Been struggling the last 4 weeks. My peak flow has been consistent, in the range of 600-700 (6 foot male), but I'm still feeling really short of breath and chest feels congested. Feels like I have mucus on chest but can't cough it up.
Been using my blue pump about 4 times a day (2 puffs a time) for the ladt 3 weeks now and doubled my clenil from 400 a day to 800 a day about 2 weeks ago. No wheezing, just chest tightness and don't feel quite like I'm getting enough oxygen along with coughing bits of mucus up every now and then.
Doctors saying because my peak flow is good that everything is fine and that I'm maybe over thinking it. Maybe I am but was just wondering other people's experiences when it comes to peak flow and not feeling great?
Also my doctor told me to do a peak flow before and after reliever. 10 minutes after taking reliever I get 750 on peak flow. Not quite sure if that means much?
Thanks.
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Jay83
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It sounds like you’ve possibly either got a bit of a cold and/or have been triggered by the weather change. If you feel like you’ve got stuff to bring up try drinking more water and steaming as that should help to loosen it a bit. Check the colour what comes up if it’s yellow or green it’s worth letting letting your doc know.
PF is just 1 indicator of an asthma issue... not all asthmatics have a drop! Personally my PF is very variable and will drop at the smallest idea of an asthma issue, however I know others who rely on symptoms to know what’s going on cause their PF doesn’t!
They’ve asked you to do your PF pre and post reliever to see if it’s helping and reversibility is possible. If you take it and there is a big difference pre v post go back as it shows that there is a problem. I also suffer from having an unexpectedly high PF (630, predicted is 470 I think) which caused issues initially as they thought 400-450 was good when it really wasn’t!
I hope that helps and you start to feel better soon
Presumably when you saw your doctor they listened to your chest and checked that there is no infection on your chest? A steam inhalataion will help to loosen any mucus in your respiratory system. They are a bit of a nuisance to do but do help. Plus I find banging the top centre of my chest after taking my inhaler (firmly but not too hard!) helps, a bit of self help physio, to loosen it.
I seem to remember reading somewhere that lifting your shoulders up and taking a deep breath helps to expand the chest. It's very easy to get in the habit of not taking deep breaths especially when sitting at a computer for any length of time.
I have a small finger oxymeter which measures your oxygen levels. They are not expensive. I bought one when first diagnosed with asthma and mostly it reassures me that my oxygen levels are ok.
You could phone Asthma UK helpline which is open on Monday until 4pm. They are very experienced asthma nurses. 0300 222 5800 and the Asthma UK website has lots of useful information.
Hi Jay, dorry to hear you don’t feel good. Just to add to the good advise already given you could try doing some ‘huff’ breathing exercises. There are examples on youtube from specialist nurses. I find them really helpful in getting up deep-seated mucus, and they are even better if done in a steamy shower. Hope things improve soon.
Firstly Jay83, My Peak Flows Been Fine & I’ve Still Been Poorly & Anyway Jay, isn’t Mucus a Major Sign of a Chest Infection?
If You Hv Mucus Gunking Up Your Lungs Of Course Your Breathings Not Gonna Be Very Good! And Forget Wheeziness, Not Everyone’s Asthma Presents In the Same Way, Mine Never Does! I Never Get a Wheeze! Even When I’m Nearly on Deaths Doorstep, My Breathing Just Becomes Very Shallow, I Was In the Royal Brompton Heart & Chest Hospital Without Even a Breath Mark on the Mirror, That They Put In Front of My Face & Not a Wheeze in Sight! I’d Advise You To Go Back To the GP Again, Say You’re Still Not Feeling Any Better & You’re Coughing Up Green, If Your Puffers Aren’t Giving You Enough Relief, Something Must Be Wrong! You Probably Need Antibiotics to Shift That Awful Mucus That’s Blocking You Up!
Hope This Helps!
I had/have exactly the same problem as you, mine started in April, SOB but good peak flow, constant need to cough up phlegm but not much comes up. I upped my clenil to max and was taking my reliever but it didnt do much.
My GP made the connection that these new symptoms wernt asthma, as a lifelong asthmatic that was a surprise.
It would appear mine is Laryngopharyngeal Reflux, LPR (silent reflux).
There are a few other symptoms (reflux is normally not one of them) but seems common amongst asthmatics.
As others have said, peak flow is just one indicator and level is very individual. I’m also tall 6’2” and a runner so my overall cardiovascular health is strong. In the past since my pulmonary function test and peak flow reults are ‘normal’ I’ve had them tell me there is no problem, I must not have asthma and it must be anxiety or something else. It can be maddening and when first dealing with this I was shocked how poorly prepared many healthcare professionals are at dealing with this condition. The best thing is to figure out what your peak flow is when you are feeling well and then get an understanding of how far below that the problem zone is for you as an individaul. And you can’t always count on them to be the experts. Learn as much as you can (this forum is great!) and be prepared to advocate for yourself.
Flipping heck, I'm lucky to reach 250/300, but then I'm 4' 8" lady of 67.
hello jay83 have you any other symptoms related or unrelated to breathing if you have research magnesium deficiency and symptoms of magnesium deficiency there is a list the length of your arm it might help
Jay I am 6ft male and lucky to get 350 PF on a good day, I have times when I feel that there could be an issue and feel a fraud when the doc tells me everything is good, But I normally find a sudden change in the weather is to blame or the start of a cold.
Sorry for the resurrection of this old post but just for anyone reading. Peak flow meter only measures your large airway flow so you blow out fine but your lungs may not be at their best.
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