Antihistamines

[Phronsias2]

Hello again

As you can see from my posts,I have had breathing problems for a number of years(20 years approx), I am short of breath and every year I catch a cold it goes straight to my chest, this year my son had a cough, I caught it and it went to my chest, I was on a course of steroids and a blue inhaler, the steroids helped around 80% but I still find it hard to breath, I asked my GP if I could take Antihistamines, he said yes, yesterday evening I took one, I went to bed with a upset tummy, I took a second Antihistamine this morning at 6am, I went to work and I got a headache-dizziness and felt like I was going to vomit, so I went home, I rang my GP and the nurse (asthma) rang me back,I told her the inhaler and the Antihistamine loosens my phlegm, but I cant cough it up,and feel as if my airways are coated , she said I might have post nasal drip and said to ring my GP early next week, Im going round in circles ,I was told five or six years ago I do not have asthma, the worry I have is, I was really ill for years and a succession of GP's made me feel as if it was all in my head, until I found a lump on my thyroid gland and then I received the help I needed, If I do not have asthma, what might be the cause of my breathing problem.

Thanks in advance

Frank

[Troilus]

Hi Phronsias,

I can’t help you with what could be wrong with your breathing, but I just wondered which antihistamine you are taking? I have used Loratadine for years with no side effects. You take it once a day. They are also available over the counter and are really cheap.

The ultimate test for asthma/ breathing difficulties would be spirometry. Most GP practices have the equipment to perform the basic tests, but unfortunately these tests have all been stopped for now due to Coronavirus. This might be something to think about in the future.

[Phronsias2 in reply to Troilus]

Thanks for your reply.

I took Hayfever & Allergy 10mg tablets Loratadine, I had a spirometry test years ago, I bought a airflow meter and I can blow 650 or 700 no problem.

[Troilus in reply to Phronsias2]

Perhaps your side effects were worse because you took 2 within 24 hours? The dose is usually one per day.

Here’s hoping your GP can shed some light when you get to speak to him/her.

[Phronsias2 in reply to Troilus]

Good point

[Hidden]

I wonder if a CT scan might help? I was diagnosed with late onset Asthma and treated unsuccessfully. I kept getting chest infections, including Pneumonia. After 3 years they sent me for lung function tests and a CT scan. It was discovered that I had Bronchiectasis, which I had never heard of.

[Phronsias2 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks poemsgalore1

I will need to google Bronchiectasis, one question ,are you able to cough up phlegm easily?

[B0xermad in reply to Phronsias2]

Hi same here didnt know if I had asthma until I was 45yrs then repeated chest infection after infection after a ct scan I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis and copd, I take antihistamines fexofenadine 120mg after years on 10mg citrizine didn't work anymore. Keep on at the drs to get it sorted out otherwise you may end up with uncontrolled asthma .good luck

[Phronsias2 in reply to B0xermad]

Thanks B0xermad

Usually a cold clears up after 2 or 3 weeks, but this is not going away, I can feel something coating my airways ,phlegm I think , but cant cough it up easily, it comes up so far and then I swallow it,

[B0xermad in reply to Phronsias2]

Have you tried huffing techniques to help cough it up

[Phronsias2 in reply to B0xermad]

I had to look on youtube, your not going to believe this, it worked in seconds I got phlegm up.

Im really grateful @ B0xermad

[Hidden]

I had asthma all my life and then about 10 years ago got worse breathing difficulties and frequent chest infections.Tthe chest clinic told me my asthma had got worse and changed my inhalers which did nothing to help. I finally managed to persuade my GP to refer me to the cough clinic much against his will, and I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis.....which is what your problem could sound like. If it is, then antihistamines just make it worse by drying up your secretions making it more difficult to cough up the phlegm.

[Phronsias2 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks stones93

I took a photo of phlegm (it was white) I coughed up last week just in case my GP did not believe me ,the phlegm before had a light green marbling effect, I haven't been able to cough any more phlegm up since then

[lKeith]

Phronsias2

Hi

I had the same problem with mucus & clearing it out of the system. My breathlessness landed me in a local Spanish hospital as they took it mean I had covid 19. After creating a storm they let me out with a clean bill of health as far as the covid 19. The other I have to put up with. Try an an acapello flutter unit, they are available from Amazon at around £7.00 each + post. Use for about 10 mins and it helps the mucus come up. Alternatively try, thro' your GP, Carbocistein (mind the spelling) taken morning & night. it too helps to move the mucus and use if need be the the acapello together. Combined it should help to move it, works for me.

IKeith

[Phronsias2]

Thanks Keith.

I will order a acapello flutter unit today. my GP is going to ring me Tuesday, hopefully I can get some answers and treatment if you dont mind me asking do you have bronctiactasis

[Patk1]

Most antihistamines are once a day.try taking in morn with food? Perhaps take 2 puffs of salbutamol a little more often,see if helps.i gargle too with alcohol free mouthwash and brsh teeth a lot.sometimes little things help bcos a lot of things,unfortunately go with the territory.as long as yr not out of puff,and can breathe ok