this heat wave

[IncognitoC]

This heatwave is really effecting my asthma. I only have Fostair to try and control it and that’s making it difficult for me.

[Troilus]

Hi Incognito. If you read the post below this - Are you feeling the heat? ☀️ - you will find lots of info posted by the asthma nurses here. You will also find their phone number where you can get personalised advice.

[IncognitoC in reply to Troilus]

Thank you

[Mandevilla]

Yesterday was really horrible - we seemed to have a lot of that dust in the atmosphere as the air smelled really funny. Stay in as much as you can and if you have an air purifier, keep it on. I was glued to mine for as much as possible yesterday!

[IncognitoC in reply to Mandevilla]

Unfortunately I have to go out today I also don’t have a purifier but thank you for the advice

[Mandevilla in reply to IncognitoC]

Take it as steady as you can then - I'm allowing myself lots of extra time to get places when I have to go out at the moment, as at least that way, I can take it slowly and hopefully reduce my chances of getting too breathless.

[Missveronica]

It’s affecting me terrible…I just try to keep the house as cool as possible….keep windows and curtains closed till late evening….I bought 2 air conditioners units almost 20 years ago now best thing I ever bought …a fan will just blow hot air round the room …today I’m just going to take it easy and put air con on xx

[runcyclexcski]

>>>a fan will just blow hot air round the room

Agreed. It will blow the dust around, too, thus, a purifier is essential.

[runcyclexcski]

Hang in there. I am staying in, with the AC and two air purifiers on, and a air purification tent ready when it gets really bad.

If I must go out, I take as many puffs of Ventolin as I can tolerate 30 min before leaving, and wear an FFP2 at all times. I try not to venture from home too far, and have a phone and an action plan with me at all times.

[peege]

An above reply isn't quite correct.

A fan might just blow hot air - or the same air around - however, it causes a draught which is beneficial to cooling an over heated body but best of all when a draught is directed to the face of someone with lung issues the effect is amazing at assisting with breathing. I learnt this many years ago at PR education session and proved it when my 3 year old granddaughter had an asthma attack on a Waterloo Street in rush hour. She was absolutely fine until the traffic fumes got to her lungs. I didn't have a fan but grabbed an Evening Standard to fan her with. Incredibly it worked.

So IncognitoC, even a small fan blowing on your face will help your breathing. Apparently some nerve endings in the face are connected to the respiratory system (that's what I was told as was a neighbour who uses a small fan on her face to revive her).

Also if your Fostair is 100/6 MDI (spray type) you can use it as a rescue inhaler . Good luck, P

[watergazer in reply to peege]

Good to know peege. Thanks x

[IncognitoC]

thanks for your help and advice everyone

[Aquariel]

It started down here in Cornwall when a big cloud of dust arrived from the Sahara. The pollen level is also claimed to be high from mugwort, but its massive over in France. Ihaven't been able to breathe and sit with an air purifier and take 2 Loretadine a day, can take 3 days to really improve things. When I go out I take Bricanyl inhaler, I find its the most effective. After 4 years of Forstair or Symbicort i discovered it was destroying my lungs, pain when breathing uphill. Bricanyl is much better but in my case, stops my bowels moving and puts blood sugar up considerably.

[ReedB]

The heat and humidity is getting to me today too. It feels like there's just no air in the atmosphere and my lungs aren't enjoying it. Praying for the fresh air to arrive soon 🙏

[Poshcards]

I was told you can take an extra 6 puffs a day of fostair if needed x

[IncognitoC in reply to Poshcards]

I take 2 a.m and 2 p.m and sometimes up to an extra 4 throughout the day

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Poshcards]

Hi, I just wanted to say these extra Fostair puffs are *only* for people who are on the Fostair maintenance and reliever treatment (MART) plan, and only with the 100/6 inhaler.

It shouldn't be done unless someone has specifically been told to do it by their doctor/asthma nurse, and it also shouldn't be done by those with Fostair 200/6 - only 100/6.

This is sometimes misunderstood by healthcare professionals though,so if anyone is on 200/6 and has been told to take extra puffs of it as needed like this, please go back and question it asap.