Loaded with a heavy COLD

[Lizzy54]

Hi there guys.

Can anyone help with this one. For the last two weeks I have had a heavy cold. Coughing, and bringing up heaps of mucus. I feel actually quite breathless since having the cold and it is making me feel really low and down. My peak flow is only 330 is this normal when you have an infection?

Have tried 3 different inhalers medications over the last six months feel none of them are really helping.

Feel a bit scared.

KR - Liz

[teddyd]

Do you have an action plan?In relation to your peak flow. It really depends what your best is. For lots of people 330 would be good for others it wouldn't. Maybe its time to call your asthma nurse and get advice especially if you think you have an infection.

I hope you are on the mend soon.

[Poobah]

In absence of an asthma plan, you should contact your GP in order to discuss additional treatment for your asthma during this current flare. Without knowing what your usual peak flow is, it's not possible to say whether or not your 330 is OK or not.

If you haven't got an asthma plan then maybe you can discuss one with your doctor or asthma nurse. It will advise what action to take when symptoms occur and may indicate a personalised peak flow range and associated actions. For example, peak flow drops 20% then contact GP or PF drops 40% then go to A&E. These are only examples and your plan should be personal to you and your asthma experience.

I hope you feel much better soon.

[starveycat]

I take vitamins C , D3, and K to help boost my immune system worth a thought . Good luck and gentle supportive hugs

[ReedB]

Hello, I agree with the others. Time to talk to the GP. While you're waiting it may help to talk things through with the asthma nurses?

Aside from whatever preventer you're currently using keep using the blue if you need to every 4 hours.

Get well soon!

[Yorkshiresoulgirl]

Hi Liz. Sorry to hear this. I’ve been the same, having had the flu and then Covid. My peak flow was down to your level too. Coughing all the time and bringing up phlegm and mucus. For 2 weeks now I’ve been using lungwort tincture twice a day and it’s really bringing up the gunge off my chest. Also taking vitamin D3/K2 in a tincture , pure zinc and FerroDyn ( iron) and taking a Chlorella tablet. Loading up on vit C fruits, berry juice and berries, spinach and mushrooms ( superfoods). No alcohol, Also resting and trying to get lots of sleep. I’m a very active person and this has been killing me! I researched all this a lot before I started as I was so focused on getting well again…. it’s been worth it. I feel so much better now. Wishing you a speedy recovery . Take care x

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Yorkshiresoulgirl]

I'm glad it's helped you, but please be careful about recommending alternative remedies. I don't know if you used them alongside your medication and any other conventional medical help, but they're not a replacement. As others have mentioned, Liz probably needs to be seen by a doctor/asthma nurse.

I'm not saying you're advising using them instead of seeing a doctor, but I wanted to make it really clear for anyone reading that they shouldn't be used that way.

[Lizzy54 in reply to Yorkshiresoulgirl]

Thanks so much for getting back! just been to Costco for all the good stuff. Having a smoothie for tea. Will try adding in the different vitamins, especially C.

KR

Lizzy - hope you well and active again soon!

[Lizzy54 in reply to Yorkshiresoulgirl]

Thank you I will try these alternative meds alongside my prescribed meds.

KR

Liz

[Africanleopard Verified User]

Hi Lizzy54,

As a GP, my suggestion given that you are breathless is that you arrange an urgent ( same day) appointment with your GP and if that’s not possible put on a mask ( to protect yourself and others, and go directly to A&E. If you are too breathless to go yourself, then call an ambulance stating that you are breathless and have asthma.

You may be having an asthma attack or your symptoms may be due to an infection - that’s why you need to see a doctor.

Of course you should be following your self management plan, or the advice given to you by your doctor. This would usually include information on using your rescue inhaler for symptoms and if your breathlessness is not improving with the rescue inhaler or if relief doesn’t last for 4 hours, you should give this information to and get urgent ( immediate) help either from your doctor or ambulance.

Peak flow levels are compared with your best ever level, and if your reading is below 60% of your best then you would need urgent medical attention.

Hope this helps.

[Lizzy54 in reply to Africanleopard]

Hi there bit better today and peak flow is up. I have did all the advise before and sat in A&E for 10 hours only to get told that sats were ok and arterial bloods showed that I was getting enough oxygen, then discharged. This has happened three times now. Have appointment at Docs tomor. It seems I have viral induced asthma and it only is there and symptoms when I have a respiratory infection, otherwise dont know usually that I have it.

Thanks for your input.

KR - Lizzy