Asthma attack?

[bookdaft]

Ok, I feel a bit daft asking this question but...Two weeks ago I had problems when walking back to my car from work both nights. Because of covid a lot of the doors are locked in the hospital before my shift ends and I had a longer walk than usual and mostly uphill. I got seriously breathless and tight though I don't think I was wheezing and my pulse was 165, it took a while to settle after I got to the car. Now I was thinking I am terribly unfit after months of shielding but it happened again this week, though not as bad at work after an emergency, this time I used my inhaler and it settled a bit more quickly. Were these asthma attacks and not just me being fat?

[twinkly29]

It does sound like asthma issues to me particularly as it resolved with ventolin when you tried it.

Personally, if it does resolve with a couple of puffs of ventolin, in my head I wouldn't call it an attack as such, more asthmatic symptoms I suppose - but that's maybe because I get them all the time so see an attack as more long-lasting. On the other hand I know some people do refer to tightness, or wheeze, or SOB (separately) as "an attack".

But, if this isn't usual for you, I think I'd keep an eye on things and speak to your GP or asthma nurse about an increase in symptoms. And of course if your ventolin doesn't last 4 hours having used it or doesn't help then seek help sooner!

[bookdaft in reply to twinkly29]

It is unusual for me in that I've never felt that bad before just walking to the car although I have been short of breath, never to that degree and it's never happened while at work before. But I am new to a diagnosis of unstable asthma since March and I've not been at work since either so a lot of things have changed. I don't think I've ever had a tachycardia of 165 either, even on exercise.

[twinkly29 in reply to bookdaft]

I think if it's just being unfit, a relatively quick sit down would resolve it - and ventolin wouldn't help. I know you only did that the second time but it clearly did help. And like you say to happen at work is a key thing.

[Poobah]

It's not a daft question at all. I can only speak of my personal experience but I know my general fitness does affect my asthma. I've put on weight during lockdown despite my efforts and I have been less active. As a result I'm definitely more puffed out on exertion and my heart rate is higher. I'm taking Ventolin most days too.

On the plus side, I know it doesn't take me long to get fitter - just walking every day for a week and I feel so much better. Little and often is how I manage things, rather than trying thumping big exercise regimes. And no matter how fit I've been, I've always struggled with hills (my consultant crushed my Olympic dreams telling me that no matter how hard I train I will never be an athlete because of my lungs 😂 I've no idea what he thought I was trying to achieve).

If I know I'm going to struggle with my walk I will take a puff or two of Ventolin about 20 mins before I start so that I can manage better. I find the more times I walk, the less I depend on Ventolin.

[Willow7733]

Wow! I was wondering the same exact thing these past few weeks, because I experienced the same when getting off shift and walking to my car. I am wondering am I that out of shape, that I can’t walk around the to the back exit of the hospital I work in??? I was thinking maybe it was the humidity outside?? I don’t know.

[Usa2elsewhere in reply to Willow7733]

Hello from the usa. High humidity makes me short of breath even when everything else is good. When the car is idling and there is no air flow I stick my head out the window hoping for a little ventilation.

[Willow7733 in reply to Usa2elsewhere]

Hello neighbour! (I am in Canada). I know what you mean about humidity. This summer has been bad, and even in the house, I notice it affects me. What I found helps, is if I sit in front of a fan for a bit. (I thought maybe it is mind over matter thing, but it feels like I have an easier time catching my breath with the cool air flow.)

[Usa2elsewhere in reply to Willow7733]

Hi neighbor, Yes I have tried the fan and it does help. May have to use some muscle to breathe in the vent air in the car, if there is any when the car is not moving.

[Usa2elsewhere in reply to Willow7733]

Willow ......and all, how could I forget. Just got another personal misting fan. They're under 10usd online and take 2 AA Batteries to run the fan and pull the little trigger for mist. You just have to remember to fill reservoir with water and of course remember to simply bring the contraption along on hot days.

[Pipswhips]

Sounds to me you had a flare up with having to walk further then normal.

With sheilding you havent had much exercise whilst stick inside.

Now your back at work and have to walk the bit further it making your asthma flare up.

Flare up is when you have asthma symptoms but not bad enough to trigger an attack.

You used your reliver and seems to settle down it what I call a flare up