Asthmatic, keep getting chest infections

[PenguinOnMars]

Hi.

I have been asthmatic since birth. I am on my 6th&7th chest infection in the last year and a half which is very unusual for me (normally once a year if that). I have worked in a school since Sept 2021 and have a 17 month old nephew so unfortunately am around a lot of germs which doesn't help

I was recovering from a bacterial chest infection from the end of Jan, then caught another cold which became a viral chest infection on top of that. The past 2 days I have had lung pain too and my chest has become tight again which is worrying me. I'm just finishing my third lot of antibiotics and second lot of steroids. I also had a nebuliser in A&E last Friday. They also did an X-ray which showed the healing bacterial infection.

I've seen a Doctor today who wasn't very helpful in giving advice as I am already on antibiotics and steroids, but did give me Montelukast and switch my Lurforbec inhaler to a Symbicort one at my request though I have no idea if these will help.

I'm at a loss what to do. Partly to heal and partly to prevent getting chest infections.

I don't know if this is Covid related, but I'm not sure I ever had Covid. I had symptoms and had to isolate just before the first lockdown but there weren't tests then so I don't know. I tested positive once in Feb 2022 but had no symptoms, and I tested positive once (but negative in the days running up to, and the hours and days after) in May 2023 which led into a chest infection.

I have an appointment with a respiratory consultant next week, however I was meant to have a breathing test yesterday but this had to be postponed because I'm on antibiotics and steroids, which is rather frustrating as I've been trying to see them since July! So I don't know if they will postpone that until I can get the test (4-6 weeks after finishing the meds, assuming I don't get another chest infection in the meantime!)

I was wondering if anyone had an advice? Or anything I can try?

I remember my Mum using a vaporiser for me when I was a child but I don't think they do these anymore and I'm not sure what was in it to find something similar.

I also have some allergies and other medical conditions which may not help.

Thank you in advance,

PenguinOnMars

[Hidden]

Lifetime asthma can result in a condition called bronchiectasis developing over the years. The biggest problem with bronch is frequent chest infections and of course, young children are our worst germ spreaders. Bronchiectasis and asthma is quite complex to treat but both conditions can be managed well by the right consultant and patient self management. Unfortunately most GPs know nothing about bronchiectasis. Bronch can only be diagnosed by a ct scan. Hopefully the consultant whom you are seeing will be aware of the possibility that you are dealing with bronch and will order a scan. I hope that you can get it sorted out so that your quality of life can improve.

[Cobalt2sister in reply to Hidden]

Hi littlepom, I see you say bronchiectasis and asthma complex to treat. I didn't know. I have both and in addition hyperinflation and atelectasis and mild emphesyma but I only go to gp not pulmonologist and I know these diagnoses because I read my ct scan report. How do they usually treat it? I've had 3 infections in past 4 months one of which was covid. Take a steroid inhaler only temporarily...just for one month and albuterol. Should I be doing something differently? All my cases are mild. Any thoughts would be helpful. Thanks.

[Hidden in reply to Cobalt2sister]

What you should be doing is getting a bronchiectasis specialist who is expert in handling it and will also know about asthma or will have a colleague who specialises in difficult asthma to work with you. GPs are out of their depth with this. I don’t know if you are in the UK but if you are you can find a bronch specialist at a big teaching hospital. Take the name to your GP and insist on a referral. If you are in another country, I suggest that you find a bronch specialist in the way that you would any other.

The bronch specialist will know the right antibiotics to give you, the doses and the delivery system. Oral, nebulised, IV and they will advise your GP. They also have their own physios who help you to make sure that you are doing the most important thing that you can for yourself- emptying your lungs of the mucus that the germs love to breed in. Avoiding other people’s germs is our main aim. Bronchiectasis exacerbations (infections) ride in on the back of virus infections.

[Cobalt2sister in reply to Hidden]

Thank you.Littlepom! Very helpful. I realize how ignorant I am about it all so this helps me learn. Many thanks.

[Hidden in reply to Cobalt2sister]

You aren't ignorant. You are on a learning curve that will help you manage your condition and then you will be able to help others.

[Cobalt2sister in reply to Hidden]

Thanks and all the best to you: good health and happiness!

[PenguinOnMars in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, that is useful to know, I will request a CT scan!

[Numptybrain in reply to Hidden]

Hi I had brittle asthma which was dormant for years then I started getting infections including 2 nasty bouts of pneumonia and sepsis, it was then they discovered I had bronchiastasis so I’m on an antibiotic 3 times daily , carbosteine to help clear mucus to try and prevent infections and a nebuliser 4 xdaily again to shift mucus as it’s a swine to shift, some people are able to cough it up easily but some can’t and unfortunately I’m one of them.It’s all a learning curb but you’ll get there. You do have to try and avoid people with infections though which may be tricky for you.

Take care

Wendy x

[Hidden in reply to Numptybrain]

Well done, you are doing all the right things to manage your bronch. We bronchs are all different and have to find what works best for us. Of course also having brittle asthma makes this more challenging for you.

[Numptybrain in reply to Hidden]

Sorry this was meant for penguin, I’m having a numpty moment

Wendy x

[PenguinOnMars in reply to Numptybrain]

Thank you

[Patk1]

Welcome to the forum.u really need a ct scan to see what's going on in lungs.sounds like Yr immunity low and catching everything.i take high dose vit c and multivitamin + mineral supplement.To avoid viruses,which often result in chest infections,you need to try protect yrself.

Get well soon x

[PenguinOnMars in reply to Patk1]

Thank you. I take Vitamin C with zinc, Vitamin D3 and an Iron tablet (with some B2, B6, B12, Vitamin C and Copper) daily. Is there something else you would suggest?

[Troilus]

Hi PenguinOnMars. I was prone to chest infections (always turned nasty) when I was teaching. I always made sure I trained my class in good hygiene- in a jokey way, and made sure there was always paper hankies on each table. I also had the window open slightly and if coughs and colds were going around I kept the internal door open. Since covid raised awareness of it, if I was still there I would be using hand gel. Some years I got away with it, other years not. Since I finished teaching I haven’t had a cold or a cough.

Coughs and colds are part of the territory- I once asked my GP why I was getting so many coughs and cold and he said,” Children are little germ buckets.”

[PenguinOnMars in reply to Troilus]

Thank you, all good ideas. Yes definitely little germ buckets! I can deal with general coughs and colds, it's the ones that become chest infections that mean I can't talk without coughing and have to have a few week's off work to recover from that are frustrating!!

[Alberta56]

Welcome to the forum. Littlepom knows a great deal more about bronch than most GPs, so her advice is always worth taking. You will find it easier to get rid of your symptoms once the weather improves. Good luck

[peege]

Hi, I see you already take some extra vitamins. Each infection, & virus - not to mention the antibiotics (alcohol & smoking too) - will deplete your immune system.

I was where you are for 3 years before I got to see a consultant for full lung test, a ct scan & allergy testing. My immune system was shot to pieces or probably non existent. I joined this forum almost 11 years ago and slowly improved from the support of several members. I keep my immune system well boosted all the time now (little grandchildren).

My list: vitamin B12, 2000iu (3000 in winter) of vitamin D3, like you vitamin c & zinc, a good multivit & mineral, magnesium. I've got a little book: The Pocket Guide to Viamins & Supplements by Angela Dowden a nutritionist. It's been very useful for information on the maximum daily doses and plenty of info on what not to take with which medication safely. At the beginning I took Manuka honey of the highest strength, a coffee spoonful several times a day for a few months. It probably took about a year to have fewer infections, it was such a relief to find that it wasn't how my life was going to stay.

Exercise, healthy diet, healthy weight all help too plus breathing exercises. I did discover that I'd been using my inhaler & spacer wrongly which probably had a lit to do with the downward spiral.

Very best wishes

[PenguinOnMars in reply to peege]

Thank you very much, I will look into other vitamins and the book you suggested.

I stopped drinking alcohol 2 years ago because of it triggering migraines and not mixing with my meds, and I have never smoked.

I'm a sucker for chocolate and I do need to lose weight but it's hard to do exercise when I can't breathe well, or have a migraine, horrendous period pain/PMS, or back pain which tend to all play off each other. I did book in to try Pilates a month ago and then had a massive back pain flare up!! Particularly frustrating. And my ankle is recovering from being sprained. I'm a mess!

I have been trying to be retested for allergies since before Covid as it has been a long time and I have new allergies since. But they keep moving it! But fingers crossed for April!

Just out of interest, how were you using the inhaler and space wrong?

[PenguinOnMars in reply to PenguinOnMars]

Also, how did you settle on those particular vitamins? Was it from the book?

[peege in reply to PenguinOnMars]

Partly from book & also recommendations on here years ago hence getting the book to check pro, cons & maximum daily requirements. It's very informative on each vit & supplement.There was a great member back in the day - Stilltruckin , I believe she was a scientist of some kind, so very helpful as were a few others.

I moved out of SW19 late 2014. A great set of GPS & respiratory nurse but lacking in useful tips & it took them 3 years beforereferralto check for aspergillosis(fungal lung growth) and bronchiectasis (CT scan essential) . GP in Gloucestershire is the pits so being proactive is the only way. If I had my time over I'd have used a credit card for a private consultant.

Re inhaling wrongly, I was inhaling as my son was taught in late 70s Libya as a toddler ie a fast suck in. Never once did a respiratory nurse pull me up even when the spacer whistled. Nowadays I read everything written on medication leaflets and check manufacturers videos on inhalers to ensure all's well. One decent thing my present gp has done is allow winter abs to help me keep infection free. Azithromycin 250mgs on Mon Wed Fri November to April (I admit I don't take them till December so stockpile some abs for emergencies when its utterly impossible to get hold of gp. Shame on me but hopefully they've prevented yet more lung damage from infections & pneumonia

By the way, there is pneumonia vaccination, lasts many years - which I strongly recommend you insist on as well as annual flu jabs.

I try to keep my sugar and carb intake low in an attempt to keep blood sugar down & weight off. For me exercise is the only way to keep it off - 1.5 stone since covid, not good & certainly doesn't help shortness of breath.

The book is on kindle too if you have the free app. The other reason I bought it was to find ways to support the CFS I've ended up with besides pacing. I've Small Airways Disease too plus high BP & hereditary high cholesterol both of which could do with losing the extra weight. Roll on spring!

Take care. P

Edit: forgot to mention PR course = Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Brilliant 6 week course of exercise and education.

[PenguinOnMars in reply to peege]

Thank you very much for all of that!

[Yumz199725]

I know how you feel I have been ill so many times this past few months my asthma got well bad needed my blue inhaler like 20 times in a few days so I had a scheduled asthma review and they switched me onto symbicort inhaler about a week ago x I was so breathless before I was put on my new inhaler all I had to do was stand up and I was out of breathe, getting dressed, making my bed was awful! 😩. I have noticed a really big change already. Hope this inhaler helps your chest infections.

[PenguinOnMars in reply to Yumz199725]

I'm sorry to hear that but I'm glad it has really helped you. I've only been taking it one day but I have definitely improved since yesterday! Thank you

[Biker88]

Have you been tested for aspergillosis an allergy to the spores of Aspergillus fungi this is very often found in patients with asthma especially if you can’t get the asthma under control. It is in the rare disease category, hard to diagnose as most GPs don’t encounter it.

[PenguinOnMars in reply to Biker88]

No I haven't, but it's now on my list to request! Thank you

[Digger0]

I was treated for "asthma" for 30+ years - mainly diagnosed as I had a cough that went away with a high dose steroid inhaler (as most would). Having also had 6+ sever chest infections a year I had a CT scan when I had Covid in 2020, and they diagnosed bronchiectasis. I was taken off all my inhalers following a breathing test, and am now on azithromycin three times a week for life. Touch 🌳 I have not had a chest infection since the! Good luck.

[Mama-bear60]

Are you in the UK? Have you joined asthma and link Uk? There is so much support and advice on there.

They also hold a lot of training of how to manage your symptoms.

There are a lot of research groups to become involved with.

[PenguinOnMars in reply to Mama-bear60]

Is this Asthma and Lung UK? I wasn't aware of them, I will have a look, thank you

[GintyFerguson]

Hi, I had asthma diagnosed as an adult for about 12 years an then frequent chest infections. A bronchoscopy and scan revealed bronchiectasis . It took some time to learn how to manage both but I do and so it is possible . If indeed that's what you have.My personal regime is Fostair and Incruse inhalers plus staying away from little kids, crowds, cold and fresh paint! I also take vit C, D and zinc.

Good luck.

[enitsirhc]

My elderly husband had a series of lung infections. After a phlegm sample was taken he was given an antibiotic that was aimed at his particular bug. This has reduced the number of infections and hospital admissions. He has also done a six week respiratory physiotherapy course, which was excellent. He was prescribed an aerobica which has also helped. Good luck and please post how you get on. My husband saw the respiratory consultant before he had the breathing tests and returned after he had them. The physio course covered diet, exercise, allergies etc cannot recommend it highly enough.

[Wessytessy13]

I've been put on the asthma tablet Montelukast at night and it as easy my asthma and am waiting to see Respiratory Specialist at the hospital as I've had 9 infections in 12 months which isn't good

[PenguinOnMars in reply to Wessytessy13]

It's so frustrating isn't it!!

[Dorris59]

it sound as if you’re immune system is low. I personally take a combined VitD3 + K2 4,000 IU through the winter and zinc picolonate . Both of these balance your immune system and help fight infection as shown in clinical studies. Manuka honey is very good for coughs but is extremely expensive now. Heather honey has been found to be equally as good. Zinc is both antibacterial and antiviral but shouldn’t be taken at the same time as antibiotics as it can interfere with them. Diet is also key. New research has shown that a largely plant based diet is extremely beneficial to our gut microbiome and most of our immune system is manufactured in our gut. They recommend eating 30 plants per week, including herbs, spices, legumes etc and soups are an ideal way to increase veg in your diet. Broccoli is particularly beneficial as it contains something called ‘sulforaphane’ and is beneficial to our lungs, though cooking kills it, so steam in a bag for no more than 5 minutes. Sprouts & cauliflower are also sulphurs as is mustard and you can boost sulforaphane levels by adding mustard seed powder. If I get a chest infection I also use N-acetylcisteine (NAC) which I found out about that off this forum years ago. I find it really helps bring up the mucous. I didn’t used to be able to get it up. I believe they still do vaporisers. You can also buy nebulisers and buy the saline solution to go in them, which thins down the mucous. I find these all work for me and help prevent, or at least help me deal with infections and I’m not as wheezy, so mitigates the severity.