Lung Stiffness

[Carriejen]

My peak flow hasn't changed, and I dont have any chest tightness or any other asthma-y symptoms, but I've noticed over the last few days whenever I'm taking my inhalers my lungs feel stiff and sore on the inhale. Has anyone experienced anything like this before? Its more of a discomfort than anything else but just a nit weird and new.

[Poobah]

How long have you been on these particular inhalers? If they're relatively new then it could be one if the inhalers OR has the pharmacy changed to a non-branded inhaler? This is a long shot, but I developed an allergy to the propellant in my aerosol inhalers and it was only picked up when I had a couple of bad reactions to aspirin. The consultant then checked my peak flow before inhaler use and 20 minutes later. To my surprise the PF results had fallen because of the inhaler. Everything resolved when I was prescribed dry powder inhalers. Aspirin and the propellant are chemically related.

If it's none of these things then talk to your asthma nurse - it could be a very early sign that things are set to slide and best to be prepared before Christmas.

[Carriejen in reply to Poobah]

Nothing new, fostair I've been on for about 18 months now I think, and it's been the same dry powder fostair the whole time. I've actually just walked to the optician and I'm feeling a little breathless so you might be right. Ill maybe monitor it and see how i go before I attempt to contact my surgery. They're a nightmare! thanks

[Hidden in reply to Poobah]

That's interesting Poobah. Years ago when the propellant changed in all the pressurised inhalers I found that they weren't working anymore in the same way. My GP pooed pooed this but pandered to me by changing me to a dry powder and I've had no problems since. I have always been unable to take aspirin or NSAIDS because they give me asthma.... but I never realised the relationship.

[Poobah in reply to Hidden]

I was surprised at the consultant's excitement at my reaction to aspirin and she explained that they knew that some asthmatics had this aspirin sensitivity but what really surprised me was the fact that they didn't screen their outpatients for this as "it wasn't worth it". I headed back to work and shared my new found knowledge with two colleagues with asthma. One of them turned out to also have aspirin sensitivity and changed to DPIs. It transformed his health. This was 1982. But since then I've had problems when admitted to hospital as their pharmacies don't prescribe DPIs. I had weeks in hospital in 2009 and my inhalers ran out even though I had spoken to the hospital pharmacist and the team looking after me about replacements. In the end the ward sister had to phone my GP surgery for an emergency prescription and a relative had to pick up the DPIs from Boots and deliver them to me in hospital. In the meantime the ward sister tried to get me take aerosol inhalers and eventually got a nebuliser when she saw i was deteriorating. Crazy.

The one time I used a local pharmacy they presented me with aerosol inhalers despite the prescription stating dry powder. Turned out they never stock DPIs and the pharmacist told me that he'd never heard of aspirin sensitivity and the propellant link. A bit of a stand off as I refused to take the inhalers and asked for my paper prescription back.

Depending on how sensitive you are to aspirin you should also be aware of the foods to avoid: allergylink.co.uk/allergy-b...

[Hidden in reply to Poobah]

Yes I just get the oral allergy syndrome...nothing drastic... to cherries, hazel nuts and sunflower seeds. Sadly at least 3 of the grandchildren are super allergic and need to carry epipens.

[Poobah in reply to Hidden]

Blooming genes. Hopefully in your grandchildren's lifetime, gene therapy will bring great advances to their allergies.

[twinkly29]

It could be that your inhalers aren't kicking in properly yet after you stopped them and restarted them - depending when that was of course.

[Carriejen in reply to twinkly29]

That could be it actually. I've been back on my whole regime properly now for about 2 and a half weeks. I'll maybe just monitor it

[twinkly29 in reply to Carriejen]

From here on in it should just keep building but can take 6-8 weeks (although hopefully not that long as your body was used to it before).

I know your partner nagged you but that's why they should be taken all the time - because when they're stopped they don't then work when you need them. (Sorry now I sound like I'm nagging as well! 😅)

[Poobah in reply to Carriejen]

I agree with Twinkly, if you haven't been taking your regular prescribed dose of inhalers then it will take a few weeks to get back full positive effects. Always best to follow prescription to the letter, even when you feel well.

[Carriejen in reply to Poobah]

Between work and everything it just ended up being a hassle remembering to take them so I neglected it for a while. I know I shouldn't have and I'm the first person to nag when others dont take your meds (partner on long term meds too!). Hopefully its just this and maybe the weather change. Its been quite chilly up here for a few weeks now (Aberdeen).

[Poobah in reply to Carriejen]

I'd rather have my inhalers than breakfast. 😉

[Carriejen in reply to Poobah]

Don't really have that either 🤣 4am starts do that to you

[Poobah in reply to Carriejen]

That makes sense. Your daily schedule sounds challenging when it comes to meds. Maybe if you make a deal with yourself to have your inhalers before you're allowed to brush your teeth? The minute I pick up the toothbrush it's a reminder if I've forgotten my inhalers - just my little routine that keeps me on track. All the best.

[Carriejen in reply to Poobah]

I've got a wee routine now. Spireva in the morning before I leave the house, I've an alarm goes off for my fistair later on in the morning. Plus dymista and sterimar when needed (which is every day now). So hopefully I'll be able to keep it up

[Jolius]

Hello, I am also using fostair for around 18m also maybe less. I was also having discomfort and feel of breathless sometimes just after the usage but it disappeared with time.

[Carriejen in reply to Jolius]

Thank you! Hopefully it goes away

[utkmybrthawy]

Yep! They hurt and that is scary because - well it just is! To have one’s lungs hurt. Do you have a kind of crackling sound on the inhale and on the exhale? Anyway, once again, I am comforted to know that I’m not in this alone! Night night! Dixie

[Carriejen in reply to utkmybrthawy]

No crackling just a weird stiffness and pain on inhale. Nothing on exhale, either and nothing when breathing normally. Just when taking any inhalers