Asthma review

[Ash123445]

Hi all, so I had a review yesterday and went over things and one big thing was smoking which I know and I'm trying to stop I'm just finding it very hard. The other thing she explained was my blood tests and feno tests I have had never show signs of inflammation of my airways so whilst I do have asthma problems other things may be a factor to. Long have I suffered with anxiety and in particular my health so I'm always aware of how my body feels or how I'm breathing. I worry about the breathing all day and it's always on my mind so I'm sure that doesn't help and along with smoking and being overweight I just feel crappy. I spose I should take comfort that there is no evidence of inflammation of the airways but the spiro I had last year showed some obstruction but not COPD she said.

Hopefully I can stop the smoking and start to improve how I feel. But I definitely worry about my breathing daily

[Homely2 Administrator]

Have you been able to get an appointment with a respiratory physio. I have just started with one and am finding it really helpful. Some people have found pulmonary rehabilitation classes really good.

[Ash123445 in reply to Homely2]

No I haven't. Is that teaching you to breath abdifferent way?

[Homely2 Administrator in reply to Ash123445]

Yes, in a way.

I have just started with a respiratory physio. Initially she is showing me how to breathe when I am breathless, a technique called pursed lip breathing.

A lot of what she is teaching me is on Google. However it is much easier when somebody teaches you properly.

The same techniques work whether it is asthma or anxiety making you breathless.

You could ask your GP if they could refer you for a pulmonary rehabilitation class, which will give you access to some help with this.

One of my worries is that if I exercise it will trigger my asthma, but lack of exercise makes my breathlessness worse. Learning how to breathe when I have issues is hopefully part of the solution, with my inhalers etc etc.

[Gareth57 in reply to Homely2]

Hi, have you tried using Ventolin before exercising? It works for me before cycling, unless I've got a cold or feel a bit iffy before setting off, and a bit of exertion seems to loosen the gunge at the bottom of my lungs which makes breathing easier.

[Homely2 Administrator]

Also have a look at the asthma UK breathe easy programme, details are on their website. Just Google, asthma UK breathe easy.

[Melanie1989]

Feno and bloods only play a small part of the picture. Low Feno doesn't mean that your airways aren't inflamed, just that it isn't eosinophilic inflammation. Smoking also lowers Feno scores so not surprising it's low.

Obviously you are aware your lifestyle factors aren't helping, however it still doesn't mean that you can't achieve a level of control. What inhalers are you on, does your reliever help when you have symptoms?

[Keem59]

Morning ..If I can give you any help I'd urge you to stop smoking and go to your nurse and ask for help loosing weight. I'm 62 and lost over a stone last year, gave myself a big wake up call and feel so much better for it. I've got fixed airways and Eosinophilic Asthma (lots of inflammation in the lungs) but now have an injection to bring the eosinophils down. You will undoubtedly feel much better in yourself if you can do both of these things...So try and help yourself, try not to worry too...everything tightens up when your anxious. You can do this! X

[ChrissieMons]

You might worry less if you gave yourself a firm talking to, and took action to stop smoking and see your GP about weight loss. You'd be taking control of your life and your issues, rather than being smothered by them. I am sure you can do this, and I suspect your family and friends are sure you can too, and will support you. Think positive!

[Patk1]

Anxiety can affect breathing,especially if u have panic attacks.id look to get help for that; mindsmatter are very good.and stop smoking before it damages Yr lungs.

[strongmouse]

It is great that you are taking your health seriously and doing what you can. It also helps to look after your mental health such as developing hobbies you enjoy doing, maybe joining with others? Or you can use videos on Youtube to learn something new. I find this helps to make sure that health issues aren't my only focus and enjoying myself is good too!

Taking the small steps that you can and telling yourself that you have done well. In other words we have to take baby steps at first and then build up. Having asthma does at first make you more conscious of your breathing, but then it becomes part of daily life as you learn the best way to manage it. Good luck x