struggled last night.

[Mrteddycat]

hi was out in the pouring rain for near 6 hours yesterday ( postman) uniform is awful cdnt keep out drizzle tbh. Soaked through, back to office , office was cold felt shaky with all that soaking stuff on. Standing about for 15 mins. That night coughed most of night chest sore. Tempted to take the Monteklust doctor gave me but side effects scared me lol. Can i take the brown inhaler a few times or? Joint issues too. Fed up.

[Mandevilla]

You shouldn't take your maintenance inhaler (or any other medication!) more often than your doctor has recommended. If you have been given a reliever, then you should use that. If you have any concerns about your medication, then do make an appointment with your asthma nurse or GP to discuss your concerns - it's important that you have medication that a) is effective and b) you feel confident taking. If it's difficult for you to get an appointment at your surgery, then ring the asthma helpline (0300 2225800 Monday-Friday 0915-5pm) and talk to one of the nurses there - they've always been extremely helpful every time I've called them. While they can't prescribe for you, they can answer any questions you have about side effects and also suggest what to ask your GP.

I would also suggest asking your workplace for appropriate waterproofs. Putting up with bad weather is just part of an outdoor job, but you are entitled to have appropriate clothing for the work you are being asked to do, so you should be provided with a proper waterproof coat and facilities to change into dry clothing once you are back indoors. If you really struggle with damp/cold/wet weather, then it might also be worth seeing if it is possible for you to transfer to an indoor role. I know that's a tough decision though, especially if you enjoy your job when you are well. Hope you feel better soon.

[peege]

Have a look at the leaflet for the brown inhaler plus the pharmacist instructions on the pack. Is it a MART inhaler? If so how many puffs per day are allowed?

[Mrteddycat in reply to peege]

Clenil modulate 100mcg brown inhaler

Inhaler pic

[peege in reply to Mrteddycat]

Okay, it seems it's not under the MART regime

[risabel59]

Hi there,

Like Mandevilla, you shouldn't take your steroid inhaler more than prescribed.

But do you have an asthma action plan? This should be provided by your GP practice, and tells you what to do when you have symptoms ie step up your brown inhaler and when to go back to them. So I can step up my brown inhaler equivalent, when I have certain symptoms and my peak flow is at a certain level. Do ask for one from your practice, as it gives you more control over your asthma. My Action Plan is pretty complicated for various reasons and because I take a lot of medicine, but it gives me the confidence to know when I need help and when I can manage.

If you don't have an asthma action plan, and your surgery won't provide one do ask the asthma lung uk nurses about this. It is really important that everyone with asthma should have one. To get an action plan you spend some time with asthma nurse, in my case my consultant and work out what you should do when. And then its written down on a form. Actually I think that Asthma Lung UK might have a template on their website.

With regards to Montelukast, I have taken it for the last 15 years and had virtually no side effects, apart from I do sometimes get very vivid dreams. And think you will find many people here do take it. There is a worry that it can cause behaviour changes in kids, but it worked fantastically well for my daughter when she was little. If you've been prescribed it, why not try it? It does take a little time to work, so you would have to give it a week or two. I have found that it makes my response to viruses less intense.

As per Mandevilla you should definitely have proper outdoor clothing supplied by your employer.

Cheers

R x

[Mrteddycat in reply to risabel59]

Thanks for all youre replys very kind . Ill phone see if i can get an appt with doctor. The royal mail uniform has been un waterproof since i started 25 years ago. Nothing will ever change esp if this billionare Czech guy gets his hands on our company.

[Mrteddycat in reply to Mrteddycat]

Nearest appt is 28th oct lol

[Patk1 in reply to Mrteddycat]

That's not good.u can buy waterproofing that u put in washing machine + I usually use waterproof spray over the top.id ask for urgent telephone appointment with asthma nurse or GP- re inhalers

[Mandevilla in reply to Mrteddycat]

It would be worth raising the issue of uniform - not every postie has a non-waterproof one, I know because a friend of mine said hers was brilliant at keeping out the wet. Any employer has a duty of care towards their employees, and especially to reduce risks associated with their work - and making someone work outside in wet weather without allowing them to wear appropriate clothing is definitely breaching that!

I used to work for a garden that was open to the public, and we were expected to wear flimsy, branded fleeces that provided little warmth and no waterproofing - we complained on the basis of health and safety and were reluctantly given permission to wear our own weather-appropriate clothing under the 'official' fleece. We had to size up the fleeces so we could fit other clothes underneath, and it did make us all look 3 sizes bigger, but we were warm and dry and our employers still got to see everyone in their preferred uniform so they were happy (though what the visitors thought of seeing all the staff walking around looking like barrage balloons is anyone's guess!)

[Mrteddycat in reply to Mandevilla]

All the waterproofs are the same , def dont keep out heavy rain. Cheers for reply

[Mandevilla in reply to Mrteddycat]

Are you allowed to wear your own waterproof under the official one? That might be a way forward. It's true that nothing will keep out constant rain, but a good waterproof should last a few hours - I reckon on 3-4 hours of constant heavy rain before I get wet, and I have a backup raincoat with me so I can swap when I start getting soggy!

Also, wool is a great underlayer when it's raining as it keeps you warm even when it gets wet - look out for lightweight merino tops. Thermal fleeces etc are all very well when it's dry and still, but for windy wet weather, you need wool.

[Mrteddycat in reply to Mandevilla]

Cheers mand , did put a north face thin waterproof under jacket today rain again lol

[Mrteddycat in reply to risabel59]

Whens best time to take Montelukast ? Before i start my 5/6 hour posty walk or ?

[risabel59 in reply to Mrteddycat]

I take it at night, but I know some people take it in the morning.

[Mrteddycat in reply to risabel59]

Ok thanks

[strongmouse in reply to risabel59]

Yes, I take mine at night as it makes me sleepy.

[Itswonderful]

that sounds grim. People have already mentioned that employers have a Duty of Care to you. Are you in a union? They will be able to help you with Reasonable Adjustment questions and then you will know what's possible before talking to a manager or HR? Seems a bit crazy for a big company like RM to be sending employees out in all weathers with inadequate clothing. You can't be the only person with health issues that are made worse by being wet through and cold. It would make me ill in a flash for sure. Someone mentioned a sort of Scotch guard spray that repels water. Maybe there's another products available too? Re monteluclast, I was on it for almost 30 years and had no side effects at all. I took it at night. No dreams. Nothing. But that's my experience. I agree that you need to talk all this over with your GP/ asthma nurse and phone the helpline here too before hand. If your GP appointment is too far away phone 111. They really do help. Keep us posted? Best wishes to you. Are you wearing adequate clothing under the RM uniform? Not that you should but it might help in the interim?

[Scrofulous]

If you visit this forum regularly you will have seen many queries and answers on Montelukast. Most people, myself included have no problem with side effects. I believe issues may arise with young people who take it. Give it a go.

[Keem59]

Hi...I take Montelukast and have no side effects. Damp is certainly not good for us...can you keep a scarf pulled up to your mouth. Take the tablets, you'll not know till you try.

[AsthmaandLung]

Hi Mrteddycat, if you'd like to chat with us about your medication, please don't hesitate to give us a call, 0300 222 5800 (option 3 for Clinical Team), 9.15am-5pm, Monday-Friday. In the meantime, look after yourself and many thanks for the great work you posties do, Helpline Team

[secrets22]

Gosh, being out 6 hours in the pouring rain is enough to try a Saint, you must be exhausted.

[Mrteddycat in reply to secrets22]

Did it 25years , but i dread each winter lol. We do struggle to get people to join our company now though .

[Pinkyboo28]

hi what side effects did u get from the montelukast?

[Paul77green]

Monteklust is a horrible medication! It didn’t worked for me! Has very bad side effects . I would stay away from it if possible….

[DollyDutchGirl in reply to Paul77green]

it truly does help far more people than it doesn’t….although it’s not recommended for anyone with mental health issues. I, like many others on this site have found it to be a total game changer…..