Another basic question

[Wheezycat]

I am sorry to ask so many basic questions, but I am learning and I find your responses helpful, so I hope you will bear with me. Last weekend I was in Sweden. It was very hot there (the heat that came here a bit later) and the pollen count was very high. Any bit of water was covered with the stuff. I felt a tight chest for the duration and have assumed it was the pollen though I am not a hay fever sufferer.

So, I was quite looking forward to some good rain to bring the pollen down. And for a day and a half or so I felt great, but then, especially yesterday, I felt tight again even in the rain. I ended up using ventolin 4 times and again 6 am this morning (not like me to be up that early). Though it has improved with ventolin I still have that tight feel.

Here's the question: can rain bring this sort of thing on? I am a learner so comments are welcomed. And, by he way, I have booked my appointment with the GP.

[Hidden]

Short answer is yes - or it can do with me, and I suspect I won't be the only one.

I tend to ignore the warnings concerning the pollen count, because they are no help when it comes to predicting my asthma or hayfever. In my case my nose and eyes are more affected than my lungs (though a bad hayfever/rhinitis attack will have an impact on the latter). I'm just as prone (and in the past have been more so) to getting itchy eyes and a runny nose when it's wet and the pollen count is rated as low as when it is bright and sunny and the pollen count is high. Interestingly time of day seems to play a part too. Over the years I've noticed that in summer a walk in the evening is more likely to cause problems than a walk during the day. Anyone else noticed this?

One other thing to note: damp in general is not good for asthmatics. So it may the increased humidity after a dry spell that has irritated your lungs.

[Wheezycat in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. The humidity was high after the intense rainfall - outside was like a sauna, hot and sticky, and maybe it was that.

Though I have had asthma for a while (possibly all my life as I have always coughed, but things like breathing rates weren't checked when I was a child. And I never wheeze when they listen to my chest.) but it is only in the last two-three months I have started to feel more affected, or, to put it another way, I am paying more attention, rather than blaming it on lack of fitness and such.

[lakelover]

My asthma nurse once told me that after a long dry spell with high pollen count when it starts raining the pollen that was high up in the air takes a while to come down & can actually make things worse for a short while. Don't know if that's relevant.

[Wheezycat in reply to lakelover]

I think it could be. I read something similar elsewhere - and I find any potential clues helpful. I am sort at the beginning of mapping my asthma environment, and don't yet know or understand my potential obstacles.

[Beth_19]

even if its raining the air quality can still be horrid, especially humid. This could be having an impact on your breathing.

[Shezxx]

I find the heat sets me off. The rain doesnt but im wondering its because when it rains after a nice summers day it can make it stuffy the air so harder to breathe and usually its still hot. Rain can bring on warmer air sometimes maybe thats not helpin u.

[Matti1]

After the heat and then the rain causes humid air worsened by any pollen. So yes it will make it worse.

My consultant and respiratory nurse said when it's tight take up to 5 puffs in volumatic and again in 30/40 mins if not improved.

I take my Ventolin inhaler at least 5/6 times daily and respiratory consultant said that was okay and normal to do if it was tight or breathless to manage the symptoms.

[Hidden]

Rain disturbs pollutants and irritants on the ground, such as mould and dust etc, aswell as bursting pollen sacs. If these are things that trigger your symptoms, then you will likely be affected by rain, especially at certain times of year.

[Wheezycat in reply to Hidden]

If only I knew! But I will learn!