Self help

[Samsgran]

I am currently in Hospital on intravenous antibiotics, due to go home on oral antibiotics tomorrow. Have decided that in future I want to deal with an attack myself with steroids, nebulizer and possibly antibiotics. I'm sure Hospital is not the best place to be, and it's great planning this grand plan but when fighting for breath in the middle of the night it may feel very different. Will have a good session with the asthma nurse today to get support. Has anyone else tried this?

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Hi

I’d defo discuss it with your resp and community teams as you’ll need both the hosp and your GP on board. If I remember correctly you also have bronchiectasis so are maybe more likely to be allowed ‘home treatment’ with limits.

I’m allowed to treat ‘small’ asthma attacks at home so long as I let the GP know, however I’m limited to 2 nebs a day cause if I need more I have to head in to hosp - however I’m only asthmatic and am not on maintenance nebs. I have a ‘rescue pack’ of antibiotics (again I have to inform GP when starting) and I’m allowed to ‘play’ with my steroids as I’m on maintenance anyway (but again I inform...). When I’m like this my GP tends to want to see me so they can assess if I’m managing or need to go in (I’ll put up with a lot before admitting myself - they know I tend to need a bit of a push so 😅)

The biggest issue they’ll have is you delaying too long before seeking further help, so either come up with or ask for ‘limits’ ie unable to get PF above X, needing more than Y nebs a day, being ill for more than Z amount of days etc etc.

It’s no fun being in hospital, especially when you know how good you are at catching things off of others, or when you know you can do what you’re doing at home, however sometimes it’s what you need! I’m a ‘delayer’ and am constantly told off for not coming in sooner so... 🤷‍♀️

I hope you are let out tomorrow (I know how much they like to dangle carrots) and that you start to feel better soon! My carrot was dangled for today so I’m hopefully optimistic! 🤞🏻

[Samsgran in reply to EmmaF91]

Thanks Emma for that very useful reply. Having been asthmatic for 70 of my 75 years, I am lucky that until 6 years ago I had never been hospitalised with it. However 2 years ago I contracted pseudomonas in Hospital and was in for 6 weeks, then in and out for the rest of the year. I think the danger of self treating for me may well be leaving it too long, so I'll keep your plan in mind. My PF is pretty rubbish, 160 at very best, but that's just me. Thanks for your help, hope I'm brave enough to do it.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Samsgran]

Hi - yes it’s the self-treating, not heading to hospital that makes docs not allow us to self-manage at home cause we are notorious for just putting up with it til were on deaths door (which for some reason they don’t like 😅). It’s why consultants don’t like asthmatics having home nebs!

PF wise I have a % limit that if I hit that level I have to go to hosp, no matter what. For me it’s 30% or about 200 (I have a stupidly high best of 630). It should be higher, but I lived at 50% for a year and now don’t view that as a worry 😬😅

Just ask them - the worst they can say is no!

[Matman]

One of the advantages Hospital has over Home-Treatment relates to whether you are prone to Mucus Plugs. (Those rubbery, thin spaghetti-like, solid plugs of mucus that some Asthmatics often cough-up when exacerbating). They represent a significant cause of Asthma Fatalities by blocking airways. If you suddenly find yourself trying to cope in that regard, the presence of an experienced nurse could be critical in preventing suffocation. Sorry if this sounds terribly melodramatic, but it is something that needs to be taken into account if mucus-plugs (or heavy mucus) figure in your type of Asthma.

[Samsgran in reply to Matman]

Well, plans all gone to pot. Back to square one! Have to remember that everyone is an individual, asthma comes in different shape and guises. Asthma nurse wants me to continue as before. 1 neb when things are bad, but if I need another with 4 hours, off to hospital. Oh bugger. My fear of sudden death has been allayed, that is more likely in younger people having sudden attacks. I'm more likely to become slowly very I'll, with complications, like pneumonia then die from that (gulp...) happy thought.

In the meantime, eat drink and be merry. Right, mines a large G&T (but it's 8am so don't pour just yet)