First time posting, have read a lot of posts here.
52 female diagnosed with asthma in 1994, ex smoker since 2017. I started experiencing chest infections about ten years ago and would be treated with prednisolone and antibiotics, it’s now happening to me 4 times per year. I work in schools. Have had Covid and flu vaccines. I asked GP for RSV vaccine and was told no, I don’t qualify.
I had to ask my GP to do an Adult Asthma Plan, and was on Fostair 2 puffs twice daily, increase to 4 when poorly. Plus reliever. Tried montelukast and didn’t get on with it. I was given rescue packs of pred plus antibiotics and would just start these as soon as a cold came along. I don’t get colds, I become really sick.
I was put on Trimbow 2 puffs twice daily in Sept and referred to specialist, who I saw. Lung function tests in November were “normal”. He doesn’t think I need to see him again. In his first letter he mentioned COPD.
But none of this explains why I’m getting so ill with colds or why I’m getting so many debilitating infections each year. I’ve got a steroid card, again, I had to ask for that! My asthma plan hasn’t been updated for over a year.
I’m normally very active and run etc but every cold I get absolutely floors me.
I’m reaching out because I’m feeling so very down about all this. I’m currently on 40mg pred and antibiotics after seeing locum GP on Friday. If anyone has any suggestions I’d be so grateful. I feel quite low. GP said in September when she referred me to consultant that “there’s nothing more I can do for you”.
thank you for reading
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Hally76
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Perhaps Consider measures u can take to reduce viral infections - personally I carry handgel everywherre+ frequently use it; if people have coughs sneezes I wear a mask or if among a group,in a shop etc; I use viral blockers = coldzyme throat spray+ vicks rescue nose spray.sm air purifiers are good too
Go back.... they don't know everything and they don't always get it right (specialists)
I've had 3 specialists referrals and ended up being reffered to the severe asthma team when I went back to the second specialists for the second time and he said I did everything I could last time it's time we refer you to the severe asthma team.... 2 appointments there and they made me feel confident it was asthma and i also have another (rare,just my luck) respiratory condition.... they then proved it with more tests (had already had loads and they repeated most of them)
No, they haven’t. It feels like I have to tell them what to do because they don’t do it! Like I had to arrange my own vaccinations, despite my health conditions.
Have you had any blood tests to rule out other things this is the same story I could have written about me.It turns out I have got diabetes that's why I was getting ill all the time and not fighting it off as I should.
The diabetes was probably brought on by the oral steroids that I kept having.
hi sorry to hear that, I’m in a similar situation to yourself
I’d insist on a second opinion (my old doctor to me to do this ) and I was referred to the royal Brompton hospital, these people actually know what their talking about.
Local hospitals don’t have enough people who actually specialise in our problems
I’m still having a few problems myself but I’m a lot better than I used to be
2 days and I’m off prednisalone of who I’ve been on for years
Hi, I feel the same.I'm just coming out the other side of another particularly nasty chest infection. I already had one in October too! Each time is antibiotics (sometimes more than 1 course) and a decent dose of steroids. I also work in school so do my best with sanitizer and open windows but the real issue is my own children (11&8) who bring home viruses from their school.
I haven't had so many chest infections since I was first diagnosed nearly 20 years ago! Since Covid it has been a real concern.
I don't have any advice but you're definitely not alone.
I am the same had x ray Spiro tests on highest Trimbow on everything say can't give me more, but had Astma attacks 2 3 times in 6 months! I have RA so taking antibiotics means I have to stop Meds! I have chronic Cattarh is there nasal drip is there anything I can takefor that?
definitely ask for a second opinion. My GP practice kept telling me I was on the " best package" but I was continually getting chest infections and I had a cough that lasted for almost two years. In the end I paid to see a consultant privately at the Brompton. This was a game changer for me. I was put on the NHS list and my whole treatment was changed.
I would also suggest you ask for a sputum pot and form from GP and get a sample off to see if you are on the correct antibiotic. Ask to have a stand by form and pot so you can get a sample every time you get a chest infection.
It's much more difficult to keep a good social distance if you work in a primary setting, but nonetheless that, opening windows, wearing a mask (and changing it regularly) hand washing and hand gel are all going to help somewhat.
With regards to the RSV vaccination. I paid privately for that and the whooping cough jab. The RSV is around £270 and the whooping cough £ 30. Not cheap but worth doing if you get very ill from respiratory infections.
Re avoiding viruses and bacterial infection: do you have excess mucus? If so request Carbocysteine a mucolytic from doc as you absolutely have to get it out, Huffing Technique helps. Personally when around children I take a glass of effervescent vitamin c 1000mg at least once a day - a speedy boost to the immune-system. I'm taking it daily at the mo as have sore throat & blocked nose which for me usually turns into a chest infection. I don't know if Vicks still do their Flu Guard nasal spray containing antiviral - Boots used to do a cheaper one - both very useful. A dose of daily zinc to plus a very good multivit & mineral. Local honey is also in my armoury.
If I was earning I'd pay for RSV vaccination, absurd to deny we lungies it, if its cost saving thing then it's failing, hospitals overload with Flu & RSV patients grrrrrr
Thanks so much. Exactly the same, a sore throat or congestion just morphs into full blown chest infection, every time. Some good things suggested in your reply so thank you!
Good luck, I forgot to mention that I'm on my 5th winter taking Azithromycin 250mgs on Mon Wed and Fri during winter months of November to April, it's been very helpful indeed in helping to prevent infections starting. It's called an antibiotic but it's also good in bringing down tbe inflammation and according to my ex consultant "it dries up the mucus". Your gp may allow this even if only temporary to help get you out of this cycle which - in my opinion - severely depletes one's immunity. No harm in asking. P
Apparently, Azithromycin is very helpful when asthmatics have fewer MAIT cells in the lungs than normal, important in preventing repeated infections and inflammation. Research is ongoing as to how exactly Azithromycin works, they just know it does. And along side that, research into boosting the number of MAIT cells by using a Vitamin B2 inhaler is ongoing. I'm seriously excited that such an inhaler could be such a game changer.
ooo interesting, I had no idea about the lack of MAIT cells - or even heard of them. Crumbs if we can improve with something as simple as a vitamin I'll have some hope so I'll read up as much as possible........wonder if it's akin to CFS too 🤔
As a bit of info.... from 2009 to 2013 I had endless infections and bouts of pneumonia & endless antibiotics courses. Finally referred in 2012 (dx with Small Airways Disease on top of the asthma) but it was a very thorough GP who prescribed a 3 month long course of Azith 500mgs to take for 4 days running then 7 days off. I finally got back to being infection free & able to rebuild my immune system and a life. (The professor consultant scoffed at this treatment actually say it was "rubbish, Azithromycin does nothing except dry up mucus. He was so vile/dismissive that my gp practice encouraged me to put in a complaint but I was too worn down & exhausted at the time). Horrible time, if only I knew then what I know now (which isn't much)). Thank you for the link 👍
Another Professor consultant! Where do they get them? I was never impressed with mine (various reasons, including his total disinterest in my phenotype). Fortunately, other consultants were more interested in my phenotype, hence the understanding that Prednisolone didn't suit me and Azithromycin was going to be more effective.
Apparently, Azithromycin works well for both eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic asthmatics.
What really struck me in the Dr Hinks article was his statement, "I found that these cells are deficient in asthma and COPD as a result of the steroids that are the mainstay of treatment." That's a massively important point and I'm intrigued by what happens next, research wise and how that will affect the way we treat asthma in the future.
Hi Lots of good advice has been offered in the comments. I am on Fostair 100/6 2x2 MART recovering slowly from whooping cough. Dry mouth then lots of mucus then back to dry mouth and loss of voice and repeat. Your immune system is pretty good but takes time and good food / vitamins. I hope you get better but please keep pushing for help.
I was put on Fostair after doc said I used my blue inhaler too much. Wow made me feel really ill and asthma returned full throttle after 30 years mostly controlled. It also gave me thrush of mouth throat and bronchial tubes. I asked to have my old inhalers back and got them.
We're all different, since being on Fostair MART my asthma is much improved. Normally I'm good with 2 puffs before bed & 1 puff 12 hours later. Although at the mo an infection is brewing from catching a chill so its 2 AM, 2 PM and a couple more in between. It should be remembered that starting a new inhaler usually take about 3 weeks to fully 'kick in', they aren't instant. P
Really I’m just going to repeat what most people have said. Definitely ask for your sputum to be tested to make sure you are on the right antibiotics. I would also repeat a week or so after the treatment has stopped to make sure it has cleared as some of them can be stubborn buggers and take a few lots of treatment to clear. I would also push for being referred to a local respiratory team or consultant. Daily lung clearing of mucus has definitely kept my infections at bay this year so please consider it. Good luck
Hi, im so sorry to hear your having a difficult time, I just wanted to say you are not alone x After awful treatment from my GP through absolute desperation I paid for a private diagnosis and initial treatment for what I found out is Eosinophilic asthma, honestly general practice and their respiratory teams are clueless, sadly! The best advice I have is get a proper diagnosis from a respiratory consultant, and definitely get yourself referred to an NHS severe asthma clinic at your local hospital, I'm well-ish for the first time since my symptoms started in July 2021, left under GP care I would have died, I'm still here quite simply because I got a definitive diagnosis and emergency treatment privately (paid for on a credit card I add) an emergency referral through this for my local severe asthma hospital clinic has shown me how to manage my condition and been life changing.
Please keep pushing for what you know you need, it won't be offered, the system is a mess and gp's are asthma clueless
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