I’ve had asthma diagnosis since 4 yrs old, now 32. The previous 8 years or so it’s been very well controlled on Fostair 100/06, virtually symptomless since this preventer.
I rescued a cat Feb 2024 having had no previous animal allergies. Unfortunately after some months I started to feel my breathing was very slightly affected, not terrible but it wasn’t right either. I kept cat until start of December 2024 after a very long period of trialling everything possible to keep the treasure that I’d grown so attached to, but in the end I had to prioritise my health.
Two days after rehoming my cat, the much more serious asthma symptoms started, in the form of incredibly tight chest and pains - no wheezing and no coughing up mucus etc. Symptoms were worse at night.
I’ve been prescribed montelukast 10mg before bed and to increase Fostair to 8 puffs throughout the day. Despite this and despite absolutely going to town on my house (to remove dander) in the form of washing everything possible, hoovering twice per day, my symptoms just won’t shift. Previously whenever I’d have as flare up it would be a few days maximum, this is now 6 weeks and it’s really getting me down, it’s so much worse than when I ever had the cat. Symptoms seem worse during the day now. Does anyone have any ideas or solutions to help me get back to the much more controlled place I need to be? Thank you.
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In-hale
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You may have gathered more triggers as you've got older - I certainly did. I'm sure your cleaning regime will have dealt with any mould, but keep an eye out for that. Do the cleaning products themselves trigger you at all? I can't use a hoover for any length of time because of the dusty hot air it generates.
Perhaps it's time to go back to your GP and ask for a different inhaler, as Fostair doesn't seem to be working well for you any more.
Thank you. Yes I seem to have gone from virtually no trigger (except the cat) to over night everything upsetting my airways. I have read the cat dander can remain in the house for some months after, so I was hoping that once the dander has fully gone everything would calm down. I wish there was such thing as a dander test to see if there is any still in the house! My breathing seems to remain restricted even with no apparent triggers too. Cleaning wise I have always only really used fairy liquid and white vinegar. I’ve been thinking about ordering a new hoover too. I am on a trial with the 8 puffs for two weeks then have another appt, so will have to ask for something else as it’s not shifting!
Hello In-hale, thats interesting . I come from an Asthma family one of the main symptoms being cough , I am not diagnosed as asthmatic but COPD . So every year I have the said injections , this year I was diagnosed as having cancer and given radiotherapy a high powered amount . Following this I had three injections, flu,RSV & the new COVID19 all in one week. My cough has been constant and mucus has worsen so to cut the story short , you blamed the cat I'm not sure what made mine worse but I wondered if it was maybe the treatment as my illness was under control like yours for many years, just a niggling thought. I am scheduled for an urgent scan to see whats going on in my lungs. See your GP or go to A&E asap. Every Best wish. Hopefully you just need a change of inhaler.
stress after rehoming the cat affected your breathing pattern , together with cleaning regime ….are you breathing deeper , through your mouth when physically busy ?
Does a bit of pursed lip breathing help ?
Lots of viruses about , Flu or Covid . I know you have no cough , but any other symptoms , sore throat ?
As increased inhaler not helped , perhaps you need a short course of another medication to get over this exacerbation . Contact your health professional again , explain you getting no better . Ring 111 if you struggle today
Have you had allergy skin tests …my three asthmatic daughters are allergic to different things ….dust , pets , pollen , some nuts …me it’s birch pollen .
ALUK helpline open on Monday for UK residents too . Best wishes .
Definitely not a virus etc, I have actually been pretty much avoiding most social situations since the exacerbation as I feel a cold/flu will make things 100 times worse. No allergy tests which is something I would really like, so id at least know what to avoid rather than avoiding everything!! I think I will contact them again tomorrow. Thank you.
I'd either ring 111 or see Yr dr,u may need steroids to help u through this. Have u vacuumed/steamed pillows,mattress,cushions,settee?ru on antihistamines?
Hey, yes in the first week of my cat leaving we done everything physically possible, carpet cleaners curtains down etc. I also have an air purifier on pretty much 18 hours a day as I work from home. I’m not on antihistamines at the moment as I was told to just trial the 8 Fostair puffs. I am too wondering if steroids are needed now as it’s gone on for so long. Thank you.
I'd be ringing gp/ asthma nurse.to remove yr cat,avoiding social situations is a lot to give up.u could suggest steroids - ru on salbutamol inhaler too? Sounds like u need something perhaps in addition to mart x
I am wondering whether or not your cat being there was coincidence rather than the cause? There's a chance that your childhood asthma has evolved into adult eosinophillic asthma which is quite different as the symptoms are continuous rather than being triggered though triggers can still sometimes apply.
I would go to the GP or contact your respiratory nurse. If your symptoms are getting worse then you might need a rescue pack of steriods and antibiotics but I wouldn't let this go on any longer if I were you. Good luck and let us know how it goes? xx
Thank you, yes I feel the same, it’s gone on for so long with no improvement, I certainly need something that’s going to relieve me. Oddly amongst all this I have had days where I am 95%, but the next day I can literally drop to 70% with no explanation. I will let you know any outcomes.
If you mean that your sats are dropping to 70% then you need urgent medical attention. Please don't delay in seeing someone. I did that and ended up in resus. Xxx
Perhaps you could try an air purifier? They can be expensive but the cheaper ones can be run in one room at a time and might help. I'd start with a regime of at least running it in your bedroom for an hour or so before bed.
hey, thank you I forgot to mention I’ve been having one on pretty much from when I wake up until I go to sleep. It did help a little in the beginning for sure.
Hi Inhale. I am asthmatic and have been for most of my life. Washing yr bedding every week at 60deg is a must, as is hooving yr mattress washing floors and damp dusting. I could go on and on. However it won't help you at the moment. Do you have an asthma nurse you can speak to? I do hope so. Last year I was ill constantly until discovered the cause. I was lucky I had a good nurse to help me along and keep me positive. I do think you need to speak with yr nurse or GO to seek help. Don't carry on suffering. Take care Maximonkey
Hey, yes I’m pretty good on all those fronts, I’ve always been a clean/tidy/minimal person so in terms of household triggers I’m fairly certain that’s all dealt with. I have an asthma nurse who’s trialling things with me at the moment but nothing seems to be relieving it currently. If you don’t mind sharing what was the cause of yours? Thank you.
Hi Inhale, To discover the cause of my asthma flareups my GP sent me to ENT the Consultant there after changing my meds with no improvement sent me for a CT scan, this too came back negative. Unfortunately, he could do no more for me and discharged me. I always keep a diary of my health for my Resp Consultant so I sat down one day and read it, making note of how I felt at different times. I realised very quickly there was an common denominator, my holidays. I noted we had gone to the same hotel in Majorca twice and both times my asthma had started acting up on the second day. I spoke with my asthma nurse and promised her I would not go away again without taking my own pillow. We have gone back to this same hotel since and taking my own pillow worked. A hard lesson but I have been reminded how complacent I have become. I do all the things I should at home but it never occurred to me to be as cautious about staying elsewhere. I am allergic to many sprays, washing powders etc so I realised it must be the spray the hotel uses to keep the pillows free from bacteria. Who would have guessed. Hope this has encouraged you to think about your flareups and also think about any changes in the things you have bought, such as change of washing liquid (I can only use one make and with one particularly perfume) . Seems crazy I know but I just live with it. Be aware that anyone can become sensitive or allergic to anything at any age. The cat for me would have been a no no and it could be that having the cat has created an allergic reaction. Lets hope you find the cause soon. Take care, Maximonkey
hi In-hale, does this cold damp winter weather have anything to do with your problems. I find wet weather is a trigger for me. I hope you can find solutions and get back to better health.
fostair comes in a higher dose 200/6 you do 2 puffs twice a day sounds like your gp is using fostair as a rescue inhaler for you.insist on being referred to specialist.
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