I am new to Asthma

[Willow7733]

New to these boards too. I was diagnosed four years ago. Am on Zenhale (Dulara), Ventolin, and Singulair. In the first month of diagnosis, I was seen by a pulmonologist, but he since moved away. He never gave me an action plan, so I figure I don’t need one? Anyway, I work at a local hospital in the ER and NICU departments. I am a pretty shy person when it come to seeing doctors, and I really don’t want to go unless I have to. My problem is...I am not certain what is the difference between an asthma attack/chest cold. I have been feeling like I am having an asthma attack, but scared with this virus going around...not sure if it is. My chest feels so tight and I get so out of breath when doing simple things like getting dressed or just walking up the stairs. I take my Ventolin, and it helps for about an hour, then I feel like I can’t exhale completely again.

My family doctor is on self isolation and there is a phone number to call, but don’t want to call if I don’t have too because I know he must be getting tons of calls now with the pandemic so bad. My question is: can an asthma attack last weeks long? This has been going on since my father’s funeral on March 4th. The priest was using some sort of incense, right in my face during the funeral mass, and this started. Plus my father dying is highly stressful, so that might cause my asthma to get worse too. But not sure what this is.

My father died of pulmonary fibrosis, and had a tiny oximeter that I have with me. When I get very short of breath, I take it just to see what is going on. Last night when I got home from work, my oxygen was 82. That isn’t good. I had to sit down and try to catch my breath. It was scary! Should I contact my family doctor? I am not sure what is going on. I am new to all of this.

[TabKit]

I'm so sorry this sounds awful. From my own experience, it sounds like you need to speak to your doctor to look at your medicine - the dosage and maybe even the type of inhaler you are using. Good luck and take good care.

[Willow7733 in reply to TabKit]

Thanks! I am so tired, and so confused.

[TabKit in reply to Willow7733]

I'm so sorry about that. Please please call your doctor - sometimes with these doctors we have to be very firm and tell them in no uncertain terms how bad we feel or they don't realise that they really do need to change our medecine. Sometimes just a slightly different inhaler can help.

The other thing is, it sounds like an incredibly stressful time, and that happened to me that I was very stressed. And the doctor said as well as asthma, I had dysfunctional breathing on top, and that it was important to take some time to try to relax, and do breathing exercises - you can find them on the internet - as well as yoga, just to try to calm the breath. I find yoga really helps and it's meant to be good for asthmatics in general.

Hope you feel better soon! Take good good care.

[Willow7733 in reply to TabKit]

It is and was very stressful. But this has been happening for a about a year. My father died last month. I read stress can be a trigger, and losing a parent is highly stressful. And working in the ER during g this pandemic is stressful. So I have a lot of stress these days..,

[Poobah]

Hi Willow. Oxygen levels of 82 needs addressing immediately.

In spite of your shyness you have to see a GP and Asthma Nurse at least and get an asthma plan and treatment for your current exacerbation. Oxygen levels are OK above 97.

[Willow7733 in reply to Poobah]

It is scary. I really can’t do much other than sit or lean on something to wait to catch my breath. It is hard to talk to my doctor because we are all social distancing here. Can’t go see him.

[Poobah in reply to Willow7733]

In UK GPs have to continue treating patients even though social distancing in place. Considering your symptoms you need to phone them and tell them what your oxygen levels are. They are able to see patients who require treatment.

[Willow7733 in reply to Poobah]

Here in Canada it is the same. By phone call or face time. I will call on Monday. Have no choice since my rescue inhaler refills expired, and I am on my last one. I know something is not right because since March 2nd, some days I have to use my rescue 5-7 times a day. I get relief for about an hour or so, and then start having trouble again.

[Poobah in reply to Willow7733]

I hope you get this resolved Willow. Take care.

[Willow7733 in reply to Poobah]

Thanks. Your advice was really helpful.