Hi,, haven’t been on here for myself for ages, always find it so useful when needed.
So, I had a cold recently, and now over a week later, I’m coughing, a real chesty cough, constantly needing to blow my nose. I am following my asthma nurse advice and using fostair as usual, 2 puffs twice a day, and ventalin 2 puffs 4 times a day, amd my symptoms remain the same,
Would love to hear some veiws on this
Many thanks
X
Not really following ... are you actually taking 8 puffs of Ventolin every single day? Is there any noticeable symptom improvement when you take the ?
Hi, sorry if it was a mumbled message,, feeling fed up and confused.
I have been taking 8 puffs of ventalin a day, folllowing nurses advice,, on reflection I’m not feeling any relief,, cough is like an old smokers and cold symptoms are increasing. I think I may make an appt to see doc and check this is asthma or an untreated infection, although I have no temperature and sleeping like a log.
Thank you for your question, it really made me think.
Hi there.
It sounds like you're having a rough time & it's part of the nature of asthma that sometimes shifting a bad infection, with the associated breathing troubles, can take time.
The obvious starting point probably should be looking at your peak flow - do you know what it is when you are well & how much has it changed? Your GP/nurse really should be looking at that & checking other things like your oxygen levels (the little clip they put on your finger), sputum samples (to see what the infection is) & probably run a spirometry test.
I don't know why they'd refuse to send you to a specialist (as mentioned in your other post) but at this stage, you probably have to go along with that. I would try to press for some of those easier tests though in order to get at least a clearer picture of what they think they are treating, & for you to ask if they think you are managing things correctly & why whatever they are doing isn't working.
Ultimately, if none of the treatments available to the GP are working, & you are complying with their diagnosis & medication regime, you might just have to keep pestering for a referral.