Asthma attack.

[Leesea]

Hi all

I was diagnosed with asthma a couple of months ago having had numerous chest infections and breathlessness for months.

Since starting Fostair twice daily I have been fine

I had a bad arrack of breathlessness this evening and could not breath. I felt as though I was suffocating. Terrifying.

I am having a lot of stress in my life at present? Is this the cause?

What triggers a sudden attack?

[knitter]

Hi leesea, I am asthmatic too and there are many reasons why my breathing can deteriorate.....getting a cold or being stressed for example. Air fresheners, even talking or laughing too much.

I am sorry you had an attack, did you take your reliever. Have you been given instructions on what to do if your breathing gets worse.

I would contact your health professional today and explain what happened .....remember too if you are in real distress get someone to ring for help. If you live in the UK, both the BLF and Asthma UK have helplines , open during the working week, and they can advise.

You really need to know how to manage an exacerbation and when to get help.

I hope you are ok now ....take care.

[Leesea in reply to knitter]

It came on out of the blue and didn’t last long. I needed to take blue inhaler, first time in months. I took double Fostair. Feel okish today but tired.

Thankyou. Maybe I’m getting a cold.

[Roessner541]

Stress will definitely trigger it I take anxiety meds and take NAC. And Daliresp which helps but I have COPD and asthma.

[Maximonkey]

Hi Leesee, I too am asthmatic, stress is the worst cause after allergies and infection. Have you tried breathing into a brown paper bag, you may be hyperventilating. If this does not work then try your peak flow, if it is normal fine but if not and you are concerned phone your doctor. I use my PF to monitor how bad my asthma is and it is usually pretty accurate. If you haven't got a PF monitor ask at your surgery for one (you will be given a prescription for the chemist) you should have one in the house. I hope you are not coming down with an infection. Keep well, Maximonkey

[dogwork123 in reply to Maximonkey]

What is peak flow monitor?

[Leesea in reply to Maximonkey]

Hi

Thanks for that. I have a peak flow thingy but am not sure where I should be on it!

I had another attack in the garden centre of all places. Unfolded a fleecy throw and next minute couldn’t breathe!

Had to go outside, take blue inhaler and wait! It’s wierd the way it seems to be triggered.

I have been halving my dose of Fostair recently. Clearly the wrong thing to do !

I have made an appointment to see the asthma nurse and cancelled the flu jab for a week or so. Also managed to drip caustic soda in my eye!!! Silly accident so very painful and feeling low!

Thankyou for replies!

[Maximonkey in reply to Leesea]

Hi Leesea, you will need to ask a doc/asthma nurse to work out your peak flow reading. As for the fleece causing you to have an episode, I find this happens to me too, I have recently been looking for new furnishings and twice I have ended up breathless. I guess the message is don't shake anything you haven't washed yourself. As for the garden centre, I go every week for lunch with the family but I stay away from any plants with pollen. Talking of plants if you are interested, since being diagnosed with Bronch I have filled the house with oxygenating plants and thrown away all synthetic air fresheners. The air is very clean in my home (I have two plants in the bedroom too) and although I am not well with asthma at present the doc said my oxygen levels are 98%. Oh dear, you should never mess about with dosages on your inhalers. Do you have an asthma plan, I guess if you do not know your peak flow reading you probably do not have an asthma plan. You need one asap, ask the asthma nurse to do one for your. So sorry about your accident. Hope you feel better soon. Take care. Maximonkey

[Maximonkey]

Hi dogwork123, if you do not know what it is you probably do not need one. Do you have asthma? I shall try and describe one, they are approx. 7inches long, they are metal and have a disposable mouth piece, on the metal part there are numbers between 100 upwards to 750 approx. You blow into the mouth piece and it gives a reading. An asthma nurse or doctor will have told you what your best reading is, and also what number will signify problems such as an attack of asthma/pneumonia etc. Hope this helps. Take care Maximonkey