Variable symptoms

[alexanderosman]

I’m really confused about what’s going on with my asthma. I’ve had worsening symptoms for a week but it’s varying so much I can’t work out the best course of action. Sometimes I’m needing ventolin every couple of hours and feel tight and breathless when talking (not to the extent I can’t talk, I know that’s an emergency) yet sometimes I can go long stretches with no ventolin and feel fine. I can’t pinpoint any particular trigger either. Normally if I have an exacerbation it’s linked to a cold or infection and when that resolves, the symptoms resolve but I’ll have consistent symptoms throughout the illness. So this current flare up is different for me. I’m intending to see my GP next week but just wanted to ask whether anyone else has experienced anything similar.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Sorry to hear you’re not doing well atm, but glad to hear you’re already planning on seeing your GP!

It sounds like you’ve been triggered by something. Asthma can evolve overtime so it may be that your lungs are now complaining that it’s now colder (my lungs have been unhappy for the last couple weeks for this reason 😅). And asthma is intermittent even in longer flares. Bad one day, okish the next.

Colds are a consistent trigger usually so you feel bad until the cold has cleared, but more insidious triggers like temperatures/weather (rain/fog/storms in winter are common) can come and go. Equally if you have a touch of ‘trigger jenga’ going on it could be that you have a few mild triggers piling on top of each other so you only get issues when they all the planets align 😉

For more about trigger jenga; healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

If you’d like more advice the AUK helpline nurses are great and can be reached on 0300 2225800 M-F 9-5. Alternatively their WhatsApp service is 07378 606728.

Hope this helps and you feel better soon

[alexanderosman in reply to EmmaF91]

Thanks. You're probably right, it's just strange that things suddenly got much worse for no apparent reason because I'm normally completely symptom free and don't use my ventolin at all.

[Hidden in reply to alexanderosman]

I, too, am having a flare-up at the moment. Normally scarcely use the ventolin, maintained on the higher dose of Fostair. Like you I had a couple of weeks of sometimes needing more ventolin and sometimes not but then it suddenly took off and the ventolin stopped working for me. I started my rescue steroids and even after 5 days I still wake with a tight chest so my GP has suggested tailing off rather than an abrupt stop. I can't really remember this happening before. Not unwell, no cough, and no temperature.

[twinkly29]

Arghhhhh to the varying. I used to get that massively. Like things would feel iffy but that night pf would be ok. Then next morning would feel not too bad and think ok it's fine (or I imagined it 😅). Then that night niggly again and pf less good. But it would all switch about so much it was difficult to know when to contact GP.

Agree with Emma about potentially mixed triggers and also things evolving gradually. I do find that sometimes various things can cause mild issues but then when there are too many issues it tips into ok do something now.

Do you measure your peak flow? How has that been when you've been symptomatic? Just thinking it might be useful info to give to the GP if you have it.

[alexanderosman in reply to twinkly29]

Yes, I do measure my peak flow. My best is 420 and it's been 340 - 360 consistently. It doesn't usually drop unless I have a cold/infection though so not too much help apart from to reassure me that it can't be too serious.

[twinkly29 in reply to alexanderosman]

Maybe not. But it's not always the whole story, especially if it doesn't usually drop or only for other triggers. Symptoms are just as important.

[Hippopotamai]

I agree with previous comments about variable and colder weather and the prevalence of often mild but overlapping allergies/triggers. Stress and emotional triggers can also be a cause. Theres a lot stress and burnout at the moment for various reasons including the more obvious reasons related to the pandemic. It's something else to keep in mind.

I hope you find out soon so you can work towards getting your control back.

All the best.