Asthma Flare-up

[Lilmix03]

My asthma has been flaring up over the last week with the usual symptoms of coughing, feeling tight-chested and breathless, so I started my rescue pack of steroids. I saw the nurse at my GP practice on Wednesday, who was less than helpful, she basically told me that because my chest was clear, they wouldn't do anything despite me telling her that I was symptomatic and my peak flow was lower than normal. Eventually, after her looking on my records and seeing that this happens frequently she changed my steroid inhaler and told me to finish my course of steroids. I haven't really felt a difference in myself since starting the steroids and my peak flow isn't moving above 310 when it's usually about 450. Since Friday, it seems to have gotten worse and I've been coughing loads and still feeling tight, I woke up in the early hours of Saturday morning feeling really tight, coughing loads and generally breathless. My steroids finish tomorrow so I'll probably go back if my symptoms havent' improved by then but I thought i'd get some advice off people who know what they're talking about.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

That's so frustrating with the whole 'clear chest' thing. I don't know why the myth won't go away! I find that even healthcare professionals who are somewhat aware that you don't have to have a wheeze will too often still think that you can't be too bad if you don't have one. I get fed up with being asked how long I've been 'feeling wheezy' when they mean asthma symptoms. If I have any breath at all I call them out on that.

It sounds like you definitely do need to go back and be seen soon as possible as you've been getting worse. If you're still struggling over the weekend and getting worse don't wait for Monday, go to out of hours or if things are really bad (can't complete full sentences in one breath, struggling to eat etc) don't wait, call an ambulance and go to A&E. And again - mention in both cases that you've been on a course of steroids and still getting worse on them.

If you're not too bad over the weekend and keeping going you still need to go back to the GP asap. I am rubbish at doing this but even if you don't need out of hours or hospital as above, you still need to phone on Monday and insist on seeing a GP as soon as possible - and again definitely point out your asthma is getting worse even though you're already on oral steroids. I understand you probably don't want to see that nurse again but you need to see someone and point out you are worse even if not wheezy - are the GPs better?

If you do get to Monday and still struggling then a call to the ALUK nurses may help too: 0300 2225800 or WhatsApp [phone] Monday-Friday 0915-5pm

[JAmanda]

A&E seems to be the only way to get proper investigations and treatment in my experience.

[Bingo88 in reply to JAmanda]

Absolutely. I think you are right

[My_fairy]

I would suggest to get X-ray done to find out why it’s not improving with steroids … is there a possibility of infection or is it just that your asthma has become uncontrolled. My daughters asthma has become uncontrolled due to resistance to steroids so please keep on top of it … I understand how they don’t want to help by saying clear chest or even when they hear wheeze/tightness when you go back they don’t do much except handing over plans which don’t work.. best wishes and hope it will get under control but I think k they wait for new inhalers to kick in for sometime … asthma is different for everyone … get advice from helpline aswell they are very good …

[Spikedog66]

If you still no better when steroids stop go back. Not the best time to change inhalers because they'll take a while to have any benefit. Have you tried antihistamines? Pollen been severe and don't think helping our chests at all.

[TuckBox2]

I would definately go to A&E, I was the same as you in May, even in hospital my peak flow was not improving I was in hospital fo 9 days. I tested positive for Parainfluenza virus. I was on magnesium drip, 2x antibiotics, a second course of steroids, oxygen and was put in an isolation ward. I was sent home on a Monday and went back to A&E the following Sunday as I had a temperature and the shivers and had pneumonia, so I was off work for a month.

[Oscarpebbles2021]

Hi sorry to hear that. Def go back if u havnt improved sometimes steroids, can take awhile to kick in but I would expect to see some improvement by now. I have been struggling with asthma, for about 10days,with the high grass pollen. After 2 very bad nights upright in a, chair and hardly any sleep with shortness of breath I decided to ring 111.Got an app and a, script for prednisolone 8 a, day for 5 days,. I'm hoping they kick in within a, few days, so I get some relief. I have had asthma, for over 20, years, so I totally understand how u feel. Some docs, better than others. I hope you feel better soon but go back to docs if not. It's an awful thing and I dread every summer.

[Oscarpebbles2021]

Hi I was, just wondering if u feeling any better. I am on day 3 of my 5, day steroid course. Been a bad year with high pollen as, I don't usually get asthma, flare up until late July.

[Lilmix03 in reply to Oscarpebbles2021]

Thanks for your message. I've been given some antibiotics and another 7 day course of steroids from the GP, I'm feeling a bit better today so hopefully this is the tail end of things now.

[Oscarpebbles2021 in reply to Lilmix03]

Hope, so not very good when u can't breath and, scary. I sometimes, need 2 or 3 courses,. The infection was, prob slowing things down but fingers, crossed, u on the up and up now. I am hoping I get there, soon. Xx

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Steroids don't always work with asthma. I read that some cases it actually makes it worse..I am not sure if we become immune to them. I was having lots of trouble and on so much medication, I wasn't being offered anything else, still I was continually bad. The new respiratory nurse, said that to much medication actually causes the asthma, vicious cycle loop.. a lot of the problems is finding out what the triggers are, instead of curing the symptoms, prevent,cure, the triggers. Acid Reflux, GERD are huge culprit in asthma, I was advised gaviscon and milk, odd as it sounds it really worked and helped, as well cutting my medication down. A New steroid nasal spray was given, as well as change stomach tablets. I yet to go and do more thorough allergy test, but know dust huge trigger and hormones.. Anti histamines help. I'm having less asthma attacks, and less steroids. I'm wondering if these investigations have been carried out for you? Or anyone else that's suffering and needing steroids and anti biotics a year?