Recently diagnosed adult with asthma

[Stacey-Cox-1990]

Hi! I don't know if anyone is awake at this time... but I could really use someone to talk to! I had a really bad asthma attack today- ambulanced to hospital from work! So embarrassing! I'm really struggling to sleep as I'm so scared I'm going to die in my sleep! I've tried everything to drop off but no joy! Help!?!

[SheilaC]

I'm not sure I can help but I'll try. I presume you will not be going to work tomorrow so why not make yourself a warm drink and sit up in bed and read or watch something daft on tv.

I hope you feel better soon. You have had a nasty shock so just take it easy.

[Tugun]

Hi,

I'm assuming that you have been given Asthma medication such as Ventolin or similar to relieve the symptoms or maybe some prednisone or similar to help with the attack. Are you still wheezing/short of breath? Do you have a chest infection?

Sleeping sitting up helps. Are you alone at home or with others? I agree with SheilaC - watching TV to take your mind off it might help. Keep warm.

[Laney14]

I use an app on my phone by a guy called Glenn Harrold.. Look him up. There are various ones to choose from, some with awake endings to help if you are anxious or worried during the day, others with sleep endings to help you to relax & sleep well. Sleeping upright with 2 or 3 pillows does help, but it's a bit like sleeping on the side of a mountain. Follow the advice of your doctors.. Listen to Glenn (with lightweight headphones is best) if it helps x

[gailmary]

I always have at leastthree pillows and watch something on tv I don't like it usually works for me

[Stacey-Cox-1990]

Thanks all. I had tried meditation music / guided mediation. Nothing seemed to work. Yes Im propped up on pillows. One of the many paramedics I've seen advised me to do this. I usually struggle to sleep because of this after an asthma attack! Does any one else struggle for this reason? X

[Karjade in reply to Stacey-Cox-1990]

If you are on steroids this can stop you sleeping as well. I usually have a hot drinking chocolate and read until I fall asleep and avoid looking at the clock to see how long I have been still awake!

[Stacey-Cox-1990 in reply to Karjade]

I think I was just getting really really frustrated and frankly scared. My hubby was asleep and I felt so on my own. I ended up chatting with his aunt from new Zealand which weirdly helped! Lol.

[hoping2improve in reply to Stacey-Cox-1990]

Yes it is scary, lots of good advice. Hardest thing is that you need to relax!

Keep chatting and stay positive! Good luck

[Stacey-Cox-1990 in reply to hoping2improve]

Thank you. It's nice to have people who understand how I feel. X

[risabel59]

I think one of the very important things is not to stress out over it too much. I don't sleep much if my Asthma is bad, and am on Prednisolone and nebs etc. I think thats probably the same for lots of us on this forum. The pillows are important, as are hot drinks, they can really help. Of the things I've learnt over the years, try not to get jealous of hubby sleeping and wake him up on purpose (naughty). Get up for a while, wrap up warm on sofa, and read. Get some head phones and listen to podcasts/ audiobooks/ music. Don't think about the sleep, just know that by relaxing you are getting 70% of the rest you need. It's surprising how often you miss bits of the Audio book. Give yourself a break recognise that you have been pretty unwell so take a nap during the day. Waking up with an asthma attack is a pretty frightening thing, I'm sure lots of us here have experienced it. Make sure you have Ventolin inhaler/nebs, Tissues, Phone, drink of water, close at hand. It takes between 8 & 12 weeks to recover from a really bad infection/ asthma flare up. You will be able to sleep again properly it just may take a week or two.

Very best wishes

R

[Hidden]

Hi Stacey hope your feeling better I was diagnosed in November with asthma found out when I got rushed in straight to icu was put asleep for a week still recovering myself a scary experience but we all have each other if we're worried about anything x

[Stacey-Cox-1990 in reply to Hidden]

Oh wow! That must have been really scary! Just horrible when you cant breathe! So scary! X

[elanaoali]

There is an example here of the wonderful support people gave to others. My contribution to this post is be kind to yourself. My first asthma attack I called my own paramedic (no hospital trip necessary) took my at least a few months to go back to normal. Your body has been through a lot and you have had a terrible fright. Prednisolone will disrupt your sleep if you are on it. Its just a thing that you have to deal with. I have had two more asthma attacks since my first one. It really kicks the stuffing out of you.

I will tell you a funny story to make you laugh. I couldn't sleep one night when on Prednisolone I went downstairs and started listening to my audio books. Fell asleep and 2 hrs later I woke up to the book finished and be congratulated by my kobo for being a championing reader!

Big hugs from Bristol

[Stacey-Cox-1990 in reply to elanaoali]

Haha. That's pretty funny! This is the 7th asthma attack (severe) that I've had since Oct last year. Yesterdays was really bad. It's really knocked me. Yeah I'm on prednisolone so it is that and my anxiety I expect that kept me up. I'm exhausted today.

Yes and thank you so much everyone for your advice and support. You all have no idea how much it means to be able to talk to people who really understand. X

[Hay1234]

Sorry i didnt read this earlier how you feeling

[Stacey-Cox-1990 in reply to Hay1234]

A bit better than yesterday. Still a bit breathless. I had a shower earlier and was really out of breath! X

[Hay1234 in reply to Stacey-Cox-1990]

Yes dressing or undressing is hard aint it

[Stacey-Cox-1990 in reply to Hay1234]

It really is! And I've got so much planned for this weekend! 😣😣😣 xx

[Skigoddess in reply to Stacey-Cox-1990]

Take a rain check and really look after yourself . It's worth it in the end . Good luck X

[Stacey-Cox-1990 in reply to Skigoddess]

Absolutely. It's just miserable that's all. The last time I was this bad I was off work for nearly three weeks. X

[Rach3187]

😑 u should get regular apps with dr/nurse to check if u need to up the dose on meds

[Stacey-Cox-1990 in reply to Rach3187]

I will make an appointment with my gp on Monday if it doesn't settle. I haven't seen my consultant yet but I've got an appointment in a couple of weeks. X