How long to recover?

[-Butterfly-]

I posted a week ago when I had a chesty cough and peak flow around 300-350 (pb 570). Dr said it was hayfever which caused sinus infection which then caused chest infection. He prescribed antihistamine, nose spray and antibiotics.

With a couple of days my pf had gone up to 400 and the thick chesty cough had cleared which was great but I'm still left with a rattly chest and cough (clear & frothy) still using my blue inhaler at least twice every day and peak flow is between 350 & 400. I am still on doubled seretide as I was advised to do this until I felt better.

Just wondered how long I would expect to feel like this? Is there anything else I can do?

[QuietChest]

Poor you. Unfortunately no magic formulas. I find each exacerbation varies in my recovery time. Just now the triggers for me still exist so I'm taking ages to get over my last exacerbation.

Do you have an asthma nurse at the Practice or phone the helpline and speak to one of their nurses

[-Butterfly- in reply to QuietChest]

Unfortunately our gp practise is terrible at the moment, we have 1 horrible gp, 2 part time gps who are impossible to get appointments with and 2 locums and we have no asthma nurse. To add to the complication I am 300+ miles away from home and will be for another 2 weeks.

I shall give the helpline a call and see what they suggest. In the meantime I will make an appt to see a gp when I get home.

[WheezyAnne]

Keep taking the medication, drink plenty of water, rest when you can.oh, and relax, it will take time. Everyone's body is different, and recovers at different rates. In my case, it always seems to take longer than I think it should, but then I am not known for my patience.

[-Butterfly- in reply to WheezyAnne]

Hmm yeah that's my problem, I'm impatient and don't do taking it easy 😔 will try though

[Lisa_G]

Every time is different. Sometimes one lot of steroids and/or antibiotics help, sometimes need 2 or 3 & get signed off work 😕 (like now!!) My GP told me you could only double up on Seretide for a short time, what dose are you on?

Would go back to GP if no better or it could go on for weeks.

Hope you feel better soon

[-Butterfly- in reply to Lisa_G]

I was on 2 puffs twice a day of seretide so now 4 puffs twice a day. I asked the pharmacist and he said I should stay doubled up for a month, the gp said until I feel better but put no timescale on it.

I will make an appointment at my normal gp for the day I get back as soon as those days appointments are released (can only book 2 weeks in advance and it'll be bank holiday monday)

[Lisa_G in reply to -Butterfly-]

Know what you mean - my GP only does emergency appts on the day or it's 2 weeks ahead......we have to plan yo be ill these days!!!

If you're on the 250mcg 2 puffs twice a day that's already the maximum dose which is why my GP is cautious of doing it for too long.

Hope you get seen soon

[Pooka]

Hello Butterfly, that sounds awful. When I'm in a similar situation, I always need a 5 day course of prednisolone to get my lungs back to normal. I know they're really strong steroids and GPs don't like to prescribe sometimes, but it's the only thing that works for me. I'd suggest you try and get an emergency appointment where you are too because the longer you are ill, the harder it will be to recover. Good luck

[-Butterfly- in reply to Pooka]

I did ask the gp at the time if I should have steroids but he said no I didn't, he didn't bother to ask how my asthma was though!

I think I may try giving 111 a call and seeing what they advise.

[Pooka in reply to -Butterfly-]

good idea, hope they help

[Hanna222]

Sounds exactly like me! I also started out with sinus problems 3 weeks ago, then after a week it hit my throat and chest. I had two weeks of chesty, productive cough, and just now it turned into the never ending dry cough which seems to be triggered by everything.

I don't really have any advice, but you have all my sympathy! Last time I had a cold, my cough lasted for 6-7 months (until I saw my GP, who prescribed me inhalers). I'm interested to see how long it lasts now. For me, ventoline is doing wonders, and nothing else really compares.

[-Butterfly- in reply to Hanna222]

Sorry to hear you're in the same situation, rubbish isn't it?!

Hopefully the inhalers help you this time. I'm making sure I use my ventolin as soon as I need it otherwise I get coughing which makes my chest tighter, which makes me cough more etc etc and I end up struggling.