From September to January I had an amazing flare-free/attack-free run (woohoo!) but in the last 9 days, I’ve had 2 attacks (inc. one today) which is really unusual for me because I usually flare/attack between March and August (pollen season). NB: I’ve seen my GP.
Both attacks in the last 9 days have been triggered by strong smells/fumes (hand sanitiser and diesel to be precise).
I’ve experienced a tight chest and breathlessness in the past from strong smells but never had attacks from it and neither have I had attacks that have come on so quickly either.
I’m due to start Xolair any day now which I’m hoping will put an end to all of this but I don’t know whether I should be concerned that attacks are coming on so rapidly and to “new” triggers? My asthma is usually so predictable.
I’m wondering if anyone else has experienced a sudden change in symptoms before and if any advice can be spared please?
Written by
MrsCMK
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I am similar, but don’t get what I would call an attack, but can, if bad, feel the after effects for up to a week. While mine haven’t suddenly changed it seems to be getting worse.
My worst triggers, other than viruses, are cold air or cold in general (I start to wheeze these days if I swim outside in, say, 20 degrees. I can manage it by just going in gradually). I think damp and wind don’t help either.
But my worst now, and seemingly worsening, are anything to do with burning/smoking, like my husband’s toast a moment ago. And cake making. And some of my own cooking. This year it is really coming to the fore in a very uncomfortable way, and may make me rethink how I cook some things. I have already decided never again to make a very old fashioned, traditional Swedish cookie that I have made every Christmas for 30 years or so. I also react to the usual perfumey smells and scents. Etc. I am not allergic, but this is a bind as it is everywhere! Like scented candles! Etc.
No, sadly I have no advice. I have a mask which I rarely use, but it is there in case it gets too unbearable. In 2018 I needed it to protect against smells from our own Christmas dinner. And I can see that my use will increase. It helps.
Thank you for sharing. It really sounds like you’re at the severe end of it all- sorry to hear that it’s made you unwell.
It’s funny that you mention toast- my husband made some roast potatoes the other evening and some of the fat caught and burned a little- I was breathless all evening after that.
I guess my asthma is just becoming worse. It’s frustrating when you think you have it all sussed out and then you get a spanner in the works...🙈
Hmmm, not sure about severe, as I don’t seem to have attacks, full blown ones, or end up in A&E repeatedly . I would myself call it moderate. But it is getting truly irritating! At least in winter. Summers are better for me by far.
All the best for your upcoming appointment!
By the way, I have also recently been switched to Fostair, and though it is early days (less than a month) it seems to work as well as Symbicort, with half the amount of steroids! Great!
Weird that you should bring this up, I've had two fairly nasty attacks in the last few days apparently triggered by hyacinths. These produce very little pollen, so I'm assuming it must have been the really strong smell.
Ahhh, interesting. It could very possibly be the smell. Previously, I would only trigger from strong smelling things or fumes if I was in a flare, never just off-the-cuff though.
My asthma became uncontrollable last May. Reason it changed from being normal as in controlled to anything sets me off is unknown. Now with the help of my husband we can work out what to stay away from. However I'm sure there will be something we have forgotten or something new to add to our list.
My voice changes before an attack generally, and I know I need my reliever
That must be so frustrating for you but it also sounds like you and your husband make a great team!
I’ve also noticed that my voice goes really croaky when I’m having a bad flare but not so much before an attack. I’m still working out how my body would give me more clear warning signs before a bad one.
Sorry I didn't reply. Yes it can be frustrating at times, but I always think could be worse. It's odd how our voice changes. Mine gets high pitched, think it's like throat pushing air out. Anyway I do sound funny and I think some people must think what the..... 😊
I have been reacting to perfumes and fumes as well as spicy cooking since 2009, and also get a hoarse voice, which like you is rapid. I had a really bad year in 2018, and now I think this is because I was taking a lot of ibuprofen for my injuries (and GP thought I was OK with ibuprofen).
The respiratory consultant I saw last year said asthma attacks don’t happen that rapidly. It seemed as my LFT had been good that meant no asthma in his view. My concern is this is all going to brushed away as anxiety. He did however increase my dose or Fostair 100/6 from one puff to two puffs twice a day.
In November after my hip surgery I hadn’t been given my Montelukast and about 40 minutes after taking ibuprofen my chest went tight and I was a bit short of breath. I had my Ventolin within easy reach and that relieved the symptoms.
As recommended by Asthma UK I made an appointment with the AN, and eventually saw a different AN last month. She took one look at my PF charts and said yes, classic ibuprofen response and classic asthma, my PF was too variable.
She changed my inhaler to Fostair 200/6 two puff twice a day. Wow what a difference! I have only used my Ventolin a handful of times in four weeks. Once when I had a cold and took Beechams all in one not realising that was similar to ibuprofen, and once when swimming this week (as well as before exercise).
After I started with the higher dose I had days with no symptoms and when I first went swimming I felt great (and like I had been before I got a horrible cold in January 2019). As I have recovered from my surgery I have been able to swim harder and on Tuesday was doing great until 40 minutes into my swim and then the familiar chest tightening and hard to exhale. I did my Ventolin and when I got out of the pool 15 minutes later I was fine!
I did some research into what was similar in Beechams and ibuprofen, and interestingly found salicylic acid is high in peppers and chillis as well as some perfumes. I suspect that is the link that makes me react.
Today, Friday, my husband decided on toast with his lunch. It got a bit burned..........and I ended up sitting with my mask on, that or coughing! Mind you, he’s a good’ un, and when he saw me wearing my mask he carefully checked why. He decided to toast his bread less in the future. His decision, not my demand, but I am relieved!
You sound like me, I researched ibuprofen and found salicylates as the root cause of most of my triggers.
It’s been a great help now I know. I’ve downloaded charts from the internet to guide me through salicylates in food. Apparently salicylates are used to ‘fix’ perfumes during the manufacturing process too. Some of us can’t eliminate salicylates very easily from our bodies, it seems, so have to ration, if possible, what goes in.
Yes I have experienced severe asthma symptoms to diesel fuel, newly painted rooms and perfumes and wood burning fumes.
I was so pleased when our local hospital introduced non - perfumed hand sanitisers. There is a small organisation - Multiple Chemical Sensitivies (MCS) - who provide information about this.
As far as I know the only treatment is avoidance although I do find a personal ioniser helps too. Very difficult to manage and I'd be interested in hearing if the Xolair helps.
At home perfumes and strong chemicals are avoided and I have an air filter from the Health House which has information on what different types of air ionisers do.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Asthma / GERD?
asthma & respiratory illnesses 
Attack out of the blue
