Unsettled asthma

[MissNyxiie]

Hi,

For the last year i have had lots of problems with my asthma. I havent been into hospital with my asthma since i was about 5, im now 27. I had 1 course of steroids early last year and 3 course of steroids end of last year. I now have similar symptoms, ive been unwell, i cant walk the dog or go gym because i cough, wheeze and it hurts my chest, i wake up in the night coughing and my chest feels very heavy on and off. The nurse practitioner told me friday, my chest is clear, i have no wheeze, use your blue inhaler every 4 hours. That was it. I called asthma uk, found out im on a strong inhaler, never been reffered to the hospital ever, aparantly i should have been, and its really not controlled. I dont know how to word this to the doctor tomorrow, i am so scared it has been getting worse for the last month. I use my blue inhaler multiple times a day just to releive the pressure on my chest.

I dont have an asthma plan and they brush my symptoms off every time i go in because ive had other health problems for the last year, ibs and a broken ankle. I hate confrontation but don't know what to do.

[gwenvilla50]

Do you use a preventative inhaler. I'm on Fostair and it's really helped. Insist that you see the asthma nurse. Liz

[MissNyxiie in reply to gwenvilla50]

I am on duresp 320, i was told it is a high one, and im on montelukast tablets and always remember to take them. The asthma nurse at my surgery doesnt do anything and doesn't say anything when i tell her my symptoms.

[Mariachristina76]

I hear you.I went to the hospital twice and my chest was clear to got chest X-rays.i have a cough five years and when my doctor cheques my chest it is always clear to.which is totally annoying.

[Poobah]

I understand your concern about being assertive. I would write down what you want to say and keep cool, saying what you came to say.

I would definitely say you have spoken to Asthma UK and that you were advised to see your GP as given your need for several courses of steroids it would now be advisable to have a referral to a respiratory specialist, and say you agree with Asthma UK's thinking. You could say it's adversely affecting your daily life now and despite seeing asthma nurse no effective treatment or plan has been considered.

Current NHS practice suggests less Ventolin and more prevention. And at the very least you should have an asthma plan.

I remember being 27 & being reluctant to speak up. But now I'm much older I've learnt that in the main folk are very receptive to suggestions as you're providing the solution. It's problems folk don't like, but it you provide the solution then it comes across as very positive and not a moan or criticism.

Good luck.

[Hidden]

I hate to say it but could your dog be causing you to be like this? I grew up on farm and was around all sorts of animals including dogs without any major issues although I did have asthma. You would of thought I would of built up resistance to animal triggered allergies but if I am near dogs and even worse cats it makes me ill, sometimes it's a few hours after contact that it kicks off, it can then take weeks or even months for my chest to calm down. Good luck, be persistent at your doctors, some are very good but others still seem to treat asthmatics as a sub species.

[S321]

If I was you change doctors who will help with your asthma especially if you are not getting the help you want to control your asthma regardless other health issues . When you have also go and see Asthma nurse and get your asthma re-viewed that is what I am now doing now as I also have struggled with my asthma.

[OBC101]

my GP advised the preventer could be increased to 5 puffs twice a day up to 5 days when the cough got bad. But if the cough has been +2 wks and is bringing up dirty phlegm it is a bacterial infection and needs antibiotics. No XRays needed.