So I rang 111 who sent out an ambulance last night. I was working hard and feeling very breathless and tight chested I've also got a lot of pain in my ribs. The paramedic told me I wasn't working hard even though my tummy was sucking in and said the tight chest isn't asthma. He did say he could hear a pleuratic rub and said that's probably why my breathing rate was high. He also said that my blood sugar was slightly high but I am on a high dose of steroids. He didn't take me to hospital and said to get seen over the weekend if I don't feel any better. I'm on antibiotics as well but I'm finding it hard to cough anything up now. Unsure of what to do as I've hardly slept again. Any advice welcome and if you've had increased blood sugars on steroids what happened to you?
Paramedics out: So I rang 111 who sent... - Asthma Community ...
Paramedics out
I'm so sorry that you're feeling so poorly. I hope things improve for you soon.
In the past I've had increased blood sugars whilst on Prednisolone (steroids) I was in hospital at the time and I had to fast then a blood test be done to check for diabetes, fortunately for me everything came back ok.
I think that's what I'll end up having done. I'm still feeling so bad. I've not had much sleep and having to look after an 18 month old isn't helping.
I have a lot more pain today so I don't know whether to see the out of hours doctor x
Id go a and e if no better
Hi Lucy As you are not feeling better you should go to A&E as he suggested. I know it is difficult with a young child. Yes you can get diabetes on steroids but it doesn't last I was told by the specialist. It stops when you stop taking them. I wouldn't worry about all that now. It can only increase your anxiety level thus your breathlessness. But what about the pleural rub, that should be enough for a check up and the increased pain?? So do give some news won't you. Take care x
Thank you for your reply. I am going to get an appointment with the out of hours doctor as my pain is a lot worse today. And I'm still having night time symptoms. I will reply with an update once I've been. Thank you for your advice! It's such a scary thing to go through especially when I don't normally suffer bad x
An update. Been to out of hours. My sats were okay. He said I have a wheeze on my right side and told me I'm taking to much salbutamol but I'm only taking as much as I need. He's put me on a weaning regime of prednisolone. I have an appointment with my normal gp tomorrow morning about something else so I'm going to speak to her. My concern is I took 10 puffs of salbutamol about 3 hours ago and I still have a wheeze and I'm on day 3 of 40mg of prednisolone. It's never taken this long for me to feel better. He said I probably have got pleurisy as I have sharp pains but also muscular pains. Any advice about what he's said
Hi Lucy told you about the salbutamol I was worried that you took so many puffs..sorry about the pain and the pleurisy..the wheeze on the side is a definite sign..heavy steroids you probably can't sleep much..no nebs? I like nebs it helps me I find..same antibiotics?..nothing else?
I would put compresses on the pain..can you feel the fluid?
no xray? no scan? I would phone the Gp for an urgent appointment tomorrow..the Americans are more precise..see below drugs.com/cg/pleurisy.html
"How is pleurisy diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will ask about your signs and symptoms. Tell him if you have traveled recently or been around anyone who is sick. Your healthcare provider will listen to your lungs through a stethoscope. You may also need any of the following:
Blood tests may show if you have an infection, or give information about your overall health.
A chest x-ray is used to look for swelling or extra fluid in and around your lungs.
An ultrasound uses sound waves to show pictures of your lungs on a monitor. This test is used to look for extra fluid between your pleura.
A CT scan is also called a CAT scan. An x-ray machine uses a computer to take pictures of your lungs. You may be given contrast liquid to help your healthcare providers see the pictures better. Tell the healthcare provider if you have had an allergic reaction to contrast liquid.
A sample of your sputum may be taken to test for an infection.
Pleural biopsy may be needed to rule out other conditions."
"How is pleurisy treated?
Treatment depends on the cause of your pleurisy and how severe your symptoms are. Your healthcare provider will treat the cause of your pleurisy. You may need medicines to treat a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection. You may need medicine to treat your pain and swelling of the pleura.
"How can I manage my symptoms?
Find a comfortable position that allows you to decrease pain and breathe easier. You may find it comfortable to lie on your the side that has pleurisy. Change your position frequently to prevent complications, such as worsening pneumonia or lung collapse.
Splint your pain when coughing. Hold a pillow against your chest when coughing or taking a deep breath."
"Call 911 if:
You have sudden, intense chest pain that feels different from your symptoms.
You are breathing fast, feel confused, or feel like you are going to faint.
When should I seek immediate care?
You cough up yellow, green, gray, or bloody mucus.
You feel more short of breath than usual.
Your lips or fingernails turn dusky or blue.
When should I contact my healthcare provider?
Your pain gets worse, even after treatment.
You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
You have a fever."
It covers all eventualities..take care Lucy xx
Thank you. I've got an appointment at 9 with my gp. I've taken my inhaler a lot more since cutting down to 2 puffs. And I feel very tight chested. I've got so much muck on my chest. I've got a hot water bottle on my shoulders and a pillow on my front. I'll look hilarious going into the gp surgery lol
I'm also on antibiotics, I've had no nebs. And been on steroids since Friday and the out of hours put me on titration dose for 3 weeks. But we'll see what my normal gp says
Hi Lucy hope it goes well at the GP's xx
I've got to stay on high dose steroids till Friday and antibiotics till Friday. Then start the reducing regime of steroids. Just got to take it easy. I feel tight chested and it's going into the throat is that normal? I've never had it tightening up to my throat
Hi Lucy
Im glad you went. Did you tell him about the throat? Sorry I can't answer that. I wish you well. Xx
No but I'm considering ringing asthma uk for some advice.
A good idea. Honestly I have always had great advice from them. They are very kind and make you feel at ease.
Hope you feel better soon Lucy xx
They were very good and said I need to speak to the gp again about seeing if my preventer inhaler can be increased and if not I may have to go to hospital. The nurse was very reassuring though. Xx
Oh yes? About the throat? I did feel my throat was tense when I had bronchitis I thought it was from the coughing.
Finding the right preventer and the right dosage is an art! Really!
Well the antibiotics and steroids should start kicking in I hope you won't have to go to hospital again but better listen to good advice xx
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
How To Tell If Ventolin Inhaler Is Running Out?
Is asthma one of the most serious conditions out there?
How long for Prednisone to kick in?
Coping with asthma at the moment
What would you do next?
Late onset asthma confusion 
So are we all enjoying the heat...!
Does all latex protein cook out?
Recovering after hospital stay
