I've had a busy week this week, including an interview and an exam. I forgot to refill my Fostair prescription.
It was after my Friday night dose that it dawned on me that I had 6 puffs left and I take four a day. I decided to split them down to one puff twice a day in hopes of stretching it.
I was a bit worried because my asthma has been playing up over the last week and especially on Friday - I had to be outside for work all day.
Less than two weeks ago, I saw my asthma nurse for a medication review (two months into Montelukast) and was quite happy - partially controlled, small reactions every time I come in contact with stuff but well the rest of the time, better than best peak flows. My symptoms were finally more in line with my peak flows, given the new bests. Since I was partially controlled, she didn't book another review but said I could come back if I had trouble again.
This continued for five further days with even better peak flows... and then back comes the asthma. I feel so disappointed in my lungs. My peak flows are only just in the amber anyway, it's mainly my ventolin and symptoms (including tiredness) which have gone up (though I do ration it more when unwell). On my old best, I would have been green anyway. So I've been too embarrassed to call up again.
On Saturday, I played about an hour of lazer tag in the morning. I felt a little short of breath and my lungs hurt, so at times I had to slow down. Afterwards, I had an intermittent cough. My wife and I felt like doing something, so we went to a market in Edinburgh. I cannot begin to tell you how many stairs there are on this route. I can't even find a photo with all the stairs in:
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Now, my wife is the sort of spritely individual who runs 5k before work so she took some of the steps at a jog. My attempts to follow became increasingly slowed, my legs burnt, my lungs felt like they might have been replaced with stones.
I'd already had 2-3 doses/4-6 puffs (I can't remember) of ventolin in the last three hours so my heart was slamming in my chest, even with careful rationing. The gaps between my coughing spells were shortening and I couldn't say more than short phrases without coughing.
My wife asked if I was okay and I insisted I was, except then it turned out there was another set of stairs. This time down. By the bottom, I was 'wheezing'. I'm not convinced it was a real lung wheeze as much as one produced from how hard I was breathing from the shortness of breath. (Though I was initially quite excited at the prospect as I rarely wheeze.)
My wife insisted I take my inhaler, but I wanted to get into a more open space. By now some people have stopped to look at me. She loudly (or maybe it just felt loud being so public) announces that I can't wait as it's not safe if I'm wheezing. Most tourists have moved on, but this one woman has stayed in a silent watch.
My peak flow was 78%. I pointed out that it was fine and hoped to move on to a more secluded spot but my wife was having done of it. Two puffs later, I no longer sounded ridiculous and my shortness of breath was reduced. I would have liked two more, but I didn't want to make a scene so I said I was fine. The lady moved on. I felt a fool for all those symptoms so quickly resolved.
On walking I had some lesser shortness of breath and coughing, particularly as there was some smells at the market. I insisted I was fine. We walked a long way back and fortunately did not have to tackle the stairs again.
I don't think one fewer puff of Fostair would have made that much difference, not with my nose also playing up with allergies and all that ventolin but I want to contact my nurse even less now because I'll just look non-compliant.
On the bright side, I suppose it could have progressed into a proper attack without the ventolin/space - last year I likely wouldn't have been carrying them.
No real point to this post, just venting.
Any advice on explaining severe asthma to doctors and nurses?
Exams and asthma playing up
Do I need steroids again?
