Navigating asthma

[Expectations]

Hi everyone.

I was diagnosed with full-blown asthma last year after more than a decade of fighting progressively worsening hayfever/allergy symptoms and two failed rounds of immunotherapy.

The first combined preventative inhaler I tried gave me migraines. The second type prolonged tension headaches. I'm now on separate preventative inhalers - a LABA and a steroid, and salbutamol for short term relief, which at least doesn't give me headaches.

How long does it take to get asthma under control? There hasn't been a day since I got diagnosed where I haven't been wheezing a little - or more - on exhalation. A small amount of exercise and I'm struggling to breathe, or after a walk at a pace I can stand for anything more than an hour - afterwards I'm lightheaded and struggling for a few hours. Sometimes I have an ache in my chest, sometimes not. Some days are worse than others, often with no obvious cause. I don't know at what point my ordinary existence becomes an asthma attack. The reliever inhaler (even with proper technique) tingles in my trachea a bit - but am I supposed to feel it there or should I also feel it further down in my lungs? I don't really recognise the symptoms the internet tells me to look out for, other than constricted outflow and chest pain I don't seem to get much else.

Living in the Netherlands, I can't get a lot of support from my doctor because of the language barrier (not their fault, of course!). I'm not sure at what point asthma needs more treatment - a hospital visit or a course of steroids - or what to tell them so I can get treated properly. The idea of 'symptom free' seems like an unattainable dream, at this point!

Maybe one of you can help me?

Thank you,

Corinne

[Chokit]

Hi, I too was only diagnosed last year & thought I had it well controlled but that’s it all changed this week after a flare up so will see my gp today after being at a&e over weekend, I joined this forum only at this weekend when looking for support and answers & was given some good advice including to get in touch by phone with Asthma UK nurses which I did this morning...best thing ever, she listened to me and advised me on what to ask my GP for when I go today & that is great because I too always feel we are on short time when in for an appointment, maybe you should ring them too for some advice...good luck!

[elanaoali in reply to Chokit]

Also look at asthma UK send for update information.

[AutumnHedgerow]

Are you using a spacer with your Ventolin? That may reduce the tingling you are getting. If you are using your ventolin more than three times a week, then that is technically uncontrolled asthma, and if it’s a flare, then a course of steroids would be a normal therapeutic response to calm it down. It might be worthwhile getting allergy testing, as you might identify triggers that you can better avoid in the future. (Or have you done that already?) As it could be that something like montelukast plus antihistamines could help control the allergy response more.

[Expectations in reply to AutumnHedgerow]

I have allll the allergy meds (montelukast, antihistamines, nasal sprays and eye drops) and have been tested. Allegedly I'm only allergic to grass pollen but since I have to take allergy meds all year round and still noticed the uptick in tree pollen that happens round about now, I'm pretty sure I'm just allergic to life.

Re the tingling, I was really asking whether you're supposed to feel the effects of salbutamol - because I don't (other than the powder one being a bit tingly in my trachea). The medication doesn't really seem to change anything - with or without a spacer. I talked to the asthma uk people on the phone, who were very helpful. I've bought a peak flow meter but it's reading a steady 300 (5'2" female) for several days with no change. I've been using a spacer for my short term, long term and steroid meds but there's no appreciable difference / change in my breathing issues :/

Also I found out my asthma doctor left and I was not given a replacement *rolls eyes*. At least that's sorted now.