Asthma symptoms

[Ash123445]

Hi all, just wondering if anyone gets the same issue as me. So my peak flow etc is ok but at the moment I feel like it's harder to breath. Not like gasping for air but more like it's more effort. I am coughing up mucus but I think that's due to smoking. I am trying to stop but it's so hard

It's really frustrating, I do suffer anxiety since a breakdown 10 yrs ago and focusing on my breathing has always been a issue for me.

[ck101]

There’s three things to consider here, the first is Asthma, the second is Anxiety and the third is COPD. I can tell you with certainty if you continue with your smoking and have Asthma you will end up with COPD. Now there’s something to get Anxious about, for those with COPD dealing with Anxiety is a near daily occurrence.Time to stop smoking period. To answer your question; all Asthmatics that smoke find it hard to breathe. Sorry if this sounds harsh but I’ve got the T-Shirt. Yes I have good peak flow and coughed up sputum daily. This is part of having Chronic Bronchitis!

[twinkly29]

Asthma, anxiety and smoking could all cause those symptoms (as could many other things too of course but going with the ones you mentioned!) You say your peak is fine at the moment so guessing it does usually change if your asthma is playing up.

Assume the mucus is normal for you anyway.

Given those things are ok for you I'd go with it probably not being asthma related.

Weather changes can easily affect anyone, even non asthmatics, so it could be as simple as something like that making things feel different - which of course you then notice and maybe anxiety then kicks in?

There are all sorts of viruses about too (as there always are) so maybe something like made things feel different (again this happens to all people so isn't necessarily a sign of an asthma issue).

But I would keep monitoring peak flow twice a day in case things change and contact your nurse or GP if you are otherwise concerned - having peak flow records and other symptoms to tell them if you do so is helpful as then they can make a judgement call on what is causing the symptoms.

[Poobah]

OK, my take away from this is your focus on your breathing, leading to negative outcomes. Focus on breathing can be a positive so why not flip the coin? Utilise your focus, but learn the positive methods involved in breathing exercises in order to take control of something that is currently controlling you?

Whether you choose meditation, Buteyko or physiotherapy, or a combination of all three, there will be physical benefits to their regular practice. And that wellbeing will spill over into better mental health - you will feel more positive, and hopefully less anxious, about your ability to take charge of any other habits you know are just building up trouble.

Giving up our favourite foods, drink or recreational drugs (I guess both alcohol and tobacco are recreational drugs), is strongly perceived as a form of denial. It's a negative, it's difficult, it feels impossible or we just don't want to deny ourselves and feel the misery that we perceive it will bring, so we never get around to starting, especially if we already feel bad or negative.

It will be easier to address any unhealthy habits if we start from a positive position - if we've already invested time & effort into doing something positive every day to improve our wellbeing then our perceptions will change. We'll see changing unhealthy habits as a positive step rather than a way to compound our misery.

If you do consider looking into breathing exercises then the British Lung Foundation (BLF) has good advice and you can explore what meditation or Buteyko has to offer by viewing a few vids on YouTube. It will give you an idea as to what you think will engage you the most. If you have an asthma nurse then they may be able to suggest local services available. And they can also point you in the right direction for support if you do decide that you want to give up smoking. Good luck!