Sahara dust trigger?

[CarnLesBoel]

I’ve had low asthma for over 20 years but since late February/March 2021 I’ve had a sudden marked deterioration (getting treatment ASAP). Given that my windows have been noticeably dirty and I’ve twice removed red dusty sludge from my bird bath I’m thinking there’s a connection...anyone else affected?

[goodfellows]

Hi I am having similar experience to you. I've had very mild asthma for 21 years, never been a problem. Last week of Feb my asthma got much worse and still not under control. I seem to be allergic to everything at mo. I have been given a new inhaler to try and taking antihistamines. I can't work out why it's deteriorate. I have been decorating, I've also had my Covid jab but I really don't know why this has happened. I've purchased an air purifier that gets rid of 99% of allergens in the room to see if it helps!

[CarnLesBoel in reply to goodfellows]

Hi Goodfellows,I wrote a longish reply yesterday morning and left the page briefly - whoosh all gone 😬

The Asthma.org.uk nurse was fantastic and her input was a great relief since my doctors surgery no longer have an asthma nurse. I will be telephoning them again for support.

She advised me that I need to address my nose first so yesterday I started on antihistamines for chronic rhinitis.

Also started a 5 day course of Prednisolone for my infected chest. (Sputum colour got worse over the weeks.)

I’m hoping to get a replacement spacer as I was prescribed one with wrong shaped hole!

I was pleasantly surprised that by the early evening my wheezing, tight chest had gone and no rhinitis symptoms. Also evening PF increased so I really hope this continues.

I was getting anxious about such a rapid decline in my breathing and capacity to function normally in spite of being prescribed double my preventer dose. (This caused horrid taste on my tongue so now brushing it after preventer use)

She also recommended taking PF readings before and 20 minutes after preventer to measure its effectiveness.

It’s interesting that we both had vaccine at the same time...

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to CarnLesBoel]

Sorry, just jumping in here as I was puzzled reading something in your post!

Glad the AUK nurses were so helpful (they are great!) but when you said this: She also recommended taking PF readings before and 20 minutes after preventer to measure its effectiveness

Did you mean to say before and after reliever? This is usually something you do with reliever, since preventer works on a longer timescale, so I wondered and wanted to check.

[CarnLesBoel in reply to Lysistrata]

Im measuring the preventer because I’ve recently been given a double dosage 100 which over 2 weeks + had no impact at all. In fact I continued to deteriorate with evidence of a chest infection, whereas the Prednisolone has had an immediate positive effect.

The increased dose has really affected my tongue and taste too.

When I get the correct spacer I’m hoping that in the long term I can reduce my preventer dose back to 50 as it should help give a more efficient delivery enabling a lower dose to be sufficient.

I’ve just had a phone call from a new specialist nurse which is a massive relief. I will be assessed again in 2 weeks.

[goodfellows in reply to CarnLesBoel]

I'm pleased you are feeling better. My asthma nurse said to gargle after using preventer to avoid horrid taste or sore throat. Also using a spacer helps to avoid both. I also have rhinitis. I've been taking antihistamines which helps. I understand you feeling concerned about sudden decline in your breathing, I feel exactly the same. Not had a problem in 20 years. Bye the way I think I may have sent you 2 replies today.... 🤪 as I replied to earlier post sorry! Still getting used to this site ! Take care

[CarnLesBoel in reply to goodfellows]

Don’t worry I’m a newbie here too 😊

[CarnLesBoel in reply to goodfellows]

Hi, I’m wondering how you’re getting on - are you fully recovered?

Unfortunately I was set back by a second bout of Sahara dust at the beginning of April. I now monitor air pollution and pollen every day - better late than never...

After continued deterioration with endless coughing and reduced PF I’ve experienced steady improvement in just the last week presumably due to daily antihistamine and Beconase.

I seem to be suffering from some form of continued fatigue which is frustrating. I had COVID before the first lockdown in early March 2020 so I’m wondering if it has weakened my immune system.

[twinkly29 in reply to CarnLesBoel]

I think with continued post-covid symptoms, or returning bouts of them, it's not anything to do with the immune system being affected, just the actual post viral effects (symptoms) that it can leave behind. So it kind of becomes a form of chronic fatigue, either constantly or in bouts.

Not that you want it to stay of course!

Glad the antihamines are helping though - if you're sensitive to dust of any kind they're a useful thing to be taking as one can't avoid it really, despite efforts to minimise of course.

[CarnLesBoel in reply to twinkly29]

Hi

It’s ironic that when I had COVID any symptoms including fatigue were acute & short lived - only 2 weeks

whereas this asthma ‘flare up’ is dragging on with rhinitis and fatigue that are more chronic .

Lack of expertise at my GP surgery has played its part, my current ‘expert’ has experience with severe respiratory problems (which I find reassuring) but she’s having to learn as we go along re asthma.

[twinkly29 in reply to CarnLesBoel]

It could well be nothing to do with having had covid of course.

NeilMed Sinus Rinse is very good for things like dust issues (whether more allergy/intolerance based like dust mites or triggers for asthma such as dust clouds). Used regularly it helps to stop allergens/particles getting further than the nose so reducing symptoms.

[CarnLesBoel in reply to twinkly29]

Is that similar to Sterimar?I’ve been mostly indoors or wearing a mask so I’m persevering with the

Beconase & antihistamine for now.

[twinkly29 in reply to CarnLesBoel]

Kind of but Sterimar is just a spray which lubricates whereas a nasal rinse actually washes out the nasal passages.

Allergy consultants usually recommend NeilMed.

Definitely persevere with beconase and antihamines - but if ever you did try the sinus rinse, they can all be used together (rinse first then the beconase), it wouldn't be a case of one or the other.