Mild, moderate or severe?

[Klau80]

Hi, how do I know if I have mild, moderate or severe asthma?

Had asthma since birth but never been hospitalised with it. As a teenager til recently my asthma was non existent then recently probably due to stress it got worse, used to be on symbicort 100/6 2x2 puffs now on fostair 100/6 2x2 puffs, blue inhaler and and montelukast. I don't use the blue inhaler too often now maybe 3 times a week. I have not been properly checked out due to covid.

Would you say my asthma is moderate or severe?

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

asthma.org.uk/support-us/ca...

Here is the AUK ‘quiz’ that can help you work out it you may have severe asthma or not.

To me you sound moderate, as severe often has; a stronger preventer (fostair 200 2x2 for example), possibly more add-ons, more symptoms (ie less control), frequent courses of steroids +/- hosp trips/admissions and daily issues, under a hospital consultant (which if these indicators you have depends on if you’re controlled or not controlled). There are also different descriptions on what severe actually is, so you’re best off asking your doctor what he thinks you are.

If you are needing your inhaler more than 3x a week on a regular basis it’s worth contacting your GP to see if you need your meds escalating. You may find this useful as it has a section on that: healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

Hope this helps

[SamM86]

Hi!I take fostair 100/6 and currently use this 6-8 times per day. I also take Montelukast (oral asthma medication). Past 3 weeks I’ve had ambulance for 2 asthma attacks and been on nebuliser.

My asthma is classed as mild to moderate.

I hope that helps.

It might be worth contacting your asthma nurse or GP to find out where you stand with your asthma xx

[Yellow75]

I did find a web site where it went through indicators that doctors use to see where you are on the spectrum. This looked at how badly impacted in attacks, how often affected, how long and how easily exacerbation controlled. I am on fultiform 250, montelukast and fexofandine and classed as mild- moderate. I have not had to be hospitalised since diagnosis at 9, but my issue with asthma is more around the length of time an attack can last it can be days/weeks and how quickly meds work. Montelukast has helped tremendously, as base peak flow has since end of last year raised to average for age/height.

[SamM86 in reply to Yellow75]

Sorry to tag on to your reply, but it’s really lovely to hear how Montelukast as helped you. I’ve not been taking it for long so hoping it will help improve the symptoms!! 😀

[Klau80 in reply to SamM86]

I've been recently prescribed Montelukast (2-3months) and made a big difference! Hope it will to you too

[SamM86 in reply to Klau80]

🤞

[Yellow75 in reply to SamM86]

Fingers crossed for you too😀