Daughter suffering with breathing

[kimsmith1234]

My daughter is 27. She has been asthmatic since 18 months old. And has managed well, with preventor and occasionally ventolin(blue puffer)

For the last 2 months she has been suffering with her breathing, she is on fexofenodine, and montelukast , docs have increased her preventor to recover ellipta . She has had numerous steroids, antibiotics, chest xray, (clear) but is still suffering trying to get a good breath, also a bit of a dry cough.

As she has not been working because of lockdown covid reasons, she has spent more time outside in the garden, although now she thinks outside is not agreeing with her, so , staying inside more. But still having trouble breathing.

Could it simply be the weather,? Would really appreciate any comments. Hate to see her like this.

[Sparkywoo]

How worrying for you both. I guess your daughter is still in contact with her gp to try and resolve this. My breathing has been worse the past few months. For me I think it’s a combination of worry about this whole pandemic, more time on my hands to think about everything and being outside more. Your mind can play the strangest tricks. Try meditation, there are some great apps like Calm or Headspace. or yoga.

Please ask your daughter if she’s started any supplements or changed her diet at all. I’ve triggered my asthma badly Several times over the past few years by taking omega 3 oils, kefir and also a certain multi vitamin. Look back to when this started at anything that changed. Good luck xx

[kimsmith1234 in reply to Sparkywoo]

Thanks. She has started taking a multi vitamin about 3 months ago. Well woman. I will get her to look into that.

Dont think shes stressed, not a worrier.

The gp has said if this current cause of steroids dont work. Then they will have to refer her to specialist, but it would be a long wait as all on hold.

Thanks for reply

[twinkly29]

I obviously can't say for sure that this is the case for your daughter but the weather/pollen is a definite possibility. Levels of tree pollen were very high this year and grass pollen also, that's just starting to subside I think. Lots of people who weren't affected previously have been and those who do already suffer have been worse, both hayfever itself and the effect it can have on asthma. If she's been outside a lot that would fit too.

Does she use a steroid nasal spray? These are supposed to be more effective than tablets as they deal with the allergens before they get further into the body so might be worth a try alongside her fexofenadine, just to see if things improve.

Neilmed sinus rinse is also really good - again helps to wash away stuff like allergens or germs from the nose before they invade the rest of the body. Feels a bit ugh initially but then it's fine. Again, might be worth a try.

It's often really difficult to know for certain what's triggering something so can be a bit of trial and error (annoyingly!) and of course having been through a bad patch, or just ongoing issues, can then make one focus on symptoms or become anxious or stressed which then actually becomes the problem even though it probably wasn't in the first place (symptoms can be very similar).

[kimsmith1234 in reply to twinkly29]

Thanks for reply, she doesnt do any nasal sprays, but we will look into it. And also the neilmed.

Shes not stressed.

Thanks

[hilary39]

I'm sorry, it must be hard to see your daughter struggling. Is your home environment as free of allergens as possible? Regular vacuuming with a HEPA vacuum, running air purifiers 24/7, and covering sheets and the mattress with special allergy-friendly covers are a good start if you haven’t already done those things. Also making sure there isn't any mold, new furniture giving off VOCs, or anything else that may be triggering her. If she's allergic to grass pollen, it's true that this could be a particularly challenging year for her as pollen levels are quite high.

Sometimes when asthmatics get in a flare it can take a really long time for the lungs to calm down from the inflammation. I am currently in a flare that started in early June and although it was just a one-time exposure to an irritant, it has been ongoing since. My lungs are just having a really hard time settling down. I picture it like there is always a dragon sleeping in my lungs and when it gets woken up its hard to get it back to sleep, if that makes sense.

Make sure she keeps taking her peak flow measurements and tracking her symptoms. I hope she feels better soon. You are a good parent to be doing everything you can to figure out how to help her <3

[kimsmith1234]

Thanks for reply.

Peak flow good. Around 500.

I have just as your suggestion, ordered a air purifier. She has wood floor in her room. But check offers suggestions.

Thanks