Breathlessness

[DanceQueen]

I am asthmatic and I'm 70 years old very active normally.

Am recovering from pnumonia and I have now been unable to breath properly for over two weeks.my doctor says it will be two weeks or so before I see any improvement then another 6 to 8 till I'm recovering proper...I am so depressed I can't do anything much( make a sandwich and a cuppa) and I have to sit down..help please anyone any idea if there's any thing I can do to help myself get better quicker

[Lladrolady]

I know how you feel, I was there 12months ago. Walk around your house every couple of hours to keep muscles going, plenty of fluids and rest, it takes patience but stay positive, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

[DanceQueen in reply to Lladrolady]

Thanks I've just been released from hospital with more antibiotics and steroids feeling the same and so tearful

[Lladrolady in reply to DanceQueen]

Tearful is normal and perfectly acceptable so let it all out, think positive that each day of medication is one day nearer being in control. I still get bad days but having survived last year I have learned to cope with them. Hope you feel better soon.

[Wheezycat]

It will get better, but it can take quite a time. Try not to fight it, rather listen to your body and rest as much as it asks for. And like Lladrolady says, walk around a bit every now and then.

[DanceQueen in reply to Wheezycat]

Thank you I have just been released from hospital still feeling the same

[Teigan01]

Hi This may help in that you are not alone. I am 73 years of age normally active just like you doing voluntary work etc. Since March I have had three chest infections on which phlegm was tested on the last one showing up pneumonia. Up to that point I had waited five weeks given by pulmonary nurse at first infection to carry out a spirometry, however that did not happen, so back to square one. Have to see her in four weeks time and all being well then she will leave me for a further two weeks and then hopefully do the spirometry and reversibility in the meantime she has given me another inhaler to go with my Seretide 500 which is Spiriva Respimat. May I add that this all started with a letter from my surgery changing me to a Relvar inhaler which did not agree with me in my opinion but the nurse says it has been a bad year for chest infections I don,t know when I last had one before trying the Relvar. Hope this helps as I have not been out for weeks also walking round the house. I had a new great granddaughter beginning of this month who I have not met as I would be gutted if I infected her. Hope you get clear soon. Sorry this has been such a long entry. Best Wishes x

[DanceQueen in reply to Teigan01]

Thank you for your helpful reply....I have been in hospital for two days and am home with antibiotics and steroids....I'm no better they said it could be weeks before I can breathe properly ....I feel so depressed ..

[Wheezycat in reply to DanceQueen]

Try to find something yourself you like doing that does not require much physical effort, just to take your mind off things, and perhaps they way feel just a bit better. Me, too, I was there three years ago, when I had ignored/not realised symptoms for a long time (nor did health professionals) got significantly poorly and it went on for months, sometimes better, sometimes worse. I overdid it and ended up in hospital for a few days. I was 67 at the time. Slowly, gradually over time as I was given the right levels and strength of medication it has been far better, though I have had my moments. Must of the time, though, age 70, I am active, I work a bit, I do loads of other things. I am not as energetic as I was at 20 but that is fine. When at my worst I asked my cousin for advice. She has far worse health conditions than I, not just asthma, but also something rheumatoid, and she told me she got used to breaking down any task into very small bits, and then doing just one bit at a time. That way she can feel she is getting somewhere albeit slower than usual. I listen carefully to her, as there is a risk of going stir crazy when I am unwell.

I suppose I am saying it will get better, it may take a while, but it will not go on for ever. So, look after yourself, and find something interesting, but easy to do when you have the energy.

[DanceQueen in reply to Wheezycat]

Thanks for your reply and helpful.advice ....I am having problems on here I post something then I can't find it ....hence the late reply

[Wheezycat in reply to DanceQueen]

As it happens, I am now in recovery myself. I got a cold, a pretty bog standard one, but it triggered my asthma big time, and I nearly ended up in hospital. This time it was spelled out to me it will take time, at least a month I was told. Now, though I can do things, quite a lot of things, I try to make sure I don’t push myself as I am prone to doing, and I think it is working. So, for me, shortish bursts, and proper rests in between, is the way........though it can be frustrating.

[DanceQueen in reply to Wheezycat]

I'm still much the same I'm afraid ( I'm so sorry you have had a flare up)my doc has changed my seratide for Trimbow(allergic)and now Spioilto Respimat this had stopped the cough but the breathing is just as bad....feeling depressed and not sleeping I see the doc again tomorrow ..watch this space hahahahahaha you take care

[Wheezycat]

I am so sorry to hear you are still struggling! I was lucky, I suppose, after two years on Clenil, it was changed to Symbicort, and that has worked well for me, especially since I am now on SMART regime, so I have some scope in varying the dose according to my own assessment of myself. But after my last exacerbation the asthma nurse told me to see a gp to discuss adding Montelukast as she felt I have needed prednisolone too many times this year. So, that is my next step.

Hope they find something that works well for you soon! It can clearly take time to find it, judging from comments of many others on here.