How is everyone?

[Larrythelathe]

I am struggling. Peak flow is 220 so not terriable but not good. I have also been so tired since leaving hospital.

I have dropped to my new maintenance level. I am shatterrd

[Tengudreams]

Sorry to hear. I dont have a peak flow but Ive gone from one puff of symbicort to now 5-7 a day. Just randomly last week it started up on me. Im new to asthma. Heart goes out to you. Very tough. Day by day...keep pushing through it.

[Troilus in reply to Tengudreams]

Hi Tengudreams,

It is a good idea to keep a check on your peak flow. That way you can see if you are dropping and can adjust your meds to prevent an attack. Your Dr or asthma nurse will also find it useful when you are reviewed.

[Tengudreams in reply to Troilus]

Getting one

Nowwwww

[Tengudreams in reply to Troilus]

I got a peak flow meter within hours of you telling me to. Even feeling SOB and not taking puffer, I scored a 700. Frustrating.

[Hidden in reply to Tengudreams]

I usually score 700, but when it drops below 600 I start having problems with SOB. I spoke to a doctor recently and he advised that this was a considerable drop. You might find you're normal is better than 700 when you're breathing okay.

[Tengudreams in reply to Hidden]

Yeah I saw in another post about your peak flows, and they were kinda like mine. I felt good last night and blew a 700. Didnt feel super great in morning and blew a 700. Lol. Respirologist will see me in a month...yay...a month.

[Troilus]

Hi Larry, Sorry you are feeling so rough at the moment. I hope you get a good nights sleep and recover quickly.

[Jimmy-Lyden]

Phone your GP. What's your normal PF number? If you're shattered it may be that your body is working overtime just to keep going, hence the 220. Do you have a cough? Is there phlegm? is there colour in the phlegm? Again, call your GP.

[Poobah]

Hi Larry. Sorry you're not so well. If you've been discharged from hospital then it's best to speak with your GP about what happens now and about your planned recovery. It's important for you to understand what you can expect and what to do if you're not making progress. GP should also review your meds to ensure that you have everything you need. All the best.

[ChrissieMons]

You should have a follow up appointment with your GP when you've been in hospital, so make one if you haven't already. If you're blowing 700 you are clearly getting better! However, you may have to be patient and give yourself time to recover. Tiredness is inevitable as it takes such a lot of energy to just breathe when you have an attack. Relax and look after yourself, or better still, get someone to look after you!

[Maz_87]

Hope your ok

[Larrythelathe]

Hi

I am feeling much better today. Nearly 350 on peak flow. The family and I had a picnic and that cheered me up. I was on the down slope of steriods as well. I have a huge high first day. Then it's all down hill from there.

The problem with GP is she just cannot be expected to know what to do. I normally tell her what hos decide. The hospitals have said they are at the end of what they can do and try.

Ready above people scoring 700. That would be like winning lottery for me.

I'll be ok. I got a good support circle and I know I should relax and let go. But I am not ready yet. If you know what i mean. I never want to be passive patient.

It's weird I like writing on here. No way would I say this my friends

[Hidden in reply to Larrythelathe]

Hi Larrythelathe,

Try not to worry how high your peak flow normally is, I read about 700 which I'm told is normal for a 42 year old at my height, but my asthma is more allergic than general, plus I take 4 puffs of steroid inhalers every day. What I've learnt from numerous docs is that it's not how high your peak flow is, but how quickly it drops when having an attack which is bad. Mine drops to 550 when I experience smoke which I was told was about 18% and was a considerable drop. One thing I've learnt from this forum is how everyones asthma is different, but it's nice to talk to people who share similar experiences. Take care

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

PS glad you're feeling better!

[lucie982 in reply to Larrythelathe]

Ive been in such a similar situation this week, isnt it super scary when you feel so unwell.

Im currently trying to ride through the steroid side effects.

Ive had 2 A&E visits last week, iv pred lots of nebs then a magnesium infusion.

Ive never felt so tired in my life. Ive already decided if this course of steroids doesnt work ill return to hospital and not be so egar to be discharged.

Im feeling a lot less breathless now , hope your on the mend too

[Larrythelathe in reply to lucie982]

I glad to hear you feeling a bit better. Did the magnesium work for you?

I am just the same super keen to go home then I need help again. I know it's not east but relax and go with the flow. I used to try and fight it the stress just made things worse.

Do you have home nebs? I hate pred with a passion. The side effects are the devils work I am sure

Hope you get some sleep

[Larrythelathe]

That's fair enough. We are all different. I can weez like a train but my chest be completely silent.

[Tengudreams]

Anyone know if peak flow should increase or decrease after exercise?

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Tengudreams]

In the immediate aftermath a well controlled asthmatic/non-asthmatic should find that it doesn’t really change, and if it does it may increase or decrease slightly (usually decrease I think unless the exercise helped with mucus clearance??). For an uncontrolled asthmatic it will normally drop. Over time however exercise may increase best PF for everyone (its the reason people with a history of exercise esp as children tend to have higher than average best PFs)

Hope that helps answer the question

[Larrythelathe]

It should increase. But I doubt that any of us would increase.

[Tengudreams]

Does anyones peak flow go higher when sitting down? My chest is tight and I blow a 750 sitting and a 700 standing. Do yours go higher sitting or standing? Also...does anyone feel like they can breathe better after the peak flow? I find it reduces tightness...

[AirIsUnderrated in reply to Tengudreams]

You're supposed to do the PF standing. I also find mine is higher sitting down. I guess the chair/angle you sit in plus before/after food makes the seated score inconsistent. Personally using the PFM makes my chest itch worse and get tighter. But any extra breathing exercise has been setting me off - the antihistamine has helped this for me.

[Tengudreams in reply to AirIsUnderrated]

Im a life long martial artist and competed extensively. I highly recommend using bas ruttens 02 trainer for lung power. Check it out. It has helped me immensely. Look it up and see if its something youd be interested in: