Symptomatic but little change in peak flow

[Newasthmatic]

Similar to the previous post but I am only approx 2 yrs diagnosed and have tried various pumps to keep asthma controlled.

My flare up symptoms are uncontrollable coughing, chest tightness and breathlessness to the point sometimes where I cannot talk walk. At this point I seem to be having no or very little (-10) on my peak flow. Anyone else experience the same? It seems as tho it us not 'typical' of asthma? Thanks all

[twinkly29]

In asthma, some people do find that peak flow doesn't drop much when symptomatic but it should increase 15 mins or so after using a relief inhaler.

If it's never really increased/changed over time on different preventer inhalers, and relief inhalers don't have much effect either (and neither preventer nor relievers are really helping symptoms either), I would be querying if the cause was something else.

Breathless, tightness and coughing can be caused by all sorts of things. Asthma is one of them but it's important to get the cause right as no amount of asthma meds will help if it's something else. Even if it does turn out to be asthma, it's important to rule other things out (or in alongside asthma).

This might be worth a read

healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

But it might be worth asking for a referral if you're not already under a consultant as either your asthma meds need looking at or other causes need to be considered.

[Newasthmatic in reply to twinkly29]

Thanks hun 👍

[runcyclexcski]

-10 -- is that -10%? or actual -10 (error of the measurement)

Twinkly29 is right. Also, when small airways are inflamed, rather than large ones, attacks are not reflected on the peak flow as much.

It helps to know your "baseline" PF. Once you are on oral steroids and/or feel consistently better, write down your PF during those times. Ask the asthma nurse to write down the baseline number on a card that you can show at AE.

[Newasthmatic]

Thank you 👍

[Keem59]

What reliever do you take?What's your normal or best peak flow?