Asthma flare up or something else?

[Esad]

I jade a cold a week or two back, ever since, I've had an increase in asthma symptoms.I take my symbicort smart every 4 hours, which works well, but I know when 4 hours is up even through the night where I get a tight chest, short of breath and feel as though the air doesn't have enough air if that makes sense. I feel as though a good cough would help, but when I cough nothing comes up.

After I take my inhaler, when I cough I can then get stuff up and feel much better.

I don't have a temperature, and the stuff I cough up is thick and yellow/off white.

Does this sound like asthma flaring up or something else? I haven't been diagnosed for long and am still learning.

[Hidden]

Do you have a personal asthma action plan for your asthma? Colds can trigger a flare up.

Do you keep a record of how many puffs of Symbicort you are using in 24 hours? Have you been taking it every 4 hours because you have been told to, or that is when you have symptoms? Just checking if you are following the SMART/MART regime or something personalised to you?

Also, what times do you take your morning and evening dose? For example, my symptoms are worse in the morning so I take mine at 6.30am and 6.30pm. If my symptoms were more at night, I would do later times, 12 hours apart.

If you are using your maximum number of puffs in 24 hours for a while, it's important to get checked out by GP or asthma nurse.

On a separate note, Symbicort, triggers acid reflux for some people. I need to sleep with my upper chest higher on a slope or it triggers asthma symptoms also. As you have been using more puffs, this may be happening.

[Esad in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply. Yes I have a SMART action plan. It tells me to take 2 puffs every 4 hours until my symptoms improve, but also, I'm getting symptoms every 4 hours anyway. So in 24 hours I'm taking 12 puffs and have been for about 5 days. I'm not sure there's a worst time of day, currently I take at 8am/8pm then every 4 hours in between.

Interesting you say about acid as I had noticed that 🤔

[Hidden in reply to Esad]

You definitely need to see your GP ASAP. Just out of curiosity, what is the dose of your Symbicort?

I haven't heard of SMART/MART being prescribed like that. (Not that that means anything lol). As the long lasting reliever can last up to 12 hours, for you to be having symptoms every 4 hours and needing the maximum number of puffs for 5 days, definitely time to be checked. Your action plan should mention when you need to seek advice and be checked out.

It could be acid reflux, as you are needing that much too. Worth mentioning to the GP.

Just to add, you may have a chest infection or need a course of oral steroids to calm things down.

[Esad in reply to Hidden]

Ohh OK, interesting. No, it just said see GP if things get worse, and every 4 hours until symptoms improve. Or then a different section if having an asthma attack. I'm on the 200/6 version

I'll get in touch with the GP tomorrow, thank you.

Will mention the reflux too, I've been taking anti acid stuff for that which helps the acid symptoms.

[Hidden]

Interesting that it's an open ended 'until symptoms improve' and nothing for if they don't... Best of luck tomorrow and I hope your symptoms calm down soon.

[Esad in reply to Hidden]

Yes, it's a bit silly, and hadn't really thought much of it until it came to following the instructions! Something I'll have clarified for sure. Thank you, we have to log through an online form for an appointment, so I've filled that in for assessment in the morning. Yes, I hope so too, my chest is quite painful 😞

[Patk1]

Colds& other viruses often trigger asthma.sounds like Yr handling it well.do u have salbutamol too?

[Esad in reply to Patk1]

Ah ok, im still learning what does/doesnt trigger it, and been lucky to skip most bugs recently. No just the symbicort. I'm happy it's responding to the inhaler though.

[fraid]

If it helps, I got a cold recently so asthma worsened.It has taken a while to start coughing muck up in morning as was just sitting on my chest all night, it takes me weeks to get over a cold a healthy person would get over in a few days. Whether that's coz of asthma and weak lungs or my M.E , so useless immune system, I don't know. I find a cough expectorant moves the mucus faster so may help. Also just found more mould on wall, blind and sofa! my major trigger. More damn cleaning. 🙄Hope you improve soon.Sun is out, all windows open, helps. 🤗☀️😎

[Esad in reply to fraid]

Thank you for your reply. Yes that's how it feels, just sat there on my chest, not moving. My inhaler releases some of it, but then it builds back up again. I will look at the chemist for an expectorant.

Oh no, mould not good, it difficult this time of year when it's sometimes too cold to have the windows open for air flow. The cold really bothers my chest, it burns 🔥 Take care cleaning so as not to impact your health!!

The sun is out here too, as much fresh air as I can get ☺️

[Janny1]

I changed from Symbicort to Fostair as it wasn't helping. I also was having recurrent chest infections and a nasty bout of pneumonia.One thing I have learned is about doing sputum specimens as I was treated blindly with lots of antibiotics.

So talk to your GP or asthma nurse.

You might need something to help cough up the sputum. I used Carbocysteine but only short term

Follow your asthma plan and if it isn't working get it reviewed

Avoid triggers,for me it is colds ( I have young grandchildren who share their snotty noses!)

Consider acid reflux,that can create issues

I have had referrals to a Respiratory and Gastro Consultants and this has improved both my chest and tummy issues

Hope this helps

Jan

[Esad in reply to Janny1]

They can test to see what is growing? Yeah, it seems as though having a cold is a trigger. Shame its cold season, I usually end up picking them up quite frequently 😞

Had an appt with asthma nurse yesterday, chest is clear apparently, monitor until another appt Friday if no better. Typical got home from my appt started coughing non stop 😵‍💫