Dropping peak flows

[Lucy-j-16]

So since coming off aminophylline and being sent home my peak flows are slowly dropping again. I'm supposed to wean the steroids further tomorrow. Is it worth trying to see the gp in the next day or so?

[Asthma-girl]

I think it might be worth speaking to your GP or Asthma Nurse.

[Hidden]

Hi Lucy I would definitely speak to gp ur asthma nurse even if it's just for reassurance good luck x

[Matman]

If you were not told to expect a drop in PF then probably yes, see your gp again. If you're tapering off steroid tabs, were you given a schedule that allows for a very slow taper? If your PF is declining rapidly, you might want to ask your gp for enough steroid tabs to enable you to reduce your dose at a much slower pace. Although some people can taper successfully by (say) reducing by 5mg then sticking to the new dose size for three days then repeating that step-down process until they are either off steroids altogether or on a lower dose they're able to stick to for sometime, others need to take longer reducing their dose to get where they want to be. Also, to ease the transition while you're reducing your oral steroids, consider asking about stepping up your inhaled steroids (which are much less harmful in the long term due to the vastly lower dose size but go straight to the lungs).

[Lucy-j-16]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I'm already on maximum inhaled steroids so I can't increase those, I'm still taking my salbutamol inhaler 4 times a day as well plus extra. I think it needs to be taken slower than it is as I'm reducing by 5mg every 3 days but I've always ended up in hospital after 2 reductions. A gp is ringing me after clinic so hopefully they might know what we can do instead

[WheezyAnne]

When the doc rings, ask about a combined steroid and reliever inhaler, if not already on one. If you are, consider increasing the use, rather than the Ventolin?

[Lucy-j-16 in reply to WheezyAnne]

I'm currently on fostair so I'm on s combination. I'm taking 8 puffs a day of that already

[WheezyAnne]

See what the Doc says, keep using the spacer with the Ventolin, and check with Doc about increasing Fostair, and maybe halting reduction of the oral steroids until your peak flow is more stable? See what Doc says. All the best.

[Lucy-j-16 in reply to WheezyAnne]

Thank you they've put my oral steroids back up to 40mg I'm now on antibiotics as ive had temperatures since. Feeling very poorly and sorry for myself got to go back tomorrow morning to be reviewed

[WheezyAnne]

Sounds like they are trying to sort you out. It maybe worth doing a sputum test to see if the antibiotics you have been put on are the right ones, although the results will take a week to come back. Are you on Uniphyllin, or Theophyllin? We are also into the Allergy season, so make sure you take any antihistamines you have been prescribed. I found that one Ceterizine is not enough, so I am on 2.

Let us know what the GP says. We are here for you.

[Lucy-j-16 in reply to WheezyAnne]

I can't have physically cough up the sputum as it's so thick. No they decided not to start it as they'd already stepped up treatments in that admission. I'm on loratidine at the moment and not having any other hay fever symptoms.

My peak flows dropped further at teatime but have picked up to where they were this morning. I hate dont want to end up in hospital again

[WheezyAnne]

Make sure you drink plenty as it does help to thin the mucus, upto 2 litres of water. Doubly important with the infection. There is a medicine called Carbocisteine which is often given to people who have difficulty coughing up mucus. Sleep propped up with as many pillows as you can. Air the rooms as you don't want to re-breathe the bugs. Hope you feel a little better in the morning. All the best.