Asthma and Chest Pains

[Dreamer1109]

Hi all,

I've had asthma since i was born and it was fairly controlled until 4 weeks ago. I started having stabbing chest pains (not chest tightness) and shortness of breath. I had no fever but i did have a sore throat a couple of days after. I was in and out of hospital and was told its probably a chest infection, was put on nebuliser given some antibiotics which didnt work initially. Took 2nd course of antibiotics, didnt work. I had to go back into hospital and get antibiotic injection which helped but left me extremely weak. Since then my asthma has not been the same. Last week i experienced shortness of breath again and based on my GPs advise i've had to double up on my preventative which has helped abit. Today i started getting chest pains similar to the last time and could not lie down because of the pain. Im so scared as my asthma is not as controlled since the chest infection and im terrified about the coronavirus but i dont have the obvious symptoms so dont know how to proceed.

Could do with some advice if anyone experienced something like this.

Thanks.

[Troilus]

I have no experience of this Dreamer, but forget about Coronavirus. You really need to get in touch with your GP or ring 111. I think if you are experiencing chest pains that are so strong you can’t lie down you need medical help. If you leave it, you run the risk of it getting worse.

[Poobah]

I take it that the hospital and your GP didn't give you encouragement to re-present to them if meds didn't work? That always leaves patients in a dither, especially after two or three attempts at seeking treatment.

Don't be deterred, go back to GP; phone 111 & this will pop you to front of queue to see GP. But if they're not happy at you waiting until Monday for that they may ask you to go to A&E, especially if you've just had hospital treatment. At any point you feel worse don't even think about it, go to A&E.

I totally understand your concerns about Coronavirus. But I know that there are some nasty viruses doing the rounds right now other than Covid-19. Any one of these can make you feel as bad as you are now.

I think that your history of controlled asthma has proved to be the issue here as the doctors have no "this worked last time for this patient" scenario. So we have a trial and error phase. If the antibiotics aren't working it does suggest a viral infection and so other treatments should be considered, including oral steroids under supervision.

BTW when you do see Dr, ask what to expect from their suggested treatment and what to do at what stage if you don't feel any better or if things get worse. It's difficult to make rational decisions when you're very poorly so clear instructions from the Dr is part of the treatment in my book.

Good luck and I hope you feel much better soon.

[Mariachristina76]

Hi in April last year I started to get chest pains in the middle of my chest.went to hospital it may be over a nasal drip in my throat. After i left the hospital was put on tablets for the pain and a nasal spray .the pain did not go away for a few weeks.every couple of months the pains comes back.and no pain killers work for the pain.

[Dreamer1109]

Just an update: I called 111 and was told to go to A&E. They didnt do anything, no blood test or chest xray. The doctor said it was muscular and to take ibuprofen but this does not help. So back to the GP on Monday...