My GP says I have adult onset asthma. I joined the gym a couple of months ago and while I was getting very breathless and coughing quite a bit during a workout I assumed it was just because I was unfit, and it felt like my body could do more but my breathing wouldn’t allow it. However I was wheezing terribly for hours afterwards and often the next day also. I avoid going to the GP unless I really have to and I don’t get Ill so I’ve never really needed to apart from when I’ve been pregnant. The symptoms started to get more frequent & severe & my chest started tightening & it all became a bit scary so I thought “right, okay I really should see the Doctor about this”. I had thought maybe it was exercise induced asthma & that I’d get something to take before a workout and forget about it. However when discussing with the GP I realised this had been going on much longer; I had a couple of really heavy colds that both took about 4 weeks to shift. I just attributed it to getting older & my son had started Uni and everyone got the famous ‘Freshers Flu’ including me so I thought! Anyway ever since November time I had been left with this night time cough that only started when I laid down, not every night but probably 4 out of 7. This cough is awful because it feels like there is something blocking my airways & I need to cough it up but there’s nothing there & I can’t! Then I start to panic because I can’t breathe properly & that just makes it worse! I’d end up leaping out of bed, drinking water, pacing & doing breathing exercises to get it under control. I’ve been going to bed propped up with loads of pillows until I’m almost sat up and smothering myself if Vics vapour rub thinking it was some sort of congestion!! Anyway, the Dr said it sounds like asthma. She did my peak flow, heard my wheeze and gave me a prescription for a Ventolin inhaler to be taken 2 puffs twice a day morning and night, then come back in 3 weeks. Now I knew nothing about Ventolin until I got home & started reading about it, but now I have it doesn’t seem right? Everything I’ve read says it’s a rescue inhaler to be taken as needed rather than on a regular basis?
It does seem to help, I do my peak flow twice a day and record the values before & after taking it and it is higher after the Ventolin. Dr didn’t mention using it before the gym but I had 2 puffs 15 mins before anyway and it was so much easier! No breathlessness or chest tightness, I was able to work much harder and my recovery was much faster! I still started wheezing and having tightness later in the evening though but my evening Ventolin cleared it right up.
I had a terrible coughing episode last night after my evening dose but before I had even made it to bed. I’d had a tight chest and wheezing most of the evening before that, but the coughing got me so upset and scared I was in tears! I had to have extra Ventolin in the end.
I have to go back on 29th May for a review to see how I’ve got on with the Ventolin I assume, but is it normal to treat it this way? Is it just to see if it helps before giving me something more regular?
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Queenof13
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It seems that as you suspect, your nurse/doctor just need to see any pattern developing and prescribe prevention medication appropriately, just as mine are doing.
Once they find the right treatment for you, things should be much easier. Hope you get that sorted out soon ...perhaps you could bring your assessment date forward if you feel the need and are getting too much breathlessness?
Apart from mild reactions to some things in the past (pollen, household cleaners, etc.), I suddenly got asthma last summer.
Ventolin was the start - just like you. It can get worse during anything more than normal movement, and certainly any exercise. It's being treat as exercise induced asthma.
I was told to use it twice a day, but also before anything like going for a walk or trying to use the rowing machine, and to carry it with me when out.
As the months went by, they started trying various prevention drugs, and it became obvious that I am very sensitive to some drugs. Can't tolerate steroids without a lot of discomfort, and many preventer drugs contain a mild steroid (which can suit many people very well), also some other preventer treatments I've tried over the months have had side effects too.
I need to rely on Ventolin daily, and the asthma nurse and doctor both know that and are OK with it. Sometimes I only use one puff of Ventolin and that calms it again - as today when I'd been in the garden.
Last month they finally decided to try Uniphyllin when so many drugs were unsuitable, and currently trying to get up to 2x400mg doses of it each day ..it has a few side effects, but if I increase it slowly, they get less severe, and it's not too bad.
On a fair day, I can walk a mile with my dog now ...something I couldn't do without the Uniphyllin.
I use a dose of Robitussin for chesty coughs at night if I get that chesty feeling - which isn't often now.
I also sleep with two pillows so that I'm not laid flat, and never get troubled at night once in bed.
Thank you for your reply! The Doctor never mentioned carrying the Ventolin or using it as required, or using before the gym, just morning and night. I have been using it if I’m struggling though and it does seem to help.
I think I have a very good asthma nurse - even my excellent GP tells me that nurse knows far more about asthma etc., than she does when it comes to accurate diagnosis and the full range of drugs available.
First thing she told me was to always have a spare Ventolin, use it before any exercise that would be likely to bring on breathing difficulties, and to pop it in a pocket etc., when out of the house. As such, when I get down to my last inhaler, she'll prescribe two or three more.
She did say that exercise induced asthma can be different to other types, hence the need to use it before any specific exercise. I probably use it more because It's not controlled properly by other drugs yet, but I'm hopeful with the one I'm now taking.
Don't struggle though - take it the twice per day as instructed, and I found the best full dose is obtained through a spacer (I use AeroChamber Plus at home), but if you get any more difficulty breathing, use it. You need to breathe, so don't underestimate asthma. I had very little idea what it was like until I got it.
If you don't feel happy to wait, try and bring your next appointment forward.
The nurse has been extremely helpful, and very good in trying to find something to prevent it that doesn't give me severe side effects - most people don't get all those side effects, but I'm sensitive to a lot of drugs it seems, so don't worry. Just try whatever is suggested when the time comes.
I find that asthma can get worse when worrying or stressed, so avoid if possible.
Thank you. I’m just watching & waiting at the minute to see if I can work out any other things that set it off. The coughing at night comes & goes, some cleaning products and aerosols definitely affect me. I’ve just had a fairly spicy stir fry for my lunch & my chest tightened & I was wheezing and slightly breathless for about 15 mins! I’m wondering if it was the spicy food or whether it’s just because it’s been more than 4 hours and my morning Ventolin has worn off! It’s certainly hard work trying to work out triggers! My breathing certainly seems to be worse on an evening.
I do avoid strong household cleaners, air fresheners, and a lot of other sprays/aerosols as much as possible, as they definitely affect me whether sinus issues or breathing.
There's a varnish I use with my work, and I've had to get a respirator for when I use it, but apart from that, I also use a fair number of other volatile things such as distilled turps, resins, etc., and in the relatively small quantities I'm exposed to, they don't seem to make any difference.
I think unless obvious, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what triggers breathing issues.
I'd say that until you have your next appointment, use the Ventolin if you get out of breath ...even if it's only one puff that gives you enough relief.
Apparently, a fuller dose is obtained by using a spacer properly.
When you use two puffs, wait a while between first and second - you'll likely breathe in more deeply with the second, and hold it longer.
Your doctor probably wanted to see if the ventolin had any effect on your breathing problems before prescribing anything else. If the ventolin is helping then it is likely that your breathing problems are down to asthma and not anything else. When you next go to the doctor they may suggest adding a preventer inhaler. It can take a while to find the right combination of medication. In general if you need to take your ventolin inhaler more than 3 times a week when you are otherwise well then your asthma is not under control and your medication needs to be looked at.
Thank you, that makes sense. I just had not read anything from anyone else mentioning having Ventolin twice a day as a regular treatment rather than on an as-needed basis so I thought I’d check!
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