2 Steps Forward 1 Step Back...

[lishapartington]

Hi guys, been a few weeks since I've posted. Had my asthma review by the specialist on the 20th, and so far I'm doing great! Apparently I'm on Step 3 in the BTS Step Ladder (not 4 like i thought) and my doctor has mentioned Spiriva. He said this will take me to step 4, which isn't too bad considering I thought I was there anyway! He's sent my bloods off for allergy tests (finally, can you believe I've never had one?) and he said from the results we'll know whether to commence Spiriva or try something else. He wants to see me again in six weeks.

My asthma's been controllable for the last couple of weeks but now that I'm home for Christmas it's getting worse again. I'm wheezing which only really happens when I'm getting pretty bad and I'm back to the point where I'm writing down when I took my reliever and how many puffs, just to keep an eye on when I'm going to need steroids. It's not even a matter of if or but when I'm home, because we have cats (and I'm pretty sure I'm coming down with a chest infection). I'm also running out of montelukast so going to try and get an appointment as a temporary resident tomorrow. I know I know, it's my own fault for not stocking up but with everything that has to be ready over Christmas, it just slipped my mind!

On top of obviously dying in a corner because of the two cats at home, my uni house is getting full with damp and mould. I try to keep ontop of it but it's so hard when new little black spores keep popping up all over the place round the house. I can't win, at home home (not my uni house) we have cats which I'm deathly allergic to, at my uni house there is mould all over the place and when I try to clean it I find that my asthma is irritated by the cleaning products! Grr!

I was wondering, if my doctor decides not to commence me on Spiriva in the new year, is it worth mentioning Xolair? Can't remember where I heard about it or why I think it may work, but has anyone had any experience with it? Thanks for your replies in advance!

Easy breathing over the cold christmas guys, wrap up warm! Lets all hope we get nice lovely new lungs for christmas :')

Alisha x

[Hidden]

Hello Lisha

I hope Spiriva agrees with you It gave me water retention, I thought I had a problem and went to the lady doctor, she checked my list of meds and said spiriva is an anti-cholerginic and as such it can distend the bladder so I stopped. I take Atrovent when I need to, which has the same molecule but is not a 24-hour treatment as Spiriva. Also dried my eyes which are already dry..

So 2 ventolin+2 atrovent when I need to. I have opted for the 2 ventolin + 2 flutiform too, that's my preventer now, I always use an aerochamber and I empty my lungs totally by pulling in the pelvic area as I was taught by the physiotherapist. All little tips which help with intake and make a big difference.

Take care xx

[lishapartington in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your information, ill make sure I ask him about any side effects before I start it!

[ChrissieMons]

Why on earth doesn't someone get rid of the cats? And/Or why are you putting yourself through this?

When you go back to uni you must speak to the accommodation people and get a better place.

You are more important than a cat.

[lishapartington in reply to ChrissieMons]

It's hard, my mum thought that I'd be okay now I'm on a higher and stronger dose of an antihistamine and she has younger children so they'd be devastated if she had to get rid of them. We try to keep them away from me but obviously it's hard considering they moult all the time. Obviously I want to see my family at Christmas but it's getting hard to stay at home.

Thanks for your advice, I will speak to the accommodation team when I get back.

Alisha

[ChrissieMons in reply to lishapartington]

Don't stay at home for Christmas - it isn't worth it. Stay with a cat-free friend and visit Christmas Day until you feel the fur getting to you, then you have to leave. I have friends whom I love, but I stay in a hotel or with other friends when I visit. I never stayed at my mother's once she got the cat. I have made myself ill trying not to offend people in the past and I won't do it anymore. I know this sounds harsh and grumpier than Scrooge, but it just has to be. It made me very sad and guilty, doing this, but I have to protect myself and now people are fine with it. My family have seen me with asthma attacks caused by exposure to pets, and they don't want to see it again, so they understand.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do, and have a very happy Christmas.

[lishapartington in reply to ChrissieMons]

I completely understand what you're saying. Have a lovely Christmas

[shassh]

I have suffered with brittle asthma for many years I had allergy tests done (scratch the skin type) and was allergic to everything. I have now been on xolair for about 18 months and it does help, I still have exasperations and was recently hospitalised with one but generally I've been ok, my asthma nurse has just started me on spiriva which having only had it for three days seems to be making a difference in the daytime I have been a little wheezy over the last couple of nights but it could be the stress of Christmas or the dust on the tree setting me of. Do you have montelukast to take at night? They help with allergies

[lishapartington in reply to shassh]

My doctor didn't want to do the skin tests but just did blood tests as he said it'd be too dangerous especially as cold weather is one of my triggers to stop my allergy tablets for the sake of a test. I do take montelukast at night though and it has made a difference.