As I've been sitting here and reading posts I've been thinking about my own 'journey' for want of a better word, with this asthma.
I was diagnosed in my 30's and to start with I had a lot of years when I was fine, taking my inhalers helped. Then I had some chest infections and as the years have gone on my asthma has gotten worse than it was. But since my illness and severe attack in December I find that I get more breathless doing things when I didn't before. I feel now that this is the best I will ever be.
I spoke to the asthma nurse a few weeks ago and she told me that if I get another chest infection, I seem to have had a few of them in the last couple of years, then I should be referred to the chest specialist. When she said that I told her I felt a failure but she said the failure was theirs. Then she mentioned I could be border line brittle asthmatic. Don't really know about brittle asthma.
I am having physiotherapy for a shoulder issue and the therapist wants me to have anti inflammatories. I phoned the med centre and spoke to a doctor who said it wouldn't be good for me to have them since my asthma isn't mild. She would be very concerned if I took them because they can cause attacks apparently.
How has that made me feel? Well, I always thought my asthma wasn't too bad even (though I've had all these chest infections) but I really think that what she said has shaken me up a bit. I don't know why really.
I still work and I can still go out and about. I know that I am better than a lot of people.
When I was ill in December, a severe attack put me in hospital on Boxing Day night. It was sparked by the flu and two secondary infections (sinus and chest) my husband couldn't believe how quickly I went downhill. He has always been good to me (he has asthma too) and he still is. He doesn't rush when we are out. He waits for me.
I've tried never to let this get to me or affect my life too much if I can help it. Now I feel that one day it will get the better of me. Whether these thoughts are carried on from when I was ill I don't know. Or maybe the comments of the doctor has brought them back to the surface. Who knows!
Anyway, as I said, these are my thoughts on this fine Saturday morning. If you read them I thank you for your time. I also give thanks for this website and to all of you. Take care and if you can please stay well. Best wishes to you all.