What to do after an attack

[loulouliss1]

Last night I believe I had an asthma attack which I should have gone to hospital for but didn’t (I was worried they’d just send me off or tell me it’s not an emergency ) I’ve never had anything like that before. I was wheezing very audibly which I usually don’t , I had a very tight chest and I didn’t wana talk cause I couldn’t catch my breath. I took 9 puffs from the ventolin and it calmed after a few hours , though I’m still feeling tight chested and out of breath like breathing through a straw. Should I go to a gp here (I’m not registered here only at my university 4 hours away) , I probably won’t be able to get an appointment until wed/Thursday as it’s Christmas , and I’m not sure if it will be worth it by then or they’ll just send me off

Thanks!

[swiftjo]

The advice we were given is if you have an attack that you’ve managed to control using 9 puffs then you have to see a Dr that day for rescue steroids. You can see any out of hours Dr or at local surgery to where you are staying just call and explain. Good luck and merry Xmas

[damascena]

can you have someone phone 111 for you? they can send a gp to your house if they think you don't need hospital. please don't play with this. it can escalate very suddenly.

[ElizabethC]

I had something similar a week ago - 10 - 15 puffs of Ventolin, it cleared it but a few hours later came back. I went to A&E - didn't dare wait.

If you can't talk, you need to be seen urgently. If you are still having trouble breathing and the ventolin does not clear it, *please* go to A&E or call an ambulance. No one will be telling you off or telling you its not an emergency.

DO NOT WAIT for Thursday to see a GP. If you get like you described again, call 999. Please.

[Scoobs87 in reply to ElizabethC]

I had this last Sunday. Phoned 111 because I couldn’t speak a complete sentence without taking a breath, they sent an ambulance immediately.

[gerrytlloyd]

I found that taking a dispersible aspirin before bed prevents severe wheezing at night. Also get the room warm enough even if you are under thick bedding. Usually, there is a certain air temperature below which the wheezing begins. bit.ly/salamol

[Gareth57 in reply to gerrytlloyd]

Not good if you react to anti inflammatories, some of us cannot take aspirin, ibuprofen etc

[Destiny10]

Hi you can go to any walk in centres that are open.

[Emer1000]

Not being able to speak is an emergency. Download the forms from asthma site .. in general its good advice on what do do with different symthoms. I would go to the nearest place with a nebulizer which could be out of hours doctor or a&e or ring asthma advice nurse who will be able to advise you better. In the meantime keep your Ventolin with you at all times, stay away from known triggers that makes your asthma worse but do get yourself to a doc for a check, your breathing is not good you need to get it checked.