Cold, asthma and really struggling

[elanaoali]

I developed a cough and then a cold this last week. The cold started to bother my asthma. On monday night (i was away visiting my mum). I gave myself 4 puffs of ventolin and was fine th next two days. My cold improved and I came home on Thursday. When travelling home I started to cough. Thursday night I started to fine unwell. Thursday night had an asthma attack. Peak flow had dropped to 400/500. I decided I needed to take my rescue steriods that night. Slept okay. Friday morning check peak flow 400. Decided to give myself 4 puffs of ventolin every 4 hours. Had a telephone consulation with my doctor to say I was taking my prednisolone. 2nd dose that morning. Didnt feel quite right lost my energy. (Lost my peak flow meter) so didnt know what was happening.

Found it in the evening measured my peak flow 350. Did 4 puffs at 11pm. Didnt change my peak flow meeting (waited 15 mins) so did 6 more. It changed slightly. Went to sleep woke up 3 hours later. Waited til 2:30 peak flow still 350. Weighted up going to A&E. Decided not too. 10 puffs at 2:30 then 10 puffs at 6:30. Peak flow has now increased to 400 8pm. Dont feel whezzy or out breath. Coughing though not much.

I think I am going to hold off going to A&E for now. Frankly I dont want to send hours and hours waiting at my local A&E as I know they will be extremely busy.

[Homely2 Administrator]

You need to talk to 111 if this has not improved. Your symptoms are similar to mine before a major attack

[Poobah]

Hi Elanaoali. I hope that by now the steroids are doing their job and you're feeling much better. If you have a 5 day course but are still not out of the woods with stabilising your peak flow and symptoms, definitely seek advice from the 111 Service and they will be able to get you a walk in appointment or advise a trip to A&E.

It's not easy to make judgement calls when feeling so unwell and I have a propensity to wait too long to get additional treatment, especially at weekends and out of hours.

And make sure you have a fresh prescription for Ventolin.

All the best.

[elanaoali in reply to Poobah]

Thank ypu Poobah for your concern and advise. I realised now I just scared I was the other night. The cold I had wasnt too bad but I was not prepared for how much it upset my asthma. My asthma is really stable usually so completely off guard. Last year I had an asthma attack after a cold. However

I feel like I turned a corner. Still feel really tired but I am feeling better. Got a if late 7 hrs last nights that really helped. Peak flow is 380/500 today. Day 4 of steriods. Will be taking things easy thanks to my family and amazing husband. I will still do my inhaler 4 puffs every 4 hours.

I will see how my peak flow is doing and how I feeling tomorrow. Then make a decision to ring 111 or A&E.

[elanaoali]

I am still needing my ventolin every 4 hours. My peak flow this evening is 400/500. I don't feel wheezy any more. I could hear myself wheezy when I breathed out but that's gone now. I am still feeling like I have not much energy Last day for steriods tomorrow but I think I may need a few more days. I am going to try and get hold of my doctors surgery on Tuesday when they open again. Fortunately I live 5 mins walk away from the doctors so I am going to go around and see them at 8am.

I haven't been knocked sideways like this for quite a few years. I would really appreciate some tips on how to manage my recovery. I don't go back to work until after the new year as I work in a primary school.

[Homely2 Administrator]

The colds are nasty this year. I think you just really have to take your time and avoid your asthma triggers.

I am probably a few days ahead of you in terms of recovery, but recovery is slower than normal. So gently does it.

Personally I am keeping my air purifier close.

[elanaoali]

thank you for your advice. I Had my last steriods this morning and reduced my ventolin to 2 puffs every four hours.

I just think I need rest and sleep to get myself back to normal.

[elanaoali]

It's day 3 after finishing my steriods (5 day course). I stopped using my ventolin 2 days ago as I decided I was better and didn't need it. I have not woken up due to my asthma for the last two days. My peak flow is still 400 and I have a phelgmy cough (due to the cold I had).

However I am still really tired and slept for 10 hours last night. I have little energy and just want to be back to normal. I just started to use my ventolin this morning.

I feel really foolish thinking that I could just snap back to normal.

[Poobah in reply to elanaoali]

I'm in the same boat. The usual antibiotics and Prednisolone have done half a job. I'm travelling back home tomorrow and intend to phone my doctors on arrival as I definitely need something as my phlegm has gone dirty again and feels worse. I suspect that a 7 day course of antibiotics would have done the trick but they would only prescribe a 5 day course. The tiredness and fatigue is a definitde sign for me that I'm still fighting an infection.

So if I was in your shoes, I would be phoning my GP and emphasise the symptoms are exacerbating your asthma. I hope you get what you need to put you back on the road to recovery and, if necessary, get signed off work until you're fit to return.

[Homely2 Administrator]

As I am a few days ahead of you, I am now at 80 percent of peak flow, compared to 50 to 60 percent, at the worst of the cold.

So hang on in there it has taken me three weeks to get back to approaching normal.