Asthma Newby Seeking Advice

I’m relatively new to the problems with Asthma and would be grateful for some advice.

I was diagnosed with Asthma 4 years ago and for the majority of that time I took 1 puff of my inhaler in the morning and never had any symptoms in just under 4 years. At the end of last October I had a viral infection and from then on life has changed.

I had 2 doses of oral steroids in November followed by a pulmonary embolism in December and gave up work at Christmas as I was no longer able to cope with it.

Since January I have not had any major attacks had both a spirometry and FeNo test which says my Asthma is well controlled but have not had one day where I can say I have had no symptoms.

I now take 3 puffs of my DuoResp Spiromax inhaler twice a day and find that either my throat feels scratchy or I might feel a bit breathless in the evening or have a tight chest some days and generally not feel that great most days.

I consider myself lucky in that I have not had bouts of being totally breathless, or had some of the severe issues that I have read about on this forum which others have had to overcome for which I take my hat off to them.

I suppose my question is, is this the best it’s going to get and just get on with it or does it get better and you begin to feel ‘normal’ again. I read articles that say people with Asthma should be able to lead a normal life with the right medication but I just don’t feel that great most days and so end up doing very little which is the opposite to what I used to be like 6 months ago.

Any advice or comments would be appreciated even if it’s to say just suck it up and get on with it. At least I will know what to expect going forward.

[starveycat]

You will find cold weather doesn't help. Like all chronic illnesses there are good days and bad. Good luck. There are far more people in the site who will be able to help you more than me. I like you have not had asthma long five years for me

[golden-retriever]

Hey DenBoy,

I’m also reasonably new to asthma. Like you, I was also quite well controlled a couple of times (with medication) until a virus came my way.

My rule of thumb is that if I can possibly get on with it, I will. I won’t let a tight chest, or a cough, or even wheezing stop me. If I physically cannot continue eg. a classic dangerous attack, or severe breathlessness, then I’ll stop if Ventolin won’t fix it.

However, I am healthy in every other respect. But life is too short not to keep going.

[Hidden in reply to golden-retriever]

Hi, I do like your positive attitude, I think I need to be a bit more like that, it’s just so frustrating that things I used to do with ease are now a chore.

Hoping the weather starts to improve soon so I can get out and about more.

[ChrissieMons]

If you feel really poorly, ask your GP about seeing a consultant. Generally, do as much exercise as you can without feeling very wheezy or exhausted. When it's cold, cover your mouth with a scarf & breathe through your nose but if that is no good, exercise indoors - up & down stairs so many times is good. Only you know when is ok and when is really not, and if you don't feel well, see your GP.

[Hidden in reply to ChrissieMons]

Hi Christie, thanks for your comments.

Yes cold is a problem for me and I either try and breath through my nose or use a scarf as you say.

The trouble with the weather at the moment is it’s cold and so windy which makes it difficult to go out for very long.

That’s a good idea of running up and the stairs to get some exercise which I will give it a try.

I’m not feeling really poorly that I need to see a GP but more of a case of not feeling well as I used to be if that makes sense. I’m not sure if that’s normal with asthma, or maybe it’s the effect of the medication.

Got an appointment with an asthma nurse in 2 weeks time so will see what she says.

[MissNyxiie]

Ive had asthma since i was 5, which is 22 years ago now. Apart from the last year which has been trouble, i have mostly not had many problems. I have found the older i get, the worse its been, but i feel lousy all the time so could be my ibs or something different, not my asthma. You shouldnt let it stop you from doing things, i found that when they put me on the duoresp inhaler it made me worse. Ive been put over to a fostair inhaler a few days ago and its not much better. But hey ho!

You should be able to work and have a social life without ot affecting you, talk to the doctor, if they wont do much, ask for a refferal to respiratory. Thats what's im hoping for in a weeks time, ive seen good posts about people bring helped better there than at a gp's. Dont settle for getting by, its not fun and you deserve better.

[Hidden in reply to MissNyxiie]

Hi MissNyxiie, thank you for your comments.

I found the DuoResp fine when I only needed 1 puff a day and had no real symptoms but now my asthma is much worse and I have 6 puffs a day I struggle with it.

The medication is supposed to last for 12 hours but I find after about 9 hours I start to become breathless, I think it may be I am not getting the powder right done into my lungs.

When I see my asthma nurse in 2 weeks time ( for the first time) I was going to ask about changing to something like Fostair which has had quite a few good reviews here. Can you tell me which one you have as you say you didn’t find it much better than the DuoResp and is yours a powder or MDI type.

They say you need to trial a new inhaler for 6 weeks so hopefully you will find it better over the next few weeks.

If I don’t get anywhere with the asthma nurse then I will also be asking for a referral, I hope you get your referral.

I think a referral may be a better route then relying on my gp practice I’m not impressed by the service from them to date.

Take care.

[MissNyxiie in reply to Hidden]

I was on the duoresp 320, the hospital said you can actually have 2 puffs every 4 hours, no more than 12 in one day i think, if really needed. Which i did and it still didnt help. Im on the mdi fostair 200/6 twice in morn and twice at night. It has a different steroid in it to the duoresp so it may make a difference. Ive been told to use a spacer with it, which really helped to take it down. You could ask them to look at montelukast tablets, they really helped a few years ago when they put me on them.

[Hidden in reply to MissNyxiie]

Hi, MissNyxiie, thank you, that’s the inhaler I would like to try.

I think an mdi is much better than the powder ones, you certainly need to use a spacer as it makes such a difference.

I use an AeroChamber spacer with my Ventolin and just use the single breath technique as opposed to tidal breathing where you breath in and out through the spacer.

I was put on montelukast tablets a while ago but to be honest I didn’t noticed any difference, it’s funny how we are all different.

Thank you once again.