I visited my GP who prescribed Prednisone a week ago as she thought I had a viral infection. My only Asthma symptom has always been a tight chest, but as this has been ongoing for a fortnight despite the Pred my anxiety has gone through the roof because this isn’t my norm with regards to Asthma!
Following a further visit to my GP Friday I was sent straight to A&E with the tight chest, breathlessness and racing heart. My blood pressure was raised and I was told I was tachycardic which really scared me.
The hospital ruled everything out with blood tests, X-Ray, ECG and said it was probably as a result of a viral infection and if my breathing is still bad to visit GP. Well it is still bad and I’m now questioning whether it is Asthma or Anxiety? I’m not currently on any anxiety medication but I guess I’ve always been predisposed to low level anxiety which has become worse with age. Just wondering if others have any experience of the two together and how you managed to control it. Many thanks.
Written by
Pebbles33
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
The above link, hopefully, is for the asthma UK mindfulness course that starts on 2 April, online and free of charge. I wonder if it would help.
I am not naturally anxious, but asthma attacks tend to create anxiety, so the two often go hand in hand, feeding off each other.
To me, learning the tools to help you handle anxiety is an obvious approach, just like I buy a fork to dig up the garden.
One of my asthma symptoms is a tight chest so I would also suggest on Monday that you ring asthma UK helpline on 0300 2225800, office hours, to go through your asthma. They are brilliant.
Prednisolone can make anxiety worse,at high dose.hope it's lessened now.Lots of viral infections ths winter caused coughs+ breathing probs,lingering too even in non asthmatics.ri using Yr salbutamol whn chests tight?
Oh, I feel for you... I think it's probably best to think of them together rather than as two distinct things... As Homely2 has said, asthma attacks to create anxiety, and anxiety could easily be a trigger for your asthma.
From my own experience, tachycardia and breathlessness is my main symptom when I'm having an attack. I don't wheeze, my PF reading never goes below 60% and my O2 sats are always 98 or higher. But my resting heart rate usually goes to around 130, which is just ridiculous. And A&E doctors never believe that this is a symptom of asthma... They just ask if I'm stressed, to which I always answer, "Well, yes, because I can't breathe properly," which they do tend to ignore.
The Asthma + Lung UK nurses have been very supportive about this though, so you might want to contact them.
Thank you. Yes good idea to think of them together. The tachycardia/high blood pressure elevated the anxiety. Good to know that the unpleasant symptoms that I experienced isn’t unheard of.
Hi I had the same problem as you - I was diagnosed with bronchitis though with taccacardia. My heart had been racing for a few months which settled when I came off ventolin - this is a side effect. I was only using a reliever but not a preventer which I am now on Symbicort and my racing heart has now stopped. I also have anxiety and thought it was that. Please check the leaflet that comes with your asthma medication and see if it is a side effect if different to ventolin which Definately is. Hope this helps and best wishes x
anxiety can be a trigger for asthma so anything’s possible. I used to get attacks as a child from going to a party to being in the nativity - needless to say I never got asked to be a bridesmaid! I’ve learned relaxation techniques help - doing jigsaws and reading
I had the same symptoms but was feeling ill too. Cough, cold symptoms, breathlessness, wheezing and anxiety due to not being able to breath normally.
I was told I had a chest infection and ended up having two lots of antibiotics and prednisolone. The anxiety worsened when I was taking Prednisolone and my inhalers were increased, alongside the shakes and the fast heart rate. I ended up having bronchitis and same as you tachycardia, BP high etc five weeks later I’m on the mend but still feeling the after effects especially the anxiety.
My asthma is normally well controlled so that can make you feel more anxious.
I’ve done a lot of relaxation on YouTube and breathing techniques which have helped me. Its really not nice and you find yourself trying to figure out what it is but if you have someone you can talk to about how you’re feeling that can help to ease the anxiety it does help but the medications alone help us to breath but at the same time increase anxiety in people who suffer with this it’s an awful situation for us all
HI, sorry to hear you're struggling! Some of the treatments can definitely not help with anxiety.
You've had some good advice in other replies, but you may also find this post helpful as it specifically talks about the differences/similarities between asthma, anxiety, and dysfunctional breathing, which can all happen together and set each other off.
Hi, in my experience breathing techniques like pursed lip breathing and deep diaphragm breathing really help with both breathlessness and occasional anxiety.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Coming to the end of a 5 day course of prednisolone, how much better should I be feeling?
Are shivers the symptom of asthma
Been told i may have asthma by my gp
Asthma attack and chest infection 
