Chest pain from Asthma?

[Charlotte82]

Hi everyone,

I am 42 years old and was diagnosed with asthma last year after many trips to the Dr's. I had some kind of cold (possibly covid) and then a terrible bout where I could not even get up my stairs etc due to breathlessness. I have never smoked or had any respiratory issues before so this was very out of the blue.

I use Fostair twice a day and as a rescue, if needed. This has helped control the breathlessness and was stopping the pain.

Currently I am experiencing upper left and central intermittent chest pain. I have been to dr's today and having a raft of checks done (this is great) but having gone through it all last year I can't help wondering if it's just I need something else to get my asthma under controlled in the cold weather?

I've been taking antihistamine, ibuprofen and rescue inhaler puffs when needed but nothing seems to settle it. I just wondered if this is a common thing with asthma? Any tips on things that may help.

Thanks

Charlotte

[Patk1]

Ru using an aerosure plus spacer with yr inhalers?could u have s chest infection? I get pain with infection& also if mucous is lying in chest.do suggest to gp what you've said here - that u need something extra.u could ring helpline 9 - 5pm 0300 222 5800

Pls be aware, ibuprofen & nsaid can trigger asthma in some people

[Dessert]

Try a nebuliser . You can buy them on Amazon. Keep warm. Hot water with fresh greated ginger and some honey is great for the chest . Winter is hard for us asthmatics , Get checked out that it isn’t a heart problem

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Dessert]

You can buy the machines, but you still need a doctor to prescribe the medication that goes in it - even if it's saline you can buy, as that's not suitable for everyone.

Home nebulisers aren't considered suitable for most people with asthma, as they often aren't needed for the majority of people with asthma day to day. They can also be dangerous if people rely on them too much before getting help. (This is the situation in the UK - I know other countries may differ, if anyone is reading this who isn't from the UK).

This page from Asthma and Lung UK has information on home nebulisers - you can read more about using them in asthma in the pull-down sections for each condition. asthmaandlung.org.uk/sympto...

[lilacs15]

I am not allowed to take ibrufen because of my Asthma. I agree with Dessert get a nebuliser the doctor will give you nebs to use with it. I also take saline in my nebuliser if I just want to dampen things down. I have to use saline mixed with the salbutamol nebs because I shake so much with just the salbutamol. I have a little portable one that I got off Amazon which I can take up to bed with me because I am always worse during the night. Hope you feel better soon.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to lilacs15]

As above, please don't recommend nebulisers or other medical treatment to other users. Even with saline, they're not suitable for everyone. I appreciate you were trying to be helpful and also that you said Charlotte82 would need to ask a doctor for the medication, but it's likely the doctor wouldn't actually prescribe them.

Home nebulisers aren't generally considered suitable for most people with asthma, as they often aren't needed for the majority of people with asthma day to day. They can also be dangerous if people rely on them too much before getting help. Obviously some people do have them under medical guidance, but mostly people with asthma don't. (This is the situation in the UK - I know other countries may differ, if anyone is reading this who isn't from the UK).

This page from Asthma and Lung UK has information on home nebulisers - for anyone interested, you can read more about using them in asthma in the pull-down sections for each condition. asthmaandlung.org.uk/sympto...

[lilacs15 in reply to Lysistrata]

Sorry

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Sorry Charlotte, I realise I didn't answer your original question! It's good that you're getting the checks done. I do think you may need to stop the ibuprofen and see if that helps (ask a pharmacist for an alternative if you're still having issues with pain).

Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs (eg diclofenac, naproxen, aspirin) can trigger asthma in some people (not all) and if you are triggered by it, you may well be having a lot of asthma symptoms. You'd probably want to see how you are asthma-wise once you stop the ibuprofen, as it will give a better picture of where your asthma is without an ongoing potential trigger.

I would also call the asthma nurses on the helpline to chat through your situation - they can suggest options to discuss with your GP. Call us on 0300 2225800 Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, message on WhatsApp [phone] or email us at [e-mail]

[Mandevilla]

I often get chest pain with an asthma flareup, so it could well be just your asthma playing up - although of course, you are doing the right thing by seeing the doctor and getting other things ruled out.

As others have suggested, try stopping the ibuprofen, as it can be an asthma trigger. I used to be ok with it, but now I have to use paracetamol instead.

I find ginger tea or cordial helpful in winter, and I also drink camomile tea - but bear in mind that anything can be a trigger, so if you haven't tried either before, I'd maybe wait until you feel better before drinking them for the first time, as you don't want to find you've added another trigger into the mix when you're already feeling poorly!

Sometimes, I find that holding a hotwater bottle or heat pad against my chest can help - I think that the asthma pain can make me tense up, which adds to the pain, and the heat seems to help everything relax a bit more.

[Charlotte82]

Thanks everyone. Really useful things to think about. I've got an appointment with an asthma nurse today. So hopefully she can help me.

[SharonSimp]

Have the same issue. Was diagnosed at 48 which was 2 years ago. Had the brown and blue inhalers which worked well then was changed over to Fostair which I have been using for the past year but find it doesn't work as well. I have also been back and forth to the doctor. Went to get tests done yesterday, spirometry and another test and all good. Had 2 xrays 10 months apart and clear. At my wits end as I find the blue inhaler helps most. I am back at the doctor next week Thursday again to let them know Fostair not working for me. I can relate to how your are feeling. It is frustrating. I don't even have asthma attacks as such. Just finding I have to take deep breaths more often than normal.

[Charlotte82 in reply to SharonSimp]

Hope you get sorted.

[Joolstom]

Hi, I was diagnosed with costochrondritis after pneumonia bout and had terrible chest pain which I still suffer with today. I have asthma and was advised that the chosto kicks in with the chest inflammation.

Might be worth you asking your gp to check for this x