Worsening asthma, all very new to me

[Laurenp4]

Hello, I am quite new to asthma, I got given a blue inhaler last year after having shortness of breath and then got prescribed a brown inhaler to take 2 puffs a day and it seemed to be managed. A few weeks ago my symptoms worsened, to ones I’d not experienced before- wheezing, cough, really tight chest, particularly at night. I think it was the humid air and returning to London and the air pollution. I think I had my first asthma flare up in the middle of the night and was getting stabbing pains in my chest. My GP surgery haven’t been very helpful. I went in to get an asthma review and to talk to someone because nobody has really explained asthma to me and what is normal/not normal. But they didn’t give me an appointment with an actual asthma nurse so she didn’t actually know anything. A on call doctor then phoned me and prescribed me a spacer and a new inhaler but didn’t tell me how to use it. I’ve also just had a chest x Ray. I’m just struggling with the lack of support from my GP and professionals. I had covid in April and I’m worried that it’s made my lungs worse, hopefully the x Ray will show any damage. I just wanted to get some advice/reassurance on what to do, particularly if my GP isn’t much use. It all seems a bit scary and isolating when nobody else around you has asthma. My symptoms got better after I was given a purple inhaler (sorry still learning the lingo) but I still have days where I wake up with such a tight chest! Thanks

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Hi sorry that you’re not doing so well atm. Do you have a peak flow meter and use it as a way to track issues?

Regardless I’m assuming you don’t currently have an asthma action plan. You can print off the basic one here and either fill it out yourself or get advice from AUK/your GP surgery etc. This helps inform your treatment plan as it says when to escalate and see GP and when to bypass and go to hospital. You can find them here; asthma.org.uk/advice/manage...

Typically asthma when fully controlled has no symptoms, however if you’re mixing possible post COVID syndrome into the mix it may be a bit more complex as there are elements (like BPD) that can mimic asthma symptoms, however from the sounds of it you are just having a really bad flare rn. Have you had a course of steroids to see if it calms things down? Equally I’m assuming you’ve been using your blue pump when you’ve had symptoms, but print off the AAP above and that will tell you when you need to seek more help!

I’d really recommend you contact the AUK team and discuss everything with them! The nurses there are great and can be reached on 0300 2225800 M-F 9-5. Alternatively their WhatsApp service is 07378 606728. They also have a Post COVID hub on 0300 2225942 if you want to go get route.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to EmmaF91]

Just to add as you said you were told how to use your inhalers; asthma.org.uk/advice/inhale... this demonstrates the main times of inhalers I think and talks you through them etc so if you still need it hope it helps

[Laurenp4 in reply to EmmaF91]

Thank you!

[Laurenp4 in reply to EmmaF91]

Thank you so much. I don’t have a peak flow meter but was prescribed steroids after the flare up which helped with the chest pain and soreness. I spoke to asthma UK nurse today after your suggestion and they were SO SO helpful and just talked me through what asthma was and gave me some ideas of what might help, like a nasal spray to stop nasal drip and montelukast to help with my allergies. I’ve booked an asthma review with the doctor to do an action plan (hopefully it will be more successful than the last, as last review they didn’t even give me a nurse who was trained in asthma!!) thanks again for your comments, I really appreciate it!

[Mariachristina76]

Same with me I told after having a cough for a year i had asthma by a stand in doctor in doctors office and was given blue and brown.one day in my doctors office saw a poster about asthma society and then got in contact with them and a asthma nurse which she was very helpful.