Asthma getting worse

[HC26]

Hello everyone!

Hope you all had a good Christmas! I haven't posted on here for a while but was looking for some advice...

I am 27 years old and have never had a problem with my asthma up until this year. Earlier in the year I was quite ill (no symptoms of covid but they aren’t ruling it out). Since then my asthma has been all over the place and I’ve struggled to control it. The past 3 weeks in particular have been bad. I feel like I’m constantly wheezy and struggling to get breath often. I am now on 3 puffs of Qvar morning and night and currently taking prednisone for 5 days to try and control is but, on day 3, I feel like they are having no effect! I’m getting worried nothing is working!

I’ve tried different inhalers previously; including a long acting inhaler. I didn’t not react to this very well! My resting heart rate for 100 beats per minute for about 5 days! I have also tried montelukast but found this had no effect either!

I recently had an X-ray and breathing test which both came back below normal. There was lots of white stuff on my X-ray but I didn’t ask about this in too much detail. I’m due to go back in 2 months to get another and possibly CT scan!

Should I be worried? Am I running out of options for treatment? Has anyone else had a similar problem?

Thank you in advance!

[twinkly29]

It sounds like you need to keep on top of things - I know that sounds silly because that's what you're trying to do, but I mean if the pred isn't helping let your GP know (or call 111 if you need to before Tuesday). It's difficult when you're kind of under the radar but things need help "now" - but that doesn't mean you should have to struggle along because things are happening in a few months (eg the scan).

While it may be high for you, a heart rate of 100 is actually still just in the normal range according to the British Heart Foundation (and that's just resting heart rate, not one increased by medication). So it's probably fine (unless you have a heart condition maybe). It's certainly normal for that to happen. Many people find the effects like that lessen over time (such medications can take 8 weeks to kick in and effects to settle). But there are different types of long-acting inhalers - some contain a long-acting bronchodilator but others don't. So it would be worth asking about a different type maybe.

I hope things settle down for you - a friend had a period a bit like this a couple of years ago and, after a few months, managed to become well controlled again. So there is hope!

[HC26 in reply to twinkly29]

Thanks for your reply twinkly29, it’s much appreciated!I think I’ll give the drs a call again on tues to let them know there hasn’t been any improvement. I’ll try my best to power through till then! They did say they could fast track my hospital appointment so they might do that. Just feel completely stuck and that nothing is helping.

I’m also a secondary school teacher and worried about going back to school as I’m struggling to do simple tasks, never mind shouting in a classroom with a face mask on! I was thinking that’s what brought it on by the end of term anyway! Also worried about catching covid when I’m in this state. Good to know about your friend though and that there is hope!

[Poobah in reply to HC26]

My asthma went steadily downhill in the run up to the Christmas period. I spoke to my GP who suggested I start my prednisolone. It hasn't resolved things, but I did get my GP to contact the hospital respiratory team about an additional treatment. A consultant rang me within the week to discuss my case (I'm signed off so not a current patient of theirs). He agreed to the additional meds and I was able to get them from the pharmacy by Christmas Eve. Under 2 weeks from talking to my GP. I was very much surprised by the quick service, but then everything is being done by phone. So definitely ask your GP to contact the consultant team and ask for an early phone appointment. Otherwise, your option is A&E - I would stress to the GP that you want to avoid that because of covid.

As for your x-ray, the CT scan will be able to identify if there's something else going on, be it an infection or scarring. There should have been a radiographer's report sent to your GP, so ask about treatment relating to the report. It could be that the radiographer said it was inconclusive, hence the need to a CT scan. I'm just wondering if a course of antibiotics would help in the meantime. Some act as anti-inflammatories as well as treatment for infections.

It has been frustrating trying to access services and treatments because of covid, but I think that most medical teams have now got themselves sorted, albeit providing a service at a safe distance. Doesn't help though if you need tests and examinations.

Good luck with your GP and don't shy away from asking for what you need from them.

[twinkly29 in reply to Poobah]

Hi Poobah,It's nice to read a positive story of things being dealt with at the moment - so often people are just cross things aren't face to face but, as in your case, things can still be managed (sometimes more effectively) by phone. I guess it sort of shows that it's not necessarily the system that's the problem but those coordinating it - ie GPs and other teams can still help but some don't have the best set-ups or even inclination in some cases.

Glad you have had a good experience and I hope your new medication helps! 🙂

[Poobah in reply to twinkly29]

Thanks Twinkly! I must admit that I was a bit surprised myself.

[HC26 in reply to Poobah]

Hi Poobah, that’s for your reply! This is a positive story which is nice to hear and gives me some hope! So thank you for that!

If you don’t mind me asking, what meds did you get? Have they now settled your asthma? This is a whole new experience for me!

I will contact the drs on tues again when they open to see what they suggest next! Maybe they will fast track me back to the respiratory clinic at the hosp. I’ll need to get more information about my X-ray also!

Thanks again,

Hollie

[Poobah in reply to HC26]

Hi Hollie. I've been given a 4 month course of Azithromycin, it's an antibiotic that is also used as an anti inflammatory. I take 3 tablets a week and only 2 tablets in, so too soon to say if they're working.The consultant explained that they still don't know enough about the effects of Azithromycin on the lungs and research is ongoing. So it's only something that a consultant would prescribe as it's not yet main asthma treatment.

[HC26 in reply to Poobah]

Ahh right ok! Thanks Poobah! Hope that’s you on the mend

[Poobah in reply to HC26]

If the steroids aren't improving things your GP needs to try additional treatment and refer you. In the meantime they may prescribe more steroids plus a LAMA inhaler, like Spiriva.Long term uncontrolled asthma definitely needs repeated appointments and treatment until things settle down. It's blooming frustrating when meds don't fully help but we have to keep plugging away via our GP & asthma nurse, and hopefully a consultant.

You don't mention Ventolin and this short term reliever inhaler may also help while you try various additional treatments.

Keep us posted on your progress.

[HC26 in reply to Poobah]

It really is frustrating! I thought it was getting under control then it just seemed to take a turn. I’m worried I get put on lots of medication and then I’m stuck on it. Which I’m not sure if this is even the case or not! I’m using my ventolin inhaler about once a day but could probably take it more as I seem to be constantly wheezy. My asthma never used to bother me so this is all new to me. The advice is therefore much appreciated!

[Laurenp4]

Hey! I had similar, my asthma has been the worst it’s been over the last few months after I was ill (suspected covid but it was before testing was available so can’t be 100%). My GP wasn’t very helpful- I kept going in for asthma reviews and then being told I couldn’t do them due to covid and asked for more medication (montelukast) and the nurse didn’t know what it was!!

I found talking to the asthma UK nurses REALLY helpful. My asthma hadn’t bothered be before other than when I exercised and then all of a sudden I was taking a steroid inhaler and medication every day and I didn’t really understand what was happening. The asthma uk nurses explained to me what asthma was and why we have flare ups and gave me suggestions for what to ask for from my doctor after I explained my symptoms. I’d maybe suggest talking to them, if nothing else it make me less anxious! Hope you get it sorted soon, it can be scary when you asthma suddenly takes a turn and you can’t get on top of it!!

[HC26 in reply to Laurenp4]

Thanks for your reply Laurenp4!I might try to give the asthma UK nurses a call as that sounds very positive! It is scary! I just want it sorted asap. Hope yours ha settled now.