Recently diagnosed.....need advice!

[wooders09]

hello, I was diagnosed with asthma in February (age 39). Then covid/lockdown happened and I basically haven't seen anyone since. I was prescribed fostair 200/6, this was due to being on clenil 100 and it being no help.

I am after a bit of advice, I still struggle quite a bit with shortness of breath, tight chest, chest pains. I havent experienced any wheezing since being on the fostair. However, I have seen gp twice during lockdown and explained, how my chest hurts etc short of breath, eg. Walking up the stairs and having to wait before I can carry on cos I'm short of breath. I take my blue inhaler when this is happening but its happening a lot more frequently now. When I've seen the gp they have just said, your chest is clear so you're fine.

Is this just how it is with asthma, should I expect to have some days where it is bad and others when I am fine?

Thanks

[Sparkywoo]

To me it doesn’t sound like your asthma is well controlled. A fair number of asthmatics don’t wheeze - myself included yet GPs still tend to use this as a key evaluator as to whether you’re asthma is ok. If you’re asthma is well controlled you shouldn’t need to keep reaching for your blue inhaler.

Make a note of your symptoms and when/how often you’re using your blue inhaler. Ask for a peak flow monitor and an asthma action plan. Find out if your surgery has an asthma specialist and ask to see them. Good luck

[twinkly29]

Hi, sorry to hear you've been having a rough time and that your GP doesn't sound very supportive - that's not helpful anyway but especially not when you're new to this. Do you have an asthma nurse you could ask to see or speak to at your surgery?

The Asthma UK nurses are really good so it might be worth giving them a call, or use their WhatsApp service.

Phone: [phone]

WhatsApp service: 07378 606728.

Do you track your peak flow? Doing so regularly twice a day (usually before am and pm Fostair) will give a picture over time of how well your preventer meds are working, or not, and whether or not things are muddling along ok. It will also help you to find your best peak flow (expected bests can be a guide but it's such a personal thing that knowing your own is better) - being new to this, your best should improve as things settle.

Also, doing your peak flow before using your blue inhaler and again 15 mins afterwards can provide useful information in terms of how effective the inhaler is. Giving this info to your GP might make them take notice of (a) is the inhaler helping at these times and (b) if it is helping, how long it's lasting. But if they're not interested the nurses on the helpline above will be!

[Wheezycat in reply to twinkly29]

Also be aware that for a few people peakflow doesn’t reflect well what the Asthma is doing. It is a useful, though crude, too, for most. But if your small airways are inflamed it won’t show on your peakflow.

As twinkly29 said it can be a really good idea to talk to the AsthmaUK nurses. When it all kicked off for me, age 65-ish or so, they took time over two telephone calls and gave me so much new information. I had thought I was well informed having brought up an asthmatic child, but there was so much more! I can’t recommend them enough, they are brilliant!

[Matrix]

Yes well I think see another dr if you can .My drs good but we see a asthma nurse and last October I went and my blow meter was very low and she said I will have to speak to senior nurse and she is not here so I will ring you tomorrow .Im still waiting I have three inhalers and tablets .Hope you get help .😘💕

[ChrissieMons]

Your best bet is the asthmauk nurse. And you can insist on seeing a consultant because you may have another issue apart from your asthma. Good luck!

[Anjidav]

I hope you can get sorted soon with more help. I've had mild asthma many years but now in my 50s I seem to struggle. It's taken me over 2 years to be heard and now I am taking montelukast and a fostair inhaler and much improved. Peak flow can be key but as said earlier doesn't always show the true picture. Personally it helps me. For 2 years my top peak flow was 430 ish. Maybe 450 with inhaler . Now on the 2 new medicines together I am blowing over 500 so a big rise. My PF has been higher than average I think because of swimming under water a lot when I was younger.

Do keep going back and do get a peak flow meter.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Hi wooders09

I concur with what other people have said. Try giving AUK a call (they are very nice 😉), and try recording your PFs for a bit. It may also be an idea to keep a diary for a short time, recording trigger/time of day, symptoms, PF, treatment (ie ventolin), and the PF 15 mins later. It will help back up your experiences.

A controlled asthmatic has 0 symptoms and takes their blue inhaler less than 3 times a week. If you’re struggling to get your GP to understand record yourself when you’re struggling so they can see/hear the SoB and any cough/wheeze that’s produced when you do stairs etc. GPs can forget that their 10 min snap shot doesn’t represent what we may be dealing with regularly, esp if you’ve taken salbutamol before you’ve sent them. You may need your meds escalating up a level, or just to try a different inhaler (preventers are personal and a trial and error approach unfortunately)

But do keep letting them know you’re struggling. Good luck and hope you get control back soon. And as I said give AUK a call!