Newly diagnosed with Asthma

[DanMC]

I caught COVID back in March 2020 and struggled with breathing for most of the 2020. I'm a cyclist used to riding 100+ miles per week and I was struggling to do 30m. I eventually got diagnosed with asthma due to COVID and prescribed FOSAIR 100/6 which really did work. My peak flow is 590 and with the inhaler it jumps to 640 - 650. So for the last 5 months I've been great. So with the weather turning colder we put on the log burner on Sunday. And since then it's been like back to square one. I'm getting out of breath cycling again. Chest, throat and nose feel all blocked and congested. If feels more than a coincidence with the fire on. Can a log burner really cause this? And if so how long before the effects wear off?

[twinkly29]

Have you kept using the fire? Because if so I wouldn't! Is your peak flow dropping because of it?

Does your reliever increase your peak flow (take peak flow, use reliever and retake peak flow 15 mins later)?

[DanMC in reply to twinkly29]

First time we've used the fire since getting diagnosed and not used it again since Sunday. Yes peak flow goes from 590 - 640. I didn't check my peak flow after the fire so not sure. But the feeling of breathing heavier and being congested is back like it was before.

[twinkly29 in reply to DanMC]

After a trigger I'd say use your reliever as required initially, but doing peak flow before and 15 mins after can be a good way to make sure that it's an asthma reaction and that the reliever is helping.

If it didn't settled then further advice should be sought.

This post is useful for what to do when:

healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

My new to asthma post might be useful to:

healthunlocked.com/asthmauk... (links in there to other posts too including peak flow)

But....given you used the fire once several days ago, if you're still symptomatic I wonder if it's something else that's triggering things as it shouldn't be affecting you now really - maybe the fire was part of it but wonder if there's something else as well.

Has your peak flow dropped generally from whatever your norm is now? If so and it's stayed that way for several days I'd call the GP. If actually it hasn't dropped then maybe it's more of an allergy type thing rather than asthma. If it's within your green zone, which from 650 would be 520 or above then largely it's fine but use your reliever if it relieves the congested feeling?

A lot of breathing stuff linked to covid is actually breathing pattern issues which are mechanical not inflammation and don't respond to asthma meds. But do respond to breathing exercises (such as those the British Lung Foundation recommend) so these might be worth a go too to try and relieve symptoms. Don't abandon your asthma meds or anything as it's common to have both asthma and breathing pattern disorder - but the breathing pattern stuff is so common after covid and needs the physio/exercises to deal with it. So just might be worth trying alongside the asthma meds, particularly if peak flow isn't changing hugely, then at least you're hitting it from both angles!

But as always, if in doubt, give your GP or nurse a call.

[DanMC in reply to twinkly29]

Thank you so much Twinkly29 for a comprehensive and detailed reply. Being so new to this sometimes I feel a little lost.

[twinkly29 in reply to DanMC]

It's really difficult to fathom stuff - but more so when you've had no info as seems to be the case for many new to asthma....which is always helpful!

[Poobah]

Twinkly has given excellent advice. I would add that log burners can affect some asthmatics due to the particles released into the air, which can be irritants to the respiratory system. Alternatively, it could be the cold weather which prompted you using the log burner. Cold air can also be an asthma trigger and cycling in cold weather or when there's low pressure, trapping pollutants, can exacerbate symptoms.

Once the respiratory system is irritated and inflammation occurs the options are relevant to the trigger. Log burner: avoid use, increase steroid inhaler until symptoms are under control, using reliever as necessary. One would expect symptoms to reduce but if they don't then there may be another or additional trigger at play.

It's not unusual for asthma to be more symptomatic during particular seasons because of weather, pollen (grasses, trees, weeds), indoor and outdoor pollutants. Even turning on the central heating and humidity levels can be triggers.

Being observant and recording symptoms can identify patterns and potential triggers. Learning about one's asthma is an ongoing process and many of us are still learning after decades. Knowing what options one has when symptoms occur gives us control to some extent and an asthma plan can assist in this: asthma.org.uk/advice/manage...

I would consult with your doctor/asthma nurse in order to prepare your asthma plan and discuss additional treatments available when symptoms flare up.

And definitely embrace the breathing exercises suggested by Twinkly. Even as a keen cyclist, the effects of covid and/or asthma can result in breathing dysfunctions. When we experience breathlessness we can compensate by altering the way we breath; compensatory breathing is detrimental to the respiratory system, even in the short term and can become a long term bad habit.

All the best.

[DanMC in reply to Poobah]

Thanks Poobah, another awesome answer. You guys really help thank you!