Asthma induced by anxiety.

[Madhatter582]

**Moderator note: could those who respond please avoid mentioning or recommending places to buy prescription medication online without medical advice or prescription .You should always consult a healthcare professional if considering changing your medication or treatment. Any posts recommending sites to buy prescription medication online will be removed in accordance with forum guidelines.***

Many years ago after a pretty bad panic attack where I struggled to get my breath I was prescribed by my then GP, a salabutamol inhaler a strange little device where you popped a capsule full of powder into this rotohaler, twisted it to break the capsule and inhale etc. I had recently had X rays taken but GP stated they were clear and showing no presence of asthma.

Years pass and I continue to take this medication whenever I feel anxious on average 3 -4 times a day depending how things are. Obviously different times so different inhaler, a blue round one contains 60 shots of powder.

Never had a quibble about prescriptions in 40 years until recently. Get pulled in for an asthma review. It results in the inhaler being taken off my repeat list and I have to (get this one) write a letter requesting a repeat then going to the GP's and popping the letter in the box. Then I wait for a phone call from the pharmacist at the GP surgery to query why I need it.

I'm done with it. My anxiety has gone from being well quite good and feeling positive about things to and I'm sorry if I trigger anyone but a couple of weeks ago I felt suicidal and was looking for a way out. Christmas and birthday totally ruined all down to this fiasco. Being told I do not need an inhaler for my anxiety even though it causes symptoms.

Question is can I buy inhalers online and does anyone else relate to this.

Thanks for reading.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Hi Madhatter582,

I'm sorry to hear about your anxiety and the effect it's having on your life.

Apologies if I've missed anything, but I'm not sure if you have asthma as well as anxiety? X-rays are not really helpful to rule asthma in or out and I'm not sure if you've had other tests to diagnose asthma.

Using your inhaler 3-4 times a day is a lot for asthma and a lot of time feeling anxious. Do you find that you feel breathless when you have anxiety and the inhaler resolves it? It's normal to feel anxious when you can't breathe, and of course anxiety can also make you feel short of breath. However, the blue inhaler is only really for shortness of breath caused by asthma specifically, and doesn't usually help with anxiety, especially if you don't have asthma.

I'm not clear on why you were prescribed a blue inhaler to help with a panic attack as that wouldn't be the case now - unless you were having an asthma attack and also a panic attack as a result. This post may help you to identify what symptoms you have which are asthma and which are anxiety: healthunlocked.com/asthmalu...

It's also dangerous for asthma to use the blue inhaler so much without a preventer. I really think your GP surgery should have asked you to come in and see them to discuss your asthma, anxiety, and treatment of both if you have both, instead of just changing how you get your repeat medication. I would advise making an appointment to see them as soon as possible to discuss your medication for asthma and also anxiety, as there are options now besides using an inhaler for anxiety, which isn't what it's designed to treat.

Please don't just buy medication online - it's not the safe way to go about it and buying the blue reliever online won't address why you need to take it so much, for asthma or anxiety. This is something you really need to discuss with a healthcare professional.

You can also call the asthma nurse helpline to discuss your asthma as well as seeing the GP. The Asthma and Lung UK helpline is 0300 2225800 or WhatsApp on 07999 377 775 Monday-Friday 0915-5pm.

The charity Anxiety UK also has a helpline and a website with information you may find helpful: anxietyuk.org.uk/

Anxiety UK helpline is: Helpline: 03444 775 774 | Text support: 07537 416 905 (open Mon-Fri 10:30-16:30)

If you have another crisis please do reach out to someone for support. I've put some numbers underneath:

999 – For an Emergency. Calls are also accepted on the European Union emergency number 112.

111 – For when it is a non-emergency but you need to talk to someone in the medical field.

116 123 – Samaritans. Open 24/7 to listen to your thoughts. (0300 123 3211 in Wales 7pm-11pm.)

0300 123 3393 – Mind. Support and information. Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm. Not Bank Holidays.

Text 86463. email - [e-mail]

[Patk1]

I can't add to lysistratas reply,just to encourage u to seek an urgent appointment to discuss Yr mental healthx

[Mandevilla]

Madhatter582 I'm so sorry you're going through such a difficult time with your GP surgery.

Have you contacted them to explain the impact that the new system of letter-writing for a prescription is having on your mental health?

Have they offered any other support for dealing with the panic attacks?

If you're not getting any (or enough) help from them, it might be worth checking out Mind (mind.org.uk) They have some really helpful resources on managing anxiety. It might also be worth checking if they or your local health board run any free courses in your area. I went to a couple on stress and CBT where I used to live, and I found them so helpful.

Obviously, that doesn't solve the issue with the prescription, but having more non-medication-based tools to manage anxiety might make you feel a bit more in control. It really is a vicious cycle when anxiety = breathing difficulties = more anxiety = more breathing difficulties, so you do have my sympathy.

I hope you manage to get some better help soon.

[teddyd]

Lysistrata has given excellent advice and a good list of resources. I would suggest an appointment with your GP to discuss your symptoms and provide the correct treatment.

[CANINE12]

Hi Madhatter582 hang in there, I agree with what others have said. I used to have PTSD which included panic attacks, I was taught by a respiratory physiotherapist to concentrate on breathing out (you will automatically breath in) as it slows your breathing down and makes sure you are breathing more efficiently with no shallow breaths. I've found this very helpful in the past for feelings of panic as well as during asthma attacks.

I've found the helpline really good, so it might be well worth giving them a call. I've never had a bad experience with any of the nurses on there.

As to the letter to the GP for an inhaler it sounds like it could possibly be a repeat prescription request. (At least that is one way my surgery has for asking for repeat prescriptions).