New to asthma at 38... struggling

Just been diagnosed with asthma by the nurse after 3 months of issues.. Shortness of breath, wheezing and cough. New to this to be honest and I’m finding it quite a challenge to adapt to. I’m 38. Had first proper attack about 3 weeks ago, went to A&E they sent me away with steroids. Did peak flow over 2 weeks, which was consistently up and down between 400-650. Spirometer showed my breathing was 85 percent capacity. Got a new daily inhaler last week, 2x am/pm and first few days saw vast improvement. After day 5 back to shortness of breath, bad cough etc, particularly at night. Just so erratic. Sambutanol doesn’t make a huge difference unfortunately. How long do flare ups last? It seems pretty bleak outlook tbh constantly battling to breathe easy. Ended up just getting up at 3am last night as lying down was just pointless. So breathless along with nasal congestion too. ( not a cold) feel like a pain keeping calling the doctors, and there doesn’t seem a lot they can do. I guess it’s just riding out the tough moments in the day, and trying to enjoy those moments where breathing isn’t an issue

Advice welcome.

[BrianJordan]

I am 38 too just diagnosed 10 months ago I am miserable. Nothing seems to work. Oral steroids, inhaled steroids etc. Albuterol doesn’t make me feel better but apparently improved my spirometer. I have been dealing with symptoms for 10 months with no end in sight. Hopefully yours get better sooner.

[twinkly29]

Hi sorry to hear you're struggling. It's really hard when it's all new, and when it's flaring up, and when it doesn't seem to be improving properly - so all that together is definitely rubbish!

Keep getting back in touch with your nurse or GP. You might need a longer course or another course of steroids to get over the flare. Your new inhaler (which one is it?) will take a few weeks to embed properly so it might just take longer and extra steroids can be useful during this time.

Keep doing your peak flow twice a day as that should show things starting to settle down (over time) but are useful for the nurse if that's not happening. Also, if you can, take it before using your blue inhaler (and again 15 mins after) as this shows the effect the reliever is having - more evidence for the nurse that you're still struggling.

If the blue doesn't help (symptoms and/or peak flow) or doesn't last 4 hours, phone 111 or go to a&e. But a chat with your nurse would be useful in the meantime I think.

[Hidden in reply to twinkly29]

Thank you for your words. donyou know what a satisfactory peak flow measurement is? The scale is vast!

[twinkly29 in reply to Hidden]

It is and there are "predicted" levels which were determined on gender, age and height - but they were done many years ago using a small number of people (I think). They're averages and of course there has to be a range so although if one's predicted should be a certain value, not everyone who should get that will do so - some will get more and some less.

2 friends have predicted values of 400 but their nests are about 620, so those should be used as their best not the 400. Similarly a friend of one of my friends also would have a predicted of 400 and, even though she is not asthmatic, her best when she tried is about 250.

This post is really good and explains peak flow in some detail....

healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

At the moment your best would be whatever you've managed that's the most - this may also increase in time once your meds are sorted!

[Hidden in reply to twinkly29]

Thank you! My daily inhaler for morning and night is sereflo (salmeterol/fluticasone) about to start week 2 of it now. I guess you have to give a new medication time... I was expecting instant results 😬

[twinkly29 in reply to Hidden]

It's really frustrating isn't it - but do phone the nurse if you need to in the meantime. The Asthma UK nurses are very good too for support and advice. They can be contacted on 0300 2225800 M-F 9-5.

[robert1957]

Please research mullein tea

From AUK: recommendations for a healthy lifestyle are fine as long as there is no suggestion that they will cure asthma or replace treatments 👍. healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...