Day after sport

[-Butterfly-]

Yesterday I played my sport in 30 degree heat. I took 2 puffs of ventolin as usual before I started, during the hour of playing I needed 2 puffs twice more due to tight chest, unable to catch my breath/get enough air in. During the evening I felt a bit sore but was ok.

Today I've had the feeling of not getting enough air in, faster breathing, having to take deep breaths periodically even though I'm trying to rest. I feel a little wheezy, but can't hear anything if that makes sense?

I've highlighted the issues during sport to my asthma nurse, was tried on montelukast but it didn't help, but have been offered no other suggestions. I take sirdupla.

[tk11]

I am on montelukast and the effects take a while to build up. Shame you did not persevere with it, i would recommend it as its helped me loads.

[-Butterfly- in reply to tk11]

I was only given it for a month, the nurse didn't really comment other than try this. When I told her it didn't work, she just shrugged her shoulders and said 'at least we tried' kinda thing.

I used to have it in the past but when i improved i came off it. I wasn't really playing sport at the time so can't compare to the last time.

[tk11 in reply to -Butterfly-]

Perhaps your whole asthma meds regime needs a shake up. Make appointment to see yourAsthma nurse.

[-Butterfly- in reply to tk11]

Probably, but they're pretty useless at our GPs 🙄 , I can but try though.

[Riddickfan]

30 degree heat and sports are not the best situations. I would increase steroid intake for a day or two until your chest settles down. Take ventolin when needed and try to avoid air quality that will make it worse.

[-Butterfly- in reply to Riddickfan]

It was a really important game otherwise I wouldn't have done it, it was ridiculously hot 🙁

Thank you for your advice

[Alauralane]

Hello there Butterfly,

It sounds as though you are having an asthma attack, I had a hard training session at the gym and it left me tight chested and not getting enough relief from my ventolin, over the next couple of days my tight chest and breathing got worse I phoned the asthma nurse at asthma UK and they told me that a large amount of asthma attacks come on slowly, they creep up on you, I booked a review with my asthma nurse and she increased my dose of steroids this worked over a few days and since then my exercise induced asthma has also been so much better, book a review and in the mean time if you continue to have little relief from your Ventolin or it does not last for at least four hours have trouble speaking eating or sleeping a sentence without being breathless, and your breathing is becoming more rapid seek immediate medical advice, never be afraid to cause a fuss. I was told to do this if I ever experience the same slow uncontrolled asthma symptoms again because it can easily become a medical emergency.

By the way I have a silent chest and never wheeze.

[-Butterfly- in reply to Alauralane]

Today is worse than yesterday, still not that bad though. I'm eating/sleeping ok. Maybe getting a little out of breath talking, but nothing too bad. More breathless walking around, so I'm still trying to take it easy. Ventolin is definitely helping, although I still don't feel right. I tried to get an appointment today but there are none. The asthma nurse works Wednesday, so I've asked to leave a message for her tomorrow. Hopefully she'll ring be back with advice.

Does your lack of wheeze cause issues with the medical profession? I have a normally very high PF, sats are always fine, and have only very occasionally wheezed. I always worry they'll think I'm time wasting or it's in my head, but my body is very good at compensating in a lot of situations.

[Kamran42 in reply to Alauralane]

I also have silent chest, no wheezing, only very occasionally at night when I'm lying on my back can I hear some wheezing, but when I sit up goes away. I feel I have to take deep breaths frequently, and this causes my lungs to feel heavy. I dont know if its asthma, but when I mentioned it to my doctor he dismissed it saying there would be different symptoms for him to suspect. I'm gonna go back and insist they do other tests. I had chest xray and it come back normal.

[Alauralane in reply to Kamran42]

Hello there Kamran,

Always insist on the tests you think you need, you have to be your own advocate. When my asthma is not "obviously bad" I too feel like I need to take more frequent deep breaths and my chest and breathing feel heavy, this will last until I get my asthma under control with my steroids. I have had doctors try and tell me I am okay because my lungs are clear and I am not wheezing though I am in the middle of quite a bad attack. A normal xray is good news though asthma can not be seen on an xrays. All the best.

[Kamran42 in reply to Alauralane]

Thanks for the advice. I'll keep bugging my gp.

[MrsCMK]

Hi there.

This sounds a lot like my asthma (except I don’t really play sport or exercise). I take Montelukast and they have been a god send! After a few months of taking, I’ve not heard a wheeze since!

As for how you feel right now, my advice is for you to go to your GP. My asthma manifests itself in a peculiar way also. I no longer wheeze and do not have text book attacks that are obvious. My attacks last days/weeks and sound like what you’re describing. During my attacks I feel “ok” and breathe quicker and sigh (take in random deep breaths) quite a lot. As the days progress with me being like that I get worse and my muscles feel heavy and fatigued. I recently learned the hard way and ended up in hospital last week after leaving it too long to see my GP.

Take care and I hope you feel better soon

[-Butterfly- in reply to MrsCMK]

Wow, this does resound very similar, glad I'm not alone. I couldn't get an appointment today but I've left a message with the asthma nurse so hopefully she'll call back tomorrow. How do you find getting an sense out of the doctors when you present like this? It concerns me that I essentially look absolutely fine!!

Sorry to hear your ended in hospital, what changed that landed you in there? I'm thinking so I can be vigilant! Is it more the fatigue?

[MrsCMK]

It’s bittersweet to learn that someone else’s asthma presents in the same way. Like you, during these slow burning attacks I look fine, which can be frustrating when trying to get people to understand how unwell you actually feel. I’m very lucky that my GP surgery has a fantastic asthma nurse. I was previously with a surgery that had failed to diagnose me for years.

When I ended up in hospital last week, it was because the GP was concerned that I’d been breathless for 2 weeks and the fatigue was leaving me practically housebound with no reprieve and as I type, I’m on my way to Bupa for a consultation.

I know changing GP surgery is a hassle but just having access to a good asthma nurse has helped so much. Having someone available who is thorough and understanding is really reassuring through what can be a stressful time.

I really do hope that you feel better all and start to have some luck with practitioners that you see!

[-Butterfly- in reply to MrsCMK]

Ah it sounds like you have a fantastic team looking out for you. My gp surgery has recently merged with a bigger practise to create some 'super surgery' so this may possibly help me get more sense and possibly a better asthma service. Until then ... 🤔 ha ha.

Good luck with your appointment today, hopefully they will have some good suggestions on how to help you.

Yes, it's frustrating, even my other half keeps asking why I keep sighing, I keep saying it's my asthma but he says you look fine! Grr.