Change in weather affecting asthma

[alexa_s]

Hello,

I just wanted some reassurance that I am not the only one feeling like this.

After many hot days, it finally rained last night (I live in Scotland). I woke up to a very humid air this morning and feeling breathless. I opened the windows for more than an hour to freshen up the air in my flat, but still felt poorly, so I took 2 puffs of Ventolin. It helped a bit, but I still feel I can't take a deep breath and I'm getting tired easily. Has anyone else had this kind of issue? I'm not sure what to do at this point, is my asthma going crazy or is just the change in the humidity?

Thank you.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

You are not alone! I call myself the human barometer sometimes as my lungs dislike heat and humidity (Or Karen from Mean Girls if you've seen it, lol. Probably ageing myself there...).

I find I'm also very sensitive to pressure changes - on Monday I was inside with no windows and could feel exactly when the pressure dropped before a thunderstorm (had to sort my lungs out asap). Also happens when I fly - I never need the captain to tell us when descent has started, my lungs do!

I know we aren't alone either - this can affect a lot of asthmatics. I'm currently in hospital due to a combination of the weather and a cold, and have had comments from staff that lots of asthmatics have been in affected by the weather this week.

If your asthma reacts to pollen that won't help either - I think levels are high and the weather can increase the effect.

[alexa_s in reply to Lysistrata]

Take care, I hope you're feeling better and that the hospital visit will be a short one.

Good to know I'm not the only one being affected by the pressure changes, although the one this morning hit particularly hard. I pushed myself to go to work and tried to carry on as usual, but after additional puffs of Ventolin and feeling breathless and miserable, I decided to call it a day.

Hoping tomorrow will be better.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to alexa_s]

Thanks - just a flying visit, home shortly! Good call on work, it never helps to push myself I find but I definitely have done in the past! Hope you feel better soon.

[madonbrew in reply to Lysistrata]

Sorry you're in hospital!! Hope you manage to get well soon and home again asap!

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to madonbrew]

Thanks! I'm home - a flying visit, though not sure how much it's helped 🤔 Not my worst attack though. Looking forward to bed, I got almost no sleep last night thanks to asthma and pred!

[Beefull8 in reply to Lysistrata]

I hope you are feeling better! You are so brave. I am also sensitive to pressure and temperature changes. Because of it I haven’t traveled since the pandemic. How are you able to be ok on the plane if you are also sensitive to pressure? I always assume worse case scenario and it makes me not want to fly. Last time I traveled prepandemic I had a bad flare and had to go on prednisone and was afraid to return on the airplane.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Beefull8]

Thanks! I'm not ok with planes really, I just want to be able to go on holiday outside the UK, so I decide the inevitable asthma on descent is awful but a trade-off. And I plan for an easy first day and plenty of time once we land. I no longer travel for work as I can't manage that.

I take nebulisers as soon as we land so I can get things under control - having home ones, approved by my consultant and used sensibly, is very useful. I should really get special assistance but I only need it one end and I'm rubbish at admitting when I need that kind of help. Can't recommend the nebulisers to everyone of course, as it would depend on individual situation.

I'm not brave so much as annoyed with asthma for getting in my way lol. I hope you're able to travel again soon if you want to.

[Beefull8 in reply to Lysistrata]

Still courageous in my opinion. I’m able to do short trips without trouble but haven’t done any long ones. It’s probably irrational but I worry about my rescue inhaler not helping and struggling while I’m on the plane. Although the last time it was the next day when I felt bad. The last time was so scary that I didn’t want to go through that again and now there’s an additional worry with covid which knock on wood I haven’t gotten yet.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Beefull8]

To be fair, I think the nebulisers do change my thinking - I didn't get them so I could do this but they do help!

If it helps, I've not got anything from a plane or travel. I currently have a disgusting cold which is worse than COVID for my asthma personally and I got just doing normal things in my life at home. I got COVID from my partner in August last year - felt crap, set asthma off a bit but not hospital level, not as bad as RSV or swine flu I found.

I can appreciate that it would be pretty scary especially abroad! I think it's easier now I know how I will handle it, though I definitely don't look forward to descent.

[Beefull8 in reply to Lysistrata]

Well thank you for sharing that! Hearing stories like yours gives me hope that I can do it eventually. I also worry about all the wildfires these days too. But I guess it’s like you said I just have to want to travel more than my fear of taking that risk.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Beefull8]

To be fair, the wildfires would put me off too!

[Headoverheels in reply to Lysistrata]

So sorry to hear you were hospitalised Lysistrata..even though it was for a short time it isn't pleasant...but there again you feel safe. I have my covid jab on Saturday...not looking forward to it as still recovering from my last exacerbation but I have be told it is a must. It all seems so never-ending.

[Homely2 Administrator]

My system this year has hated some of the weather, if temperature exceeds about 23c, or if humidity is high, I have significant difficulties with my breathing.

I am trying being on fostair 100 mart rather than on fostair 200 and it seems too help me deal with it.

[teddyd]

I feel as if my lungs are on fire. When that stops I am breathless. Xx

[alexa_s in reply to teddyd]

I felt the same at work, with no AC it was more of a sauna than an office. Luckly my flat is a bit chiller, hopefully my breathing will feel better soon. Take care!

[madonbrew]

The weather is a nightmare for me...it's one of my biggest triggers...when there are sudden changes in temperature/atmosphere!!...although saying that, very strangely, I usually do pretty well when im abroad on holiday?!!

Hope you start feeling better soon!!! See your Dr if you're worried!!!

[Helloeveryone_]

I find the high humidity affects me too.

I bought a dehumidifier and a humidity meter so when it gets above 50 I put it on till it’s about mid 45 some mornings it would be 65 before the dehumidifier went on.

My routine is put the dehumidifier on then after the fan and the air purifier.

[ISew194720]

yes I am feeling the same been coughing a lot more and yawning as if I cannot breathe

[Helloeveryone_]

I’ve also got a small battery fan I take out when it’s very still and humid that helps.

[Maltesemama]

yes! Since our rain started 3 days ago I’ve been short of breath, and I live in Florida and should b used to it! Think I’ll just grab a good book and chill! 😁

[ReedB]

Definitely not alone. The high humidity and pollen always affects me. Take care!

[Naturesvalley]

You are not alone. I have the same problem.