Recent weather affecting asthma/

[Lizale611]

Hello all, I am new to this forum so hi there and apologies for the perhaps longer post. I am interested to know if this very high pollen in the UK (highest for 70 years apparently) has had an impact on their asthma, more than normal hayfever?

For me, my asthma has got significantly worse over the last few weeks and I am at my wits end. I am a normally, healthy, fit (run all through the summer months) 43 year old person who has lived with asthma all my life. Luckily, I only (rarely) need things like steroids (Prednisolone) after a chest infection usually in the colder months and need my blue reliever (Salbutamol) occasionally. I also take my brown clenil / becotide during the winter months as a precaution but tend to stop over the summer months as I dont need it.

However, over the last few weeks my breathing has got significantly worse, and I am needing my reliever inhaler throuhgout the day, nearly every 2-3 hrs. My docs has prescribed me Fostair 200/6 (taking one puff twice daily), am on prednisolone, am into the second week and being weaned off it. I have just asked for Montelukast so will give that a go.

I definitely dont have COVID now (as I went to hospital on Wed for test, xray and blood tests and all completely clear - plus 99/100 pc oxygen levels. There was a chance I had it 6 weeks ago, very mild symptons (low fever of 37.6, sore throat, very lethargic and tummy but no cough). However, it is only now that my asthma is really getting bad and as I have a slight blocked nose I am wondering if it is the weather.

Anyone else feeling the same?? Thanks all!

[Flowergirl78]

Hi sorry to hear you've had a tough time of it. This year is certainly a bad year for hayfever and your blocked nose could be due to that. I've just been put on montelukast by my doctor to try and calm my asthma and hayfever down, also recently had prednisolone. I constantly feel as though my nose is blocked and throat keeps feeling like its closing so having to have ventolin quite a bit. Hopefully the montelukast will work for both of us. Take care

[Lizale611 in reply to Flowergirl78]

Thanks for your quick reply, yes my throat also feels like that, as opposed to proper wheezing which I have always normally associated with my asthma. Fingers crossed and for you!

x

[Robinson2 in reply to Flowergirl78]

I thought I was going mad! My throat has felt like its closing up despite 8 inhalation of fostair through the day and then 2 inhalation of previa in the morning with prescription antihistamines. I'm so relieved to hear others are having these issues this year. I've just been prescribed montelukast but nervous taking it after shearing some peoples side effects....

[Lizale611 in reply to Robinson2]

I am on day 3 of Montelukast and seem to sleep ok, a few odd dreams but I can handle that as I do seem to be breating better. I am also wearing a mask/ scarf over my nose and mouth when I go out on walks now...as I am thinking this may be weather related...

[Robinson2 in reply to Lizale611]

Are you taking your montelukast in the AM or PM? My prescription says PM but my symptoms do not happen at night.....

I just want to be able to walk my dog without thinking my throat will completely close up...

[Lizale611 in reply to Robinson2]

My prescription says to take my Montelukast at night, so I take it about 9pm. My symptons dont happen at night either, its worse first thing in the morning and then later PM. Perhaps its worth wearing a mask or bandana scarf over your face to try adn prevent further pollen (that you can't see!) entering.

[Lizale611 in reply to Robinson2]

Sorry and I have now also asked docs for Fexofenadine so will be taking that daily, 180 mg daily so fingers crossed.

[Robinson2 in reply to Lizale611]

Yes I have been on that about 3 weeks now at 180mg. Fingers crossed for you!

[Xiave]

Are you getting worse as you're weaning off the prednisolone? If you are, I think you need longer on the higher dose to calm things down, and then wean more slowly once you're actually stable. It can take a while for your lungs to calm down again after a flare.

You could consider adding an antihistamine on top of what you're taking - either something over the counter or ask your doctor for fexofenadine - and see if that helps things too. If it is hayfever (and this year is particularly bad, as you say) then an antihistamine might help things - particularly with the nasal symptoms. A steroid nasal spray can be helpful too for nasal symptoms - again either over the counter or ask your GP.

Hope you get better soon!

[Lizale611 in reply to Xiave]

Good point, I will speak again to my doctor on Monday about the weaning. Am also taking antihistamine so will continue. Thanks!

[Poobah]

I've definitely been wheezier the last three to four weeks. Yesterday was especially bad then I realised I'd forgotten to take my Montelukast the night before. It has made a difference to my allergies but despite that this year's pollen is certainly higher. My home is adjacent to a park and the countryside so tree pollen is abundant. Before the rain this week I had never seen my car covered by so much pollen etc.

I agree that maybe you should continue on the steroids for a while longer so definitely chat with your GP to extend your prescription with a follow up appointment to check progress. And maybe suggest a higher dose of inhaled steroids to prep you to come off the oral steroids.

[Eryl-Davies1]

Hi Yes. I am suffering even more so at the moment. I had a very bad bought 2-3 weeks ago and thought maybe I had something other than my usual asthma cough. Still not cleared up. My upper chest felt as if it was on fire. Coughing was so painful but I was able to breath as normal for me so I didn’t bother the GP. I blamed the pollen but I am not too sure now

I cough all day anyway and have done for the past 20 -30 years but this was different !

[Lizale611]

Thanks all, I think the pollen is somewhat to blame!

[Brokenheart19]

I am sorry to hear you are suffering. Am on a similar regime and I take an antihistamine daily. Just a 10mg cheapie from the supermarket on the advice of my asthma nurse. It doesn’t react with my heart medication and stops the wheeze/tightness etc. May be worth a Phone call to the surgery to the asthma nurse. Take care

[NinLondon]

hello, yes I'm feeling similar. my asthma flared up about 3 weeks ago. I'm pretty sure it's the pollen. last year my combo of preventer, fexofenadine and nose spray worked really well, but this year not so much i dont know why. im coughing and wheezing after being out on my patio and now randomly as well. ive been using my reliever a lot. trying to resist going outside now..

[Lizale611]

Seems like the weather/pollen is really bad this year. Also today I woke up a little better but since being up and outside a bit it seems worse so will stay indoors.

[Willow7733]

It sounds like what I am going through here. My guess is the high pollen this time of year. The blocked nose is definitely signs of allergies acting up. I have been having having worse symptoms since March. Some days, I need my rescue every hour to get through the day. I just can’t wait until the pollen lets up a little bit.