Frequently of asthma attacks

[elanaoali]

At Christmas I had an asthma attack (caused by a cold) and in March this year I had another one after having Covid. My question is two asthma attacks in one year consider bad?

Winter is my worst time for my asthma.

[Bevvy]

I think having asthma attacks when after or during illness isn’t uncommon and I would say having 2 in one year isn’t particularly bad. Obviously that depends on the severity of attacks. If you ended up seriously unwell as a result then, that wouldn’t be good.

[Homely2 Administrator]

What do you define as an attack?

Is it when you are hospitalised?

Last year, about 10 months of the year, I was having one serious attack a month, I mean cannot walk easily and talking becoming restricted, for me this means a bit below 50 percent of peakflow.

For about two months, it was one serious attack a week.

I was in a and e three times, and paramedic once. This is when peakflow goes below 40 percent or so and chest seizes and goes silent.

However I know that a lot of people are much worse than this, and need resuscitation, itu and tubes down throat. So I am lucky.

Winter is definitely bad.

NHS gave me no consultant appointment last year, so they did not consider that bad. But I see a consultant Monday.

So very interested to see what people consider bad, as I am relatively new to asthma.

[andy121 in reply to Homely2]

I’d say all asthma is bad compared to not having asthma. Everyone is different and at different stages. Some may have attacks and be treated with extra meds and that could be considered bad for them and others may end up in icu because all other meds don’t work for them so would consider that bad for them.

Like bevvy said it’s not uncommon to have a flare up when unwell a few times a year.

[elanaoali in reply to Homely2]

I am glad you are getting to see a consultant. Thats good news for you. I pray it goes well.

[Symes]

Elana, you mean March last year surely? We’re only in January this year still!

But to answer your question, no, two asthma attacks in a year can be quite common, depending on the severity of your asthma. I’ve had two massive asthma attacks in less than 24 hours once! And more recently a series of asthma attacks over a number of weeks.

[Birthday60]

I had an attack - not just a period of wheezing - once or twice a month when I was younger - now it’s much less