Advice for a newly diagnosed asthmatic

Hi first post. Just been diagnosed with asthma following a tough year. Have had covid last year and have only 80% lung capacity. Finding it very hard to cope with the diagnosis. On steroid inhalers and ventolin inhalers plus other medications. I get breathless very quickly and have coughing fits at night. How do people cope with daily living. Any advice will much appreciated

[CDPO16]

Hi there. This is a friendly and supportive forum for people with a variety of lung conditions and someone may come along with some answers for you. It may also be worthwhile to put this post on the Asthma UK forum too. There are members there with a wealth of advice about asthma. The site also has nurses available via their helpline.Best wishes.

[skischool]

Welcome Artist 12,i think you can relax a litlle when you realise that 80% lung capacity at your age is almost normal and borderline for very mild Copd,that is not to belittle your dignosis of damage from covid but just to reassure you that by following a healthy lifestyle there is no reasion to believe that you will not go on to lead a very long and productive life with very few limitations.It may be that your covid contraction is having a detrimental effect on your current day to day health and i imagine that your Gp will monitor your health over the next few months to see how you are recovering.

If you have concerns the BLF have a very comprehensive team of qualified people to be able to give you good advice

Best wishes Ski's and Scruff's

[hypercat54]

Hi and welcome to the site. 80% lung function is great and would be the envy of virtually everyone on here including me. It's only when and if it starts getting a lot lower that it could affect your ability to live a normal long and relatively healthy life.

There are a number on here with less than 30% lung function who still have a good quality of life and aren't planning to go anywhere for a long time. So please stop worrying that it is life limiting.

I do agree with the advice to go on the asthma site as well as most of us with asthma here also have copd or another lung disease too. On the asthma site you will see asthmatics and treatments can be different for you than us.

Stay with us as well though please as it's always good to welcome new members.

[peege]

Welcome Artist12, many asthmatics here including me. We often get a downturn and feel like you. Take one day at a time, take your medication as prescribed (they don't always get it right and it may need to be tweaked from time to time), eat healthily, drink plenty of non toxic fluids, stick to a healthy weight, learn your triggers for breathlessness so you can avoid them, avoid germs which can end up creating a chest infection and learn as much as you can about lung health both here and on AsthmaUK site who also have a helpline. I moved away from a green leafy area of London to escape the pollution. Bit drastic I know however, its really really helped. I also take plenty of supplements to keep my immune system tip top.

The helpline number here is 03000 030555, office hours.

[Ergendl]

Hello, Artist 12. I was diagnosed with COPD and asthma in 2015 with a lung function reading of about 67. Because I had been so breathless, I had stopped doing a lot of physical things.

Joining here was the best thing I could have done. People gave lots of advice from their own experience, and set me off on a journey to becoming more active. I attended Pulmonary Rehab after asking my GP, where the physios found I overbreathe and helped me sort that. I started a singing for lung health group which meets weekly and uses singing as a fun form of learning diaphragm exercises to control breathing. I increased the number of steps I do daily from 2500 to 10000+. I avoid triggers like smoke and cheap perfumes and doing physical things in the pouring rain.

At my last respiratory nurse check up, my lung function had improved to about 81, the bottom end of normal. My lung problems don't affect my day to day activities. I just have to be careful when I do heavy physical exercise like running, climbing steep hills or carrying weights.

Wishing you all the best.

[garshe]

80% lung function is not something to worry about. Even someone with no problems their lung function starts to deteriorate from the age of 27. Dont worry too much I'm sure you have a long life ahead of you. Any condition when first diagnosed is scary, and I'm sure you will get a lot of support from other Asthma suffers on this site. I wish you well. Take care xxSheila 👍

[Debs_ALUK Partner British Lung Foundation]

Hi there and welcome to the forum. I have added our contact details page for you if you would like to chat with one of our nurses for advice about your diagnosis. You are very welcome to call us Mon - Frid 9-5pm

blf.org.uk/get-in-touch

Take care

Debs

[Calvados1]

I find Ventolin very good. You need to give relievers time. Try not to panic .

[Alberta56]

Welcome to the forum.