Stress and Peak flow

[Blizzard1]

My peak flow has been about 70% of normal for the last week. I can't think of any reason for that, except its been an unusually stressful week. Does anyone else find stress affects them? and if so what do you do to get your peak flow back up?

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Yes stress definitely affects my asthma but I’ll rarely just treat from my PF score alone as it varies throughout the day naturally. If I’m having symptoms (cough, SoB, tight, wheeze) I’ll take my normal approach to it with ventolin etc.

If I know I’m going to have a particularly stressful day (ie exams or results day) I up my meds (I’m on maintenance pred so increase my dose for the day pre-emptively(supported by my docs) plus do regular ventolin regardless of how I’m feeling).

If it’s a ‘normal’ stress day (weeks leading up to exam etc) and I notice my PF is low but I’m asymptomatic I take 10-30 mins to chill and get out of the situation - go outside, watch funny/relaxing YouTube vids etc, and ‘check in’ with my breathing - deep breathing exercises from the stomach etc which usually checks it enough to bring my PF up and my stress levels (a little) down.

I know people also do mindfulness approach when stressed and I’ve been told that helps calm there breathing (non-asthmatics but been told would help asthmatics too).

Regarding the last week there has been a particularly high pollen count the last couple of days and thunderstorms can also be triggers so it could be a this not just the stress that’s caused it to drop slightly (the 3 combined triggered a big attack for me last week).

If it persists or you’re getting symptoms regularly I’d book to see your GP/asthma nurse for a review or some advice.

Hope that helps xxx

[Blizzard1 in reply to EmmaF91]

Hi Emma,

Thank you, that's really helpful - what deep breathing exercises do you do, I haven't tried them but I'd like to?

Thank you

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Blizzard1]

I basically do this;

nhs.uk/conditions/stress-an...

But I put my hands on my chest and stomach so I can feel where I’m breathing from and focus on moving my ‘belly’ hand if I’m upper breathing.

Hope that helps and that whatever’s causing you increased stress calms down soon! X

[Blizzard1 in reply to EmmaF91]

Brilliant, thank you!

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Blizzard1]

You’re welcome. Hope it works out for you x

[Certificate in reply to EmmaF91]

Just found out that ibuprofen is something that you shouldn't take of you have asthma, why didn't hospital or doctors say? Went to the doctors yesterday and I'm now on steroids again and antibiotics peak flow was nearly sort of near 200 which is quite good for me as most times I am like 150 something like that I'm still shaking but I'm going to stick with it as I really don't want to have appointments for asthma in London as I also have trouble getting out, this site is so good for me personally as my head is all over the place, thank you everyone for the support x

[Asthma-girl]

Stress does affect my asthma as well

[Keithr24]

Hey there. For the first time this year stress has been a trigger and ultimatley landed me in ICU At stary of the year. Just back to work and peak flow plummtted.

For me its going to have to be the steroids again.

[Blizzard1]

Thanks for your reply, hope you're well on the mend now