New(ish) to Asthma

Hello I'm a 52 year old woman who got diagnosed with asthma about 4 months ago.

I'm slap bang in the middle of a chest infection which has really messed with the asthma. Currently on steroid tablets and antibiotics on top of my flutiform and sebutamol inhalers.

Quick question....I finish tablets on Friday but am still wheezing something chronic and have pulled a stomach muscle with coughing so much so cannot cough up the yellow phlegm as well as I had been doing so, here is my question - should I make a doctor appointment for Friday or should I leave it until I've finished them? I'm worried that it might get worse over the weekend but don't want to annoy doctors.

[beech]

I think you are feeling unwell enough that you know an appointment on Friday would be wise, given that the infection and associated inflammation hasn’t gone yet.

Don’t feel bad about making an appointment - to leave it for the weekend might allow things to flare up and drag on for longer.

It is worth talking it over with the GP for proper medical advice - I don’t think this would be timewasting 👍

[Hidden in reply to beech]

Thanks for the reply. Yeh I kinda thought I should speak with them but am always worried that I'm wasting their time - never ever want to feel this bad again 😣

[Hidden]

I too am fairly new to all this and a bit older than yourself. I've always been a person who hates bothering docs unless my leg or something is about to fall off. My AN seemed to recognise this as did my GP after my last lot of tests and according to them low readings that were a cause for concern. There advice and that of the very helpful members on here, if you need to see a doc get the appt. Do not leave it until you are in a very poorly state. You aren't wasting there time.

I love the folks on here for basically telling me what at my age I knew but wouldn't have acted on unless someone spelled it out for me.

Hope all goes well for you and you get your appt sorted.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for the reply. I have got an appointment with the doctor this morning at 9.50am. I spent ages on the Asthma UK web site yesterday and realised that I should have came straight onto that site the first day of diagnosis!

[robert1957]

hello Loz52 please research magnesium deficiency and symptoms of magnesium deficiency

[Hidden in reply to robert1957]

Thank you Robert, I will.

[LDloveslattecoffe]

Hi Loz52 it is always best to be safe than sorry. I do understand what you mean though sometimes when you go early to head it off some Dr's can make you feel like wasting their time.

You have to be strong, say you know your body and from past experience and want to head it off at the pass.

I may be hypocritical saying that I am at week 4 going into week 5 since infection started still feel bad so went to GP yesterday who listened to chest and back and looked at throat and said just run down now and if don't feel any better in 2 weeks come back and they'll review it. Obviously come back in the meantime if I get another infection!

She did not check my glands or ears and did not consider the impact my other conditions could be having on me.

Not all GPS are this dismissive though so don't be put off and don't be afraid to get a second opinion.

[Hidden in reply to LDloveslattecoffe]

Thanks for the reply. Went to the doctors and have come away with more steroids and a nebulizer and been told to stay off work until at least Wednesday. It's all come as a bit of a shock as to how ill I got in such a short time.

[Hidden]

Thanks to all who replied to me.

Went back to doctor today and have been given a nebulizer and more steroid tablets. Hoping this knocks it on the head once and for all as having to take time off work is not a decision I wanted to take but have been told I must.

[Hidden]

Just an update from yesterday.

Have been using the nebulizer with Combivent and Hydra-Neb and my breathing is easier today still a bit wheezy but not as bad at all - peak flow meter is approx 275 instead if the 225 I was blowing for the past few days.

This episode has really made me realise how bad having asthma can be - I never ever want to get this poorly again.

Ok ramble over......away to nebulize!