Recovery time, perhaps a silly question.

[Wheezycat]

Hi! I am relatively new to all this, and still learning, thus this perhaps silly question: at the end of September I got my first cold in 15months. 24 hours after it started it was clear I was in trouble, and I sought help quickly. 10 days of prednisolone, followed by a week of antibiotics got me through, and since then I have been recovering. By now my peakflow is more or less backto normal, I still cough a bit on and off, but then I have done that all my life, and I have resumed normal activities, like some work, walking, yoga etc. Today I did 4-5 hours of work. It is not physical, except walking up and down a set of stairs loads of times, but it can be intellectually demanding. I enjoy it. But when finishing I was whacked to a ludicrous extent. Since then I have been really tired, though I am objectively well. I am still on double my normal number of puffs of Symbicort 200/6 by the way. As I ended up in hospital for a few days 15months ago, my surgery take me very seriously. I have no problem getting their attention in these circumstances, so I am lucky in that respect. I was diagnosed with asthma in 2014 when I was 65. Could it be that my lungs, and the rest of my body, is still recovering that makes me so tired? I really don’t understand that I run out of energy this way, when by my own assessment I am fine. Is this common? And how long can it last? And is it better to exercise my way out of it, ie ignore the tiredness, or better to rest, at least some of the time?

[risabel59]

Hi there, I keep on posting this, It takes time to recover from an infection if you have asthma. For me, even after my peak flow mostly recovers, it take about 10-12 weeks to fully get back to where I was before. You have to give yourself a chance. I love exercise, but when I've been sick, I ease myself back in, I don't stop, but I do realise that you need time to recover. I take rests, if I need them, and I try not to beat up on myself. (Not always successful there).

I would say that nutrition plays a big part too. Make sure that you are eating well, lots of (naturally) colourful fruit and veg, not too much sugar. Vitamin D supplements at this time of year are a must if you are in the UK. (you can get the powerful Vit D from your doctor, but otherwise the pharmacy, they make a big difference.)

I do hope you feel better soon

R xx

[Wheezycat in reply to risabel59]

Thank you! I am finding it hard to accept, and sort of need to hear it over and over to help me start believing it. I grew up in an environment where making a fuss, a song and a dance, wasn’t good. So, yes, I blame myself when I don’t get there faster. Thus it is reassuring to hear of the 10-12 week.

I went back to work ( i work just some hours per week) the second week after this, as i could not accept I needed more time just for a cold! But I did, it wasn’t a good idea. It didn’t set me back as such, but it took too much out of me, and I don’t think my performance was great. My ‘boss’ said I looked terrible - he is also an asthmatic so he knows. I have been told it takes 12 weeks minimum for the inflammation to reduce fully, so I should know, really.

I was told by the Asthma UK nurse of vitamin D, so I got myself the pharmacy ones. Having been to the surgery 4 times in about two weeks I did not want to bother them again! I worry about an over stretched NHS. I don’t hesitate these days when it is serious, so I have significantly improved on that front.

As for excercise I am building that gradually. To begin with there was no other option, and now I just have to continue to be sensible. Now I can do a bit more.

Thank you for your reply. As said, I do need to hear it, it is reassuring, and it is not just me that is a whimp.

[Wheezycat in reply to Wheezycat]

Oh, sorry! That sounds as if I am saying I am not the only whimp. That was not what I meant. I meant I, personally, am not a whimp when I can’t get back to fully functioning as quickly as I think I ought.