Hello there

[Mamaluboo78]

I was diagnosed with asthma October 2023 and struggling to control. My past issues with depression and anxiety have reared their heads. Hoping to find people who can relate.

[sassy59]

Welcome to the forum Mamaluboo. I’m sure others will reply soon. Just wanted to say 👋🏻 hi.

Happy new year xxx❤️

[Yumz199725]

Hi and welcome to the group x I've had asthma my whole life, so it must be a big shock for you to take all this in.

[Mamaluboo78 in reply to Yumz199725]

Hello,

It has been a huge shock as I have always been active, especially since giving up drinking and smoking 10 years ago. My life has changed so much, hard to accept, feels like I am losing my identity, sounds dramatic I know. I have gone from being very independent to having to be dependant on others more. The easiest of tasks is so hard, walking short distances I am out of breath and getting up the stairs is awful, last night I had a panic attack as I couldnt get my breath 😥

[Yumz199725 in reply to Mamaluboo78]

Ahhh that sounds awful, do you need your inhalers increased maybe?? I've had plenty of panic attacks because of that reason was awful 💔😔.

[Mamaluboo78 in reply to Yumz199725]

I plan to see my GP to discuss this and also my depression too, hope to get an appt on my day off this Friday

[helenlw7]

Welcome to the group. I was diagnosed with asthma and bronchiectstasis in 2012. I already had rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. I know just how you feel about losing your independence. Even though I’ve had asthma for 11 years it still isn’t properly controlled. I used to run 3 times a week, now I can’t walk without getting breathless.

[Mamaluboo78 in reply to helenlw7]

Hello. I feel for you having to deal with other conditions and asthma on top. I hope things will be easier after winter. Do you find your symptoms are better when it is warmer? It really sucks not being able to active. I used to go to bootcamp 3 nights a week and go for long walks of 5 or more miles, which helped my depression and anxiety.

[helenlw7 in reply to Mamaluboo78]

My asthma is possibly allergic asthma so is worse in the spring and summer while my arthritis is worse in cold and wet weather. Can’t win really. I will certainly be happier when the days get lighter for longer. I find the dark nights depressing.

[Patk1]

Welcome to the forum x

[CDPO16]

HI and welcome. I have emphysema with asthma overlap. I also suffer from anxiety and panic attacks but thankfully not depression. The rest is enough to contend with!

[knitter]

maybe a review of your inhalers ?

Some I have tried don’t suit me at all , other people are fine on them .

I wonder what switched your asthma on ….pneumonia did it for me .

Covid or Long Covid ?

How was your asthma diagnosed …breathlessness , cough ?

I know what you mean by the stairs and panic …I have a chesty cold and cough ….even though I walked step by step upstairs I was hit by a panic attack at the top. Inhaler at hand .Took ages to calm down .

Anxiety and breathlessness can get into a cycle.

Tell your health professional your symptoms, I also find gentle gentle breathing exercises helpful …Patrick McKeowen on you tube I find good .

And gentle gentle pursed lip breathing …just a few breaths .

Were you given a preventer inhaler as well as the blue Ventolin . Some people here find the single reliever and preventer good , but they don’t work for me .

Have you been told what to do in an emergency , given a rescue pack , how many puffs of reliever , a peak flow meter, a spacer , inhaler technique ?

For UK residents Aluk has a helpline , number is on this page .

Best wishes , keep in contact .

[Mamaluboo78 in reply to knitter]

Thank you I have been on the Asthma and Lung UK site and have found some amazing breathing techniques, is really helping, going to try the warm up videos and exercise videos, as they have levels that I can try

[Mamaluboo78 in reply to knitter]

I had Covid for the first time last Feb, took 3 months to feel normal again and around 3/4 months after recovering around May, from that I started to struggle with breathless while walking, especially on exertion. I was originally diagnosed with COPD as I am an ex smoker - quit 10 years ago but smoked 20+ a day. However my spirometry did not diagnose this and the GP diagnosed asthma. I wonder how accurate the spirometry is when you do it sitting down, I thought I would be tested after walking or doing exercise?

[Patk1]

Take a look on aluk website.theres a lot of info that u can absorb/ use at Yr own pace." controlled pursed lips breathing" is so helpful x

[Mamaluboo78 in reply to Patk1]

Pursed lip breathing is a game changer! Also blow breathing for climbing my stairs is helpful, have to go one step at a time slowly but I take less time to recover with pursed lip breathing when I get to my bedroom

[Germantara]

Sorry ta hear you're having a rough time at the moment you' get some good advice or suggestions from lovely peaple on this forum

[Alberta56]

Welcome to the forum. I have bronchiectasis rather than asthma, but I well remember the horrible feeling when I could only manage the stairs one at a time with a great deal of puffing and hanging on to the bannister. Once you have a proper management plan for your asthma you will find it easier to cope with breathlessness. Who diagnosed your asthma? Have you been referred to a respiratory consultant? or a properly trained nurse you can talk to? My GP surgery told me I had COPD which I had not. GP knowledge about respiratory complaints is variable. PS. I can still manage a 3 mile walk in the warmer weather and could probably do more if I trained. Please don't despair about getting active again.