Does anyone get the same comments: you’re not wheezing so that’s good......
Also I’m getting different advice from each practioner I see about my peak flow and whether it’s acceptable— I know what they class as acceptable is an asthma attack for me !
It should never be a standard level of acceptable - it should be related to what's good and normal for you. You should have an asthma plan with zones for where it's good, iffy and complete rubbish (not the technical terms!) which relate to your peak flow (which should be used as one indicator but not in isolation).
Thank you. The peak flow that was put on the red zone of my asthma attack plan would probably mean I'm already dead!!
Oh that old chestnut "can't hear a wheeze" I'm screaming inside I know but look at the other symptoms!!
As for PF on my plan the Clinical Nurse Specialist put on my Plan 75% and 45% as my figures from my personal best.
You have to go by how you feel and fight for the no wheeze look at me treatment.
Thank you. Good to know its not just me. Sometimes I feel they think I'm exaggerating.
Trust me you're not alone in this 'no wheeze' many of us on here battle the same issue. Keep fighting your corner for treatment
I agree with twinkly 29 as it is only an indication to your current health[ASTHMA] I personally challenge adverse advise from the trained people who you caring for me at present, as,they only have 10 MINUTES to review your INDIVIDUAL HEALTH PROBLEM, sometimes I think they will fob us off with antibiotic etc. Always ask the professional if you are not sure about their diagnosis you can always tell them that you are going to seek another opinion, if you do not agree with their diagnosis it is surprising how they soon change their mind.I have even known them to ask a colleague, and find that I get a better diagnosis
So true. At my hospital visit the respiratory nurse was definitely following a protocol when writing my asthma plan..... And there we have it, writing it FOR me and not WITH me! Plus she wouldnt give me back up steroids when I explained my asthma attacks build up over 5days.
However I did make an appointment and saw my GP the next day (who is fantastic but still talked about no wheezing!) and persuaded her to let me have the steroids as the last time I went to see her she wouldn't give them to me and I ended up staying in hospital.
Severe asthma often manifests in the small airways where they are so tight there is no wheeze. It's a common misconception (but v common among doctors and nurses!) that wheezing = asthma. I've had some life-threatening attacks and haven't been wheezing at all.
Wow. I didn't know that. Thank you
Yes it can be very frustrating, asthma symptoms vary for different people. Some medical professionals are very good but there are those that are very unsympathetic unless you fit the standard template.
I had this this morning. I picked up a cold/flu type virus 2 weeks y which set off my asthma really badly. I saw the asthma nurse a week ago and see prescribed 40mg of Prednisolone for 5 days. I took this as prescribed and started to improve but got worse again after stopping the tablets. Still on 4 puffs of Fobumix am and pm as part of my rescue plan. Kept getting worse until I got to the point where I nearly went to A&E last night but managed to treat my attack at home. Made an urgent appointment this morning but couldn't get one with the AN so had to see one of the GPs instead. I tried to hold off taking Rescue meds until I had been seen but couldn't manage without and ended up taking 6 puffs of Ventolin half an hour before my appointment. By the time I was seen I was not wheezing for obvious reasons ie the rescue medication did it's thing. The GP then decided that because I was not wheezing I am ok. He didn't check my peak flow, sats were ok because I had recently taking Ventolin. I explain this and he said I shouldn't be taking that much. Then tried to fob me off with antibiotics. In the end he reluctantly prescribed more steroids on a reducing dose starting with hall the previous prescribed dose. I could cry. Probably going to end up in A&E later
That has happened to me too. Why don't they listen!!!
They never listen unless you sit there Stamp Your Feet act like a TWO YEAR OLD having a tantrum, I have been told several times by professionals that I was having an anxiety attack, and after and telling them that I was so laid back I could get under a door did they believe me when my wife who was present in the consultation did they take notice. I now always take someone who knows me very well to all consultations so that I cant be fob off. I suggest everyone should do this for personal backup
I really feel for everyone that has to endure this fight. I too am one of those people that don’t wheeze- even at my worst I still don’t wheeze, this symptom totally disappeared when I started Montelukast, which means it’s working!
Also, my PF rarely drops. For me, any drop is a massive indication of a pending attack- even just 10% screams at me to contact my GP and start my rescue Pred.
It’s concerning that so many people have this experience yet it’s something that many healthcare professionals aren’t aware of
I was recently taken by EMERGENCY AMBULANCE from my GP practice to my local A&E were they carried out the usual tests [xray blood,CT Scan Sats]and after a lengthy wait was told that there was nothing wrong even though it was obvious that I still could not breath and was gaping for air, the Doctor said that there was nothing life threatening and to go home and rest. So I said that I would probably need an ambulance virtually as soon as I got home. The reply was "So be it we are here to make sure that there is no threatening problem to your health".I only got as far as the reception area when I virtually collapsed due to the lack of breath, and to cut a long story short I was admitted to the Critical Care Unit,where I was looked after properly and was told that I should have been sent up to this department as soon as had had the triage,which was carried out by the paramedics. my medications I am fine now as my consultant has updated.
Has anyone else had this experience.
I was taken to hospital from my doctors surgery. After being seen by the A and E doctor I was told I was talking ok and in sentences, my peak flow was acceptable and oxygen saturation levels fine. However his boss that night was a respiratory consultant and he admitted me.....later that night I was nebulised again. The next morning I was seen by another doctor and discharged. 12 hours later I was back in A and E having an even worse attack.
Its the same with me, I'm not wheezing and my chest is clear so they say there's nothing wrong with me. Wrong, I'm struggling to breath !!
Speak to an Asthma UK nurse for advice they are lovely and so helpful.
They told me to take my peak flow reading in the morning, midday and evening and if the readings vary by more than 8% then your asthma is not controlled properly.
You work out your variance by taking your lowest reading from your highest reading and dividing the answer by your highest reading.
i.e. if your readings were 450, 480 and 500 then your variance is 500 minus 450 which equals 50 and then divide that by 500 which gives you 10%.
Peak flow !
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