I'm new here but I'm hoping someone can give me some advice.
I've had asthma since I was about 15 (I'm 24 now) and it's been pretty well controlled up until a few months ago. It started with me getting breathless really easily - not being able to walk up a hill that had previously not caused me any trouble at all, and getting out of breath just running up the stairs. I saw my GP who gave me more inhalers and a peak flow device, a week later I went back to the GP (at this point I would like to point out that it's NEVER the same GP, it's usually a locum doctor and one time it was a phone call from a doctor miles away from where I live), and I got a locum who I then had to repeat my entire history too, he upped my steroid inhaler (Pulmicort 200) but it's not improved anything.
Flash forward to two weeks ago when I developed an awful cough and the asthma worsened further. Saw a GP who said he wasn't sure what it was but gave me anti-biotics and told me not to take them for two days to see if I improved?! I started taking them but they've not even touched it.
Now I'm stuck because despite telling every nurse/doctor that I've seen/spoke to that my asthma is worse and I need stronger inhalers/steroids or something to help me breathe better - nobody is listening to me. The cough is still here and I'm on the last day of the anti-biotics. I've got blood tests and chest x-rays tomorrow.
Any suggestions on what needs to be done? I'm hoping the cough goes soon as I'm struggling with it a lot, but the breathing issue is becoming really embarrassing.
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dilEmma13
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It sounds as though you need some consistency in your treatment. I do feel for you. It may be that you need a short burst of oral steroids. As you are having blood tests and X-rays done tomorrow I would try to see a hospital doctor if you can.
The peak flow diary will help, but you also need a written Asthma treatment plan. Try and keep a record of your symptoms and how much reliever inhaler you are using. It's always so difficult to remember when asked if you don't have a record. I also write down about waking up coughing or coughing first thing.
Is there an asthma nurse at your practice? It might be worth finding a GP practice that does have an asthma clinic.
Also the Asthma UK helpline is brilliant. Super helpful so it might be worth giving them a call.
Hi Emma! Completely understand where your coming from - was in the same place 18 months ago (teenage diagnosis, flare up at 23/24 with an inconsistent GP surgery)!!!!
Completely agree with risabel!!!
It could be something different underlying it (hence why you're getting all the tests you're getting/why meds don't seems to be working) but it does sound like you're having a bit of a flare up of your asthma (for whatever reason and the meds just aren't right for you)! (Assuming you're feeling similar to any issues you had with your asthma as a teen)
If your practice does have an AN I would defo book in to see them because no matter what they're like they'll give you some consistency and should understand a bit more than a doc who's never seen you before and know alternatives for treatment - they can also get docs to prescribe pred if they think you need it. Alternatively if possible try booking in the the GP who is they practice manager as they are more likely to stick around for longer! If you have the time/patience keep going back (you could write your case history down so you don't need to keep explaining!) and pester til you're feeling better!!!
If you're not getting anywhere I'd defo consider changing practices - different places can run completely differently - my new place have daily walk in on the mornings where you request who you want and they try their best to accommodate esp if you are there regularly for the same complaint, whilst at my old place I would spend days ringing trying to get an emergency appt with no control on who I saw - miles apart!!!!
Keep a record of you PF and your symptoms (plus how much of your blue you are using daily). My diary list of symptoms to report are- did you; cough today, wheeze/tight chest today, have shortness of breath today, (r) asthma wake you up at night/earlier than usual, miss work/school today, avoid daily activities today?, so I just tick in a chart above my PF scores of the day and record of meds taken. I've found it the easiest way to show when I'm not doing great, and most docs can easily read and understand any issues from it ☺️.
You do sound like you need a asthma action plan (you can see what they look like on the asthma uk site) so you could ask any doc/asthma nurse for one (tho if you've only just started taking your PF whilst your bad, your true best score may be different/difficult to gauge).
Listen to your body - if you feel worse and can't get your breathe back visit a&e cause (usually) they are great and will at least give you something to help in the moment! They always use to say to me better a short/unnecessary visit than avoiding to the point where you're in a constant attack mode, worsening your level of attack when you see them and needing more treatment or not seeking any help at all and collapsing where there is no one to help you! (You can also ask to see an asthma nurse in a&e if you explain that you really don't know what you're doing and that your GP isn't being helpful - worst they can say is no!)
I have also recently rang asthma uk and they were great and very helpful and supportive so if in doubt ring them!!!
Hope you feel better soon and gain control back!!! X
I think I'm definitely going to contact the asthma nurse at my surgery. It's difficult because I'm off work for a few days due to the chest infection and the inability to breathe, and we don't get sick pay, so I could really do with this not dragging out much longer. I guess I'm just a little scared because it's never affected my life this much before and I'm getting a bit upset with it all since I can't go out and do things.
I'm gunna start keeping a diary of things and ring my GP as soon as possible. I really appreciate the help from other people who know how it feels! x
Agh! So your stress levels must be through the roof whilst you're like this and not earning... is there a possibility of part time or reducing how much your doing at work if your still not great after the antiBs so you can still earn some without driving yourself into the ground and making it all worse?
If it helps all the AN I've seen at GPs had the option of an early morning appt (between 8/8.30ish) so you could see if that's an option (cause then tho you'll be late you'd still be at work for most of the day). Tell whoever you end up seeing the situation so that they are aware how important it is to get control back asap!
See if you can see the AN now whilst you're off anyway and get the ball rolling!!
I thought I would update those of you who were super helpful and lovely in replying to me because it turns out that something pretty damn big and scary was going on.
Following the x-ray that I had they requested that I had a CT scan after they found "slightly swollen lymph nodes". I went in for my CT scan Thursday and they put me in the waiting room whilst someone took a look at it - because at this point I couldn't even walk I was actually being pushed around the hospital in a chair - they called me into a room and told me that they found a huge blood clot that spread across both of my lungs. I was rushed to the a&e department and kept in until today. I won't bore you with my treatments and stuff as they obviously aren't asthma related but I guess it just goes to show that when you know something is wrong with your body keep fighting to get the help and treatment you need because I lay awake at night having nightmares about what would have happened if they didn't do that CT scan.
My breathing is still bad for obvious reasons but they said it should hopefully improve in the next month. I'm still using my inhalers a lot as they did say they would go towards helping me.
Thanks again to all who showed concern and I hope this doesn't scare anyone!
Awful what has happened to you.....but pleased that you persevered and finally had the correct treatment and are now on the mend.
I had a similar thing (not lung related) a few years ago where all doctors kept insisting that breathlessness was an asthma issue as they knew I was asthmatic.....but I Knew it Wasn't,I know what asthma feels like having had it for 61 years. ! Ended up with a cardiac ablatian. I had to persevere as you did.
Let us know how you progress now you can relax at home. X
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