How are you all preparing for cold temperatures? For the last few years, I have found winters really difficult. Cold weather has truly impacted on my ability to get around, and I have ended up exhausted. No attacks, though, they have just worn me down. Earlier this year was particularly bad. I have had my meds increased, last March, so that hasn’t been tested. But I am dreading the wintry season.
What are others doing to prepare, if anything? Any tips or good suggestions would be welcomed. I do the scarf thing, and I try to remember to take Ventolin before going out (must do better!), but are there other things?
Do house temperatures affect it? We try to keep to 18, but especially overnight it often drops below.
As said, any wisdoms or good ideas are very welcome indeed!
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Wheezycat
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I have no answers Wheezycat, but I will keep an eye on your post in the hope that others do.
My experience is much the same as yours and like you I have tried keeping the heating on low overnight. It didn’t seem to help, but then again I don’t know how much worse I would have been had I turned it off!
I had Montelukast added in February, but although that stopped my need for the blue inhaler at night, my readings didn’t start to improve until March.
If I follow last years pattern I’m on a steady downward slope until next March.
I have a phone consultation tomorrow with the sister from the respiratory clinic. If she has any suggestions, I’ll be sure to let you know.
Yeah, I too ‘look forward to’ the downward path. Now I am on Fostair 200/6, increased early March after I had sought help for this, and was thoroughly checked for other reasons. I am also on Montelukast, as well as Omeprazole. I started taking my Omeprazole daily for sheer fedupness with the situation, though I am also concerned how many meds I am on now, for things like bp and cholesterol in addition to asthma stuff. I just hope the increase in Fostair will help!
It certainly has helped me Wheezycat. I was put on it April last year. My readings went up and stayed up. I was then put on Braltus (now changed to Spivira Respimat) and the Fostair was reduced to 100/6. That was in July last year. August, two attacks, prescribed prednisone. September the numbers started going down again, culminating in two attacks in October. More prednisone, but I was put back on Fostair 200/6.
I haven’t had any really bad deterioration for over a year now - could that be the Montelukast effect? - but my struggles with cold and cold air worsened. I am dreading this winter as it wears me out. Hopefully I will be proven wrong.
I really don’t know Wheezycat, but I haven’t needed my blue inhaler in the night since I went on it. My readings are a proper rollercoaster. My morning ones before meds are always low ( in the low yellow, red for a while before Montelukast.) After meds, they can be high yellow or very near my PB.
Hence the phone call tomorrow. I thought I was doing really well because I haven’t had any attacks since last October. However, the consultant had other ideas. He told me to stop aspirin (made no difference) so now there is talk of giving me “ something else.” No idea what that could be. A good talking to, no doubt!
I am sorry you are struggling! I hope some relief can be found for you soon. I had such a period early in the year, but only dealt with the gp, who sent me, too, for tests. It turned out I had(have?) a heart murmur. Crumbs! Anyway, cardiac people were notified just in case, and I heard nothing for long enough to forget about, then suddenly called for an ultrasound of my heart. That test took quite a long time, 30-40 minutes, so that itself made me a bit anxious, as you do, but then I had to wait for the report. Thankfully, though there were changes they were consistent with my age (71) so nothing needed doing. After 2-months of things being checked my asthma meds were increased.
I was put on Montelukast over a year ago s after a 12 month period of several courses of prednisolone with respiratory infections. Since then I have had just one cold, which I could manage myself. Perhaps that is the Montelukast, or is it just sheer luck, who knows. Whatever, I am not grumbling.
I’m not so much struggling, just erratic! Strangely enough, I was hospitalised last year for two days of tests. This was after a big asthma attack. I had an abnormal ecg. The theory was that heart problems could have caused my “breathing problems.” All tests were fine. Turns out my “breathing problems” caused the abnormal ecg.
Maybe we are on the same journey. If I get there before you, I’ll let you know where this mystery tour ends.😁
Hi Wheezycat. The sort of things I’ve done previously was wear a scarf around my face, waterproof clothing and shoes, wash hands regularly to reduce risk of colds (I usually wear gloves most of the winter as well), make sure I’m well stocked up on asthma meds and others that I might need. I try to keep myself warm using blankets at home as having the heating on full blast can dry me out.
Last year I decided to experiment with leaving the heating on all the time but not too high. I used to set the thermostat to go on before we got up, then it would go off from about 10.00 then come on again at about 4.00 but I got so cold during the day that I’d end up with thick jumpers on plus a blanket and a hot water bottle on my lap. Basically once the house cooled down it seemed to take forever to get the house warm again.
I have a record of each meter reading and I was amazed but pleasantly surprised that my bill didn’t go up much at all - only pennies really - so I stuck with that and will do again this year too. So long term steady heat worked out better for us than the on / off way we were using the thermostat before. It’s still not cheap but it’s better value for money for us.
We got an atomiser that humidifies the air once the central heating goes on. We like adding essential oils to it. Not only do they smell lovely, but some of the oils do actually soothe my breathing. May not be suitable for everyone, but they work for me. 👍
This house tends to damp, though some , or all, of the causes have now been sorted, I hope. But for that reason I have a large dehumidifier, though these days I use it mostly to dry my washing.
Unfortunately, essential oils is something I run a mile from. Anything like that can affect me at least uncomfortably, or sometimes quite significantly.
I too find cold weather quite difficult and suffer from chronic upper body pain. It’s already started since last week. I’ve found a few things helpful so far:
I take a higher dose of vitamin D -10000iu daily
I wear about 5 layers of clothing on my upper to keep my chest and back warm.
A filet or body warmer on top of a jumper is good for warmth too.
I have a thick blanket over my duvet at night
I also find wearing thermal socks and a hat help to keep warm as does a hot water bottle.
I drink hot drinks throughout the day.
I’ve invested in warm waterproof boots and long waterproof coats.
I wear a scarf loosely over my nose and mouth when I go out and sometimes inside too.
Going out for a walk helps circulation and keeping muscle strong.
My life just seems to revolve on trying to stay warm and well during the cold season as I’m sure must be the same for you.
All of that sounds good and roughly where I am at. However, it does not prevent breathing in cold air, though I do wear a scarf over my mouth, and as far as I am able I avoid breathing in through my mouth.
Last winter I got myself an Icelandic sweater, a second hand one on eBay. It becomes like my very own central heating. Much recommended!
Sounds very cosy indeed. Actually I struggle with breathing in cold air too which can be difficult to manage. I try not to open my mouth or talk outside in the cold to prevent cold air entering.
Yes, I too, dress warmly to go out, and at home, but breathing in cold air, even in spite of the scarf, often puts a caboosh on my ability to go for walks that time of year, sadly. This summer I have even collecting other ideas of what I can do when waking outside becomes a big no-no.
2-3 years ago we went to Marrakesh in April, just for a break from the cold, and it felt like being let out of prison. Suddenly walking was no longer an issue. I was in seventh heaven.
I’m following with interest as I’m newly re-diagnosed and still finding my triggers. Heat has been a problem for the first time in my life, but the cold was a massive trigger for me as a child.
I crochet, so now I have an excuse to wear my handmade scarves! Also these flipping masks are suffocating in the summer heat, but I suspect they will be a welcome air-warmer as autumn approaches. Just trying to be positive here!
We have always burned candles in the winter. I make my own and I adore candle-light, but smoke from cooking, barbecues, bonfires and cigarettes is probably my biggest trigger, so I’m prepared for having to give up my beloved candles. We’ll see.
I am sorry to hear! Burning stuff is a biggie for me, too, including toasting bread! Yes, things like candles, burning of wood, scented candles, joss sticks are no-no’s for me now. I have really got to hating them .
I have to watch myself. Truth is that anything that burns will pollute (particulate matter) and anything with a smell will pollute with Volatile Organic Compounds. Now that I have learned AND as I can often/mostly feel the bad effect on me I really don’t like them anymore. I used to, but not now. It adds to overall pollution levels.
Thank you -I was lucky enough to be trained by David Constable (chandler to Prince Charles if I remember correctly) loved it but unfortunately lungs didn't!
Oh what a shame! I recycle candles and struggled when all this first started in March. I’ve deliberately not touched them since but now that I’m a lot more stable, I need to have another go. Maybe not just yet though... lol
The particulates in candles burning are dangerous for everybody not just asthmatics; since diagnosis and clear triggers in any kind of smoke (candle smoke is often invisible and more insidious for that reason) I’ve got myself electric candles, which initially seemed less romantic but actually now feel much better, knowing that I’m not polluting the air around me, or on the planet generally (obviously the production of the batteries has some carbon cost but not compared to the particulates produced by burning.
I find a hot water bottle,heat pads on my chest help a bit if i am sitting. If i have been out my priority when i get in is to warm up. Plenty of hot drinks. Anything to try and keep chest warm and airways open. Cold drafts don't help either. Breathing in cold air is a trigger for me as well,so i always try to keep chest covered at all times.
I take raw local honey as well,its not cheap but sure it helps,plus ginger. I either take it on a spoon,over cereal or put it in a hot drink. I think its best to take by spoon as if you pour heat onto it i think it kills some of the beneficial stuff. (not 100% about that!!) Honey and lemon drinks with fresh lemons and the honey a good drink.
Agree honey, lemon and ginger are good. Turmeric is also very good. I take a teaspoon mixed in half a cup of fairly warm water on my bad days. A teaspoon of cayenne pepper in warm water helps open my airways too when I’m bad.
I take a turmeric capsule,as i have achy joints. I use to put turmeric in milk with pepper and honey. I will give the cayenne a try,not heard of that one,that must be quite hot though (spicy).Thank you.
Cayenne(dried) on its own, in warm water,which i am going to try and turmeric in warm milk with honey and a bit of pepper as the pepper helps to absorb the turmeric. You can also use almond milk. The turmeric drink is usually called 'golden milk' and you can probably find a few recipes online. Everyone different but all worth a try!!
As Maileg7 says, a teaspoon of dried cayenne pepper in warm/hot water.
The turmeric can be mixed in hot milk which is sometimes referred to as “golden milk” but I usually have a heaped teaspoon in half cup of warm/hot water as my mum said the turmeric is more effective in water. This really helps me when I have bad days and I should really take it daily. I add turmeric to all of my dahls/chick peas and vegetable dishes too.
I'm similar and asthma always worse at night & also changes in temperature or windy. I'll wear my Buff as per usual and up my wonder Fostair to 2 puffs at night instead of 1. In fact I've had two puffs the last few nights.
For Buff check out amazon or places like Mountain Wharehouse. Only the Bufv brand will do, not cheap copies which get wet with the breath. P
I love mine, have 4 pure wool ones. I love that the moisture is wicked away so I don't end up with soggy face wear. I've had a couple of gifted cashmere pashminas over the years and they've been worth their weight in gold in keeping me snug and protected. P x
Ah, yes, I tend to create a little ‘balcony’ in front of my face with my scarf. I do struggle with stuff over my face. I also have memories of the taste of wet wool in my mouth. Not nice. That was in childhood. It is not what is stopping me from wrapping sturdier stuff round my face now. It is rather a sense of suffocating. Maybe this is something I need to work on. Wool buff? I never knew there were such things.
I decided to try a wool buff. Fingers crossed . Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
I am also on Fostair, but already on two puffs twice daily. In addition, I don’t find the long acting relievers kick in quickly, though once they do they are good. Ventolin works far quicker, but still takes 15 minutes before being effective. I struggle to think of that in good time unfortunately. Aim to do better.
I’m on Fostair 200/6 Wheezycat - and recently, my consultant upped it to MART, so as well as the two puffs am and pm, I can take up to another four puffs a day. The am and pm Fostair is immediately preceded by two puffs of Ventolin - plus, the morning Fostair is also followed immediately with two pulls of Spiriva (Titotropium Bromide). I also take Montelukast at bedtime. I recently had a months course of Carbocistein, that took around two and a half weeks to kick in - but, now that course has finished, the problem has crept back. I have a telephone consultation with the hospital consultant on Tuesday, so it’s possible she may give me a couple of months more....
That is the wonderful nature of wool? Our quilt is a wool one. I changed to it when I was in my menopause, when my main (nearly only) issue was night sweats. Synthetic fibres don’t breath which wool does. And well can absorb a lot of moisture with getting wet. I love my quilt! And since then I have also added wool pillows for the same reason. I have put a wool blanket as a base layer between our mattress and our sheet both for its thermal, insulating qualities (when needed) and the moisture absorption. Old fashioned I know, but I am sticking to it.
I wear snoods, which are fantastic. I’d avoid wool ones though, the little fibres can be triggers. Edited to add that I’ve just read that you’re a fan of wool 😊, hopefully it’s not an issue for you therefore. Worth checking though in case there’s any wool allergy component that adds to a cluster of triggers in the winter that makes the effect of the cold air worse. The other problem with winter (for me) is dust mites proliferating with the central heating being turned on, so conversely spending more time cooped up indoors makes my asthma worse. What with spores (my worst trigger), the smoke from others’ coal fires/ wood burning stoves filling and sitting in the air, dust mites, cold air & damp, the winter is a dreadful time for me and I’m dreading it also.
Does pursed lip breathing help at all? I can sometimes avoid ventolin when using it on inclines, there's a high hill very near to my home so I practice from time to time. Very luckily Fostair keeps my asthma etc well under control, best thing I've ever used. Take care, P
In fact it may be better in the coming winter. Due to this issue I sought help and was thoroughly checked for any causes, but there was no other reason, so my Fostair was changed in March, literally a week or two into lockdown, to 200/6 two puffs twice daily. I am not sure I needed that this summer, but due to the virus threat I haven’t messed about with anything. However, I haven’t yet had a chance to try it out in winter. But I must admit I am dreading the season! It all may we’ll be better than it has been before. Here’s hoping.
I am well used to controlled breathing and extending my out breath, slowing it all down etc, but not specifically pursed lip breathing. I’ll give it a go. And I will practice a bit as well.
I ate regular vitamins now (never had a habit before), but can that really protect you against cold, as in low outdoor, or indoor, temperatures? Against infections, yes, but the cold itself?
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