the realisation im dependent on inhaler ventolin/forstair for air

[lorianxiety]

been asthmatic best half of my life due to dust allergy,ive just had my 74 th birthday and looking to hear from others who cope with their lung condition! Mine hasnt been severeand not really worried until around year ago w hen stress hit me and practically floored me ,luckily, im ok and getting better but its worries me when peak -flow failed to budge until i take my inhaler .any comments welcome thanks to everyone!

[elanaoali]

Are you trying to say that you need to use your ventolin inhaler because your peak flow has drop below your best score e.g. my best score is 500 and at this score my asthma is control I have no symptoms. I use fostair nexthaler 200/6 2 puffs twice a day, monkealust, dymista and an antihistamine. Like you I am also highly allergic to house dust mites. I do have other triggers e.g colds, strong chemicals and smoking.

This below is how I manage my asthma.

However (using my asthma plan see iasthma.org.uk/globalassets/... which I use to help manage my condition. My peak flow starts to drop below 350/500 70% then I know that my asthma is starting to get worse. I need to take action. I take 4 puffs every 4 hours and monitor my condition over the next 24 hours. If my asthma is getting worse within 24 hours then I need to see my doctor. I also have a rescue back of Prednisolone to take if my asthma is flaring up and not getting any better 40mg once a day for 5 days) If I take these then I will ring my doctor and tell him I am taking these. Then I will probably go to see my doctor with 24 hours.

I hope this helps answer your questions.

[lorianxiety in reply to elanaoali]

thanks your information helped me to understand how everyone is unique regarding their asthma------and you cetainly have yours under control.i havent had much help at all over the years,and its only since i moved to another surgery that i was aware things arent right;by that i meant that my peakflow wouldnt move on at least 5 occasions ,it remained put ,my heighest reading is only 250/300 after fostair- havent had fostair-for very long ,but its easier to use as well .i had to use ventolin when the p/flow never moved,was told over the phone by asthma uk.nhs to take 1 puff,admittedly both stress and anxiety appear to affect me a lot.....but have never used steroids in tablet form.........have you had your condition for some time ,.the heighest score for my p/flow was 450 /when i was much younger and didnt have so much trouble then and so i was monitored by asthma nurse, once or twice a year .Do you get breathless or any suchlike symptoms-thanks again for your reply!

[elanaoali in reply to lorianxiety]

Hi lorianaxiety

I am glad that I have been of some help.

From what you have said I have some questions for you.

Do you have a regular preventive inhaler like mine? You mention you have Fostair. This needs to be used every day e g. Mine two puffs twice a day. This keeps my airways open reducing any inflammation.

asthma.org.uk/advice/inhale...

This link below from asthma UK shows what is peak flow, how to measure it

etc

asthma.org.uk/advice/manage...

In answer to your questions about me. I have had asthma since I was 32 years old. At that point it was very mild and I managed it with ventolin and had a yearly asthma review at my local GP surgery. Just over 4 years ago it got alot worse (probably because of premenopause) and that's when I was prescribed a preventer and the monkelaust to get my asthma under control. I have had my inhaler changed to Fostair a couple of years ago. I also had an Ige blood test to look for allergies and I was found to be highly allergic to house dustmite. I also developed post nasal drip which is why I use dymista nasal spray.

The asthma plan I showed you is what I use to control my asthma (asthma UK).

It would be wise for you to make an appointment to see your asthma nurse/practice nurse/doctor at your surgery to discuss how your asthma is now.

Anxiety can trigger your asthma symptoms.

asthma.org.uk/advice/trigge...

This link will really help you understand the link between anxiety and asthma.

As for me you ask how I deal with my symptoms. The answer is I use my asthma plan. asthma.org.uk/advice/manage...

Following the advice on it.

The other question you asked is about steroids.

asthma.org.uk/advice/inhale...

I only use my rescue pack of prednisolone (5 day course of 40mg) which I keep at home if I have a flare up like I described before or after an asthma attack. They are very effective in getting things back under control.

They are on top of my usual inhaler etc. So it's really important not to stop taking your regular medication.

If you have any further questions please ring asthma UK helpline.

I am not a doctor just a fellow asthmatic.

[MoyB in reply to elanaoali]

I have asthma, COPD and Bronchiectasis. The asthma came first. I'm never sure about asthma symptoms and management as everything gets lumped in together now, but I found your reply and links really helpful. xx Moy

[lorianxiety in reply to elanaoali]

hiI appreciate the fact that you responded giving me some insight ,and that we are all fellow sufferers trying to help each other....my problem is i havent been properly tested for asthma ect.but got a scare as the peak-flow refused to budge,hence the questions ,havent been on this site before ,maybe once ,usually anxiety /depression.that affects me though nowadays its been both .

[elanaoali in reply to lorianxiety]

I am glad I could help.

[Pwkav1]

Hi, ive had asthma all my life and like you my peakflow was 250 when ill. I suffer chest infections from time to time i take ventolin and Fostaire 200 also. Ive never left the house without my ventolin, always carry it with me. Its only now i hit 50 they told me i have allergies. Only when my chest is bad do i need antibiotics and steroid tablets otherwise my inhalers help a lot. I also have montelukast for few years and Dymysta nasal spray cetrizine and fexofenadyne which are antihistamines. All these things are normal for asthmatics as you will be prone to certain things as in allergies. They are easy to live with as long as you take your meds regularly. Hope this helps Karen xxx

[lorianxiety in reply to Pwkav1]

hi thanks for your reply,its helped a lot;do you think that your asthma has got worse and have you ever experienced an attack ;I have only had the one ,at the onset and thats been 30yrs ,having said that ive been more stressed lately and today got my new peakflow,it was only 60 to begin with after several puffs of fostaire and 1 of ventolin,it reached 200,normally it would go up to 250/300 thats my best ,not short of breath ,but appear to breathe via mouth more......and conscious of breathing,sorry to harp on,hoping your keeping well today.Lori----my mental state plays a huge part in the somewhat deterioration. have used anti-histamines though havent any left ,nor have i taken steroids orally.!

[Pwkav1 in reply to lorianxiety]

Hi, i had a lot of asthma attacks as a child but as an adult not so many. It can be very scary when you cant get your breath. It can make ypu have anxiety as you get older but you need to take deeper breaths in thru your nose and out thru your mouth to keep calm. As long as your peak flow is low you should be under someone who can keep an eye on you. I hope your meds work for you as they do me. Karen xxxx

[lorianxiety in reply to Pwkav1]

hi, thanks again for further insight to asthma and how it affects you,yes im more than happy to relate to fellow sufferers ,as i said previously,being older may have brought with it more anxiety ect,as I still cant understand why my new peakflow was almost nil until taking my ventolin and forstairand im seeing a pharmacist this Tuesday.and will be phoning Asthma uk/Scotland.glad that you are managing your asthma which sounds as though it was pretty bad when younger-mine started around early 30s.take carexx

[Pwkav1 in reply to lorianxiety]

I am so glad your trying to get to the bottom of it, its hard when you cant get your breath i know. Yes i had pneumonia at 7, and left me with asthma all my life but its true as you get older it can bring more problems. You need an action plan in place and rescue meds if needed you keep if you get another chest infection. Normally hospital would give you those as i have been under last few years. I suffer anxiety but mostly if not well otherwise im ok. I wish you well, and hope you feel better very soon. Karen. Xxxx