Diagnosed after asthma attack and feeling frustrated/vulnerable

[Turquoisecyclist]

Hi everyone. I'm new to this community having only been diagnosed with asthma last Monday after experiencing an asthma attack during the night at the age of 30. I had asthma as a child which I was told I had outgrown and, in hindsight, I have had symptoms of asthma over the past couple of years but I didn't recognise for what they were. Fortunately I didn't have to go to hospital after my attack as I had a blue inhaler in the house for managing a horse allergy (which probably should have been diagnosed as asthma years ago!).

I was prescribed a brown inhaler last week and I am taking it morning and night, but in the meantime have been experiencing quite a lot of bad moments with uncontrollable coughing, shortness of breath and which take maybe an hour or two to recover from after taking a blue inhaler - I'm not sure if these are milder asthma attacks or not? After using the blue inhaler, I also feel quite shaky, weak and tearful for a while afterwards - probably a combo of side effects and anxiety I guess. In general, I'm feeling groggy, exhausted and always a bit short of breath and struggling with normal tasks such as walking to the shops or up/down stairs.

I'm also worried about the time it's taking to settle down as I'm getting married in 4 weeks so I have lots to be getting on with am already somwhat stressed with that. I'm also worrying about the potential for having problems on my honeymoon (we're going to Iceland to do snow sports and walking - where I can imagine cold and exercise might be triggers).

So, my questions for you - is this normal? How long does it take for the brown inhaler to work? Will things get better quickly or very slowly? Should I be asking about other treatments? And how do you manage when you feel like this?

Thanks

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Hi

Sorry to hear what your going through atm - hopefully it’ll get sorted by the wedding!!!

Quick query - with the first attack did you get a short course of steroids (predisolone) to take? Often once your airways have become that irritated, they can remain ‘twitchy’ for a while till they either naturally calm down or til the steroids have kicked in. If not and you’re having multiple small flare ups/attacks I’d suggest going to your GP and asking if you can have a short course (and if they say no ask why!). Also do you have an asthma plan? Whilst your new to this having an obvious and easy to follow plan in place can help relieve some of the stress. If not you can print one here ( asthma.org.uk/globalassets/... ) and ask your GP to fill it in for you.

The preventer inhaler (brown) can take a few weeks to build up in your system, it’s not something that will kick in straight away. Finding the right preventer for you tho can be a pain, so my advice is if after taking it for 3 weeks you’re feeling no better as to try something else. The reliever inhaler (blue) should take about 10 minutes to kick in, and should last 4 hours. The usual dose is 2 puffs, however if you are struggling you can take up to 10 (2 puffs every 2 minutes or so). However if you need to do this than you also need to see your GP (also if it doesn’t last the 4hrs)! Of course if it’s goes really bad again and the reliever doesn’t help head to hospital!

The shakes/tears/weakness are a common reaction to salbutamol (ventolin), but usually more prevalent if you’re taking it to much. If this is the case (you guessed it 😉) see your GP! AUK say that if you’re using your blue pump more than 3 times a week you’re not controlled - whilst you’re waiting for you’re preventer to kick in it’s normal to have to use it a bit more but don’t over do it without seeking advice

The groggyness/fatigue etc is normal after a bad attack, but if you don’t start to pick up soon... (C ur GP 😉😂). Recovery time differs from person to person and from the severity of your issues. Personally I can bounce back immediately (mild attack managed at home due to hoovering) or take months (life-threatening attack due to hosp aquired infection with 10 days admission). Usually it takes longer for the non-asthma things to resolve if you don’t get back to a good baseline with your lungs quickly (if they’re twitchy it’ll take longer).

Everyone has different triggers so try not to worry too much about possible issues (if you aren’t too bad outside at the moment, cold may not be one of your big triggers etc)- when (😅) you see you GP let them know what you’ve got planned and your worries. They should help either relieve your fears, give you more drugs or allow you to get an extra order of ventolin to take with you (or all of the above 😉).

I manage by giving myself the time and space I need to (sleep/cry/not move etc), but also try and continue as much as I can (however I am a skewed example as I have severe asthma that flares a lot!)

The best thing to do when you next see the GP is right a list of questions and worries so you don’t forget any. It may also be worth giving AUK a call as you’ll speak to an experienced asthma nurse and be able to go through everything that’s happening and get their advice!

Hope this helps and that you’re lungs start to calm down soon!

(ps welcome to the community ☺️)

[Hidden]

Unfortunately you cannot grow out of asthma, that is a myth ( it is possible some people might have asthma as a child and not as an adult but this is a tiny tiny number)

Everyone is affected differently by the inhalers.

I do get the shakes and a raised heart rate from my ventolin but only if i take a large dose, a single puff doesnt affect me, I get muscle cramps if I take it multiple times aver a few days.

I can go months without taking any inhalers so have experience stopping and starting the brown inhaler (mine is clenil) I will get some relief after 3 days and will get full relief after 5-7 days. You should always use a spacer and gargle and spit out after.

The blue inhaler should give some relief immediately and takes up to 15minutes to work fully, you may need a second puff.

Anxiety is a real problem and can give similar symptoms as asthma, I would ask your GP to see someone to tackle this.

You should buy a peak flow meter (they are cheep online ) and monitor your peak flow so you can be more sure when your symptoms coincide with a reduced peak flow.

[LDloveslattecoffe in reply to Hidden]

Note your GP can prescribe spacers and Peak flow meters if you get free prescriptions

[Turquoisecyclist]

Thank you EmmaF91 and Hidden , your advice and experience sharing helps

I've just spoken to the asthma nurse at my GP's surgery and she's made me a GP appointment on Wednesday to review what's been happening so far and what we should do next. I wasn't prescribed prednisolone, just clenil modulate, but I've been using that for a week now and I'm still having frequent flare ups so I will definitely ask about it on Wednesday. The action plan also looks helpful so I will ask about that - I think it would be good for me but also my partner.

Thanks.

[Tugun]

Hi,

Preparing for a wedding is a lot of work. This won't stop the asthma but take some extra antioxidants and vitamins to build your body up.... and rest! For example studies have shown that some asthmatics are low in Vitamin D so this is sometimes prescribed. However you can overdose on this so don't take too much and find a knowledgeable professional who can help you. Wishing you a wonderful wedding day!

[Hidden]

Please let us all know how you are doing. We are all here to help you. I had major problems with that inhaler my was changed. It sounds like you are having problems after a few days of using it

[Turquoisecyclist]

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday morning and have been given a 5 day course of oral prednisolone. I took the first dose yesterday and my breathing feeling significantly better already -woohoo - but I was awake all night and I believe insomnia is a common side effect. Anyway, I think I can live with it in the short term to resolve my breathing issues.

Once I've been off the prednisolone for a week then I'm going to see the doctor again so that she can assess is the clenil mod is controlling my asthma sufficiently or if I need to step up the preventer therapy. We will also sit down at that point and do an asthma plan to help me manage it better once the doctor has worked out the appropriate treatment for me.