How long does an asthma flare up last for you.

[Georgiax]

I am a new asthmatic and my first flare up lasted two months. I had mild everyday symptoms that weren't that serious but really annoying. Does anyone else have chronic flare ups?

PS. I did go to my pulmo for this but that didn't help.

[BigTim]

I've had asthma for most of my 58 years on the planet. Yes, symptoms can last for weeks and months at a time. I get the feeling that medics tend to believe that once any individual acute crisis is over that things quickly get back on an even keel. And sometimes they do. But sometimes they don't. It was a lot worse in the days before inhalers, when the only relief was to sit up by an open window. Your asthma is unique to you, and in time you'll become the best expert you know. Asthma is horrible, frightening and hardly life-enhancing. I know it's a cliche, but the most important thing is not to allow yourself to be defined by your asthma. Your are Georgiax who by the way has asthma, but you don't need to be an asthmatic who happens to be called Georgia.

[diana-stoyanova in reply to BigTim]

I love your reply. Thank you for this. *hugs*

[WheezyAnne]

Asthma is different for everyone. My Asthma flares up when I get a chest infection, when the tree blossom is out, when the grass is being cut, when I do the cleaning, when the humidity is high, and the temperature is too, when the air is 'stuffy'. When the grass pollen is out, if I go anywhere there are strong smells. It is part of having Asthma. It is how we, together with our health professionals, manage these flare ups, which is important. It all depends, as well, on your definition of chronic, and flare up? Perhaps you could give more details,like what medication are you on?

[Georgiax in reply to WheezyAnne]

I am on singulair, florvent inhaler and antihistamines. Also a nasal spray. I have slight wheezing daily and a very mild cough. Also mucus in throat. My pulmo thinks that my asthma is controlled because my pft is above average for me and never drops beyond 20%. Also, every time she auscultates me my lungs sound clear. I'm so confused. She says it is post nasal drip but I think it is asthma. Also those symptoms can last for months.

[Sandie500 in reply to Georgiax]

Hi Georgiax

I too have asthma with post nasal drip which can be very annoying at times especially when you lie down to sleep. I've had asthma for about 18 years and mine was late onset I'm now 56.

I don't have a wheeze but I cough constantly. My peak flow is always great and my nurse commented last week that it was much better than hers and she is only mid 20s!

When I have an asthma attack I still do not wheeze so I am not a classic case but I definitely have asthma.

Ears, throat and lungs are all connected and a lot of people with asthma have the mucus thing going on.

Post nasal drip can be seen by a doctor/nurse at the back of your throat (yuk). This will be there all the time. When you have an asthma attack the airways start to narrow and the mucus builds up which is why you can't breathe and the tightness in your chest can be horrific.

I take an antihistimine everyday as I also have allergies and like you I was prescribed a nasal spray for the post nasal drip but I found that it didn't really help so stopped using that.

I've been good for a few years now - well controlled - but recently I have been having a few flare ups. I don't know what has happened to cause them but it is very scary.

You will learn to monitor your asthma and what your triggers are (there are many) and hopefully you will get everything under control.

In answer to your question - yes I do have flare ups which last for weeks! But don't forget Georgia that any attack is potentially life threatening so you must take your medicine and if you need help you call emergency!

[Georgiax in reply to Sandie500]

Thank you for your rely. You were really helpful. Yes I always take my medication. I'm always cautious about my asthma, a little too much to be honest. I also suffer from anxiety so I don't know what symptoms are from asthma. But my lung specialist thinks that my asthma is controlled and PND is the problem. It is just that I am new to this and every little cough scares me. I read really horrible stories about asthma deaths and I'm freaked out!

[Sandie500 in reply to Georgiax]

Believe me Georgia we all freak out when we are diagnosed with asthma, it is not something to be taken lightly! Listen to your lung specialist. Like I said in my first post I cough constantly but that doesn't mean I am having an asthma attack. I cough so much I wonder how my lungs are still working! PND irritates the throat and even though I don't feel like I am coughing up phlegm I still cough. However, when my asthma is bad there are obvioulsy other symptoms such as the tightness in the chest and the inability to actually breathe.

I don't know how old you are? I've had asthma for appx 18 years and I'm still ok. Look at BigTom, he has had it for his whole life! The number of people who have asthma in this country is very high.

You learn to live with it and to deal with attacks as they come. You will learn to keep away from your triggers and in that way reduce any attacks. Look after yourself, and take your meds. I have a preventer (brown) inhaler which I take every day and even when I feel well I know that it is very important to still use it daily.

It is difficult for you suffering from anxiety too and I'm sure this does confuse you as regards your symptoms - is there a nurse you could speak to about this. What about counselling for your anxiety? Maybe if you could get that under control things might be better for you as asthma attacks can also be brought on by emotions.

[WrenJen in reply to Georgiax]

Hi Georgia I am new to this too and worry when I have flare ups as I am at the moment. Dr has said they have gone as far as they can with options so referring me to respiratory clinic at hospital. Find that scary as was only diagnosed in November. Hope you settle down x

[Czkf in reply to Georgiax]

Hi your symptoms sound just like mine without the cough I have had all the test done and everything is fine but I still get wheezy and a tight chest and a very blocked nose very often , how are you doing now are you any better ?

[hoping2improve]

As others have said, asthma is different for everyone. It's getting to know your triggers and symptoms and then dealing - not always easy - but this site helps a lot. good Luck

[Griffon]

My asthma has been getting worse as I have got older . Previously an attack would last some hours and then go . However last June it came back with a vengeance , and I now know that because of incorrect treatment I have been suffering a continueus attack for eight months . It was running as continual breathlessness with regular suffocating flair ups . I finally received correct treatment six weeks ago and I have only just got back to normal in the last five days .

[Georgiax in reply to Griffon]

What treatment did you get? I'm so sorry that it lasted so long.