Wheezing

[Q-owl]

I wake with worrying wheezing, usually it seems to come from the left hand lower lung. I think it's associated with nasal drip and sleeping on my left. Sometimes coughing will produce a small amount of phlegm which relieves the situation to some extent. In cold weather or if I catch cold, my symptoms can be quite severe. August 2023 I had uncontrollable coughing and developed costochondritis. I still have pain in my intercostals when exercising. MOMETASONE seems to be helping, but I've not been taking it nightly as I've been trying to decrease my steroid load. I am tapering my Prednisolone dose, currently alternating between 2mg and 1mg daily, as I have Polymyalgia Rheumatica (7yrs).

The GP surgery think I have either asthma (FeNO test next week) or COPD. They refused antibiotics for many weeks last summer when I had my 3rd chest infection of the year (covid?). I dread the coming winter and increased chance of another chest infection. Any suggestions or comments welcome.

[Alberta56]

The Aluk helpline may be able to help you. Try telephoning them on Monday on 0300 .222 5800. I feel your condition is too complex for me to comment on, but I hope you get some relief soon.

[Izb1]

I have sinus problems and find doing a nasal wash before bedtime and first thing in the morning helps with the wheezing, I do lung clearance every day as I make a lot of mucus. Hope you find something that helps x

[Q-owl in reply to Izb1]

Thank you for your suggestions. How do you do lung clearance? Surely coughing? Or do you use steam?

I had an allergic reaction to a friend's cat yesterday and took an antihistamine in the evening. Slept like a log and feel much clearer this morning. Perhaps I've been barking up the wrong tree!

[Izb1 in reply to Q-owl]

Look at YouTube to see how to do lung clearance. I used to take antihistamine as they dry up the mucus and like you it helped with sleep as well but I have narrow angled glaucoma and these affect that condition so had to stop using them x

[Kneesandtoes in reply to Izb1]

I am on glaucoma watch and am going to try an antihistamine rather than going back on a steroid inhaler for my wheezing. I did not know that antihistamines are bad for glaucoma and nor did the doctor I presume.

[Izb1 in reply to Kneesandtoes]

I didn't either its only recently that I have checked this out as have had bad attacks with my eye and read about it. I am waiting to go back to the glaucoma clinic and hopefully no further damage has been done. Not sure my gp knows about this either, I have a telephone appointment with her on the 12th and will bring it up x

[Lutontown]

I sleep in an adjustable bed, so with my trunk fairly upright, as if I lay flat I seem to fill up with muck. Before I got the adjustable bed I slept in an easy chair and then a chaise. I bet you fall asleep in front of the tele; if so do you wake up wheezy?

[Jake25]

Hi Q-owl have you tried antihistamines? I was wheezing badly and found after taking a antihistamine it really settled down at this time of year all different pollutants are airborne. Hope this helps.