the forums. As others have said there is lots of good information here. It can take a while to get the inhalers right - I'm on the brown one and the green one at the moment as the purple one made me lose my voice completely. I'm changing to a different combined one soon to see if that works as it will cut down the amount of puffs I take plus it is cheaper! Which reminds me - you may want to think about getting a prepaid prescription - I wish I had, all the trial and error with different inhalers has cost a lot of money in prescription charges! Good luck, keep asking questions. Sonja

[Hidden]

Thanks everyone it's good to know there is so much support here.

I'm planning on taking it one day at a time. The asthma nurse at my GP practice wants to see me in 6 weeks to see how I'm getting on.

D.