NEWBIE

[jewishvegan]

Hi everyone. Im new here and hoping to get some advice! I had severe asthma as a small child and it left me at 14 yo. It returned briefly in my late 40's and went again (it was largely exercise induced from outdoor running in the cold) and now after 2 concurrent chest infections and various colds it has returned with a vengeance. I am 57 yo, fit and active I run most days and go to the gym but this has really scuppered me. I am not good at taking my medication when Im well so I know that Im my own worst enemy! I just wondered how long I can expect this flare to last? I have had some antibiotics and a course of steroids plus my preventer inhaler has been increased and my reliever (ventolin) is being used so much that Im shaky! Would love some help if you can please. Thankyou x

[emmasue]

Asthma is a tricky beast to pin down. It is hard for normally active people to rest during a bad patch. It feels wrong somehow. However, it is the best advice. Keep take your medication. Try to rest and rebuild your strength slowly. I have a friend whose asthma isn't too bad. He runs marathons regularly. He got a bad chest infection last year and was surprised at how badly it affected him. He had to stop running as much but now he is nearly back to normal. It just takes time.

[jewishvegan in reply to emmasue]

thank you for your reply. I will try and take it on board and rest!

[Sarah117]

I had a similar experience and was encouraged by a lot of people to start thinking about prevention more than anything else. There's a few apps that help I've been using one called Sensio Air - you log your symptoms and it helps you figure out what's causing them, I hope this helps!

[Hidden in reply to Sarah117]

Hi it would help a lot to minimise and even prevent exacerbations like this to remember you need to take your inhalers when you are well too! They are what keeps you well x

[jewishvegan in reply to Hidden]

I'll certainly try I don't want to feel like this again! x Thankyou

[Hidden in reply to jewishvegan]

Well that should be a good incentive then!

[jewishvegan in reply to Sarah117]

thank you thats really helpful I will have a look x

[kate_uk]

Everyone is different. My last attack left me weak and run down for a month. As mentioned above, I'm well most of the time so having to sit back and take it easy was hard! I tried to return to work after 3 days, I lasted an hour before I had to give in a d go home again for another 2 weeks. This was a wake up call for me to remember my preventors even when I'm well. I don't want to be in that position again if I can help it! Setting an alarm on my phone to remind me really helps. I hope you feel better very soon.

[jewishvegan in reply to kate_uk]

Oh dear Kate thats not good. Hope you are keeping well. I will certainly try to take my inhalers. Thankyou for your help x

[Tugun]

Hi,

Just a couple of suggestions. If you are on antibiotics, make sure you are also on a probiotic to keep your intestines healthy which help to keep your body healthy. Also you may need to take some antioxidants such as A,C and E to help with your immune system or any other product which you know helps to build up your immunity. Sometimes an illness can leave our bodies depleted. You may need to recharge it from the inside out. Wishing you a good recovery.