Anything I can do to help?

[MissNyxiie]

I have spent the last 4 years with constant issues with my chest. Asthma playing up, constant chest infections, requiring over 14 or 15 lots of antibiotics some years. I have a few courses of steroids a year and last year i was on the tezspire jab and was taken off this January as i wasnt much better. It has been the worst year of my life. I cant tell you a day where i actually felt well. Ive had countless tests the last year and a half to get bariatric surgery because my chest has limited me for years and ive put to much weight on. I am currently looking after my father in law who has aggressive cancer and has only been given a few months to live. We have 2 lots of chemo left and then stem cell treatment and Im doing most of his stuff form him and will be taking him to all his appointments reglarless of how ill i feel as noone if his side pf the family will help and my partner works 50 hours a week.

I am on long term antibiotics azithromycin, relvar inhaler, spiriva inhaler and take allevia and piriton for allergies. Aswell as various medications for other issue mainly caused by stress over the years. I dont know what to do anymore, ive recently had acid reflux testing but waiting on results, hopefully will get them Thursday when i see the asthma consultant, but currently on 4 omeprzole a day. They dont seem to have any idea any more and i am so miserable. These infections have taken over my life, im not well enough to get a job, my own business aint doing great. Refused for pip last year. What are we meant to do when the cycle cant be broken? I cant take the stress of the situation anymore and i am so fed up of feeling like someone is sat on my chest and constantly coughing up phlegm. All i ever hear is anything i can do for you? But noone actually helps, the tezspire jab helped and they took it away because i had 1 more lot of steroids than the year before.

Wish i was brave enough to answer the question, anything i can do to help? With yes, can you make my life more liveable so i dont spend everyday miserable? Sorry for the rant, i cant really talk to anyone at the moment.

[Homely2 Administrator]

I think your first priority is to prepare for your Thursday appointment with your consultant.

I would prepare by ringing the asthma UK helpline on 0300 2225800, office hours, and get the medic there to help you organise your thoughts as to what you are going to say. Then go in to the appointment with written notes of what you need to cover.

To me the key question is, does your consultant have any more useful ideas, or does he need to refer you elsewhere to someone who does. Maybe need to phrase this more politely.

I broke out of a cycle of hospital and prednisone a year ago, because they kept on trying different things until finally it started to come under control.

[djbctla]

My heart goes out to you MissNyxiie, tell the Condultant his I feel. Insist on getting urgent help. Best of good wishes. BERNARDINE 🌹🌹

[GintyFerguson]

Life can be a bitch for sure ! This does sound like very hard going. I lived through asthma and then multiple infections to the point I had to leave a very well paid job. Medically retired . However , after a bronchoscopy I was also diagnosed with bronchiectasis as well as asthma and received proper treatment for that. I'm much better now.My point they might find other conditions going on so, the consultants appointment is really important .

Have you asked your local health centre, Social Work dept or cancer charity about getting some support with looking after your father in law?

Good luck with consultant. Write down everything you want to ask.

[Tiggertheterrier]

my heart goes out to you. I lost my husband to cancer last September, having lost my Dad to sepsis in May last year. The stress was dreadful. I am assuming you have had a high resolution CT scan at some point?? It's just that I kept getting told it was just my asthma and incorrect breathing. I insisted on getting a CT scan( had to be very assertive with my consultant at the time!)I was glad I did as it revealed I had bronchiectasis! To be fair to the consultant, he had the grace to apologise. I'm still battling to get a treatment that actually works for me. Don't give up. Do phone the helpline suggested above, they have been very supportive with me. Try your very best to get a few minutes of 'me time' every day if you can. All best wishes xxx

[MoyB]

My first thought on reading your post was that you need a CT scan to see if you have Bronchiectasis, or anything else obstructing your lungs.

I carried on for months after a diagnosis of COPD followed by infection after infection. Thankfully, I had the financial resources to have a private consultation with a Resp consultant who happens to be well up on Bronchiectasis. Seeing the state I was in, and hearing how long I'd been struggling, he immediately transferred me to his NHS list for CT scan which confirmed the Bronch.

I had reached the point where I thought I was close to death's door but once properly treated, I started to get my life back again.

If I were you, I would ask for a CT scan to be done, if it hasn't already.

I know you're in a rotten place at the moment, but there is always hope that things can and will improve. Sometimes it's just about finding the right person who will listen properly to what you're telling them and order the right tests.

I think the advice to contact the Asthma + Lung helpline is an excellent suggestion. Go to your next appointment armed with as much info as you can and don't let them fob you off.

Best wishes,

xx Moy