Asthma exacerbation after a cold

[Wimple]

Hello! I’m looking for suggestions for self help to get my asthma back to its normal manageable state. It’s normally well controlled with Fostair 200 2x2 per day. Over a month ago I had a heavy cold, which led to a chest infection and exacerbated my asthma. I’ve had 1 course of antibiotics and 2 x5 day courses of prednisone and for the first time Montelukast as well as upping the Fostair to 3x2 per day but while it’s not getting worse I’m still wheezing, feel tired and can’t walk as quickly as normal. (I’m usually quite active). I will go back to my GP again but worry that their solutions are limited. Any suggestions for self help would be really appreciated. Thank you in advance!

[Bevvy]

When having a severe chest infection I can often require more than one course of steroids and antibiotics. So that can be normal for me. Also even when original chest infection has cleared up it can take some time for me to fully recover. I do try additional vitamins such as vitamin C with zinc. Apart from that it really is a case of resting when required, trying to eat healthily and gentle exercise.

[Wimple in reply to Bevvy]

Thank you for taking the trouble to reply- I will look into vitamin supplements.

[Gwalltarian]

I had something similar- a cold sparked an infection in my lungs and I spent almost 9 weeks almost continuously coughing, producing endless gunge. I used Three rescue courses of amoxicillin but the infection returned each time and the cough didn’t go away. Then I had a course of 500mg of clarithromycin twice a day for five days and that really killed the infection but I continued to cough but not as much and the phlegm was clear or white not green. Then I saw a utube discussion on boosting the immune system, led by an Israeli doctor. He recommended taking a daily dose of at least 4000IU vitamin D per day and a daily zinc tablet. The benefit of iron was also mentioned. So I started taking supermarket daily vitamin D tablets - 25mcg x 3 twice daily plus a zinc tablet and an iron solution. Within two days I stopped coughing and no longer start the morning like someone with a bad smoker’s cough. A few weeks in to the infection, I was coughing up so much gunge that I decided to take the opportunity to cut out the Fluticasone Propionate inhaler I’d been taking which had been causing some problems previously - irritation, making me symptomatic and blocking ventolin from working. I also feel that the effect of the steroid and laba caused my airways to be open to the infection - a personal opinion. I am currently seeing how I go on the new vitamin and iron regime, using ventolin occasionally. I’m hoping not to need to return to the steroid/laba inhaler.

[Wimple in reply to Gwalltarian]

So sorry you had such a bad time, personally I won’t stop using Fostair (combined steroid and reliever) as it has transformed my asthma management but I will look at my vitamin D. I already take a high quality supplements of 1000iu per day, so will research if that’s enough. Thank you for taking the trouble to reply.

[Gwalltarian]

If you have an asthma treatment that works for you, I think that’s great. Good luck with the vitamin D and zinc, I feel so much better myself.

[Poobah]

It's recommended that we take VitD3, especially during the winter months when sun exposure is inadequate. Vit D plays a huge part in a healthy immune system and if we're on regular antacids for GERD then our absorption of vitD from foods is hampered.

Different experts suggest different daily amounts, but the suggestion of 4000iu is a safe one. If you can, take VitKmk7 also, together with magnesium as these help the VitD3 to be absorbed properly and prevents a build up of calcification in soft tissues.

At the first sign if a sniffle or sore throat I gargle with Listerine and take VitC and zinc lozenges.

0

[Wimple in reply to Poobah]

Thanks Poobah- that’s very helpful. Do you have a recommended amount for VitK and Magnesium?

[Poobah in reply to Wimple]

I take BetterYou VitKmk7 spray (VitD3 too) and magnesium citrate by Vitabright. If you can tolerate soya then natto is a good source of VitKmk7 (soft gels rather than tablets). Some vitamins are fat soluble, so having them in an oil suspension better.

[Wimple in reply to Poobah]

Thank you again for your help!

[Poobah in reply to Wimple]

If you take 4000iu of VitD3 then a dose of 400iu (mcg) VitKmk7 is recommended (basically 10%). I take one 1480mg of magnesium pd but some take double quite safely.

[Hidden]

I am also well controlled on Fostair 200 4x a dayand in the last six months had two chest infections with uncontrolled asthma necessitating antibiotics and steroids.The one thing I found was that 5 days of prednisolone was not sufficient for me (40mg /day). I also needed to reduce the dose slowly rather than stopping suddenly. I did this over a period of three weeks reducing by 5mg every 3 days.

[Wimple in reply to Hidden]

Thank you!

[peege]

I do similar to Poobah. Antiseptic fir throat before any bugs can 'go down the tubes', I always gave a tube of effervescent Vitamin C 1000mg to take to give immune system an immediate boost, also take 3000iu of D3 daily and K2 to help it's absorbing, daily zinc too amongst other supplements. All helps to stay as well as can be

[Wimple in reply to peege]

Thank you Peege