Asthma

[Sely]

Hello I'm new and about 3 months ago was diagnosed with mild asthma. When I went to my gp about getting breathless when I excercisr I thought he would tell me I'm unfit. I now have a preventer and reliever to control the asthma. I am extremely anxious about having this diagnosis because I keep thinking I'll have an asthma attack and die. I'm too frightened to walk my dog . Do gardening clean my house etc. I was a smoker for 30 years and quit 2 years ago.

[Shancock]

Try to relax as worrying makes everything worse and makes you feel worse. I have asthma too and still walk my dogs, exercise bike and go jogging in the summer, I just always make sure I take my blue inhaler with me.

I think you should ask your GP, well insist that you see a respiratory consultant who can go through things properly with you and maybe do a lung function test to check your readings.

I know it sounds strange but exercise is very important with any lung condition as it strengthens them and ultimately will ease the asthma as it makes the lungs stronger. But having a plan will help you. Check out on line in there are any ashtma groups or clinics you can join, there usually are and it would be helpful I think.

[knitter]

Hi sely, I am just wondering how the asthma was diagnosed after you told your GP about your shortness of breath......did you have a reversibility test when you are given a Spirometry test, then a bronchodilator then the test repeated to see if there was any change?

Were you given a follow up appointment to see how you were managing your breathlessness with inhalers?

If you live in the UK both the BLF and Asthma UK have helplines , they also have information on their websites.

[annienell]

Hello Sely and welcome to the BLF forum. Did you know Health Unlocked also have an Asthma UK Community where you might find more information about your asthma and how to deal with it? Several of our members have joined both communities. Have a look here - healthunlocked.com/asthmauk

If you would like to call a helpline for more advice and reassurance the numbers are: Asthma Helpline 0300 222 5800 or BLF Helpline 03000 030 555

[Caspiana]

Hello Sely .

I know it's frightening. Everyone has added some really good advice here. I just want to wish you well. I have a dog too and walking him can be hard , in fact most days walking him is a struggle. But I do it for him and me. I know I have to keep moving.

Sending best wishes.

Cas xx 🙋🐕

[peege]

Hi, firstly well done you to stop smoking.

Secondly stress and anxiety are not you friends if you have asthma so do find a way to calm, tell yourself "I have asthma and live a full life" over and over until it sinks in to your brain. One of the ways I stay positive is to banish all negative thoughts and if that miserable voice in my head interferes I tell it to " shut the **** up".

There's lots to learn in handling & controlling asthma, millions of us have it and live full lives. Don't give up, it's probably the worst thing you can do. Gentle exercise is important, along with breathing exercises, using your inhalers correctly - lots of video demonstrations on YouTube to help you with that, understand your medications, healthy weight, healthy diet. If you have allergic asthma it certainly helps to know what you're allergic to (fortunately for my dog it isn't pets, fortunately for me it isn't dust mite either)!

Don't let it get you down, it might be a while to get the meds correct for you but you'll get there. Peege

ps I have moderate asthma and it absolutely doesn't stop me doing anything anymore now it's well controlled. (Another condition does however, not the asthma). I've never ever had a full blown asthma attack so please stop worrying about that. P

[Sely in reply to peege]

Thanks everybody for your reply. My gp won't refer me to a specialist. He has said it's not necessary. I was diagnosed with spirometer and then was given Ventolin to see if that helped, which it did. My doctor knows I have an extremely anxious personality in fact I have severe health anxiety and that's why he doesn't give too much information. I live in Tasmania and there are no support groups for people here.