Just thought I'd get this out of my system - no reply really needed.

The elephant that used to sit on my chest around 4 am (1 puff of preventer, twice a day) had vanished since the asthma nurse put me back to 2 puffs of preventer, twice a day.

I'm back to having some days of feeling fed up and a slight loss of driving confidence, though the good nights sleep does compensate.

Friday - spent the afternoon at casualty. DD had severe reaction to prescribed pain killer (naproxene) for back pain. Full cardiac 12 lead test unexpectedlly showed DD has heart murmur. Bloods taken - tested for swine flu too! Results all came back clear. Diclofenac prescribed and allowed home.

Over the weekend, DD is heaps better but my elephant made a re-appearance. Putting down to stress and hoping he goes away without any fuss. Last thing I need is a visit to A&E myself. LOL

Never had any A&E visits re asthma as yet. Touches lots of wood...

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DD?

And hugs cos I know you did not want a reply but everyone needs an ehug sometime.

Hugs

Bex

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Glad you are feeling better with the extra meds, but the added stress doesn't help, on a positive note, the discovery of the heart murmur, due to some unconnected admission is good, at least that can be kept an eye on, and treated accordingly.

take care, and don't stress.

chris

[yaf_user681_25820]

hi

it could be the diclofenic it has aspirin in it its a non steroidal antiinflammory drug , are you of with aspirin?

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Thanks Bex for the ehug. Woody, for the best wishes and yes the elephant came back due to the stress of, within weeks, another day at A&E with younger daughter.

When she is feeling better, will see GP about heartbeat. As the cardio guy mentioned it, both daughter and I immediately said 'Like the cat!' Had to explain that daughter's cat has an irregular heart beat too. Regular check ups at Vet.

Thanks wheezer1 too, for letting me know Diclofenac has aspirin. I didn't know that. Will make a note for the medicine cabinet as other members of the family are on various tabs of which aspirin is one.

moira

PS bex, sorry for the shortform. DD = dear daughter.

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Info about Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) such as asprin, ibruprofen & diclofenac

just to let you know...

Diclofenac, Naproxen, Ibruprofen and Aspirin are all individual medications. They all belong to the class of medication called Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (commonly referred to as NSAIDs)

Diclofenac doesn't actually have aspirin in it. It's just in the NSAID class of medication.

Patients can be sensitive to an individual drug, such as aspirin, but more commonly - the class of drugs. (NSAIDs)

Apirin sensitive asthma is quite common, affecting up to 20% of asthmatics. Aspirin causes the diversion of metabolites from the one chemical pathway to another, resulting in an increase in leukotriene production causing bronchconstriction.

You might have heard the word leukotriene before... As in leukotriene receptor anatagonist/ inhibitors [which is the class of drug that the asthma medications Singulair (monteleukast) and Accolate (zafirlukast) belong to]

These medications are useful in treating asthma, but especially aspirin sensitive asthma.

Aspirin sensitive asthma is commonly accompanied by rhinitis, sinusitis and nasal polyps. These patients are more commonly sensitive to some food additives (tartrazine and benzoate) than average in the asthmatic population.

It's generally advised that the asthmatic population avoid NSAIDs, because even if they have been successfully in the past, it doesn't mean there will not be a reaction in the future.

GrannyMo -What reaction did your daughter have? Is she asthmatic? Just wondering because Naproxen is also a NSAID, so you and her (if she's asthmatic) would be wise to avoid taking it! Would recommend checking with your/her GP to play it safe. Hope your elephant has shifted!

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Thanks KSD,

This daughter isn't asthmatic. Just seemed to be the Naproxen that caused the problem. Fine with other NSAIDs. Felt within half an hour that someone or something had kicked the side of her face - not like toothache at all - pain developed to encircle her head ie up right side, across top and eventually down the left side. Unusual side effect and lasted till Diclofenac given. The doc at hosp thought it unusual too.

More worrying is the arrhythmia which maybe explains her occasional feeling there is a palpatation thing or light squeezing feeling mid chest going on.

My older daughter has recently been put on Clenil Modulite for four weeks to assist recovery from long standing cold and chest infections. Therefore have suggested younger daughter has asthma check too.

GM