New here and new to Cronic asthma

[Tienshan]

Hi, just joined and reading through the posts seems like there’s no cure for lung disease. I had mild asthma until August last year and had 7 lots of antibiotics and steroids. Mucus and phlegm keeps building up and I fear this is my life now 😢. Otherwise I’m very healthy. Interestingly I was in Peru this August and everything cleared up. Since being back in damp north west lung issues creeping back in. How can I get my GP to refer me to consultant? They seem reluctant to do so. Thanks for reading

[sassy59]

Welcome to the forum Tienshan. I’d push for that referral if l were you as there is no cure for lung disease but lots of ways to manage issues. Don’t take no for an answer.

Feel free to ask questions and we’ll do our best to help but nobody is medically trained on here.

Wishing you well.. xx

[Tienshan in reply to sassy59]

Thank you for welcoming me sassy59. I will have lots of questions I’m sure. I will be more instituant with my GP next visit.

[Rosa17]

Hi Tienshan, I am sorry you're feeling so poorly, and are struggling to get to see a consultant. This is all too common, you must insist on being referred, don't be fobbed off. (I know - easier said than done!) Once you are diagnosed, you will be given lots of help managing your health. Xx

[Tienshan in reply to Rosa17]

Thanks for the encouragement. You never want to seem like a hypochondriac, but it’s gone on too long now.

[Seagullcity]

Hi Tienshan, I too was quite depressed to discover there would be no end to phlegm production, but I’m finding that daily nebulising of 3% Mucoclear, together with carbocysteine tablets helps to keep stuff moving and stop me getting totally clogged up.

I’m also going through the process if a gp referral to a specialist but I had to supply the gp with a hospital and names of consultants. He has made the referral so now I’m just waiting to see if I’ll be offered an appointment. Good luck with everything, S

[Tienshan in reply to Seagullcity]

Hi Seagullcity, I’ve never heard of the products you mention. I will look them up. Do you get them from GP?

[Seagullcity in reply to Tienshan]

I bought the nebuliser from Boots and asked the gp to prescribe the Mycoclear (for use in the nebuliser) and the carbocysteine which also helps to thin the phlegm, so that it’s possible to clear it from the lungs. But ask your gp what’s right for you. I have bronchiectasis not asthma.

[Alberta56]

Ask your GP to refer you for a Pulmonary Rehabilitation class. This will teach you how to manage the condition, (which should benefit your GP too, if he/ she could see it that way.) You may have to research that yourself, to find out if there is such a thing in your area. My phlegm production has gone right down since I was properly diagnosed and shown how to deal with it. Best wishes. xxx

[Tienshan in reply to Alberta56]

Hi Alberta56, that sounds interesting. Ask for that as well as a consultation to see specialist?

[Alberta56 in reply to Tienshan]

Yes definitely ask for both. The more you find out about your condition, the easier it is to manage it.

[peege]

Hi, my lung issues started in a similar way and I used to be very fit and healthy. Then just a sore throat or a cold would always become a chest infection I waited three years for a referral but if I had my time over and knew what I know now I would have seen a consultant privately for a diagnosis. By the time I did see one I'd developed Small Airways Disease on top of asthma. I took then - and still do - lots of vitamins and minerals to rebuild my immune system. Most of us have taken the same precautions that evolved throughout the covid pandemic for many years ie using antiseptic gel, not touching anything in public (especially public transport) like door handles (think cross contamination), avoiding people with germs/coughs/colds. I've caught most of my bugs from little children. Perhaps point out to your gp that it would probably be cheaper in the long run to let you see a consultant for tests than keep turning up for antibiotics and steroids. Good luck. P

PS it sounds as though you need to learn lung clearance techniques urgently. A gp taught me the huffing technique many years ago but there are also little devices that you can use ie Aerobika or acapella. Simple is to blow down a straw placed in a glass of water. A respiratory physiotherapist will teach others. Its essential to get the mucus up and out of your lungs or you will continue to get repeated infections causing lung damage.

[Tienshan in reply to peege]

Hi peegee, thanks for the information. I had CT scan and it showed some scarring on my lungs already. That was quite alarming. I’ve been focussed on trying to stop mucus. But it sounds like I have to learn to live with it and clear it daily 😢

[Izb1]

Hi Tienshan and welcome to the site. My doctor treated me for asthma for years and the inhalers made me worse. It wasn't until she retired and I got a new doctor that sent me to a local lung centre with ct scan that I found out I had bronchiectasis and not asthma. Years later, I have now developed overlap asthma and having found a specialist , insisting on a referral I feel better looked after. You really do have to push sometimes to look after yourself. Good luck x

[Tienshan in reply to Izb1]

Thanks for the welcome and encouragement. I feel encouraged to insist on a referral now.

[Nula2]

Hi Tienshan and a warm welcome to this forum. As the others have said you need to be referred to a lung specialist and have tests to see if it is asthma or something else. It was only when I was referred that I got a proper diagnosis. Good luck and take care 😊xxx

[Tienshan in reply to Nula2]

Thank you. Yes I feel GPs are stabbing in the dark. I had to ask to be prescribed Montelukast as she wasn’t aware of it 😲

[Maximonkey]

Hi Tienshan, I am sorry you feel you are not being listened to. It is your right to see a Consultant if you are worried about your health issue. If I were you I would make a double appointment to see your GP and explain how you feel. Being proactive is the key to being heard. Take care of yourself. Maximonkey

[Tienshan in reply to Maximonkey]

Thanks Maximonkey. I’m going to do that as soon as I can. Especially as it’s affecting work now.

[PW_R]

This is how mine started also. But has progressed quite quickly to small airways disease, or remodelling of the small airway. In other words fixed obstruction - no longer just mucus I can clear and all is good. You want to avoid this, and infections are the number one cause. To be honest I don’t know it’s possible to live normally & try to avoid viruses all summer. Your post doesn’t mention a smoking history so I assume that’s not relevant?

[Tienshan in reply to PW_R]

Hi PW_R, gosh that sounds a worry. Hope you are managing. I did smoke in my 20s, I’m now 60.

[PW_R in reply to Tienshan]

I’d question chronic bronchitis if there’s any smoking history at all. It’s hard to tell the difference between the two. The main issue with the mucus is it makes you much more prone to infections, as they say it creates a perfect breeding. So it becomes a vicious cycle, as Iv found out! I’d go private if you can afford it - the lungs are not to be messed with!

[Patk1]

Worth keeping brief daily diary of symptoms,how much mucous etc.do u have a peak flow meter as gd idea to include readings whn ok+ when asthma bad to give gp/ nurse clearer picture of what's going on

[Tienshan in reply to Patk1]

Thank you Patk1 I’ve kept diary but not record of peak flow. This forum has been a great source of information. I’m glad I found it