Tight chest

[ewusia28]

I have asthma and got covid .. I still have a tight chest. Is it normal during this virus? How long will it take? I am on the fourth day of my illness. Thanks for all the answers.

[twinkly29]

It's likely the tight chest is the covid not the asthma, but use your reliever and see if it helps. Unfortunately it's hard to say how long it will last. It seems different for everyone. Some people a few days, others many weeks and others everywhere in between. I guess if a tight chest is the worst it gets then actually that's pretty good going. But if your reliever inhaler doesn't help and you're concerned you need to phone 111.

[ewusia28 in reply to twinkly29]

I am worried because my lung capacity has dropped from 300 to 240.🙄

[twinkly29 in reply to ewusia28]

If 300 is your normal/recent best then 240 is 80% of that so within a safe green zone. Does it improve with ventolin (do pf first then ventolin then pf again 15 mins after) and do your symptoms improve? If so, use that. If not and you're concerned phone 111. Unfortunately there's nothing people on here can actually do - but tight chest symptoms would be usual for covid, asthmatic or not. Most asthmatics aren't any more affected than non-asthmatics by covid. That's not to say they don't feel rubbish of course but it doesn't seem to cause particular asthma issues.

[ewusia28 in reply to twinkly29]

Probably panicking too much. Thank you very much for your answer.

[twinkly29 in reply to ewusia28]

Maybe but that's better than ignoring everything - it probably is fine but do call for advice if you need to. The Asthma UK nurses are really good too. Their helpline is 0300 2225800, Mon-Fri, 9-5

[Hidden]

Hi ewusia28,

Sorry to hear you have covid. I've attached a link hope it helps.

youtu.be/AiwrtgWQeDc(Not working as expected?)

[ewusia28 in reply to Hidden]

It is very helpful. Thank you

[redstar9]

Sorry to hear that you have Covid. I have it too. Yes tight chest and cough normal with Covid. Covid causes breathlessness but not necessarily a drop in PF. It can cause O2 says to drop though. Asthma more likely to cause a wheeze ( but not everyone with asthma wheezes). Asthma doesn't always cause low sats at first because your body is able to compensate for this to a degree. Do you have an asthma management plan? If your PF is 80% of your best it sounds ok at the moment but keep an eye on it. If it drops further you may need to increase your dose of preventer of get a course of steroids. You should get advice from an asthma nurse.

[ewusia28 in reply to redstar9]

Yes. Today I contacted 111. He prescribed me steroids and antibiotics. I get so tired and afraid.

[redstar9 in reply to ewusia28]

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

[ewusia28 in reply to redstar9]

Thank you. I wish you health too.

[twinkly29 in reply to ewusia28]

I know you can't just "turn it off" (oh wouldn't that be good!) but anxiety will cause a tight chest and can then make things feel even worse.