Daily symptoms for 10 months so far

[Adyady]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum.

Im 31 and have had mild asthma my whole life, diagnosed at 5. I was on clenil modulite 200 and salbutamol most my life. In the last 5-6 years my symptoms seemed more reoccurring although the last 10 months have been the most difficult ever. It was like the flick of a switch. Wheeze daily, phlegm daily (can be thick, green at times), rib and chest discomfort, breathing requires slight increased effort. I don’t think i get breathless. During my good years i only had some phlegm and a wheeze when there was an obvious trigger, which disappeared with one puff of ventolin.

Was put on fostair 100/6, currently on symbicort 200/6, 2 doses morning and two evening. My peak flow is currently between 670-720. Im 6”1, 11.5 stones. Had a blood test, green phlegm checked for infection and an x-ray - All clear. I been a car mechanic for 12 years now. Been off work for 5 weeks due to lockdown but have not seen a major improvement in the symptoms. I can manage without taking my reliever. I find it more of an issue to go for an hours walk but find it easier to cycle 30 miles which is strange. Diet is healthy and i now exercise regularly. My last 3 years of life have been most stressful but now its just asthma that is getting me down. Trying vitamins, alternative medication, stress management, dairy free diet with no significant improvement so far. I am looking for some guidance guys. Please help. Thanks.

[KnPoa]

Have you been testing for any allergies? I found out I was allergic to dogs and cats and my allergy specialist also thought dust mites, alcohol and petrol fumes, which caused similar symptoms to what you are describing. I take fexofenadine and montelukast to help control it. Could not be... but worth a thought

[Troilus]

Hi Adyady,

Stress can trigger Asthma , so that is something to note as it could have a bearing on the deterioration in your asthma.

You mention you can manage without your blue inhaler, but it is also worth noting that if you take it, it widens the airways and makes it easier to cough up phlegm.

Also, you mention that your breathing requires more effort. That is another good reason to start using your blue inhaler on a more regular basis.

Try having a couple of puffs every four hours and see if it helps.

If it does, then mention it to your GP, you may well benefit from a review of your asthma treatment. Come to think of it, even if it doesn’t work, mention it to your GP.

There is little scientific evidence to say that alternative remedies work, although I did read that there is some limited evidence that salt pipes can improve symptoms in those with copd where mucus is a problem although a small percentage had an adverse reaction.

Much better though to stick to orthodox treatments so as not to muddy the waters for your GP

[Poobah]

I had Azithromycin to clear up long term phlegm even though the hospital couldn't trace any infection. I had a four month course a couple of years ago and apart from a course of prednisone for a virus a couple of months ago, my chest has been more or less phlegm free. My consultant explained that the treatment of asthma with this antibiotic was developed in Japan and has since been used in Australia, New Zealand and now the UK. They don't understand why some asthmatics respond so well to it but it's considered safer than long term oral steroids. I had to have tests before and after to ensure I didn't have a specific infection otherwise the treatment couldn't be approved.

[Ted201]

Hi Adyady- sorry to hear you’re not feeling well. I had a similar situation where I was very mild asthma all my life and then around 10 years ago it started getting worse such that I’m on many meds now to control it. Using Symbicort every day which keeps it in check- I found it to be better than Advair. Also I’ve found 10mg Montelukast daily to help. Take Musinex too to thin out the mucous. Most recently, and hopefully this is not your case at all, I started Fasenra injections as my pulmonologist and I strongly believe I have eosinophilic asthma. The next time you have a blood test, or if you have the info from the past, check to see if your eosinophils (part of white blood cells) are HIGH and discuss with your doc. This for people like me is another source of inflammation. Hope you feel better. Ps - I’m able to exercise so it is manageable - don’t want you to get too nervous.

[Wesa86]

I get terrible phlegm with my asthma, white and thick that I cough up in the morning, I stopped eating dairy which helped or take green milk instead of blue. I take montelukast 10mg and symbicort 200 to keep asthma under control and its been only combination to work for mine, I get triggered by exercise and fumes from cooking mostly. Could your workplace trigger yours? Keto to lose weight for me also helped my asthma symptoms improve but I'm overweight. Do you live in a place where air quality is okay or bad? Cities can have quite bad air quality which doesn't help.

[Daniela333]

Hi Adyady, I've had asthma since I was 11 and am 56 now. Finding out what you're allergic to is important. I stay away from preservatives and am completely plant-based-no dairy, no meat and try to be gluten free. It's taken many years of adjusting my lifestyle-but symptoms are few and far between now. I used to have to take all the meds all the time.

Be patient. Drink lots of water -no ice.( I have alkaline filters which reduce acidity and inflammation overall). Reducing stress is vital - so I meditate, do art, yoga, spend time in nature and do breathing exercises. Letting go of the past and effects of trauma are so important and can be tricky but does get easier and eases the symptoms of asthma greatly as well. Listen to Dr. Joe Dispenza about neuroscience and epigenetic. It has helped me to understand how my own thinking and feeling affects my physical body on a cellular level. He also has guided visualizations/ meditations that help you redirect thoughts and feelings hence affecting the neurochemistry in your brain and body. Hope someone finds some of this helpful. Breathe with ease.