Hi. Just been diagnosed with asthma. Something that I never thought would happen.
Last Oct 2018 I had a chest infection. Month later still hadn't gone. I picked another bug up and another... fast forward Feb 2019 I was still ill. After diagnosis went on antibiotics and Prednisolone. Week later symptoms are better just not gone.
Would I have a lot of mucus all the time now??? He wants me to go back but had really bad side effects off of the steroids not taking them again.
Sounds like you are allergic to the steroids
Oh wow! Serious? Can that happen? I had several effects. Enough to not want to take again.
Thank you for the reply.
It can happen. But of course you will need a medical profession to tell you that. I was told by A&E I had asthma. By the way with the right treatment you can manage asthma.
Did they explain you could have a reaction to tablets?
I don't have that problem but it is known for people to have problems with steroids we need to breath
When are you due to see your GP or nurse?
Next week.
Try and stay calm as you can stress can cause an attack. Here's a link to the most common cause of asthma attack's healthunlocked.com/api/redi...
Might be advisable to ask for asthma plan which tells people what to do when you having an attack. All so keep a log of your meds the doctors are giving you and any side effects they are causing so they can treat you
What effects did you get? Steroids cause all sorts of side effects but, if it's a case of breathe or put up with them, sometimes there's no choice. Unless it's found to be an actual allergy of course.
I've never had an attack. I wheeze all the time and chest is tight sometimes but I'm not your typical asthma person.
My grandad had proper asthma. He died because of it. I'm not like that. I exercise every day. I've worn a Fitbit for year and a half now. I do 30k+ steps a day.
Doctor may have had it wrong. I just know the only thing these steroids have done is worse.
Has your doctor put you on steroid inhalers? I tried several different ones finally I found one that doesn't make me feel bad flovent!
That's the other thing but I could not think of it
I have been asthmatic for about 3 years and I not had one asthma attack I don't know what my trigger's are
Sorry I meant what symptoms did the steroids cause?
Ah sorry. I've worn a Fitbit for a year and a half now and know my heart rate points. Started steroids on Saturday and by Monday my resting heart rate had dropped to 60. Mine usually lies between 65 and 68 that's normal for me. I'm thinking it's because of my heart rate but felt dizzy light headed nauseous. Zero energy. I was unable to go to the toilet too.
I'm still feeling some effects and tablets were only for 5 days.
Hi Milkycookies from reading your post and other I think you need to look at asthma UK website. This will help give you a better understanding of asthma and how it is treated etc. I know it can be a shock when you are disagnosed and you probably have alot of questions. Such as why? How?
Adult onset asthma can happen to anyone and it can start after an infection like your. I can see that you have had some experience of it in your family. I sorry to hear your grandfather died became of it. Rest assured modern medication for asthma is very good. The majority of people with asthma who are on inhalers stay very well. Flare ups do happen but with the right treatment asthma Can be got back under control again. What's important for you now I believe is to get better, get your head around what's going on and be assured that asthma can be controlled and you can leave a Normal healthy life.
Below here is asthma UK webpage for expert,clear information on asthma.b
Asthma UK helpline
0300 222 5800 open 9-5pm Mon-Friday
Expert asthma nurse man this service and will help you with anything you want to talk about or more information on asthma.
I hope these help you with your questions and give you reassurance that things will be alright.
Wow thank you for reply that's very helpful.
I think that's a point I didn't make. I've always been a wheezer coughs and such. But I've smoked a long time. Last October 2018 I'd got a chest infection then cold/flu then throat infection. I still have it today Feb 2019. Last week he gave me antibiotics and Prednisolone they have lessened the symptoms but not by much. Then I'm still feeling side effects from the steroid. I kind of wish I hadn't gone last week to be honest.
I would also encourage you to look at the Asthma U.K. website, also speak to Asthma U.K. as the nurses are very helpful. Everyone’s Asthma is different and we are all individuals despite how some of us are treated by others. And make a list of what you what to ask at your appointment next week. An action plan is essential and having your inhaler technique checked as well. What inhalers are you on? Do you have a spacer? If you ever feel unwell out of normal Gp opening hours please go to an out of hours or seek advice from 111 or of you feel very unwell 999. If you are not able to tolerate prednisolone then a plan must be put in place instead of it.
Hi Milkycookies
I can understand why you wished you hadn't gone last week. When I have had to have a course of steroid tablets they give me insomnia (but only after about 5 days), make me moody and can give me an increased appetite. How long was your course? For me the symptoms wear off after several days. I really don't like them but this is the only thing that works for asthma attacks. I don't know about chest infections. I never had one as an asthmatic.
If you aren't better after finishing?! your antibiotics then it's important that you go back as soon as you can. asthma.org.uk/advice/inhale...
Here is a link from asthma UK about them and what to do if your not better.
Again I hope this helps.
First things first: there are no "typical" asthmatics. It affects different people differently, but it is usually reversible with the right treatment. Secondly, being fit does not stop you from getting asthma any more than it stops you getting any other allergic or autoimmune disease, as plenty of athletes can testify (Bradley Wiggins being a good example). What fitness does is to improve your breathing and general health, thereby reducing symptoms. You were obviously unlucky with your recent chest infections, though smoking can make you more vulnerable.
I'm surprised that an adequate asthma diagnosis can be given in the middle of a raging chest infection, but maybe I've misunderstood. Normally, an asthma diagnosis would be given as a result of a reversibility test, normally carried out in conjunction with spirometry; if you haven't had those, then you might query that with your doctor. Also, oral steroids are normally only taken by asthmatics following an attack, bad chest infection or emergency; the normal treatment is an inhaled corticosteroid, which may effect you a lot less. That is what I would expect to happen if you're asthma diagnosis is confirmed, but I do think you need to go through the proper tests to eliminate other causes and ensure the correct treatment.
Don't get put off by the prednisolone/amoxicillin: this is just a "sledgehammer to crack a nut" approach and, with proper treatment, you shouldn't need to repeat that too often. Get well soon.
Using typical as an example my personal experience my grandad couldn't do anything. Anytime of year hed be choking on phlegm. He was se early ill with asthma. I'd wake up to him on that machine. My mother who is young cant walk upstairs without getting out of breath so in my personal experience that is typical for asthma. Yes I know theres stages and forms of it.
Oh i know all about having health problems and being fit. I have chrones for starters topped off with a skin disease that now after 14 years find out it's due to asthma. Biopsies meds tests now they say its connected.
So yes personal experience i know.
I got a chest infection in October 2018 followed by other things that haven't gone. I wouldn't say its raging no. The doctor said it's because of the asthma it wont go without medication. As I said I took those meds last week. Everything has got better it's just not better.
I just know I'm not taking Prednisolone again. I get the sledgehammer trick. He was adamant I'd have to go in again if these weren't enough. I suppose I shouldn't of waited all this time to go to the doctors.
It's one of the ironies of personal experience: you have an experience which others lack, and can talk knowledgeably about the subject, but the experience itself may not be typical. Your parent's experience is pretty awful, but that doesn't mean to say that yours will be the same, and there are new developments on asthma and lung disease treatments all the time. It still sounds to me that you've only been treated as an emergency, and not for asthma prevention (if, indeed, it is asthma) which I think is the next step. As elanaoali says, go to the Asthma website and/or chat to their nurses - I understand they are very good.
I know mine will not be as bad. At my age comparing to them at same age is a massive difference.
I do think hes treat me as an emergency.
All I wanted to know was usual side effects. Is it normal to still feel ill from the steroids. Is there am alternative. I think I should just wait till I go back to doctors again.
Hi Milkycookies this is the link from asthma UK on steroid tablets asthma.org.uk/advice/inhale...
These are what superbob was talking about as the sledgehammer approach for us asthmatic after an asthma attack.
Also the advice on side effects of these tablets.
Unfortunately there isn't an alternative and alot of us wish they were.
Like you said your going to wait til you go back to the doctors.
I am sure you will get sorted out.
Sweetie, if you have asthma, you’re going to have to find a way to live with the side effects of steroids, because it’s really the only treatment. Other things you might be given, such as antibiotics, are for the complications asthma can bring.
And I truly sympathize about the side effects. I get virtually all of them plus a bonus prize: steroids suppress your immune system. I’ve had pneumonia twice, both times bad enough to hospitalize me—PLUS I break out in shingles.
What’s the answer? To find the right Med or meds that will keep you from flaring. It looks like since it developed in me three years ago we’ve found that magic bullet for me. I feel good—really good—for the first time in three years.
So keep working with your doctors. Try new meds methodically one at a time so when you find the right one for you, you’ll know it.
I've not had a "flare" up. I got a chest infection in October it hadn't gone last week. I was diagnosed with asthma and put on them.
I can imagine different steroids have different effects so it's probably not the only one to try.
I'll just ask for more antibiotics try get rid of this infection.
Just tested positive for Covid. Feel shocking!
Newbie here. I've just tested postitive for covid.
If my peak flow has always been low what will spirometry reveal?
I just want to know, is it just me?
Diagnosed with suspected Asthma after having Covid
