New To Asthma--Some Questions

[kshull13]

Hi There,

This is long, so apologies in advance.

A few months ago I was diagnosed with adult on-set asthma after having this horrible case of bronchitis that lasted for about 2.5 months. It ended up being bacterial (but according to my specialist the initial antibiotics given were not strong enough so the bronchitis never went away). Finally, after what felt like an insane amount of antibiotics later, I stopped coughing but continued to have shortness of breath that would last hours a day.

When I was sick with the bacterial infection I was on Ventolin and some other pills. Then I switched to Seretide (morning and night) and was given bricanyl as an emergency inhaler. I was still experiencing shortness of breath every day and it totally impacted my every day life.

Then about two weeks ago I started having full days where I wasn't feeling tightness. I can't tell you how happy I was! During that time though I was getting really congested. This has now turned into a full-blown cold with more mucus then I care to let on and I am coughing up thick, green phlegm. My doctor told me to take Zithromax (3 day course). I finished it two days ago but am still coughing and occasionally coughing up green phlegm. Is this just normal for people with asthma? My doctor told me because of my condition I will be more prone to getting colds which can worsen my asthma symptoms. I'm also a teacher and she said because of how many germs students carry, I will likely have symptoms like this for the foreseeable future. Is this true?

I've been doing my best to be healthy-- I've almost completely cut out dairy, have barely been drinking for the past few months and have started swimming (about 20-30 laps) once a week. I use my bricanyl before exercising and cough during the swims but am not wheezing.I take walks and try to be as active as possible. I just want to feel NORMAL AGAIN!

When I don't have colds, her plan for be is to be on Seretide twice a day, Striverdi Respimat (olodaterol) once in the morning and Spiriva Respimat (tritropium) once at night. Does this sound intense? Every appointment she assures me I have "Mild" asthma. Does that sound right?

I live in Hong Kong and have been skeptical of the doctors due to a few bad experiences, but the respiratory specialist I'm seeing went to school in the UK and US and came highly recommended. She said we're "toughing it out" right now and that this will take some time. She's not worried at all (which actually makes me even more worried).

My questions are:

1. Given what I've said does it sound like I have "Mild" asthma?

2. How long does it generally take to find medication that works for someone with asthma to the point where they don't feel the tightness? and to feel their asthma is "under control"?

3. Is it true that ideally, someone with asthma can live a normal, healthy and active life? How long does it take to get there?

4. My best peak flow readings thus far has been 500-- is that bad for a 27 year-old- girl? I'm about 5ft 10 inches.

5. I have developed serious anxiety because of this and sometimes it's hard for me to tell if my symptoms are my anxiety or not. Does anyone have any advice about how to cope with the anxiety and that sadness that comes from finding out you have a disease?

6. I have attached a photo of my test-- could anyone help tell me if this looks serious or not?

7. Do people with asthma just have to learn to deal with these symptoms of never feeling normal? I truly hope not.

I would truly appreciate any advice or answers-- thank you in advance!

[poohbabe878]

Mild asthma yes but it can take a few months for the meds to build up in your system. You can live a normal life it takes time to know and learn what triggers your asthma has. 500 for a peak flow is good. Getting anxious will cause stress which can make your symptons worse. Relax let the meds get into the system and give it time . I have had asthma 36 years and you learn how to live with it. Your readings are good for mild asthma. Please dont worry or get stressed out. If you stress you will be ill.

[kshull13 in reply to poohbabe878]

Thanks very much for your reply! Do you also have mild asthma? How long did it take for you to feel "normal" again?

Yes, I am trying to manage my anxiety as I can tell it makes everything worse. I'm seeing a therapist and am doing a lot of reading on how to reduce stress in my life. It's hard to not feel stressed when I have difficulty breathing, but any advice you could give about what you do would be greatly appreciated!

[31m3aR]

Hi kshull13 500 is a really good reading I think. Don’t despair you are doing everything right keep up the swimming it’s fab for you . Don’t stress out that never healed anyone. Yoga is excellent tool too as is a method of breathing called buteyko breathing . Good luck n take care

[kshull13 in reply to 31m3aR]

Thanks for your reply! I've been trying to swim and walk as much as I can, but I get pretty bad coughing fits when I do either and feel breathless for a while after the physical activity. Do you find that too? Or is this an indication my meds haven't kicked in yet?

[31m3aR in reply to kshull13]

Hi Kshull yes I do get breathless but that’s the point of exercise so I don’t mind n keep going -but take charge of your breathing and stop if you need to - good luck

[Krcz]

Your spirometry is good. Although have you had your sputum tested? Green suggests that there is an infection. So if this is still the case I would demand it to be tested. Anxiety 100% makes your symptoms worse. Been there myself. Once i managed to get it under control the tightness has gone. You can find a chart for peak flow online. They misdiagnosed my asthma once as had bad case of chest infection which took over 3 months to clear.

[kshull13 in reply to Krcz]

Hello! Thanks so much for your reply! I haven't had my sputum tested, and I was on antibiotics (zithromax) and now they have put me on different antibiotics (Zinnat) so hopefully it works. If not I will take your advice and ask they test my sputum.

Any advice for managing the test tightness (with regards to anxiety). I would love to hear about some coping mechanisms that worked!

Thanks again!

[jelbem]

Hi. As a former teacher I can sympathise as I was in my 40s when asthma got me ! Life doesn’t end with it honestly. I had three tries until the correct medication and dosage was sorted and my lung function tests are mostly excellent- even for my age 63! It doesn’t stop me doing anything, although I don’t climb mountains!

Yes you will probably have more chest and respiratory infections- but that is as your doctor said because of germ-ridden kids! I have a flu jab every season, ensure I am not palmed off with amoxicillin- which is not strong enough- occasionally have had short course of steroids but manage fine.

Sadly the only way you can reduce the chance of infections is to avoid rooms full of children! That said, I taught and worked with 7-18 year olds for 30+ years so if you love the job, keep going! Don’t soldier on if you feel ill though. Stay at home and cosset yourself.

I am guessing you went to work, whilst unwell, so as not to let your pupils down. Don’t do that again, you can’t do the job well if you are not.

Take heart, coping with a class is way more trouble than living with asthma!

[Hidden]

Hi Kshull

When Im taking my Beclometasone which is a corticosteroid inhaler a bit like Seretide I find if I catch a cold it is more severe and lasts longer with the mucus you talk about.

When I start my Beclometasone it takes about 3 days to start to take effect and a week to be at its most effectiveness certainly not months, but everyone is different. If your asthma is fully under control I dont think you will be particularly more prone to catching colds.

Exercise is massively beneficial so do your best to keep exercising.

I dont think it matters how the doctor describes your asthma it is more about how you feel.

Mild asthma can still impact your life hugely so if you are struggling you need to get help.

1 It doesnt seem too bad but who knows.

2 Impossible to say everyone is so different, You need to find the trigger (ie house dust mites, pollen, food etc) and avoid to be fully free of the effects. Im sure there will be asthmatics that have a nagging chest their whole life and others very sporadic problems its too variable.

3 You can definitely have a full active life. There maybe periods where its difficult this makes you appreciate the good weeks, moths and years.

4 500 looks well above average.

mylungsmylife.org/topics/gr...

5 This is a tough one, There are no words that will fix this you need to get professional help, yoga, mindfulness, meditation or just time may help, I have lived with my asthma for 50 years and never had issues with being anxious until the last 3 months, weird, so yours may come and go but I suggest seeing a professional.

7 I am sure you will have periods (probably long) of feeling completely normal and when you are not you learn to adjust and cope.

Good luck I think and hope you will fine.

Cheers

[Matman]

While excercise is good (if you can cope ok with it) swimming has both good and ‘not so good’ characteristics. The exercise aspect of swimming is great, but swimming baths (especially changing rooms / communal area) can harbour a lot of infections due to the amount of people using them. Asthmatics need to avoid infections as far as possible. Also, some Asthmatics don’t get on well with the chlorine in the water, but you might be ok with it if you generally feel alright in the 24 hours after each swim. As others have said, the inhaled steroids in preventer inhalers normally take a while to reach full strength. About 6 to 8 Weeks.