Itchy throat and coughing fits.

[2malinka]

Hi everyone.

I would appreciate some advice. I use oxygen 1/2 litre min 15 hours daily. I have noticed that whenever I put on the gas fire ( I do ensure that I am least 3metres away) I periodically I develop an itchy throat and a coughing fit where my eyes start watering. It is quite frightening because I can barely breathe and my heart is hammering. I finally get it under control with the slow breathing. I use a gas fire as I only have storage heater and in this weather...! I put the gas fire on 10 minutes ago and this time even without oxygen I started coughing. I turned it off and I am colder but calmer and able to breathe.

Now I am frightened to use the gas fire so have just added clothing layers.

Would welcome any feedback.

Hope you are all keeping well.

Melinka

I

[happyfeet59]

Might be worth having your fire checked. Do you have a carbon monoxide checker in the room? Also consider whether you are now reacting to the worry of it going to happen when you switch on, and it does. The fact that you get it under control by slow breathing suggests it is not a continuous problem, which I think the fire would be.

I am not belittling how frightening it is for you. I know how it feels when you can't breathe properly. Perhaps having your fire checked may be the best way to. Could also try opening a window for a few mins when you light the fire to allow any fumes to escape and to give you a fresh air feeling.

[2malinka in reply to happyfeet59]

Thanks for replying. I actually think it may have been a chest infection. So I took a course of antibiotics and the awful coughing has stopped. When I Light the gas fire now I wear a mask. I always have two windows slightly open and sometimes a fan going. You're right though, I should get the gas fire checked. Haven't had it done for 2 years!

Hope you are keeping well.

Regards

Malinka

[Puddlesmudge2]

I too suspect that the Gas Fire causes my chest condition (asthma? COPD) to worsen. After a long day out in the fresh air today, I fell asleep for an hour in front of the gas fire, it's a big room well ventilated, but my chest has been rattling since I woke up & I can't stop coughing. I'm seeing a Consultant soon but if it's the fire, no amount of inhalers will help. Its newly fitted and although fitter put smoke bomb up chimney, it wasn't swept. I'm going gas fire free for a week to see if it improves. Will keep you posted! 🤔