Cough Variant Asthma and PND

[Kim0607]

Hi I'm 62 years old female have a cough variant Asthma and PND I'm so full of mucus in throat and upper airways. Been using saline sprays and blue inhaler 3 times today. Can't stop coughing no mucus moving. Peak flow 340 now I'm 5'4" and approx 8 stone (49kgs ish) I also suffer anxiety and not being able to breathe is tough should I take a valium or more blue inhaler. Haven't started brown 100mg inhaler as a bit worried about side effects. Advice please

[twinkly29]

The 340 peak flow only relevant compared to what your own best is....but if you're new to things you might not know your best yet.

One way to see if the blue inhaler is helping symptoms is to test your peak flow, take your blue inhaler and then, after waiting 15 mins for it to kick in, test your peak flow again. That second reading will indicate if the coughing was asthma related.

Anxiety symptoms can mimic asthma symptoms but it tends to be shortness of breath and tight chest. Unless in CVA that also presents as coughing?

You shouldn't really get any side effects from the brown inhaler - most people don't, they just have to list anything ever reported. But it will take 6-8 weeks to kick in properly (but should start to help after a couple of weeks) so it might be a good idea to start it so you can see if it helps? Over time (ie by 8 weeks after starting it) your peak flow should have improved if the brown inhaler is helping so that's another way to see I it's asthma. Not an instant thing but something over time.

This post explains peak flow

healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

and this one looks at asthma and anxiety

healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

This one talks about inhalers

healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

[Kim0607 in reply to twinkly29]

Hi I worry about Glaucoma and gastritis which isvs listed side effect of using the steroid inhaler, I've recently recovered from Gastritis and acid reflux about 2 months ago. Think this may be how my tubes have all got inflamed.

Due to my age (62) I also worry about Glaucoma. Am I being over anxious?

I'm struggling with the constant mucus which has been white and clear but at times a thick. Have sinus issues as well hence PND. I have on several occasions coughed all night feeling short of breath peak flow dropping to 280, I'm exhausted.

Have an egg and Quorn allergy. Allergic to erythromycin antibiotic. Allergic in tree pollen season. Very Cold drinks take my breath away. Nose per ENT shows allergy issues. Chest infections mean I always need an inhaler long term to clear cough. Some spray cleaners make me cough and cough.

Trouble is with having anxiety you get a bit labelled by the medical people and then you start to doubt your own symptoms. Can't see an asthma nurse due to Covid just a Dr Tel appt.

I'd rather see an asthma nurse. 😏

[twinkly29 in reply to Kim0607]

Absolutely understand the anxiety thing. It's bandied about as if it's the reason for absolutely everything. It can definitely okay a part and be alongside but people do have other conditions.

The white mucus can be characteristic of underlying inflammation - and if so that would explain the frequent coughing episodes. Gastritis/acid reflux can be easily managed if you get it - but you may well not. Most people don't. I've not heard of anyone who has developed glaucoma - the steroid level in brown inhalers is very low really. You'd be more at risk of needing repeated courses of oral steroid tablets if your asthma isn't controlled. Those have more side effects and while that's ok for the occasional short course, having to have them repeatedly (when there's a better long-term solution) isn't ideal.

I suspect that, after a few weeks on the brown inhaler, your peak flow (the routine twice a day ones) will have improved, you'll be coughing less, the white mucus should have improved or gone and you should need the blue inhaler less often, or ideally rarely. Maybe give it a try, keep monitoring your peak flow and symptoms and see how things go - you can always evaluate after 8 weeks and stop. You won't have developed glaucoma for example in that time - some people might be on that inhaler at your age having been on it since age 5 or something with no effects.

Can you not speak to the asthma nurse over the phone? That's rubbish if they're not doing that because they should be. A phone call can be much better than a face to face appointment anyway. Might be worth asking for a phone appointment with the nurse? Or try the Asthma UK nurses (available on 0300 2225800, Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) who are brilliant.

[Kim0607 in reply to twinkly29]

Apparently not but I've now spoken to Asthma UK nurse who was very good. Thanks for your help. 😃

[twinkly29 in reply to Kim0607]

Oh I'm glad you've had some support! ⭐ to Asthma UK!

[Laney14]

Hi, I also have cough variant asthma and PND. I've found this year that the PND has aggregated my asthma & has caused a significant issue.

Quite recently I have been prescribed Dymista for the PND (after first having a number of other nasal sprays). This has made a huge difference & I am gradually getting back to my normal with an improvement in both conditions.

This may or may not help you but is worth asking your Dr about.

Wishing you luck.

[Kim0607 in reply to Laney14]

Hi Dymista has been mentioned to me by Stigma UK nurse and I'm gonna speak to my Dr about it. Thank you for helping

[Kim0607 in reply to Kim0607]

That's Asthma UK not as typed