Hope you're all well. I was wondering if you could reassure me that what I'm experiencing is normal and help me understand what exactly an asthma attack is. I was diagnosed with asthma when I was young, and had almost grown out of it, but has got worse over the last month and so I'm feeling pretty new to asthma as I can't remember much of it when I was little so I'd really appreciate your experience!
I started with tight chest, breathlessness (during walking+talking), and fatigue: however at this stage my peak flow wasn't too low, and my sats were still 98%, and the doctor said my chest was clear: has anyone else experienced this?
Recently even when my chest isn't tight I feel like my airways are quite irritable and like they'll be set off to coughing/ tight chest really easily, and so I try to avoid going outside/ doing too much when it feels like that. Does anyone else get that and is that the right thing to do or is it overcautious?
Does anyone have any tips to stop coughing at night? I've tried lots of pillows, and drinking water.
Lastly, could someone please describe to me what having an asthma attack is like? I've tried reading the descriptions in the literature but I'm still not clear. One of the things it says is your having an asthma attack when you're medication isn't working like it normally does - this happened to me and it took 7 puffs for the salbutamol to work but it didn't feel like an emergency. Is an asthma attack a bit like asthma with a panic attack on top or is it different?
Thank you very much for all your help. I'm looking forward to hearing back from some of you and becoming a little less clueless!
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People symptons vary To me an asthma attack is like trying to breathe through a straw and my chest is really painful but other people may have different symptons to me or you. Have you talked to an asthma nurse or your dr on recognising an attack its really important you do this. anyway Best wishes Kerry-anne xxxx
Hello.
Most people experience different symptoms ..varying from what you have described to many others. In my case the have varied sometimes it feels as if someone has sat on my chest after I have exhaled and I am not able to inhale, sometimes I like you have a persistent annoying dry cough that it's not only tiring but annoying to me. Sometimes you wheeze loud enough for others to hear you. ...as I've said it changes from person to person and from day to day !!!
The most important thing is to keep calm....take your meds as prescribed.. it will also be a huge help to yourself and your docs if you keep a record of your peak flow and any other ""triggers"" or things you notice that may be affecting you...an asthma diary is a good idea... as this will help your docs/nurse come to a well informed diagnosis of the type of asthma you have...as there are as many different Asthma as there are colds and ""flus""
Regarding Night coughing...I am sorry to say that that is one of the things most of us struggle with every so often...sleeping propped up with pillows helps, do not take too much cold water but sip warm/tepid water, some people find a humidifier helps...(or a bowl of water on top/side of the heater works just as well)
Electric heaters can make things worse as they make the air DRY. Avoid feather pillows and quilts, Vacuum your mattress regularly. I know that sounds weir but it all helps
You should maybe ask to see your Asthma nurse (most GP surgeries have one) or contact one of the Nurses in this site.
The best advice I can give you is ... ""Get to know your lungs"" YOU are the best person to know when you need help.
Try to use as much of your lung capacity (without straining) everyday as this will help your understanding of your respiratory system. Don't be frighten to ask for advice and or help. Take your meds and get used to checking your peak flow regularly even if feeling ok (maybe 3 times daily) part of the ""Getting to know your lungs"" bit.
Take care and Keep well....hope this has helped a bit
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