Shortness of Breath

[Carriejen]

I had pneumonia in October 2021, and since then I've noticed I've had a real problem with chest tightness and shortness of breath. It's usually when I am talking/walking. It comes and goes usually based on reliever inhaler use. My reliever inhaler is usually working for for good few hours but then the breathlessness comes back. I phoned my GP and got steroids and antibiotics. The steroids helped briefly but a few weeks later I felt the same. However, since having the steroids I haven't been waking up in the night SOB and coughing. Contacted the GP again, and have now been told that I've to keep a peak flow diary for 2 weeks and they have an inhaler they can put me on thats usually for COPD but apparently it can be bad for my lungs long term. I don't really want to be changed from what I'm on as its worked for so long (spireva, fostair and montelukast). Nobody has listened to my chest or done any sort of investigation since last October and I'm kind of at a loss here. Any advice?

[HBaaBaa]

It might be worth checking that you haven’t developed breathing function disorder. This happened to me after a flare up. I had every medication thrown at me and ended up being completely over-medicated. I am still waiting to see the specialist chest physio but there is lots of good advice online. I am not trying to diagnose in any way - merely offering support/potential solutions to look into from my own experience. I ended up with months off work and several visits to A and E as my SOB had got so bad.

[Carriejen in reply to HBaaBaa]

If I had this would my reliever inhaler be helping it? Because my reliever inhaler does help with my breathlessness

[Leah999999 in reply to Carriejen]

I have been experiencing SOB walking and talking for a while now and changing/increasing preventative inhaler didn’t help. After some research and speaking to doctors I believe it is dysfunctional breathing, particularly hyperventilation where I am constantly over breathing. When it comes to activities that would normally increase my breathing requirements I feel short of breath as when I go to take a deeper breaths I can as I’m usually breathing at full capacity. My reliever inhaler does help but sometimes I think this may be a placebo affect and it helps me relax/not panic and get my breathing to slow down. Again not diagnosing just some advice, maybe worth googling. Maybe speak to your dr about breathing physio but also push them to do some further tests etc. Best of luck

[Carriejen in reply to Leah999999]

I can't get in to see my GP 🤣 it's taken me 5 months to get this face to face appointment. But I'll maybe mention this next time

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Hi, if reliever and steroids help it doesn't sound like it's entirely dysfunctional breathing, but that's not to say it couldn't be contributing!

This post may help - it mentions anxiety but does make it clear that while anxiety can be associated with dysfunctional breathing as well as with asthma, they are *not* the same thing - I feel too often people are told they have DB and that it must be due to anxiety, when in fact they are not anxious and it can easily be a mechanical issue associated with asthma and other respiratory disorders.

healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

Edit: just saw Bevvy's post and remembered I was going to ask what inhaler they were planning. Agree that you may find it helpful to chat to the nurses: AUK helpline - 0300 222 5800 M-F 9-5; AUK WhatsApp - 07378 606728.

[Carriejen in reply to Lysistrata]

Like I said, the inhalers do help when it flares up its just not lasting long term before it flares up again. I have no idea what the issue is to be honest.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Carriejen]

I tend to find that is something I get when my asthma is especially poorly controlled - hence suggesting it sounds more like asthma. I mentioned the dysfunctional breathing side because other people did, and the post I linked to can be helpful for you to think about the differences.

I'm also curious about what inhaler might damage your lungs, and wonder if this is accurate. I have heard some odd comments from GPs and even respiratory doctors/nurses which I know from my work are not actually true.

[Carriejen in reply to Lysistrata]

So I've been taking piriton for the last couple of days and that seems to have been helping, but I'm still struggling for breath in the morning. It's not as bad though. My appointment is on Wednesday and I am dreading it as I am unsure what to expect. She wanted peak flows for the 2 weeks since my appointment t to take to a GP to show that I need this stronger inhaler. Just have to hope for the best I suppose.

[Bevvy]

What new inhaler do they want to try you with? Be aware any new inhaler can take some weeks to become full effective.

I note you don’t want to change inhalers because regime been working well for years. Over time inhalers and medications can become less effective and require changing.

Remember you can ring and speak to asthma nurses here which you may find helpful.

[Carriejen in reply to Bevvy]

I haven't a clue what inhaler it is, just that she initially was against me changing as it can damage my lungs further, but then said she wanted to change me onto it but I need to do peak flows every morning and evening for 2 weeks x

[Bevvy in reply to Carriejen]

Sounds like they want you to take peak flow recordings before possibly changing inhaler. I am particularly interested in what inhaler they want to give you because I have asthma /COPD overlap and am wondering which inhaler can cause further damage to lungs. Am very surprised by that comment from your gp!

[Carriejen in reply to Bevvy]

It wasn't a GP, she said she was the respiratory nurse. Didn't seem very professional to be honest, she didn't even check my peak flow, ask for it or listen to my chest while I was there and I had assumed that was why I had been invited in for a face to face appointment.

[Jolu29]

Hi sorry to hear your still recovering. It can take long time to get over it. Im currently using my ventolin to much find my peak flo drops again after few hours , just finished my steroids now the gp has put me on another dose ti taper down feeling worse again, could it be that you need to do same? , I'd definitely ask ti see a consultant. I'm on 5th lot steroids in 6 months. I've just had my inhaler changed and upped the gp emailed my consultant.

[Carriejen in reply to Jolu29]

The issue the nurse is having is that my inhalers are already as high as they can go. She never mentioned steroids even though I said the last time I had a course they did help. I suppose I'm just at a loss as I don't want stronger medication that could cause damage to my lungs 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Jolu29 in reply to Carriejen]

Yes so annoying and frustrating. Think the consultant can only prescribe strong inhaler. I find inhalers just get used to you and you need switch it up the consultant put me on flutiform 250 now. Just want get back to work don't you I work at school just want get back to it, do think the more you phone the gp not coping more thry have to help.

[Carriejen in reply to Jolu29]

See I've barely got in contact with my GP because they are useless. All the GPs walked out so they are currently working with a locum, an asthma nurse and a nurse practitioner. But because of the lack of GPs it takes ages to even get a prescription. Took me 3 days to get my last one

[Poobah]

I agree with Bevvy, probably going to be beneficial to discuss things with the Asthma UK nurses.

[Hidden]

Ask for a cardiology consult.

[Carriejen in reply to Hidden]

I've had multiple ECG's. My heart is healthy