Newly diagnosed

[Koko10098]

Hi everyone, I’ve just been diagnosed with asthma today after a recent trip to the doctors. A few weekends ago, I felt severely out of breath and couldn’t even walk slowly whilst trying to talk at the same time. This was completely unusual and so when I still felt this ill on the Monday, I took a trip to the doctors and got sent for a chest x-ray. When using the peak flow meter, I was only reaching 200 at the most and that was a struggle for me to do that!

So after 2 weeks of using a reliever inhaler (which massively helped) and recording my peak flow measurements, I’ve now been diagnosed with asthma at the ripe old age of 30! I now have a preventer inhaler too.

How have you all found living with asthma since your diagnosis? I’m not really sure on what to expect.

[Jteb]

I'm also newly diagnosed, at age 25. I had bronchitis in the fall and was coughing for months. I got put on inhaled steroids, which got rid of the cough, but since the doctor thought it was still bronchitis-related, he took me off of it... and I ended up in urgent care with a full-on asthma attack. I'm still just getting things under control with multiple medications (though I'm hoping I'll be able to step down because the montelukast gives me crazy dreams).

After months of struggling and really low energy, I'm finally starting to feel "normal" again. I'd almost forgotten what it feel like to have the energy to do my job!

[Wheezycat]

Hi! I ways diagnosed about 4 years ago, in my sixties. It can happen at any time of life.

Asthma is a very variable condition, not only very different for different people, but can also vary for one individual. You may have periods when, as long as you take your medication, you barely notice it, but then other times when it flares up. Also your needs for medication may vary - but don’t experiment without working with your doctor or asthma nurse! That is important! So it is hard to know what you can expect. What is important is that you aim to have a good working relationship with your asthma nurse/doctor, so that you can monitor your condition between you.

Many people on this forum have severe or brittle asthma, and that is a different ballgame altogether. Most people with asthma don’t have it as badly as that. For myself I have found it has affected my lifestyle up to a point, but that may well not be the case with you. Many sports people, for instance, have asthma, and it doesn’t stop them.

So, good luck, and come back here and ask as many questions as you need to! Many on here are very knowledgeable.

[Koko10098]

Thanks for your advice and sharing your stories with me!

Being overly cautious with things at the moment so writing down peak flow measurements 3/4 times a day, taking preventer inhaler in a morning and an evening and trying my best to figure out any triggers when I feel like I need my blue inhaler!

Hope you’re all getting on okay

[Bucketlist]

Hi Koko, I was diagnosed with Asthma last year, after a chest infection, I was told I have cough induced Asthma. However, after the initial treatment of steroids, Fostair and Ventolin I became well again and told everyone that it was an error on the nurses part, over cautious etc. And in October stopped taking the medication and I have been fine.......

I think you can see where I’m going with this!

We went on holiday 4 weeks ago and I developed a bit of a cough, it’s steadily got worse and last week I suddenly realised that I had the same symptoms that I had last year, but without the chest infection. Back on the Fostair and Ventolin, but will probably have to go back to the Nurse this week.

Stupid.? Moi?

[Bucketlist]

PS, forgot to say that I am 65 years old for heavens sake! With no family history of any allergies or Asthma. I’m making excuses now, I’ll go away.