I've had a tickly, slightly irritated upper airway for the past week and went for a jog on Monday, just slow, and since then my chest had been quite tight and is sore.
I was wondering whether anyone has any tips on how to deal both mentally and physically with a sore chest (I always catastrophise im always going to be like this).
I went for a lovely walk with my wife and that helped it and my mood, but feeling tighter and sore again this evening. The soreness really pinvhes about half way during my intake of breath.
My oxygen sats are 98% and peak flow down about 10-20pts at 490.
Thank you kindly in advance for any help you may be able to offer.
Best Wishes,
Matthew
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MattPhillips78
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Could be a mild upper resp virus. Or the cold air combined with exercise could have triggered your asthma (my money’s on the latter). When you say your pf is down 10-20 pts do you mean points, or percent? If the first, that’s really insignificant, so ignore it, but if it’s down 20% it would mean your normal pf is over 600?
Bear in mind that sats in asthmatics are nearly always good, it takes several hours before an attack affects them (which is one reason it so annoys me when A&E drs say “well, your sats are normal 🙄). I very rarely use my pulse oximeter. In fact, given your health anxiety, I’d put it in a drawer somewhere, or better still give it to your wife to keep safe.
Basically (stating the bleedin’ obvious now) my best advice would be to stop focusing so much on your chest, and get help with your anxiety. You’re still the same person you were before your diagnosis, but NOW you have a name for it and can get it under control. Don’t let it define you, Matt. It’s easy for me, I’ve had quite severe asthma apl my life so it doesn’t worry me unless I’m having a major flare.
I also think you need to learn your triggers (cold air is a major no-no for me so if I go out in it I wear a microfibre scarf loosely around my face.)
I haven’t yet found anything to calm chest soreness except olbas oil or something similarly soothing. But I’d just as soon have a strong black coffee and that has actually been proved to open the airways and aid breathing (sorry, haven’t got a link!)
Best of luck, Matt - you’ll be in command of this soon but at the moment you’re all at sea
Nothing much to add as this sounds great, but just a word of caution for Matthew and anyone else about Olbas oil: it can be fine for some people but can trigger asthma for others.
600+ peak flow seems normal for a man, though obviously individuals vary (I'm not a man and mine is over 600!). I agree if it's 10-20 points that could easily be normal variation, so nothing to worry about. Matthew - even 10-20% down from your best is still green zone, if you're worried about peak flow dropping.
Obviously if it's dropping again then keep an eye and follow your action plan if you have one. If not, it's definitely worth asking for one tailored to you, with your best peak flow and symptoms included. It's helpful for managing your asthma and should also help to reassure you about where things are and what to do. This link should help: asthma.org.uk/advice/manage...
I can only share what works for me in the hope it's helpful. I now reach for a vitamin C and zinc lozenge if I get that tickly or sore feeling in my throat/upper respiratory tract plus I'll gargle with Listerine if the lozenge isn't enough. That sore, tickly sensation is the first sign I get of impending viral infection and I will repeat the lozenge and gargle if necessary, with a decent gap between lozenge and gargle.
I've used Listerine gargle for this for years and found it very effective but the Vit C/zinc I learned about from a Dr Moseley programme at the start of the pandemic, zinc being a good way to tackle viruses apparently.
I've always been susceptible to chest infections, especially when travelling, so these early treatments appear to work for me and the number of chest infections and colds I catch have definitely reduced. If the tickle does develop then it's lozenges and Listerine regularly until I feel well, but I also rest and take paracetamol. Irritated respiratory tracts will only be exacerbated by exercise, in my experience. I also up my asthma plan if my asthma symptoms worsen.
Do you have any pains anywhere? (Back, top of shoulder are common when your lungs are working harder)
As others have said unfortunately it's the time of year for respiratory viruses but also with the cold damp weather it's also the time for bacterial chest infections and if it's been there for a week I would try and get an appointment with the doctor on the grounds it could be something it could be nothing.... but someone with a stethoscope will be able too tell you in no time (they listen for crackles in your chest)
My airway, in the centre of my chest has felt particularly sore for the past week and a half. It started to fade a little, I did a short, gentle jog last night as this often helps and it is very sore again. I'm marginally down on my peak flow but only from 520 down to 490. The sensation is that of something pinching as I breathe in and can feel it half way through my in breath. I'm a relatively fit person but have been getting puffed out if I am busy - I've taken a week off work now to let it settle down.
I'm at a bit of a loss to be honest, I had same 3 weeks ago and it dissipated and was able to exercise again, then when out with the family almost 2 weeks ago I could feel that 'damp' feeling in my lungs at the bottom of my breath, which usually means the start of a chest cold.
I have invested a lot of time and money in doing everything possible I can to strengthen my lungs, eat optimal diet for asthma and taking Vit D, Vitamin A and high strength fish oils, all recommended for optimal lung health.
I do have a Respiratory Consultant follow up in March, so that's positive.
I'm definitely going to call the doctor tomorrow - I hate the process as you have to ask for a telephone consultation and its tough to explain how you are really feeling isn't it without being there.
I now have an appointment with the asthma nurse tomorrow to talk about my chest soreness. I wouldn't mind some help maybe with Prednisolone, although not depending on it. It will pass but its been a long week! Lol.
Thank you! That's very kind. Gets a bit boring having sore airways after a while doesn't it. I don't know about you, but I hate having to think and be aware of every breath I take. It's been a week now and only 3 weeks since this last happened.
I think we wait too long sometimes to see our health care professionals when things are troublesome, hoping things will improve without intervention. I know I do. Hope you get things resolved.
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