So tired with only 3 hours sleep max in 2 nights.

[TheEForumAngel]

I’m now sat up crying, as I can’t lay down for wheezing and coughing and Symbicort puff is not helping that at all now, although I can breathe deeper 😔 I have been sat here since the last attack at around 3 am , it is 5.55 am and little one will be awake soon to go to school. I am so nervous as I have not done a school run with this yet, as he was off last week. I am dreading it incase the wheezing and coughing starts outside. Only had all this a week, feel like this is not real and I am in a nightmare 😔

[Babbela]

Go to hospital if you are unable to talk thats when you should go I was told that years ago don't wait any longer get help x

[TheEForumAngel in reply to Babbela]

Thank you so much x 😇

[Js706]

I know it’s difficult and scary but the most important thing is to try and stay calm.

They normally say you should be considering hospital if any of the following apply:

-Your reliever inhaler isn’t helping or isn’t lasting 4 hours

-You’re unable to walk or talk properly because of your symptoms

-Your peak flow is below 50% of your normal best

It really sounds like you’re struggling and need some extra medication to try to settle things.

When you went to the hospital last week did they give you any other medication like some steroid tablets? You might need a course of those to help settle things, or a longer one if they didn’t help.

It also might be worth asking about whether using the symbicort as a reliever too suits you. I tried that with the dry powder one (the one you have to suck in quite hard) and found that I couldn’t actually get a good enough breath in during an attack to take it. So it was useless as a reliever for me and I went back to using the blue inhaler for that. If you’ve still got a blue inhaler lying around it might be worth taking that and seeing if it helps a bit more?

Is there anyone around who could give you a hand with the school run while you’re struggling? Either to do it for you or to come along as some extra help and support.

If there’s no way to not do it today then make sure you take some of your reliever inhaler before you leave the house and wrap up warm with a scarf over your mouth. And take your time.

But again please don’t delay seeking help if you need it - at the very least you should see your GP urgently today (normally if you ring and say struggling with asthma they’ll always find an appointment) but don’t put off hospital if you feel you need it. They would always rather see an asthmatic earlier on in an attack and it be much easier to settle.

Take care and let us know how you’re doing x

[TheEForumAngel in reply to Js706]

Thank you so much for all the advice, so very helpful. I do have a course of steroid tablets to finish too yes, 6 a day, to try to settle me and mums coming to help now, which is better. I never thought of using the blue as a reliever actually and yes, thinking about it, I find it hard to know if it goes into my lungs properly too, thank you so much for such a lot of helpful advice. Sorry to sound a bit of a baby, but I have suddenly been thrown in at the deep end it seems, so a bit of a scary shock 😔 thank you So much for the support 😇

[Wheezycat in reply to TheEForumAngel]

Have you got a spacer of some sort, like a volumiser or an aero spacer? In my experience it helps the salbutamol get to where it needs to be better. I like the aero spacer, as it is much smaller and easier to use, and I can it in my bag with me at all times. I also have one by my bedside.

[TheEForumAngel in reply to Wheezycat]

I’ll look out for one. Can I buy them in the chemist? Also should I have a peak flow machine to keep tabs myself what’s happening?

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to TheEForumAngel]

You can buy them at a pharmacy if you need too, but long term you can get them on prescription too

A PFM is a good idea. If you know you’re best it helps to guide what to do when. If you don’t know you best it will track the issue.

If you don’t already have one an asthma plan is also a good idea as that will tell you want to do in certain situations. You can download them from AUK (asthma.org.uk/advice/manage.... You can try filling it out or ask a pharmacist, GP, asthma nurse to help you.

[TheEForumAngel in reply to EmmaF91]

Spoke to an asthma nurse on the site tonight and she advised an increase in steroids as my airways are not good at all by the sounds of it . So, I am off to see the doctor in the morning for a check up and more if needed. I will get a spacer and peak flow meter too . Take care and thank you for the advice. This forum is lovely, I am so glad I found it and don’t feel so alone now. Thank you 😇

[lucia_m]

Hi, sorry to hear your asthma is causing you so many problems. I hope you feel better soon.

[TheEForumAngel in reply to lucia_m]

Thank you 😇

[Js706]

How are you feeling now? Also had a few more thoughts on helping sleep:

-As I think someone said on your other post sleeping propped up with pillows can really help. I often do this for a few days at a time when I’m struggling

-Some people find things like lavender pillow sprays help - I do. BUT do this with a little bit of caution if you haven’t tried them before because scents can be a trigger for some people

-Get a consistent bedtime routine together - look up sleep hygiene for some good suggestions

-I sometimes find a nice warm bath or shower around half an hour before bed relaxes me and gets my body into sleep mode

-Try taking your reliever inhaler before you go to bed as it can help settle symptoms enough to get off to sleep for a while, even if you don’t manage to stay asleep all night while flaring

[TheEForumAngel in reply to Js706]

Great advice .. thank you🙏 I will try this tonight .. maybe not lavender just yet till I am more stabilised 😇

[Vee70]

Hi, so sorry to read about your new illness. I am a single mum too, only diagnosed in may, the first few weeks were a real struggle, worrying about everything, like you, i had my mum’s help.

I just wanted to say that a few months have passed, my inhalers have been changed a few times, but hang in there, i’m sure you will get sorted & life will be a bit more bearable.

Take care, Vx

[TheEForumAngel in reply to Vee70]

Thank you so much Vee. So appreciated x 😇

[Vee70 in reply to TheEForumAngel]

You are very welcome, just reach out on here for friendly advice & certainly to any family who can help you out.

[ReedB]

Sorry to hear you're going through this. The others have given some really good advice already. It's not easy when you have little people to look after too. Make sure you wear a scarf around your mouth when you go out. When I do the school run I'm wrapped up like I'm about to do an artic expedition but it does help. Going from hot to cold air can be a major problem. As others have said there's lots of different inhalers to suit so keep experimenting til you feel you've found one that works for you.

Lastly, good idea to use your blue inhaler anyway every four hours, 2 puffs plus just to keep airways open.

Hope your GP can help you.

X

[TheEForumAngel in reply to ReedB]

Thank you 😇 I’ll prepare for an artic exhibition too 😁

[hilary39]

I'm so sorry, it is scary and exhausting to be in that situation. It also does take on a nightmarish quality at night, I know that feeling well.

Get to the doctor while your child is in school if you can.

Everyone else wrote great advice below. I second the suggestions to reevaluate your medicine regime and get on steroids.

Also check out your home environment to see if something is setting you off. Do you have an air purifier and hepa vacuum?

Take it easy and get some rest if you can!!

[Hidden]

Your breathing deeper doesn’t mean you’re jbreathimg better. Your body will do anything to keep oxygenating your body. This COULD be another sign of trouble.

In my opinion you need to see a doctor. He or she can tell if your lungs are exchanging air well or not.

If not, there may be something else he or she can do. For instance, if you don’t have a nenulizer the doctors office probably does.

Your peak flow might mislead you at this point. It can measure the deeper breathing, but itcant measure how well you’re exchanging air.

Please go to your doctor.