Oh crumbs continued.....: So my virus... - Asthma Community ...

Asthma Community Forum

22,604 members24,933 posts

Oh crumbs continued.....

Wheezycat profile image
8 Replies

So my virus came and stayed, causing me fairly significant fever for a couple of nights and a lot of coughing. I doubled my Symbicort starting Christmas Eve. I muddled through Christmas Eve and Day, with help from the family, but by Boxing Day common sense won and I got an appointment with out of hours. Surprisingly she confirmed that there were neither crackles nor wheezes, but that it could start. So no pred or ABs that day. Clearly my Symbicort regime had helped. She suggested I add on salbutamol three times daily for two days, then reduce to twice daily. This sort of thing I have never done before.

Now I still get slightly feverish at the end of the day, and I can still cough for Britain. I use salbutamol (and Symbicort) as recommended, but also use it to try to control coughing at night time. I am still very phlegmy. My pf hovers between 70 and 75%, doesn’t fall much, but also does not improve. I wonder how long before I feel properly better. I am getting bored with this. My husband now chooses to sleep elsewhere as I am so noisy.

Written by
Wheezycat profile image
Wheezycat
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
8 Replies
Lysistrata profile image
LysistrataAdministratorCommunity Ambassador

Doesn't sound like a fun Christmas! I hope things clear up soon.

If it is viral, obviously the ABX wouldn't help. However, I find I can have bacterial chest infections with very little indication other than an asthma attack (the X ray picks it up - in my case I don't even get the phlegm!), so the lack of crackles or wheezes is not definitive. I'm not entirely impressed with the dr saying 'no pred because no wheeze' though can appreciate you may have wanted to wait and see first and there may have been other factors.

If it keeps on this way though much longer, I think a trip back to the dr/OOH is in order and a reminder that wheeze and crackles are not the be all and end all and pred/abx may be necessary eveb without them. I feel that sometimes drs mistake the symptoms for the actual condition - though of course a virus is tricky and there's no point to unnecessary abx.

Wheezycat profile image
Wheezycat in reply toLysistrata

Thank you, Lysistrata. I am keeping a close eye, and use every trick I can think of to assess how I am, as I am rubbish at feeling it. ( our daughter just told me my breathing used to sound worse when normal and asthma undiagnosed, than it does now with unwellness, such was my lack of awareness of myself). I tend to agree with what you say and certainly will head back if anything worsens, or if it takes too long to improve - and we are nearly at that point now.

Wheezycat profile image
Wheezycat in reply toLysistrata

As I had a dreadful night last night with coughing stopping my sleep, and feeling less than well this morning, we contacted 111 again. This time I did it online, requesting a t/c call. In no time at all someone rang me back to say they wanted to see me. It seems I was prioritised. Anyway, chest infection now confirmed, so I have antibiotics and steroids. My pf was down by about a third. Hope to get good sleep tonight, and look forward to a steady improvement. In the meanwhile I have cancelled an event I was going to tomorrow night, and cancelled our friends who were coming for New year’s Eve.

EmmaF91 profile image
EmmaF91Community Ambassador in reply toWheezycat

😞... oh no

Glad you got the help you needed! Fingers are crossed for a good night for you tonight anyway! It’s a shame about not being able to attend your events tho 😔

Hope you start to feel better soon xxx

Wheezycat profile image
Wheezycat in reply toEmmaF91

Thank you! I always have to tell myself that most things can be replaced. Possibly because I am older I don’t have energy reserves in these situation so the options are limited. If people come here i don’t want to have to throw 5hem out when I completely run out of energy. What I hate cancelling most are my clients, but it happens.

Lysistrata profile image
LysistrataAdministratorCommunity Ambassador in reply toWheezycat

Oh no re the events :( I hope you get a good sleep and start to feel better now you have proper treatment. Glad they were more sensible this time and looking at whole picture!

emmasue profile image
emmasue

Sorry to hear this. I wonder if I have something similar! I hope you get well soon. Take care.

hoping2improve profile image
hoping2improve

Hi sorry you are still struggling. Isn't it strange how doctors vary. Visited my local surgery, not only did they up prednisolone - 5 days had made no impact on peak flows , was told to take antibiotics even though no symptoms of infection???

Hope you feel better soon

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Oh crumbs!

Last night, 23/12, I seemed to start something, coughed a lot. And over night there are definite...
Wheezycat profile image

Another viral exacerbation

Hi Everyone I'm suffering another viral exacerbation of asthma. I absolutely cannot manage if I...
hb1977 profile image

Struggling with symbicort, any recommendations

Hi everyone, HNY to you all, I’m new to this site and glad to be able to connect with others for...

Anyone have experience with symbicort? Being swapped to it as apparently they are trying to reduce salbutamol use?

I've just had a review for my asthma and they are changing me to symbicort 2 puffs twice a day and...

Asthma flaring for no reason?

Hi everyone, After several false starts, I finally got my asthma under control in the autumn with...
SJF89 profile image

Moderation team

See all
Homely2 profile image
Homely2Administrator
Lysistrata profile image
LysistrataAdministrator
ALUK_Nurses profile image
ALUK_NursesAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.