Asthma General Enquiry

[Jaid123]

Hi,

I am being treated for asthma as I have the classic symptoms - shortness of breath, tight chest, difficulty getting a satisfying yawn. I have had the blue inhaler for a few years - and my peak flow sits at ~330 before and after using this. I have used the brown inhaler for a few years but it doesn't help. I was tested last year for allergies and have all the tree allergies as well as ragweed, pollen, dust, mould etc. This ties in with my symptoms as they do seem to be seasonal. I was given Relvar last month to try and it hasn't helped any so on Friday was prescribed Motelukast - appreciate it is only a few days into this, but still don't feel any benefit. My SPo2 sits at 99-100 - even when I am having the worst of my symptoms. So my question is - is it asthma - are there specific tests I should be asking for to confirm asthma diagnosis. Or are there other medicine that I should be trying. I have sent away a hair sample to check for food intolerances as I at my wits end to get to the bottom of this as it is taking over my life. Appreciate any advice on this.

Thanks

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Hi

You may benefit more from giving auk a call to talk through everything. They can be contacted on 0300 2225800 M-F 9-5. Alternatively their WhatsApp service is 07378 606728.

Whilst it’s not our place to say if you are/aren’t asthmatic, one test you can do is spirometry (whilst symptomatic) which should show an issue if there is one. Commonly asthma is diagnosed through reversibility tests (officially on spiro, unofficial PF can do it too). The other way of unofficial diagnosis is what they are doing atm; ie do asthma meds help? If yes it’s more likely asthma, is not, it’s more likely not asthma. Give it time if the meds to kick in properly and see where you’re at, but most asthmatics notice a difference when using a preventer/steroid inhaler in their symptoms +/- PF, it’s gradual and takes time, and may only make a minimal change if the issue is big enough but things should change somehow. Not sure if you’ve ever had prednisolone but that helps most people too.

Struggling to yawn is not a typical ‘classic’ asthma symptom, however it can be a breathing dysfunction thing. You may also benefit from reading about a couple of the asthma mimics out there to see if you think they might apply to you; healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

[Jaid123 in reply to EmmaF91]

Hi Emma,Many thanks for your very detailed response. I have had a look on your posts and they have been most beneficial and informative to me. It was the asthma nurse at my local GP practice who told me that struggling to get a satisfactory yawn was one of the symptoms of asthma. Also - I was never told how to use the inhalers - I've not been shaking them prior to use or leaving for a wee while prior taking second puff. Following your advice on your other post - my PF was 330 (best of 3) prior to taking blue inhaler and went to 370 about 15 mins afterwards. I don't know if this indicative in itself that I have asthma but my SpO2 was 99-100 each time. I am interested in your other topics re breathing disfunction as well - I feel that I do fit the symptoms of that as well. Many thanks for your very detailed response - and other responses too - I feel that I've learned so much from you and your posts than I have in the last year or so being treated by my GP's practice. I am trying the buteyko technique to see if that helps.

All the very best, and thanks again.

Jaid xx

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Jaid123]

Ugh. Ok. For a couple more info posts then to cover the basics if you are unaware, you may find this one - basic info about inhalers helpful; healthunlocked.com/asthmauk..., and this one about peak flow also helpful; healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

Glad to have been of use tho 😅