Asthma, sinusitis and masks

[Ellierosebmx]

Hi everyone!

I've had asthma since I was 11 and really I have never had a prolonged period of stability. Since January I have had steroid courses and reviews of current meds with no real positive outcomes. I am very affected by hayfever and my sinuses are almost constantly blocked. I dont remember the last time I could smell or taste properly (I'm talking months and months and months before covid). I also have a recurring nasal polyp which obviously affects my breathing.

Montelukast was ineffective for my asthma and Ive tried several other steroid inhalers over the years. Fexofenadine didnt work for my allergies. Nasal sprays work for a short while and then stop working. I currently have fluticasone for the polyp as it returned but it doesnt help my allergies.

Worryingly (for me) I'm a nurse and am due to return to work after shielding as of monday. I havent been able to wear a mask for more than 10 minutes so far because it makes my face so warm and I already cannot breathe through my nose then add the heat making it more suffocating to breathe through my mouth. It is not an option to not wear a mask in my line of work (care home). I have always found the building I work in to be really difficult for my asthma particularly in summer as it's so hot on the second floor with very little airflow and no aircon.

This is more of a vent than a question Haha I'm just thinking it might be time to try and find a non clinical role or something completely different for a while where a mask isnt required for 12 hours a day. As I don't see an end to this being mandatory for possibly months and months.

[madonbrew]

Hi, it’s a difficult one isn’t it. I was a carer in a nursing home until shielding, would also have had to have worn a mask for a 12 hour shift. Like you I also get bad sinus problems & wasn’t sure how I’d manage in a mask for 12 hour shift.

As it happens my consultant...not asthma one, said he doesn’t want me to go back to work as a carer in a nursing home as I have too many high risk health issues...another story, but I’m not there now.

The problem is...I’m guessing you might feel similarly, is that I wouldn’t have wanted to work in nursing home without one.

Would here be any chance your work place could offer you another role...admin or something where you could work in the office or something without contact with residents & too many other staff?

It’s a big decision but I hope you find something that works for you!!!

Dee

[Ellierosebmx in reply to madonbrew]

Unfortunately working in another role isnt an option. I guess I will use this first week back as a test to see how much I can tolerate it. That's the only thing with being a nurse I would almost need to leave the profession all together to not have to wear a mask give or a take a couple of roles.

I will see how it goes.

Thanks

[Poobah]

I used to suffer from nasal polyps and uncontrolled asthma. It was established that I had an aspirin sensitivity and my inhalers were charged to dry powder and I was packed off to a dietian.

I've had no emergency admissions since then (37 years). But it took a lot longer to get my nasal health under control and for my sense of smell to return, to some degree. It can go rogue occasionally.

Please excuse me if you've already been down this road. I thought I'd share, just in case it was helpful. A link to more information with details on what food and drink to avoid: healthline.com/nutrition/sa...

All the best with your return to work.

[Hidden]

Hi there, I can relate to so much of what you have written as I too have sinusitis, year round hay fever symptoms, blocked ears (eustachian tubes), severe refractory eosinophilic Asthma,etc. I have been on Montelukast as well and am now on a combination of Fexofenadine & Desloratadine. Like you I have been on loads of steroids and they do reduce the inflammation in my lungs and airways but as you know they come at a price.

I can’t bear wearing a mask as they make me so warm and hot & like I am suffocating.

Therefore I bought a lanyard and a card saying face covering exempt from Hidden Disabilities.

Surely they should understand at work exactly what you’re dealing with & put you in a non clinical role where you are not patient facing.

Well worth asking anyway.

Good luck!

[Ellierosebmx in reply to Hidden]

I'm in the process of changing jobs due to being made redundant so finding a new employer that would be willing to do that is impossible. Even the non clinical roles have to wear masks throughout the care home.

I tried the dry powder steroid inhalers as a child and they never worked for me. Steroid tablets are the devil! Give me the worst feeling in my stomach and anxiety. Sounds like we have had alot of the same problems. I always forget about my ears being blocked until they randomly clear and I'm like oh wow I can hear!!

x