Help!

[Clairemtchll]

Hi ...

I am pretty much trying to learn about my asthma at the moment as unfortunately this is only my third bout. The first one was a few years ago and the second was last year.

I have been experiencing lots of burning in my chest lately with funny irregular heart beats, (heart seems to jump about a lot)

This has been ongoing for the last three weeks. But seems to be prominent over last 5 days continuously?

Also my Asthma seems to be worse when damp as opposed to sunny, when you would have thought it would be worse, because of the pollen. Is this normal?

I had a terrible day yesterday, chest very tight continuously coughing but ok today!...

Also how accurately can peak flow readings determine if you have asthma or not.

I know this sounds a silly question but this is all really scaring me!

[Wheezycat]

Hi! No, none of those questions are silly, and I will try to answer at least some. I am sure others, too, will. When asthma became a real, serious thing for me I rang the Asthma U.K. helpline (I can’t remember the phone number off heart, but it is on their website). Though I had brought up an asthmatic daughter and thought I knew a lot, there was so much more to bring me up to speed. They spent quite a long time with me! I recommend trying them!

Also, be aware, no one on here can offer diagnosis, so some things you will be recommended to check out with your GP just for safety’s sake.

When I get a real flare up, or a chest infection, I can definitely have a burning feeling in my chest. As for the heart jumping about, it could perhaps be something called extrasystoles, which is not serious, but we tend to notice more if anxious. However, this is one of the things you really should ask a doctor about!

It is quite common to suffer more with damp than sunny days. I do. Also not all asthmatics are allergic. I don’t have hay fever, or at least only when it is really, really bad, like once every two years or so. But damp days, or for me especially cold days, are another matter. My lungs do not like it.

Also, asthma can vary a lot day to day, but if you are having terrible days then you should perhaps consider contacting your GP. It is worth reading through all advice on the Asthma U.K. website. They are so good! And that can perhaps give you more of an idea.

For most people a peakflow meter can indicate when something is going on, so readings go down if your airways are inflamed. But there is lots of individual variations, not everyone fits the standard pattern. It is really helpful to keep an eye on it, and what your normal is by taking it morning and evening, before and sometimes a while after medication, and recording your readings. There are downloadable apps to do that, or I think Asthma U.K. still has one you can print out. Normally it is lower in the morning than in the evening, but for me not always.

But importantly, you can have an episode feeling tight or breathless or coughing that does not affect your peakflow. Those episodes you still have to take seriously!! It could be worth your while, while you are getting to know your own asthma to keep a daily log, noting how you are, your peakflow, what the weather has been like, what you have been doing etc, etc. And allow it to take some time! I started paying proper attention 4 years ago, but I am still learning, and still need advice from time to time.

Best of luck! Look after yourself by seeking help if you need it! Better nip things in the bud than letting things get out of hand!

[Clairemtchll]

Thank you so much for this!

I will definitely get the app... I'm recording it on paper at the moment.

This has been very helpful and reassuring

[Wheezycat in reply to Clairemtchll]

But don’t hesitate to seek help if you feel worrried about your asthma! Always better to ask once when things are not so bad than failing to if it is something that needs dealing with.

[Poobah]

I agree with what Wheezycat has said. I would get your heart checked out - they can do quite a lot at the GPs now. I have regular heart checks there. Your heart rate anomaly may well be a response to extra asthma meds that you've had to take, Ventolin can affect the heart rate if taken in higher than usual amounts.

Definitely check in with your GP or asthma nurse.

All the best.