Sudden struggle for breath about 4 times a day, then coughing uncontrollably- during which time I am unable Catch my breath, making a pulling sound to to draw some air/ breath I have Asthma Bronchiectasis.
I use ventolin perhaps 4 times a day, then at night.
I feel helpless as it happens frequently. Generally I leave the company, because I’m embarrassed I cough so much my eyes become red and tearful, people sometimes ask was I crying.
I’m on Seritide, Spriva, and Ventolin, 40 mg nexium, (nexium for reflux)
Advice would b appreciated as I am desperate.
Bernardine.
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djbctla
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I think that you need an appointment with your nurse or GP. What you describe reminds me of when I had uncontrolled asthma. A review led to my inhalers being changed and things settled down. To be specific the seretide was changed to fostair and although this doesn't suit everyone, it helped me.
I agree with CPO16. You need to get a fairly urgent appointment with your GP. It sounds like an asthma flare but your GP will know for sure. If you can’t get an appointment with your GP ring 111. They have given me a same day appointment with my own GP when I couldn’t get one directly.
In the meantime, don’t be afraid to use more of your blue inhaler to try to alleviate your symptoms.
how I feel for you. Such a frightening thing to go through, and embarrassing too. I found Trimbow made a big difference to me though I think other people have had different experiences. Do you nebulise at all? It is worth asking your GP for a consultants appointment to see if you can get the medicines right. Also helpful to see the respiratory physios in your area. I know a fellow sufferer who is going to a half-day course in Liverpool next month to help getting her breathing right.
that’s good news to have an immediate reaction from the GP. I forgot to mention that codeine works to suppress a bad coughing fit. Though I don’t think the doctors would agree with four a day.
And I should forget about 'fighting for breath', the unfortunate banner heading given to our forum. Relaxing and taking control is what this game is about. 😉
I know just what you are going through I have it . It sounds like the new cough that is going around you breathing/out but, at times your body seems to be trying to do the opposite and for a few moments you cant breath either in or out after a while it stops also you cant bring anything up .I just use a hot lemon and honey drink roughly every 4 hours ,another thing I found helps get the phlegm up are sucking (JAKEMANS THROAT AND CHEST LOSENGENGES) it works for me and after a few days things get better oh by the way another thing with this cough is some muscles ache a lot. best to see a doctor of you're worried good luck and keep laughing and be happy Tom
good luck I hope you can relax now be well, happy, sing, and enjoy life because life is what YOU make it keep happy and smiling if you want to relax you can look up tommy hathaway audiomack.com I have lots of songs and guitar playing so relax and enjoy life all the best tom
I'm very sorry to hear that and know exactly what that feels like. I have to have a course of steroid pills every two or so months because I get like that and it just gets worse. You need an asthma review with the asthma nurse or doctor. They might try a different preventer inhaler. My preventer was changed from Clenil(brown inhaler) to one called Fostair and it's made me a bit better. I would get an asthma review asap.
That's great! Do remember to eat well with the steroids and take them in the morning rather than night (all at once) so you aren't awake all night. Also Vitamin C and D to keep you well. I hope you feel better soon! I have just finished a course of steroids and am so much better x
Hi, as other’s have commented I feel an urgent appointment with your GP should be done now… I had a similar experience a month ago, coughing badly at time as though my airways were covered by mucus that I couldn’t clear.
I tried upping my inhalers as advised in the past to no avail, my husband being concerned & a little annoyed phoned the surgery then handing me the phone to get an urgent appointment. ( I always try to heal myself & the GP is my last resort) …my hubby always asks “why” ???
I saw the GP that very morning, who gave me steroids & antibiotics, stating my chest was clear but felt I need the steroids to calm my upper airways down, with strong advice to only take antibiotics if sputum colour changed.
Within a 2 days things improve no end after just taking the steroids along with upping my inhalers.
I have the antibiotics as a standby for emergency use only….I see some comments were 16 to 20 hours ago so hope you’ve taking action quickly & are on the mend..Best Wishes Always & please remember ring the GP if struggling.
Thank u for your good advice, I decided to send an email to the surgery about my condition during the night, the receptionist rang and gave me an appointment for 10.30 today.
thank u for being so thoughtful and kind I do appreciate it. I now feel I have backup of u and all our caring friends on this site. In my head I have felt frustrated and alone, the family care deeply and worry about me, but they are not in my shoes, so can’t give personal advice.
I will keep insisting to have this more frequenty monitors by the doctors.
All the help and care given by everyone here has given me renewed positivity to insist the doctor helps me improve my condition.
Really glad your sorted & hope you improved very soon. I omitted to say the asthma treatment I’m on after requesting a referral to our hospital respiratory clinic just before Covid hit,
My GP sent the referral & I was contacted by the respiratory nurse practitioner a few months later.
From there on I had several tests ordered & done in our local hospital, I then had a follow up call from the respiratory consultant with a plan of action.
I was advised to not take predisalone unless needed or when nothing else worked, I was advised to take Fostair two puffs morning & evening daily, I also take a Montelukast tablet 1 every night.
Rather than reach for my reliever inhaler when my asthma kicked off I was advised to up my Fostair by 6 puffs at a time over 15 to 20 mins.
I could do this several times daily if necessary, obviously to use the reliever if it became necessary plus contact the surgery if none of this regime was helping…so far I’ve not taken predisalone ( except for a month ago due to the strange coughing bouts ) for nearly 2 years.
I also purchased an Airphysio as throughout Covid lockdown, like all respiratory patients reduced any outdoor activity except the gardening hence reducing mobility & lung function due to receiving advice ( by letter ) from the Welsh NHS given to limit contact with others.
I mentioned Fostair and was told wait until u feel better - 🤣😂and then we will look into changing meds.
Suggested I use saline in my nebuliser.
My oxygen was 94%, grand she said, in saying that the dub doctor December 26th 2022 (after hours in Ireland), was going to admit me with the same level, until the it went up slightly on the second reading .
Ask your GP for a spacer (this is a rather bulky bulbous item) so preferably request a handbag sized one (they do exist) as these types both help to get the Ventolin into the lung quicker and more directly - though GP will usually prescribe the big one.
They really work for me but the smaller handbag sized one is more discreet than the larger one and fits into your handbag easier
I also take one Salbutamol liquid inhalation via a nebuliser every night about 1 to 2 hours before bed.
I was taking Relvar Ellipta and Incruse Ellipta which are long lasting at the rate of 1 x inhalation a day (one puff lasts 24 hours) which I inhaled every morning at 9 a.m.(spacer cannot be used with these) This has now been changed to Trelegy Ellipta because this one contains both Relvar and Incruse all in one inhaler - again you cannot use a spacer.
I still use my Ventolin inhaler and can usually I can go the whole day without needing it at all
Do ask your GP for the spacer it is a great help believe you me.
Good luck. Take care
Bardear xxxx
P.S If the GP wants to know the name of the handbag sized spacer (saves him looking it up) its called an Aerochamber Plus - you can also purchase these on line from £5 to about £15. Get it from a Pharmacy i.e. Lloyds or preferably a medical device company like Beurer - that way you know it is new and will work properly.
Beurer is a good place to start and I would recommend them they have an excellent Customer Service facility.
It's horrible I know. You need to see your asthma nurse, GP and get a medication review. What you're taking doesn't seem to be working and they need to try you on something else. They may even give you something to get over this flare up. This, I know is easier said than done but when you're right in the mode of the attack, try and slow your breathing down. Breath as slowly and deeply as you can, it will also reduce the panic. Concentrate on your breathing and nothing else. I know it's frightening but whilst your focused on that you may get a bit of relief. Have a look at Asthma UK they have good advise. Please take care of yourself. You're awesome.
Thank u for taking the time to send me such good advice.
On the 22nd I was given an appointment with the doctor, who prescribed Pred. I told her I did not feel ill but could not control coughing with lots of Phlegm.
Vast improvement sleeping most of the night, no cough at all.
She told me to return if I am unwell when the steroids are finished. So far so good.
I will return if I have another flair up, in order to catch it early, and to have an Asthma review.
I too have had that difficult and worrying experience a number of times, but my inhaler has since been changed to Dualklir which seems (touch wood), to have helped considerably.
Good morning, depending on where this information is reaching you. With regards to the sudden change in your health condition, I suggest the following;
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Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Copd treatments
Shortness of breath 
Lung/Airway Clearance (also known as moving the mucus)
Gasping for breath.
Exacerbation
