Persistent asthma symptoms - Kindly need your advice

[Sunflower36]

Hi there . I recently had a severe asthma attack where I had to be nebulized and hospitalized but was later discharged. I have had a constant need to use my inhaler (Seretide) I have actually finished it up in a few days. But I constantly find myself reacting to a lot of things (perfumes, the cold, etc) I wheeze at night, have a tight chest and really feel like I can hardly take a full deep breath. I would like to buy some meds to help but don't know which to take and which inhaler to get. (I have tachycardia and too much Sulbutamol affects me) Could someone give me some advice on what to do because I feel like the constant feeling of breathlessness is soooo scary and unpleasant. 😔

[Blue3456]

Hi Sunflower,It sounds like you maybe need to get in touch with your GP. Are you on a course of steroids? They might suggest that. Or maybe a different inhaler

Otherwise the nurses on the asthma UK helpline will be able to give you some excellent advice.

Hope you feel better soon.

[Sunflower36 in reply to Blue3456]

Thanks. I'm going to talk to my GP. Will probably help me with the steroids.

[Poobah]

It takes quite a while to fully recover after an asthma attack as the respiratory system is more sensitive than usual and easily triggered. Ongoing asthma flares require doctor intervention as the relevant medications shouldn't be used without medical supervision.

[Sunflower36 in reply to Poobah]

Which makes A LOT of sense. I was wondering why I was so sensitive to triggers recently, something that hasn't always been this way. I have the answer now.

[B_Asthma]

You need to speak with your GP and if it is something you cannot wait because it is the weekend then call 111.

[ninelives]

Great replies from Poobah andBlue3456.Having had severe asthma for many years the only other piece of advice I would give is seek medical help sooner rather than later.

Don't try to handle a deteriorating situation on your own.

Best of luck and hope you feel better soon.

[Hidden]

I’m no expert, but isn’t Seretide a long acting corticosteroid, so wouldn’t be much help during an attack? Perhaps there is a short acting bronchodilator with the same name?

I was on seretide 500 for a while, but asked to change meds as I thought it was upsetting my stomach and making me tired. I was given Montelaukast, Relvar and spiriva (for emphysema) by the specialist and feel quite well controlled on this combo. It’s certainly worth investigating if another medication might work better for you.

[Jolu29 in reply to Hidden]

Hi sorry to jump on the post, have to tried Feloxedeine for your allergies this helps sunflower? how are u getting on with Relvar I'm still finding I have to use my salbutamol alot with it, does it take while to get into your system? My asthma nurse said try it if not got back to Fostair.

[twinkly29 in reply to Jolu29]

Hi, how long have you been on the Relvar? Some inhalers can take 8 weeks to become fully effective so it would be understandable in that time to need your reliever more...but if you're still needing it a lot after that time then definitely discuss it with the nurse.

[Jolu29 in reply to twinkly29]

Hi thanks for reply. I've only just started the relvar, I'm concerned back at work just got one more week at school, bit worried don't want peak flo go down just finished steroids, think il go back to Fostair got consultant phoning wed get advise if he doesn't cancel again.

[twinkly29 in reply to Jolu29]

The Fostair will take time to build up again as well though so you might be best just continuing with the Relvar for now. Up to you of course but you'll probably need to use your salbutamol either way at the moment. It's ok to use it while bridging the gap - it doesn't mean there's a problem, it's just relieving symptoms while the preventer is building up. One option would be to see if they will give you a few more days of steroids. Also if you really can't manage at work then that's ok too (well it's not, it's rubbish for you obviously but it's ok not to be in if you're not well enough). It might be ok though if you just take your salbutamol as required. Maybe even plan to do it regularly 4 hourly or something so it doesn't get to a more acute feeling?

[Hidden in reply to Jolu29]

As I started 3 new meds at the same time, it’s hard to say which one is helping the most, but I’m certainly feeling much better with Relvar than when I was on seretide. It’s a shame most of us seem to have to go through a lot of suffering before our GP’s pay attention.

You really need to get some proper advise on using your inhalers correctly. I believe it’s possible to overdose on seretide. It certainly doesn’t seem like a good idea to use a months worth of medication in a few days. Plus if you have tachycardia, it won’t be doing you any favours.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

I agree with the others. You need to contact your GP asap, or get help sooner from hospital if you are too breathless to speak, eat or sleep. I would usually say you can take 10 puffs of salbutamol through a spacer and to call an ambulance if this doesn't help, but sounds like you may not have that inhaler? This advice from Asthma UK may be useful: asthma.org.uk/advice/asthma...

Seretide isn't designed to be used as a reliever, though it does have a long-acting version of salbutamol in it. If you are taking a lot of that it's also going to be increasing your tachycardia, though bear in mind that when asthma is bad your heart rate tends to increase too, as your body is working harder just to breathe.

Some inhalers with an inhaled steroid and long-acting reliever component can be used for both preventer and reliever (MART) but not all, and not Seretide. Even with the ones that are licensed for use that way, you should be told how to use it, and there is usually a limit on how much you should have, because if you need a lot as you have it indicates your control is poor.

If you were in hospital they should have discussed your medication with you before you left, shown you how to use it and told you to follow up with your GP. It doesn't sound like this happened though? Or at least, not the way it should.

I would definitely contact the Asthma UK nurses as well - not as a replacement for seeing your GP, but they have more time and can talk through everything with you. They're available on 0300 2225800 Mon-Fri 9-5

[Sunflower36 in reply to Lysistrata]

Thank you so much. I actually didn't know that Seretide works in this way? I just kept using a lot of it and realizing that it works after some hours. If I was feeling too breathless at night I would take a lot of it and persist through the night. Then the next day I would be really very fine only to resume around evening time 🤦Or when I would walk or talk too much. I was not told what to take unfortunately... I was just told, (you might find this hard to believe) to continue using (whichever!!) inhaler I have

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Sunflower36]

🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ is all I can say!

I strongly recommend talking to AUK on Monday. They’ll be able to talk you through things. The nurses are great and very helpful and can be reached on 0300 2225800 M-F 9-5.

Until then try reading this;

healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Sunflower36]

I don't find it hard to believe you were told that sadly!! But am still 😳😳 at the whole thing! If you landed in hospital either your current inhalers are not working for you, you aren't taking them (but it sounds like you definitely are), or you haven't been shown/told how to use them properly.

It is in guidelines (not just UK ones but international ones) that after an attack where you needed admission, the hospital should discuss all of this with you and make sure you have follow up. Sadly, these guidelines are often not followed.

I second Emma's suggestion to read her post until you can speak to AUK.

[SteveLondon]

Hi sunflower possibly similar to me and underestimated your real asthma condition, certainly seek GP consultation and discuss 1. Asthma review & plan 2. Consider & discuss rescue pack too. I was hospitalised twice recently Nov 9 -16 and Nov 30 - 6 Dec and had neither in place up until then, now have rescue pack so can self administer steroids if peak flows deteriorate significantly, additional inhaler and follow up appointment with asthma specialist, so generally feel lot more confident generally and my respiratory health improving gradually.