new diagnosis

[Christmasy]

hi I’m new to this just been diagnosed and could use some advice from people that have asthma thanks

[Patk1]

Hello Chrismasy.welcome to the forum.x

[Chip_y2kuk]

Welcome to the group

[Bronchi1]

Welcome! Just try to stay as healthy as you can and avoid your triggers. Eat and sleep properly. Good luck.

[Mandevilla]

Hello and welcome.

Best bit of advice I can give anyone is to call the helpline - they are brilliant, especially when you are newly diagnosed and can talk you through any concerns or questions you have. 0300 2225800 Monday-Friday 9am-5pm

[Christmasy in reply to Mandevilla]

thanks x

[Gareth57]

Hi, my advice would be (depending on the severity of your asthma, we are all different) don't let being asthmatic get you down, take your inhalers and try to carry on as normal. There have been some famous sporting asthmatics, so if you can, and want to, do it. Good luck!

[Christmasy in reply to Gareth57]

Thanks x

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Hi Christmasy and welcome to the forum! I agree with Mandevilla, the helpline is great and you can chat things through with the nurses. Some GPs/asthma nurses are great at explaining everything when you're new, but others are less so or are rushed, so it can help to ask the nurses on the helpline if you aren't sure.

Don't be alarmed by what you see here and think everyone has badly controlled asthma. This forum is going to be skewed towards people having problems - if someone's asthma is well controlled and not giving them issues they probably won't be posting here.

And for most people, getting their asthma under control IS possible, but it's helpful to do what you're doing now and learn about it. Along with learning what's normal *for you*(which may not be what is normal for someone else eg your best peak flow, or how your asthma feels, or what triggers your asthma).

I've put some links to posts here which you may find helpful to read through when you have a moment - just tips you may find useful for people who are new to asthma. They're a few years old now but still helpful:

So you have asthma: healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

Asthma top tips: healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

When do I...? (eg take your reliever inhaler, go to the GP etc): healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

All about peak flow (a long one with lots of information, so maybe read after the others so you don't get overwhelmed. But putting here in case it's useful): healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

And of course feel free to ask on here too if you think of other questions or something comes up. We can't give medical advice but we can offer support and help you understand your asthma.

[Christmasy in reply to Lysistrata]

Thanks that’s very helpful , I will have a look, I’ve been feeling unwell for some time coughing and wheezing , diagnosed with chest infection last year , had multiple antibiotics no improvement , x ray and CT scan normal, spirometer normal, all bloods and tests normal, nebulizer s no help I’m on prednisone, and inhaler so GP been struggling to diagnose and cure, but breathing so bad last week GP called ambulance, hospital wasn’t any help really ive been referred to respiratory clinic but it’s six month waiting list for urgent referral!!! So I’ve just been to a private hospital consultant in London he said it’s asthma despite having good lung capacity and output, he prescribed more meds, and a follow up, I’ve got wheezy coughing a lot of time which is really affecting my life, the odd thing is I’ve never smoked I’m in good health not on any other meds always been fit , apart from a cough that comes and goes in the past, and I’m 68! So why at this time in life a sudden shift from normal to hard to control asthma? Has anyone had similar experience? I’m thinking it could be something else ,

[Stewiecat]

Sorry to hear you are struggling, i have adult onset eosinophilic asthma, privately diagnosed Dec 22 (at 49) because similarily to yourself I didn't fit in the normal boxes and got really desperate for help from a specialist, I was and still am otherwise fit and healthy (underneath the damned asthma) I don't have any specific advice, sorry, just wanted to say you're not alone x Are you on inhalers? Have the recent additions to your meds helped?Hopefully the referral will come through early, it would be worth ringing the hospital you've been referred to, see if you can chase it along, or ask for a cancellation, it can't hurt to ask. It's also very worthwhile ringing the asthma UK helpline, the nurses will do their very best to help you as much as they are able, lots of good wishes x N

[Christmasy in reply to Stewiecat]

Thanks stewiecat. Yes I am on inhalers , when I’m having a coughing fit inhalers don’t seem to stop it nor do nebulizers , My GP rang me late this afternoon she is trying to sort things out, so I’m feeling more optimistic and actually today I do feel a bit better for the first time in ages, It’s been frustrating not getting answers and being unwell, I did get urgent appointments at the beginning but once I got the good news it’s not cancer there wasn’t any urgency to find out what it is however now I’ve got a diagnosis to work with I do feel ok ,thanks everyone for advice im learning lots about asthma which is useful x

[Stewiecat]

Great news you have a good gp that is trying to help, also good to hear you are feeling better in yourself and about things today 😊 I've found there's lots of fabulous people on here, always ready to help with ideas, advice and support, it's a huge help for me, so hopefully it does the same for you, take care, stay well, lots of good wishes x N

[Christmasy in reply to Stewiecat]

Thank you , im glad I’ve found this forum im sure I’ll have question on going x