Thanks in advance for any advice / help
41-year-old male who was has had Asthma since birth. For the most part, lead a perfectly 'normal' life, apart from occasions where Asthma flare-ups (combined with hayfever) slowed me down. More than my fair share of chest infections etc and didn't help that I smoked for 13 years (stopped 5 years ago).
I live in Saudi Arabia, so the air isn't that good, but recently I have had this feeling of chest pressure and the urge to use my blue ventolin more. This feeling has been with me for a few weeks now, and as a result, I am experiencing anxious feelings that things are getting worse. I haven't actually used the ventolin as much as perhaps I have wanted to because I wanted to see what difference my peak flows would be without the ventolin.
In the morning, at about 7.30 am, my peak flow is between 620 and 650 (roughly). It stays that way most of the day, and then drops to about 550 after a meal (about 4pm ish). It tends to stay at this level until the next morning when it circles back round to 620 - 650. I know you shouldn't really record a peak flow after a big meal, but I have noticed that whether I record the peak flow directly after the meal or later that evening, the results are similar. Sometimes, the peak flow in the evening can get back up to over 600. It depends. However, I don't tend to get any readings much lower than that.
The last time I went to the doctor, I was told that I had sinusitis and that seems to have gotten to the point now where breathing through my nose is 'laboured'. My sense of smell has also deteriorated.
So, do you guys think that my fluctuating peak flows are enough to highlight that my Asthma is not well controlled? I would expect far lower peak flows if the Asthma was 'out of control', I guess, but perhaps this 'small' variation is enough for me to feel worse.
No wheezing. No coughing. No sputum. Just this feeling of tightness on the chest.
Thanks again