I had a very server asthma attack 5 weeks ago and nearly went in to icu 5 times. I am a brittle asthmatic. I have a ct scan Wednesday and back to see the consultant again Thursday. I currently on steroids, Nebs, I am permanent antibiotics plus loads of other meds for my asthma.
I still feel pretty rubbish and it’s getting hard to stay positive, I am feeling very frustrated. Wondering if anyone had any advice of how to stay positive thanks
Sorry to hear you’ve been so ill 😔
My top tips for staying positive after a big attack/hospitalisation/high pred:
1. Let it out - if you need to cry do so! You’ve been in a very bad place and your body is still processing. Holding it in will make you feel worse
2. Talk to your friends and family. Either about your situation or about their lives (depending on your mood and who they are 😉). Sometimes you need to get people to understand how you’re feeling, other times you need to remind yourself that your asthma doesn’t have to run your life (it’s just fighting for control atm). Sometimes a random chat with a friend is a great healer / even if it’s just about their dog!
3. Rant to strangers on the internet if you need too 😉. One thing that can pull me down is when people just don’t understand what I’ve been through/live with. One here there is support and understanding everywhere. Ranting your frustrations on here is great - you’re basically anonymous but have a community to support you
4. Entertainment (stupid movies/silly jokes). What works for me when I’m feeling low are kids movies or any comedy just cause they’re easy going and make me laugh. At a low point (in hosp) I made a thread asking for jokes from people to cheer me up - it worked - bad jokes written by people who understand and have taken the time to post them maxed me feel loved. Alternatively spend time with a child (yours or a friends 😉) - they are cute (usually), cuddly (occasionally) and if they’re talking they come out with the funniest things 😂
5. Plan a reward for the future - at the moment you’re having to live day to day but what won’t always be the case. Plan a trip out somewhere, visit a friend you haven’t seen for a while (or they can visit you), go clubbing, a posh restaurant... anything you like which you can aim for and get excited about!
6. Accept that the moods is from your body adjusting to the situation and probably the prednisolone! Just remind yourself every now and then that it’s not you and it won’t last!
7. Remember this is just a blip... you can and will get through this! You are a fighter, if you weren’t you possibly wouldn’t still be here. You are more than just an asthmatic! Life will start up again even if your lungs are currently on strike!
I hope you start to feel better soon and get back to your old self again quickly. Thinking of you x
It sounds like you're having a really tough time at the moment.
It's totally OK and normal to not feel well or positive.
Some things that might help:
-if you have questions or worries phone the asthma UK nurses (if you don't have a hospital asthma nurse you can do this with) - they are amazing. Actually just phone them and see if they have any ideas.
-it's a really stressful time - try to find something that helps you to relax a little bit. I use some 'bedtime' or in bed yoga sessions I've found on YouTube (yoga with adrienne has a 7 min routine) - I don't do the full routine on bad days but the gentle talking and reminder to breathe is sometimes helpful
-is there the possibility to access counselling? You've had so much trauma it might help to talk it through
-to help focus on the positives in life, you could do '3 good things' where you make a list each day to show things that were positive that day. It's been shown to elevate people's mood.
Finally, if you don't feel well enough to do things, give yourself permission not to- focus on your recovery.
I hope something here is useful.
Thank you so much for your reply. Asthma uk are fabulous aren’t they.
I will have a look at the bed time yoga sounds great. Definitely about the counselling I can access it through work, so as soon as I feel better I will access it.
I try and practice gratitude and meditation everyday and I think it helps.
Thank you again x
I just wrote a long post but I don't think it was sent so I will try again. I too was heading to ICU one week ago. It all felt like a nightmare. No one without severe uncontrolled asthma can understand your fears and anxieties surrounding your illness. Not even the best doctors, nurses, loved ones, or friends. While I was in the hospital my friend brought me a book called Anxiety Happens by Forsyth and Eifert. It is available on ebooks as well as book form. It has literally changed my life. I am on my 3rd or 4th time through it. My heart goes out to you. Wishing you the best!
Thank you so much for your reply. It’s really hard when people don’t understand. We had a lot of consultants saying in hospital we have given you everything we can we don’t know what else to do!i found that really scary 😞
I will definitely have a look at the book. Thank you for the recommendation x
I also have brittle asthma, it’s very scary isn’t it?
Yes it really is ! Sometimes I think it’s okish and I have got it but then other times I do scared its stops me doing things. I just hate the way I can be ok one minute and then in resus the next.
I hope you’re doing ok happy-51 x
I’ve treated my asthma with utter contempt because I hate what it’s done to me. And in hindsight see that it was self neglect, a lesson learned.
We just have to be sensible.
I hate it to, it makes me so angry, what it does to me, my kids and my husband.
I try my best to with self care but the medication we have to take has such horrendous side affects. My weight and mood are the major problem from the meds.
Definitely and just stop when needed. I have been off work for 5 weeks now and I am still struggling back and the hospital tomorrow and Thursday x
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