Asthma getting worse and meds are not helping at all

[Paulily]

Hi everyone! I’m relatively new here and need some advise. Basically my asthma is getting worse and worse since last August. My GP/ asthma nurse have been increasing my meds since last October. They have changed me from just needing a blue inhaler ever so often to duoresp spiromax 3 puffs/ twice a day and two extra puffs when I feel I need it. (Before that I was on two different brown inhalers.) I am also on a antihistamine even though I don’t have any allergies whatsoever. I am still taking a lot of my blue inhaler and can’t do any exercise at all (I have done quite intense Sport five times a week before I got worse) . I have got the feeling that whenever they change my inhaler they work for about 2/3 weeks and then I get worse again.

Also my peak flow has dropped from originally 470 to 200-250 at the moment.

My GP has done a blood test and an X-ray and both came back normal.

I am just really exhausted and don’t know what to do anymore. I’ve got an asthma nurse appointment on Friday and don’t know what to expect/ ask her

Thanks to you already !

[Chip_y2kuk]

Has your doctor given you a short course of prednisolone?.. if my peak flow dropped like that it would be 40-50mg of prednisolone for 5-7 days as well as me boosting duoresp to 8 puffs

Also what anti histamine are you on?...You say you don't have any allergies have you had any testing??

[Paulily in reply to Chip_y2kuk]

No never had prednisolone and I take cetirizine for antihistamine. Yes I had testing however that is quite a long time ago but I never get any allergic reactions.

[Chip_y2kuk in reply to Paulily]

I thought that but I was wrong.... what do you expect from an allergic reaction?

Maybe you need a short course of prednisolone to get you over the hump (reduce the inflammation so the steroid inhaler can keep on top of It)

[Carriejen in reply to Chip_y2kuk]

I’m on antihistamines because sometimes asthma is an allergic reaction - in my case it’s to mould and damp but it can be to treat the ‘allergy’ if it’s something physical such as pollen or pets etc

[lee99]

I am on the same medication and have had very similar symptoms to you. I've found Prednisolone is really helpful when the asthma has got out of control. Keep on going back to the doctor to get the medication you need, I know it's a pain but don't let them fob you off, you need medication that works.

Another thing to try (if you don't already) is take a couple of puffs of the blue inhaler before the duoresp to open up your airways before taking the steroid inahler - if your airways are tight the duoresp can't get into your lungs so it won't work properly.

[Matman]

Did not spot any reference to you having seen a Consultant. If your treatment has only been from a GP / Asthma Nurse, could well be the time to insist on a referral to a Consultant, ideally at a Specialist Asthma Cinic, where the skills and equipment for more comprehensive / thorough evaluation exist. There are several of these clinics, often in major cities. Googling should reveal any associated with your Region.

[Paulily]

Thank you all so much for replying! My doctors have referred me to the hospital now so I hope someone there can help.