Asthma Conundrum!

[FoxBrush]

Having had several years of almost no asthma at all, it's decided to make a re appearance since I moved into a new address.

The issue I am having is mainly with the preventor (Clenil Modulite) not controlling the almost constant symptoms. Another issue I am having with this is this inhaler is like inhaling a shot of spirit alcohol. I don't drink any alcohol whatsoever, so the taste and feeling of 'alcohol going down my chest' is horrid!. It really tastes like those alcoholic truffle sweets you can get, like a sickly sweet taste of alcohol. I always take it via a spacer and then brush my teeth right after, however the taste and smell of the alcohol continues for at least an hour after taking it. Why does an inhaler even taste sweet?.

I am on 400mg a day, two puffs twice daily at the moment but it is not controlling my symptoms, and I am still having to use my ventolin way too often as I am continuing to get very out of breath when doing even small low energy tasks like washing dishes etc. If my symptoms were under control, I wouldn't be needing to use ventolin hardly at all. I am having to use it every day, several times a day despite being on this preventer.

I also suspect this flat I am living in now, as the guy downstairs has some mental health issues and recently there has been two incidents of his smoke alarm going off and the awful smell of burning coming straight into my flat above. The first one smelled like burning rubber and gave me a very bad attack, and the second one was like burning toast, which was very strong but thankfully did not give me an attack. Both only two days apart. Also the smell of cigarette smoke and cannabis fumes have been coming into mine very frequently from the flat below. I have even had the council back out to seal up some holes in the bathroom after I had the bathroom refitted, which seems to have stopped some, but not all the smells.

I didn't have asthma this bad in either of my previous addresses.

Another question I have is could I have had Covid at some point in the recent past, not had any symptoms at the time, and gone on to develop a form of long Covid?. I have had all my Covid vaccinations and boosters.

I am thinking of asking my GP to refer me to the breathing clinic as I am at a loss as to how to solve this one and it is seriously disrupting my daily life.

Thank you.

[Homely2 Administrator]

Have you tried getting an air purifier. I find mine very useful.

If that does not solve it, ask your gp if you need to be on something like fostair.

[Poobah]

I'm very sensitive to smells of any kind and completely sympathise with you and your situation, not of your own making. I would talk to your GP about your increased symptoms and explain that you're now exposed to a range of pollutants, including smoke and cannabis because of your neighbour. Get that on record. Apart from updating your asthma treatment to something stronger, you may want to pressure the council to move you for health reasons and you'll need the support of your Doctor and health records.

In the meantime, you could talk to the Asthma UK nurses about ways to make your home a healthier place. As Homely2 has suggested, an air purifier may help, but do your research as you don't need to make an expensive purchase unnecessarily.

I would also continue to pressure the council to help you secure a safe place to live. Your neighbour's rights do not trump yours and antisocial behaviour is unacceptable, whatever the cause. I'm sure you're not the only one affected by their pollutants. Have you spoken to any other neighbours about the situation?

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Hi, it sounds like the symptom flare up is linked to your new home as it happened when you moved there and it would make sense that the smoky atmosphere is triggering things. I'm not a Dr and can't diagnose online but this seems much more likely than long COVID suddenly appearing just at the time you move in with extra triggers.

Clenil does taste foul, having taken it in the past! Have you tried using a spacer with it? That would cut down on the taste and also get more into your lungs and less in your mouth/throat. You can ask your GP to prescribe one. Any metered dose inhaler (MDI, spray type) you take should be used with a spacer really as you do get more in that way and fewer symptoms in your mouth.

I don't have any tips on how to address the living situation which would definitely help - though if it is a council home I don't know if there are any ways others can suggest to address that with the council, if it's making you ill.

I would make an appointment asap with your GP to discuss your medication, as you're clearly not well controlled currently: you shouldn't need to be using your reliever inhaler more than 2-3x a week, not several times a day. Even if it would probably help to not have to deal with the smoke etc coming up, knowing why it might be happening doesn't change the fact that your asthma sounds very poorly controlled which needs addressing as soon as possible as it isn't safe to leave it.

There are several things they can try besides just Clenil, without needing a referral. This link gives more information about some of the other options - though bear in mind that any of them will take some time to work: healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

You may also need to work out whether dry powder or MDI spray is better for you. This needs to be done on what works for you - don't let them choose entirely based on what's best for the environment.

I would also ring the nurse helpline for a chat - not instead of your GP but before you go, as they're very knowledgeable, have more time to talk and can discuss your options: 0300 2225800 or WhatsApp [phone] Monday-Friday 0915-5pm

[runcyclexcski]

Sounds like a nightmare. I would start planning to move out. In the meantime, what helped me in the past was to install gaskets on doors: I had issues with neighbors' cooking. You can also identify the remaining vents and install exhaust fans to push the air out. Air can get through the cooking hood, too, thus, when there is smoke coming from below you can switch that on to keep the smoke away. And air purifier might help, but only after you eliminate the paths in for the smoke.

Of course one cannot live in a sealed box, so, when there is no smoke outside I would open the windows to vent. In my apt, I also suck air from the outside at a slow rate, and filter that at the intake. Helps with pollen and BBQs, while letting in some fresh air

[Mandevilla]

If you want to try an air purifier, check out places like Ebay and Gumtree - we found one for £30 and one for £50, both of which have worked really well for us. I have the more powerful one in the bedroom (because if I'm really struggling, I'm likely to be in bed anyway!) and the less powerful one in the living room, and they have been life-changing!

[spanishsunshine]

I sympathise with you and you’ve had some very good recommendations so far.

Some years ago I had problems with the pressurised becotide inhaler, for example oral thrush and a sore throat. The force also made me cough every time I used it. For me, the dry powder preventative inhaler has been a game changer. My asthma is completely under control and I have no side effects at all.

Good luck in resolving your issues.

[strongmouse]

Some people seem to be sensitive to chemical fumes, which include smoke (cigarettes, BBQs, bonfires etc.) some paint fumes, glues, new plastics etc (see also volatile organic chemicals or VOCs for short).

Air filters vary in what they do. HEPA filters are good and ones with charcoal filters. Doctors aren't very good at diagnosing chemical sensitivities. Keep your windows open to allow fumes to disperse. A review of your asthma medication would be a good idea.

[AJP2]

I agree with earlier comments about seeing your GP to improve your asthma control and consider different inhalers. Also you can ask your GP if they would write a letter for the council regarding the conditions of your new home making your asthma worse.

Good luck