Looking for help!

[OrangeElephant]

Hi everyone, I’m new to the community though I’ve had asthma pretty much since birth. Over the last few years it’s been getting worse and worse and now it’s almost out of control! I cough for between 4-7 hours a day and so badly that it makes me vomit multiple times a day as well. It feels like my lungs are constantly filling with mucus but I struggle to clear the mucus. I have tried every inhaler under the sun and nothing seems to be working! Does anyone else have similar symptoms and able to give any advice please? Thank you so much in advance!

[Kristicats]

Sounds like you need to be referred to a respiratory physician for further tests and advice. Cx

[sassy59]

Welcome to you. You really do need a referral as Chriskho says. Please speak to your doctor and insist on receiving more help.

Wishing you well. Xx

[B0xermad]

Hi OrangeElephant, It certainly does sound like you need to get a referral to a consultant just to eliminate what's going on in your chest. welcome to the site and good luck

[MoyB]

Welcome to the community.

You must be really struggling at the moment.

Have you been shown any chest clearance techniques? There are lots of videos on YouTube that may help you with that. Also, I understand there is advice available if you phone the BLF nurse - all contact info available online. I haven't phoned them myself, but lots of people have and have found them helpful.

Please see your doctor asap about your chest, though, as it's not normal to be coughing as much as you are and it sounds as though it may not all be down to your Asthma. Having one condition doesn't exclude having something else. I have COPD, asthma and bronchiectasis. With the right advice and treatment these things can all be managed but, if neglected, you can become really ill.

If your GP fobs you off, you might want to consider asking for a private consultation from a respiratory specialist. I had to do that in the end and it was worth every penny! I appreciate that not everyone is in a position to pay but if you are fortunate enough to be able to do so I would recommend it.

Be aware that your GP may want you to have a COVID test because of your cough.

All the best, xx Moy

[coughleigh in reply to MoyB]

Hi Moy,I definitely agree that even with asthma that is not normal.Like you I have all 3 but don’t cough as much as that.I am on Spiriva Respimate as well as Ventolin.I can’t take the powder ones as they clog up my chest badly.Orange Elephant please take the advise as it really could help you a lot.Please let us know how you get on and good luck 👍

[Hidden]

Lifelong asthma can result in the development of bronchiectasis due to a history of infections. Your symptoms of so much mucus every day does seem to point that way. I would have thought that your GP would have at least given you a good course of antibiotics to see if they helped with the symptoms.We really do have to be very pro active in our own interests.

You can attempt to get in touch with your asthma consultant to have that looked at.

You will need a bronchiectasis specialist, not a general respiratory consultant to diagnose bronchiectasis and make an ongoing treatment and self management plan. Diagnosis can only be made by ct scan and you need the specialist to interpret it properly. Look for a bronch specialist close to you. They are usually at big teaching hospitals. Give the name to your GP and insist on a referral. Do not take no for an answer. Your GP is obviously out of their depth with you and you need proper treatment.

In the meantime, don’t wait until the build up of fluid in your lungs makes you sick. Spend sessions of time getting it out of your lungs. This is very important because the bacteria which make you ill breed in any fluid in the lungs and airways.

Good luck

[Bronchi1]

Definitely agree with others . You need a re-assessment at a respiratory clinic. I had asthma for years and started to get chronic infections. GP just gave me antibiotics until eventually I asked to see a respiratory consultant. After a scan and bronchoscopy it turned out I had bronchiectasis. Now I have the correct medication for that condition and am much better. Go back to your GP and ask to be referred on.

[Samye in reply to Bronchi1]

Hi I am new to this site but really struggling, and was just wondering what medication you are on? I also was diagnosed with Bronchiestasis 4 years ago, but I am really struggling at moment I have had 2 infections since last December for which I took my rescue pack antibiotics, but I am now coughing continuously and find I am struggling to swallow.

Have you experienced this. 🤗

[Bronchi1 in reply to Samye]

Hi...I'm not a typical bronchiectasis patient as I also have asthma. 2 infections in one year is pretty good going .I used to have at least 6 -8. Sometimes we do have a mixed picture of different conditions or one develops and changes depending on what we pick up, age and general health. For what it is worth I have been well last year but mainly because I have not been out! I take clenil modulite, serevent and spiriva. I also take vit d, c, b and zinc. Sometimes I take fish oil too. I eat a good diet and try to exercise every day. I also try not to stress because that impacts on my immune system. If I was coughing continuously I'd be back at the doc in a jiffy. When I have coughed a lot it has been due to the asthma, and I've had oral steroids in the past, or an infection, and I have submitted sample to GP and taken rescue abs before being told if I needed different ones. Good luck.

[Samye in reply to Bronchi1]

Hi Bronchi, thanks for your reply.Like you I do everything in my power to keep healthy, and like you have been self isolating, but but I am struggling this time as time as I have not been well since the beginning of December to date, despite having my antibiotics, but hopefully will recover soon. Take care 😊

[katieoxo60]

Welcome to the site, very good advice above. However no matter what, your Asthma is out of control so you need to get your GP to refer or go to A&E yourself . Asthma UK also have a nurse who can advise. You do need a Covid 19 test too incase it is not your Asthma . Unfortunately Asthma is not the only breathing difficulty that causes a severe cough , so you need a respiratory specialist. I was like this with cough until I saw a specialist, I still have an underlying cough but it is more controlled now. _Please do seek advice as soon as possible as hospital appointments can take a long time . Every best wish to find a solution for yourself.

[hypercat54]

Hi I can't add to the excellent advice from the others. I will say though it would be a good idea to put your question in the asthma forum on here as well. I know there are some on there with severe asthma and they can help also.

[Alberta56]

Best wishes and good luck.

[OrangeElephant]

Hi everyone, thank you so much for all of your advice! They’ve bumped up my inhaler and put me on a course fexofenadine to see if it helps. So far so good (I’ve only been on it just under a week), I’m seeing an improvement! I’ll have to come off them though as they’re not a constant medication I’m able to take so when that time comes I’ll ask to be referred to a specialist. Thank you all again, I really appreciate the time you’ve all taken to respond to my ask for help!