Virus or Asthma

[mal1245]

Hi,

I would appreciate some help/advice please. Briefly I caught a viral chest infection back in mid February. I put in a horrible few months with it, mainly with a cough that was deep in the lungs. Following two courses of antibiotics and a course of steroids I eventually seen a specialist who diagnosed me with asthma. I started on a seritide inhaler and also on Montelukast tablet once a day. Over a period of two months (mid May to mid July) I used both initially and then after a period only the seritide inhaler. By mid July I had seen no improvement in my symptoms (a mucus cough in the left lung). A CT scan showed lungs were normal. I discontinued the seritide inhaler in mid July (and restarted the Montelukast) and over the following weeks there was a notable improvement. However in the last two weeks my chest has been creating more mucus and in general I just don't feel very well. My peak flows while on the seritide inhaler were 600, but without the inhaler they drop to between 550 and 600, although quite often they are still 600. Anyways I find the mucus cough very troublesome. I also continue to experience a lot of pins and needles/burning in my feet and lower legs and occasionally in my hands and arms. I had a lot of trouble with sleep, probably more so from stress than asthma, but sleeping better now for the past 3/4 weeks. Any advice would be appreciated.

[emmasue]

I would go back to your GP. It sounds like your asthma isn't well controlled at the moment. You could also ring the Asthma UK helpline. They might be able to offer advice before going to your GP. Hope you feel better soon. x

[Tigerpaws]

Wow my peak flow has never got above 390 - you're very lucky!

[Hidden in reply to Tigerpaws]

Mine doesn't always reach 300. Usually 250.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Tigerpaws]

Mine is often high (best well above predicted) and doesn't necessarily drop as low as you would expect in attacks, but I still have severe poorly controlled asthma and my FEV1 is fairly rubbish. If anything it's worse having good peak flow in this situation as it is harder to get them to take you seriously. I wish my peak flow were a useful indicator even If that meant it was lower- it doesn't seem to improve my breathing much!

[Hidden]

Hello mal1245,

I have the same symptoms and mine are so bad now that I’m being treated for peripheral neuropathy. I also have asthma but mine has been with me for 30 years and is well controlled. The mucus has got worse after I caught the flu (H1N1) and the tingling/burning has begun a couple of months after. I would say this is a sort of immune system overreaction to the virus.

Keep us posted, I’m really interested in your thoughts about this.

Best wishes,

Chinchi 💕🤗

[mal1245 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Chinchi

When did you catch the flu. I never really got a definitive answer as to what the virus was that initiated my asthma. I picked up my virus in February. I have a feeling the burning cane with the seritide inhaler. Strangely burning of hands arms feet legs is listed as a side effect in the states but not in the uk. What treatment are you on for neuropathy.

[Hidden in reply to mal1245]

Also caught it in February. I never used this inhaler. Neurologist has prescribed Pregabalin, Duloxetine and Cyclobenzaprine. Haven’t stated yet, too scared of the side effects.

[BarrieB]

I was plagued with continual chest infections and it took ages to diagnose the specific bug and the specific antibiotic to combat it. I now have my emergency supply at home (fortunately not needed now for two years). It took sputum sample analysis to get to this point. So, are you sure the initial infection is over? Colour of mucus is a good indicator. I certainly agree with other advice. See your GP.

[mal1245 in reply to BarrieB]

The mucus I produce has always been clear but there is an awful taste of it. I had a test done on it but it showed nothing.