Variable peak flow daily

[Lizzy54]

Hi Team

wondering if anyone can help.

Peak flow when checked first thing in morn is about 360 and best of 3 is around 380/400.

I check peak flow at lunchtime and it up sometimes to 500, but an hour or two later could be 380.

Does anyone know why my peak flow is so variable, keeping peak flow diary, as per Consultant. Been on Fostair 200 ( 2puffs morn and 2 puffs night) and asthma tablet. Asthma Nurse stated this is not controlled asthma with such variable flow readings, feel quite anxious about it.

Still have some sort of viral chest infection (week 7)!

KR

Lizzy

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Hi Lizzy,

Variable peak flow is definitely a sign of asthma that isn't well controlled - it's actually used as one method of diagnosis (20% or more daily variation for I think a couple of weeks).

It might be that your current treatment isn't enough to control your asthma, but how long have you been on your current medications? Most of the steroid and combination inhalers like Fostair can take weeks to kick in, and so can montelukast (I'm guessing that's the tablet you mentioned as it's the most common tablet medication for asthma).

If you haven't been on them for long you'll need to give them a bit of time to work - which I'm aware is frustrating! But recording the peak flows should help to show lack of control and then any improvement from either these medications or any others.

I'd also say that viral infections can really mess with asthma for a while. COVID for me didn't have a lasting effect on my asthma, but RSV infection in Dec 2019 (confirmed by swab so not just early COVID) absolutely did a number on my asthma control for a month plus, and then I had more admissions for months - but it did settle down eventually. I realise again this is probably not what you want to hear, but I don't think it necessarily will last that long, and there may well be ways to get through it - I was already on everything I could be so I just had to ride it out.

If you haven't already, you might find it helpful (and reassuring) to chat this through with the asthma nurses: 0300 2225800 or WhatsApp [phone] Monday-Friday 0915-5pm

[Lizzy54 in reply to Lysistrata]

Hi there, thanks for your response.

Been on Fostair this Friday will be 7 weeks and it is the 200 one. Consultant told me last Friday that it can take up to 8 weeks to kick in, so thinking, if still variable next Saturday making appointment with asthma nurse, been quite yuk today and breathless.

KR

Lizzy

[Cleansir in reply to Lysistrata]

Thanks for the original question and thank you for this response. I thought it was normal to have such variable readings. I’m going to talk to my doctor now.