Asthma

[VentolinAddict]

Hi all. I’m new here and to asthma! I’ve recently been diagnosed with asthma around 4 months ago. My mum has a diagnosis of “severe asthma” and she has been struggling with her health ever since I can remember. I’m having some slight concerns and would just like some advice or others experience in their diagnosis. I did not have asthma as a child. As I got older I noticed small things such as being very prone to chest infections, pneumonia and pleuracy (3-4 times every year in the autumn, winter, spring and even summer!) I was diagnosed after my husband had a heart attack. I’m not sure whether it was stress but almost overnight I contracted pleuracy. My mum was nagging me to see a GP for years as she believed I had asthma. (I should probably add I’m 23 years old) Anyway, since my diagnosis I’ve had two courses of prednisolone, 4 steroid inhaler changes and dose variations and been sent home from work twice either because of an asthma attack or being very poorly.. has anyone else experienced this? Can my asthma progress to a more severe form like my mum?

Thank you all.

[Chip_y2kuk]

Asthma is an ever changing condition

I had it severe as a child it mellowed as I got older and then 3 years ago it came back and bit me really bad (worse than ever) but for 7 years I was asthma free (I now know it was dormant)

[VentolinAddict in reply to Chip_y2kuk]

Thank you for your reply. I see so it can change all the time? Goodness me.

[Chip_y2kuk in reply to VentolinAddict]

Yes in 3 years I have had:

Clenil (steroid inhaler)

Fostair (combi inhaler)

Seretide (combi inhaler)

Duoresp spiromax (combi inhaler)

Loratidine (anti histamine)

Fexofenadine (anti histamine)

Montelukast

Ventolin

Powder salbutamol

Copious amounts of prednisolone (more than I care to have taken)

[VentolinAddict in reply to Chip_y2kuk]

I’m sorry you are/were having such a rough time. My mum always says it’s a 7 year cycle.. I don’t really get how that can be true. I suppose my biggest fear is being as poorly as my mam. Hospital admissions at least every month, collapsed lungs etc. Horrendous to witness.

[Chip_y2kuk in reply to VentolinAddict]

Yes 7 year cycles is normally associated with allergies... they cycle every 7 years so you are *more* likely to have changes to allergies some if which will make asthma worse if they cycle in

For example I'm allergic to dust and you would be surprised at how hard it is to avoid

Also pollen (nearly all pollen)... did you know even trees pollinate??

[VentolinAddict in reply to Chip_y2kuk]

Oh I see. I’m not 100% sure what my triggers are yet.. all I know is stress and getting a cold is definitely there.. I have a cat and I don’t seem to struggle. I also smoke cigarettes and these don’t seem to affect me either? I am trying to quit please don’t hunt me down lol. It’s really strange. I don’t know what’s triggered my asthma this time as I’ve been very poorly with it for about 5 days now with my peak flow reading not being over 300!

[Chip_y2kuk in reply to VentolinAddict]

There's a lot of dust and the weather is changing quite drastically at the moment that always affects me

Also mold spores are quite high... luckily i dont think they really affect me

[Kitten-kat23]

Good Morning. Welcome to the site. You can find a list of helpful topics to the right of the page.

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Hi VentolinAddict

Welcome to the forum.

If you’re diagnosed with asthma, the good news is there are lots of effective medicines available to help manage your symptoms.

When you’re first diagnosed, you may need to see your GP or asthma nurse a few times to check how you’re feeling and monitor your treatment. After that, once you feel as though you’re on top of your symptoms and you’re in a good routine with your medicines, it’s important to book an asthma review at least once a year – even if your symptoms are well managed and you’re feeling well.

There's lots of information here on getting on top of your asthma here: bit.ly/2iQRJhs

If you have any questions you can WhatsApp chat the Asthma UK nurse team on 07378 606 728 or call them on 0300 222 5800 (M-F, 9-5).

Take care,

Dita