Advice on work

[Pink2000]

Hey guys just looking for some advice. I am 19 years old and i have had asthma since I was a baby however since 2017 when I got pneumonia my asthma has been uncontrolled. I have been put on various inhalers and given steroids when I end up in hospital with it. I have at least 1 infection if not every month it’s every other month - I think that it is because I do work in a nursery 5 long days a week. I’ve been referred and they’ve tried more inhalers but nothing is working. I’m wheezing everyday. It gets me really down when it’s really bad so it’s affecting me mentally. My asthma nurse questioned if I ever thought about getting a new job without children. Children are my world and I love spending time with them. However I need to put my health first I’ve been thinking about maybe going part time so like Monday to Wednesday so I have Thursday and Friday to rest but just unsure whether it is going to help or make a difference. If you have any opinions, advice or similar stories it would be great to hear them. Thanks x

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Get a new job Children get colds and viruses all the time you need to look after yourself.

I don't go by anyone who's got colds or anything.

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Children are germ factories, find a new career that doesn't involve exposure to sick people.

[hypercat54]

Hi have a look at the asthma site too x

healthunlocked.com/asthmauk

[GintyFerguson]

I have asthma and bronchiectasis . As soon as the kids in the family were over 5 my health improved hugely (plus supplements) ! Sorry but you need to put your health first. Little kids carry all sorts in their respiratory systems.

You are young , you can retrain . Good luck.

[AnnaMT]

Just some suggestions - make sure you have pneumonia and annual flu jab, wear disposable gloves where needed and wash hands regularly. Try not to touch your face at work. Pneumonia can knock your system out for quite a while, so be patient and try and keep active. If your meds are not working, go back to your asthma nurse/doctor and if they cannot help you, ask to be referred to a consultant. My asthma has been called brittle but at the moment it is stable. I use Seretide 500, Singulair, Cetirizine (up to 3 a day depending on allergy triggers) and Spiriva Respimat (the one for asthmatics, not COPD) and Ventolin. I also have steroid and antibiotic rescue pack. I spent a lot of time in hospital and in bed as a child and teenager but I always knew it was important to build up my strength/stamina and to keep going. I hope at the start of your career that you keep going and it may be that you decide to look at another career path that will still enable you to work with children. It is never too late. I myself will be going to uni this autumn as a (very) mature student!