Help pleaseeee

[Baker9876]

So recently I’ve been struggling with breathlessness . When I am outside in the cold it’s worse and when ever I’m doing any activities I struggle . I feel like I need to clear my throat a lot , whenever I laugh I struggle to breath and clear my throat again . I’ve had two covid test and both negative. The doctor has said he believes I have asthma and prescribed me a blue and brown inhaler. I started using those last night so hopefully couple of weeks and I’ll feel better. My chest feel irritated it’s awful. Please can anybody offer me any advice or tips on what I can be doing to help as they say it’s is seasonal snd possibly because of weather. Are dehumidifiers any good? Would it help? Thanks for help in advance x

[twinkly29]

Hi!Hopefully your inhalers will help (cold air is a very common asthma trigger) but just a word of warning that it can take more than 2 weeks for the brown one to become properly effective - although from about 2 weeks you should start to help.

In case you want some reading, these posts are really useful/contain lots of important info!

Asthma for newbies:

healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

Inhalers:

healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

Peak flow: healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

[Wheezycat]

Hi, I am one of those who struggles with cold, but I have finally found a couple of things that help - in addition to a scarf wrapped loosely round mount and nose. That is standard advice. As Twinkly says, it can take a while for or your preventer to kick in. When you first go out, do it slower than you usually would. If you run, walk for a while first for your body and lungs to adjust, and consider shorter distances. If you are a fast walker , slow down. Etc. When you have been out for a while you can try increase speed and activity levels.

If it is really cold, you could take a puff of Ventolin before you leave the house, until your preventer is sufficient a couple of weeks down the line. ALWAYS carry your Ventolin with you!!

[paddytheprang]

Inhalers will help for sure , but take a week or more to be effective .

Investigate breathing exercises .I found that they will increase your lung capacity There is a great book called Breath that is very interesting. I've used some suggestions in there

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

I agree with Wheezycat, especially with the scarf! Or since we're all in masks these days, wearing a cloth one may actually help. I often do this and it does help warm up the air.

Twinkly and Wheezycat have already pretty much covered it but agree to keep taking the inhalers as they can take a bit of time to kick in.

Increasing your lung capacity unfortunately won't really help with how twitchy your airways are in response to triggers.