Low peak flow

[Bullsfan52]

Having had well controlled asthma for many years im now a bit worried. Peak flow went down from my normal 230 to 160. Tight chest, Diagnosed over phone, chest infection. 5 days of antibiotics, no better. Rings doc again, them given 5 days of presnisolone, 80mg a day,. on day 4 of these, peak flow not improved. Still not seen anyone. TBH i think its a disgrace due to Covid diagnosed over the phone, yes, asthma is a killer too........Dont know wha to do next........

[Keem59]

I think you need to go in to docs and be seen in person. If your producing sputum take a sample.. I had that the other week, Steroids over the phone call, day two no improvement, rang again and the doc said we better see you, bloods and xray done, plus 14 days antibiotics... Then they advised me to ring my consultants secretary and I was pushed in to see him. Spirometry hugely down from last year, alot of inflamation in the lungs too. So I've got a new antibiotic to take for 3 months and 8 Steroids a day, peak flow gone up from 160 to 320 in 2 days.

[twinkly29]

To be honest, even if you had been able to be seen in person initially, the response probably wouldn't have been much different. Ok they could have listened to your chest but that's not always an indicator in everyone. I'm surprised however that they immediately went for antibiotics but not steroids - steroids usually being the first 'attack' for asthmatics. And then to give you 80mg?! Are you really taking 16 tablets?! That's a huge amount of steroid. The antibiotics won't work if it's a viral infection or maybe they're just not the right ones so, as has been suggested, a sputum sample would be good. If you can do one it would be worth asking if you can send one in (or take it with you if they will see you in person). But, as always, if you are feeling worse and/or your reliever inhaler isn't lasting 4 hours then phone 111 or go to A&E.

[Bullsfan52 in reply to twinkly29]

Sorry, im on 5mg a day x 8, thats 40, sorry, feeling that rough hard to concentrate at times. LAst day of taking them and no improvement, will wait till tomorrow then ring doctors, .Ive been so well over at least 10 years that im not coping well.....thankyou for replying

[twinkly29 in reply to Bullsfan52]

No worries - I'm glad you're on 40mg not 80mg though! Hope you get some useful suggestions from them tomorrow but do seek help in the meantime if you need to.

[Poobah]

Sorry to hear that you're feeling so rubbish. Keem is right, always follow up with your doctor when a flare up doesn't respond to initial or secondary treatment. Sometimes a specific antibiotic is required and, in some cases, a longer course of steroids. A sputum test will be able to establish the best antibiotics to use. I would say to your doctor that you're willing to bring in a sputum sample so it can be tested - just a way of saying that you want it tested rather than face another course of the same antibiotic that hasn't worked. Good luck.

[Bullsfan52 in reply to Poobah]

Thankyou, i was on anti virals 3 to 4 weeks ago due to a shingles diagnosis and a, now wondering if that maybe has anything to do with setting off this current asthma flare up.....Lots of stress in my life at the moment not helping, partner ill too, terminal cancer.......But will ring docs tomorrow, seeing them at the moment is hard work, they do 99% over the phone, so not right......

[Poobah in reply to Bullsfan52]

Bless you, what a full plate you have! I agree about face to face appointments, but they're not impossible, especially for your situation. Take care and I hope you get the support and treatment that you need. 🤗

[ChrissieMons]

Don't underestimate the effect stress has on your condition. When you speak to your doctor, explain everything and if you have to accept help, then please do, for you and your partner's sakes.

[Bullsfan52 in reply to ChrissieMons]

I contacted the " doctor" who more or less said even though i have never been seen by a doctor that i must plod on as i am ! Stress probably causing the flare up, this is all without having ever seen me during any of the flare up. This is the way it seems to go, they simply wont see you unless your gasping for breath......Even when i said i thought that the predisolone did me no good i was told o everyone is good on them!! So im thinking of changing docs when able to......Just isnt good enough.......

[twinkly29 in reply to Bullsfan52]

Unfortunately it's just how it is at the moment with not being seen in person, and other than listening to your chest (which isn't always helpful anyway as it doesn't always give the full story) a face to face appointment may not be why more beneficial. However that does rely on having a GP who listens - to symptoms, peak flow changes (or not), how things have changed or not with the treatment given etc. Your GP does not sound like one of those at all. Saying pred is good for everyone is complete rubbish - for a start it depends on the problem! If it's not actually your asthma that's the issue, for example, then the pred may well not help. It could be a post viral thing as you said you'd had shingles recently. Or a secondary infection after that although the antibiotics didn't help so perhaps another viral thing? Or something else entirely of course. Also the irony of the GP saying it's stress when they're the ones causing you stress.

Maybe phone the Asthma UK nurses? They can advise about symptoms/peak flow and response to the steroids and what might or might not be going on - and they definitely listen! Their helpline is 0300 2225800 M-F 9-5.

[Bullsfan52 in reply to twinkly29]

I think i will ring the asthma uk line, my peak flow is just not going up. Im just getting through each day by taking blue inhaler 3 or 4 times a day and then my seretide morning and night, which isnt right at all, but i feel as if unless you have covid they dont want to know. Ive never felt as disgusted with the service or non service we are dealt with lately, someone needs to stand up and complain and know that people do need to be seen and NOT diagnosed over the phone!! Sorry, im feeling fed up with it all...

[twinkly29 in reply to Bullsfan52]

That's very understandable. I'm sure the asthma UK nurses will help, they're very good. Some GPs do seem good at other things but you're right that many are only interested in covid.

[Dizzy412]

Hi there. I think you need to contact your GP and ask to be seen. I was in a similar situation a while ago and they saw me (in the car park) where they check everything. As a result they referred me to a respiratory specialist. If you are still having uncontrolled symptoms and don't feel as though things are improving it might be worth going to A and E . Another option is to contact 111 for advice. It horrible to be struggling and I hope you start to feel better soon

[Bullsfan52 in reply to Dizzy412]

Thank you for reply. I was disgusted at the non help when i rang the doctor the other day, im currently taking the blue inhaler to simply keep me going and then my seretide morning and night, As my partner has terminal cancer im not in a good situatuon and plus the dreadful fear of the covid too.......i feel i can only try carry on best i can for now.......