Has anyone else felt their asthma getting worse in the U.K over the last week or 2 as the winds pick up?
I went on a bike ride 2 weeks ago, and i was cycling into a headwind alot of the time, and it was killing me, it was making my asthma worse. It felt like a challenge to get back home with the 24 mile loop.
I was so wheezy by the time i got home, and totally knackered, it took me days to fully recover.
I daren't go back outside on my bike until the winds have dropped alot. But looking at the forecast for this week of the 5th Nov, it looks windy all week.
Even going swimming yesterday and doing laps like i'm used to doing, still being indoors exercising is making my more wheezy.
I'd like to hear how other asthmatics are coping in this windy weather at the moment.
Best Regards
Becky
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becky3344
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Wind is usually a big trigger for me, however I’ve just started new medication and so far I haven’t been that bad (touch wood!).
I make sure to wrap up warm (with a scarf or a buff) and keep my inhaler to hand just in case.
It could be that your lungs haven’t fully recovered from the bike ride and so are a bit more ‘twitchy’ than usual - if things stay like this and don’t recover you may need to visit your GP.
Hi Emma. Thanks alot for your reply, it's very much appreciated.
What new medication do you take now? Have you seen an improvement with you asthma with taking it?
Thing is can't wrap up too much on road bike as get too hot.. But i have breathable layers and thermal layers now which will stop me getting cold.
I felt much fatigue too from the bike ride, due to over doing it. But breathing wasn't great.
I did have a bad asthma attack last year, which ultimately resulted in changing asthma medication. I was taken off preventor inhaler Qvar and put on Spiromax, and also i was put on Montelukast tablets which i take one a day.
I think it was the Montelukast tablets which has helped turned my asthma around. I rarely need to use my blue Ventolin anymore.
So i would say my asthma is 90% improved since last year.
It just reminds me when it is windy out, that i still can suffer with it. Plus i hadn't done a 34 mile bike in awhile since my knee op last year as well.
I was on loads of steroids last year before my medication changed as the steroids weren't working, which was unheard of, as they always worked before.
I just won't go out if i can help it for a bike ride when it is windy.
Hi (sorry have no idea why it went through so many times - blame bad internet! 😅😳)
I’m on maintenance pred of 10mg but am currently weaning so now at 20mg (as from today) and have just started on Mepolizumab injections (I was a severe uncontrolled asthmatic... finally starting to feel controlled now tho so hoping it lasts over the cold season!)
Yes it’s a pain when you think you’re fine then your lungs kick up a fuss and you’re reminded that sometimes you have to take it easy!
I’m very jealous of your super long bike ride! I can cycle outside for about 1 mile (or less) before I’m having an attack 😒
I've not heard of Mepolixumab before. Have you always had bad asthma, or does it come and go, or has it only started getting worse recently?
I'm really happy for you if you can see an improvement in the control of your asthma already.. Good news. You must be really relieved and happy too?
Swimming is a good cardio all over work out. And it doesn't put any extra pressure on joints and bones. So it's a good way to loose weight and get fit.
I'm going through peri-menopause, and have put on 2 stone over 3 years.
Now i'm high end of overweight. So i'm trying to loose weight. Started counting my food calories, and it's working well so far.
I lost 4 llbs in a week last week, i didn't expect to loose that much. Doing it this way has changed my relationship with food, as i used to not think about how many calories i was eating a day, or how many i burned off with exercise.
I used to comfort eat alot. I don't do that now. I don't feel as fat, which is good for my health. And i don't feel a slave to food, i feel i have some control over what i eat, which feels really good.
I had EIA asthma from 13, first attack at 19, moderate asthma til I was 23 then I spiralled to where I am now (severe eosinophic and severe atopic asthma aged (almost) 27).
Mepolizumab is a biological treatment to lower my eosinophil count, was previously on xolair to lower IgE (allergic reactions). Yes I’m very happy - finally managed to finish my degree this year (due to xolair) and now I’m actually well enough to be hired!
Waiting for some income so that I can join a sports club. I used to struggle with the chlorine when swimming (possibly wouldn’t now but 🤷♀️) and I’m not sure what facilities where im moving to has, but I currently coach gymnastics and choreograph the floors so I may try to join a dance club or something. Now I’m managing to actually lower my pred (and not re-flare!) I’m hoping that some of the pred weight will fall off - I lost 4kg in 2ish weeks without trying just because I was successfully weaning off the roids ☺️
I’m glad you’re feeling good and have a system that works for you!
I did look up Mepolizumab to see what it said about it, as i not a clue.
It must have been scary for you to have a asthma attack at 19.
Well done for what you've done, that's amazing. Congratulations.
That's really fabulous to hear you were able to finish your degree.
You must be so happy to have been able to achieve that.
I was a maybe candidate to have Xolair last year, but the specialist after testing me said i wasn't bad enough to need it, so i was relieved. As i had gotten scared beforehand as i'd read up about possible very serious side effects of taking it, of going into anaphylactic shock while you were at home, as it could have a delayed reaction of a couple of days, after you left the clinic/hospital.
I also struggle with the chlorine in the pool. Or i thought it was due to chlorine, read up it's usually not due to the chlorine but due to the chorline reacting to people weeing or pooing in the pool. I went out and bought some good googles which keep the water out.
You coaching gymnastics that sounds interesting.
Good to hear you lost some weight with out trying.
I've not heard of severe eosinophic asthma before. I've just looked it up. Part of it says:
"
What causes it?
Doctors don’t actually know what causes eosinophilic asthma. There also aren’t any clear things, like foods or amount of exercise, that make you more likely to get it.
What they do know is that it usually comes on in adults ages 35-50 with no allergies. Sometimes it happens in older adults, and kids can get it too, but that’s not as common. And while adult asthma usually affects more women than men, eosinophilic asthma affects them at about the same rate."
"Can eosinophilic asthma be cured?
Each one of these conditions, including eosinophilic asthma, requires a specific form of treatment. Until recently, oral corticosteroids were the standard treatment for eosinophilic asthma. Although many people respond well to these medications, they are not always successful at controlling this disease."
I had EIA asthma at school. I also used my asthma for me, to stop me having to run the 800meters, when i didn't want to. I was able to, but i didn't want to do it always.
I would win doing the cross country race at school, and i was always good at sport. I'd win the 100meter race at sports day, and the 800 meters.
But if it was too windy, i would really struggle with my breathing.
I also suffer with Atopic asthma, had tests done last year to see again what i'm allergic too. Cats, some mold, and grasses.
At 19 I didn’t know what it was so suffered severe SoB for over a month cause I was at a rubbish practice (2 weeks for an appt - I didn’t have a infection so they sent me home, 2 week holiday in Torquay, 2 weeks for an appt and finally told it was an attack).
Thank you - I was very happy to finally qualify!
I had a hypersensitive reaction to the xolair (hives and angioedema) hence why it got stopped, anaphylaxis is very rare! But I’m glad you don’t need it ☺️
Before this kicked off I was a national level gymnast/trampolinist. It was my coaches who first identified something was wrong as I could run for 10 mins indoors wearing weights, but if I did a lap of the field outside in the summer, I then couldn’t train properly cause I was too SoB 🙄
I know how you feel Becky. I only manage to get out on my rollator once a week. But if it's wet or windy, or both, I get too scared to go out in it.
Hi poemsgalore1. That is a nice name you've chosen. Do/have you written lots of poems or read them or both?
I feel for you with that, not being able to go out if it's too wet or windy. Have you been able to go out lately, if you live in the U.K? Is anyone able to help you? That sounds tough.
Well I was pretty bad in the summer too, due to the heat. My husband is as bad as I am, but he won't let me out alone, we always go together. My problems are RA, OA, OP, Asthma, Bronchiectasis, High blood pressure, Sjogren's Syndrome and I'e had cancer (in remission). I have both read and written a fair bit of poetry, Here's one.
Sorry i don't know what RA, OA, OP are or stand for? Can you explain if your able please.
It sounds anyway that you have been through quite alot of things, including cancer. Wonderful to hear it's in remission.
I just googled The Road To Cushendall poem, and it came up with you writing it. I love your poem. You are very talented at writing.
I am half Irish, although i was adopted at birth.
In 2016 i spent the day walking around Glenariff Forest park... Stunning it was. And afterwards i took the scenic drive down along the coastal road. I went south though and not north to Curshendall.
Definitely, although there isn't much more they can do as I'm on do much treatment already. I'm in to see my consultant next week, so hopefully they'll have some ideas!
HI I am another who is in awe that anyone asthmatic or not can cycle 24 miles in one go! I am sure the distance is why you were having problems so try for a lesser one next time and work up to a longer one. x
Hi hypercat. Riding 24 miles in one go was common for me acouple of years ago before i had knee op. I would do that on a weekend with no trouble. And i used to cycle up tall hills. I can't cycle up hills at the moment, as i notice i've lost the muscles in my legs to do that. I want and need to loose about 2 stone, brought on my peri-menopause over the last 3 years. Also being fit is good for my health. It motivates me too, to get out there. I love cycling before everyone is up, cycling along the mainly country lanes, i love being in and around nature.
The problem wasn't the distance, it was due to cycling in mainly a headwind most the time.. That was the hard work.. And it was making me wheezy.
Yes I've struggled in the wind. Or after it's just rained. I'm particularly bad if it's warmer, rained and windy.
Having a flare up of asthma at the moment. Any activity brings it on. Talking, house work, walking. So exercise is out of the question.
I went to the nurse and have been taken off symbicort (as I was getting palpitations even after 3 years on it) and put on clenil.
I am to go back in a few weeks for reassessment. Obviously my meds were stepped down, but there is no increase in symptoms and the palpitations are gone. I wonder what they'll suggest so I can increase my activity levels.
Becky - I understand your frustration at not being able to exercise to the level you want. I'm a very sporty and active person and it's very difficult not being able to because of asthma. I have to remind myself that it isn't a direct reflection on my fitness
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