Back in 2014 my asthma was totally under control. The only time I needed ventolin was if I had a chest infection. In August I burnt myself out overdoing things and crashed. Numerous blood tests came back normal. My asthma symptoms slowly got worse and I started on 2 preventors. I tried to keep up with my normal commitments but it was a struggle. I had my elderly mum in hospital twice with pneumonia, underwent a trip to Oz for my granddaughters dancing (all the fundraising had burnt me out) then had a major operation on my neck in Feb 2015. While recovering from my op, mothers health was ailing (had to do what I could for her) Asthma getting worse, put under respiratory clinic at hospital. Trialed different meds. July, Mother fell, broke arm and had to be put in respite care. Passed away mid Aug. Had to sort her affairs and organize house to be sold. Had some help from brother and his unwell wife. 2016 asthma worse. Hospitalized twice. Started suffering bad bad reflux & have a 23mm gallstone. Have lost 19kgs in weight (through very restricted diet). Dont feel any better through weight lose (was 82kg now 63kg) Asthma still bad. Have always had poor sleeping. Resp clinic are not sure if I have COPD and are treating me for it anyway. (Spiriva) At moment have trouble walking from one end of house to the other without having to sit for a few minutes and catch my breath. Any suggestions that may be helpful please. Presently under Dr - Resp Clinic, & have seen specialists re reflux and gallstone.
Hi Im new to this site. Seeking advis... - Asthma Community ...
Hi Im new to this site. Seeking advise re asthma & anxiety
Unfortunately I have no advice, only sympathy. You have had a rough year by anybody's standards. Don't forget to be kind to yourself and rest. A friend of mine had sepsis a few years ago. It took her 18 months to fully recover. Sometimes we forget to allow ourselves that time. x
My doctor once told me that we had forgotten the Victorian idea of convalescence. When you get the chance, you need to relax properly - will probably help your sleep and other ailments.
Good heavens, no wonder you're ill! In what way does your health come first in any of this?
You must access all the support you can. You have done more than enough for other people and now it is time for family and friends to look after you. Mind you, reading your post makes me wonder if it is very hard for you to reach out for help. If it is, you must think about this and try to change your mind. You will find your friends want to help, so please let them. Luxuriate for a bit. Find your selfish gene! Never apologise for being ill - it is not your fault.
You need time to grieve for your mother and you may need to have your gall bladder removed. (I manage perfectly well without mine: better, in fact!)
Consider having counselling to help to get your anxiety reduced. Have someone in to do the housework - get the family to pay if you can't. Make time to relax with music, and keep away from screens as much as you can. (Says she, on the computer now!)
Sleep with lots of pillows behind you and one under your legs so you are more or less sitting up. Seems odd at first, but you get used to it.
You are at a different stage of your life now your mother has gone. It has a good side, and once you are better you will find this. I wish you all good things as you get well.
Thank you ChrissieMons. My hubby has been amazing and my rock through these times and helps out around the house as much as possible. He vacuums, does day to day shopping, cooks meals and takes care of everything outside. My granddaughter helps me with bulk shopping, (puts things in the cart, on the checkout, packs in car, thens puts it away when we get home. Hubby hopeless at this as never knows where to put or find things. Had an appointment with gallbladder specialist last week who said (and rather rudely) he could take the gallbladder out but it wouldnt make any difference to my asthma and like all surgeries comes with its own risks. I came out of his office feeling that I wouldnt let him near me with a pencil let alone a scalpel. Apparently he is a brilliant surgeon but renown for his poor bedside manner. Counseling is an avenue I will consider as I am wondering how much anxiety may be influencing the asthma. Have an appointment with respiratory clinic next week and Dr again on Monday so will discuss counseling with him. I try and rest/relax as much as possible but cant spend the rest of my days sitting around. If hubby out TV goes off and I put music on while I try and potter. Have lived in the same house for 45yrs and trying to slowly declutter. I live in NZ and are 71yrs old.
ChrissieMons has said everything I was thinking. As I read your post, I found myself wanting to shout 'stop!' You really do need to rest and recover your strength. Take as long as you need and you will gradually feel stronger, and your asthma will once again be under control.
Very best wishes, Jan 
Heck, you've had an awful time of it. Anyone would be floored by this, never mind someone with asthma too! Would echo the previous posts: take time to rest. With regard to the reflux - suspect you've had a lot of pills (including the antibiotics) taken orally. You could try adding acidophilis (probiotic) to help your stomach lining recover. It can be found in most health food shops (in the UK Holland & Barrett, for example) Some meds just strip out the good digestive bacteria leaving the stomach rather ticked off, hence reflux. Though the gall bladder is likely to be the culprit. However it's worth a try - if you have the energy, that is. Take care xx
Hi tegels, Thanks for your note. Have been taking omeprazole for the reflux for years and have just read a post on facebook on how bad this can be for you. While at a followup meeting following an Endoscopy I was advised to increase my doseage from 20mg to 40mg per day. Are now thinking of stopping them altogether and see if my very restricted diet helps. Will discuss this with my Dr early next week. Will try adding the acidophilis and are
thinking of seeking out a good naturopath (whoops spelt wrong)
Thank you to everyone who has left me messages. I am grateful for any advise and feel what I have received to date very useful.
I stopped my Lanzaprole (similar to omeprazole) for similar reasons, but then got very ill with acid reflux, and asthma deterioration followed. One endoscopy later... the consultant who administered it says not to believe all the bad press on the PPIs, he was very very reassuring, and having been so ill with reflux (and h. hernia) am taking the risk with them, as Barrets/ oesophageal cancer seem almost certain without, whereas the suspected alzheimers risk with PPIs has not yet been proven (apparently, the supposition is made on the number of elderly PPI patients in care homes who have Alzheimers, but the link remains conjectural), and is in the future.
Sorry that you have had such a hard time. The relationship of stress to asthma is very well known (was partly responsible along with menopause for the late onset deterioration of mine). Some positive anti-stress lifestyle measures sound like they could help (the usual, yoga, walking in nature, flow activities such as art or music or whatever, meditation etc etc).
Good luck, I hope things continue to calm down for you.
Thanks AutumnHedgerow for your reply. I will definitely discuss the withdrawal with my Dr prior to rushing in who fortunately is very open to discussions on alternative ways.
Sorry to hear you are not right. Stress can aggravate asthma and asthma can cause stress/worry. It maybe is worth having an allergy test to establish any triggers that you could control. Good luck.
Hi all new to this site & asthma
Severe asthma made worse by acid reflux 
New to Asthma..
Newbie to this site/forum
