Asthma after Covid

[ccccc]

Interested to know if anyone is in my position....

I think I may have had Covid in March despite only having had the one typical symptom (a high temperature but not 37.8c high) I did have a mucus cough and tight chest but not the dry cough. Saw the GP and it was treated as an asthma attack and was given antibiotics and steroids, but I have been unwell ever since with breathlessness and have been on and off Prednisolone. It's hard to know if this is my asthma or if this is separate to my asthma. It was interesting how dexamathsaone helped some hospital patients as my own theory is my Prednisolone is controlling whatever inflammation Covid (if I had it) has caused to my lungs. The consultant (when I can get hold of him...) is treating it as asthma but I'm not so sure. I paid for a CT scan and that was all clear. Feel very confused and have asked for a referral to another hospital as just feel like I've been left to it by staying on steroids which are now causing side effects. Anyone else had similar experiences?

[twinkly29]

In my non-doctor opinion, it does sound like asthma to me rather than anything to do with covid - temp below 37.8, no dry cough and generally asthma symptoms. In addition to that, doctors haven't jumped on it as possible covid (at the time or since) which I think they would if any inclination due to your vulnerability there. Also a CT scan was clear - I imagine lasting issues internally would show up if there was anything.

Asthma wise though, it sounds quite rubbish for you. A lot of people have struggled with pollen and/or weather changes since March (those who have previously been affected and also those who haven't) so it could "just" be something like that that's causing you all the problems. Or course remaining on the prednisolone isn't or shouldn't be a long-term answer - but at the same time, most people haven't got contact with consultants etc at the moment so it may have been a "do this for now until we can get things sorted". Again, not ideal but times being tricky and everything.

Not sure what to suggest though - could you ask for a phone call with your consultant, perhaps ask about trying different inhalers or add-ons (maybe you've done that, was just trying to think of something you could suggest in the hopes that would divert their thinking from "just stay on the pred"!)

It really is frustrating when things just don't improve so you have my sympathies!

[Hidden in reply to twinkly29]

I have been to my local A&E 5 times with a very severe asthma attack.On each event one of the first tests carried out by the very carrying staff take blood samples and followed by the swab tests for covid virus.I would have thought that this is the guide lines for all NHS HOSPITALS.

[maisiesaul in reply to Hidden]

Yes me too! Because of the similarities in symptoms between COVID and asthma attack I had to get swabbed for COVID and be in an amber bay until I was negative. I thought that was standard! ccccc maybe request an antibody test to make sure you definitely haven’t had COVID (I don’t know how easily you can access that), just to put your mind at rest and confirm that it’s definitely asthma. Then you can work with your consultant and see if there’s better treatment options out there for you to help with your control.

All the best.

Maisie

[Skd49]

Phone Asthma uk and speak to a specialist nurse- go through your issues. After 9 weeks of asthma and chest infections, I contacted them and was given excellent recommendations regarding changing my inhaler. I then asked my doctor to change to the nurse's recommended inhaler, and have been better ever since. Good luck

[PaulRosedene]

I tested positive for Covid 19 back in April. I had temperature, headache and tiredness for 10 days and a cough for 6 weeks. But everyone's symptoms are different. Many have covid 19 with few symptoms. I doubt that mild covid would have a permanent effect on the lungs. I feel that my asthma is not better and no worse than before.

I reached the conclusion that asthma medication may protect against covid symptoms. I believe that asthma sufferers have fared better on average than say those with dementia or diabetes. The cough did not respond to either prednisolone or antibiotics.

I believe the distressing symptoms you have described are due to asthma and not covid. I have never phoned asthma UK, but the general feeling is that they are good.

Best of luck.

[B_Asthma]

I am in a similar situation. I work in healthcare. I don't have direct paitent contact. However, I do have contact with the public, the public does regularly visit my office, and I have colleagues, including my wife, that do treat patients.

Just as the pandemic was increasing and immediately before the lockdown, I experienced COVID symptoms dry cough and temperature of 38 C. It was a nightmare contacting 111. I was advised I was not eligable for COVID19 testing, even though I work in health care and I have been potentially been exposed to COVID19, since I did not travel out of the country in the last 14 days. However, my GP gave me CoCodomol to settle the cough. Interestingly about a week later the country went into lockdown.

Since the COVID19 like symptoms, I have had 3 asthma flare-up all requiring antibiotics and steroids. The last 2 flare-up required two rounds of antibiotics. After my last flare-up, which was quite bad, it left me with some upper left side chest pain. Now, it seems I am on the cusp of a fourth flare up. I don't know if I can hand a fourth round of antibiotics and steroids.

Since I am classed as a healthcare worker, I am eligable for the swab but I am shielding and not able to go in for it. Even if I get the swab, the reserch is conflicting about if I will show antibodies given that the antibioties for COVID19 may only last for a short-time.

I am a bit confused, if you thought you had COVID19 in March why did you pay for a CT scan instead of asking for a swab to check for antibodies?

[ccccc in reply to B_Asthma]

I got the scan a fortnight ago as I wanted to see if it provided any information about what might be causing my symptoms. The antibody test wasn't available in March and so didn't see any point in asking for it now given the time elapsed but worth keeping in mind. Hope you recover soon.

[Knitting-Nora]

I tested positive for Covid despite not having the usual symptoms. It was not until I was recovering that my asthma symptoms exacerbated. I have had a course of steroids which dampen down symptoms for a week or two the my asthma symptoms start returning. My GP said this is something they are seeing post Covid. If you could get a antibody test it would at least show if you have had Covid.

[ccccc in reply to Knitting-Nora]

interesting to hear, have you had an antibody test?