Is it anxiety or asthma

[Aisling30]

I take Relvar 188 but I still need to take Atrovent sometimes 2 puffs twice a day. Is this normal. I am 66 years of age. I just feel my breathlessness is getting worse but yet my consultant and GP tell me my chest is clear. I suffer from anxiety so could this be the cause of my breathlessness. I also don't walk and I know I should but I get breathless

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Hi

Sorry to hear that you’re struggling atm.

To be honest asthma and anxiety can be difficult to differentiate but I have previously made a post that you may find interesting and might help ( healthunlocked.com/asthmauk... )

I’m assuming that your atrovent is your reliever and you don’t use salbutamol, however I’m not sure on the specifics on using atrovent as an alternative as it works differently to salbutamol. Ideally you shouldn’t need to use your reliever more than 3 times a week for asthma.

I’m not sure if you have been investigated for COPD (as I think that’s what atrovent is usually prescribed for more but again may be wrong) but that can initially present with a clear chest but breathlessness I think so.

Do you use peak flow to help you measure the issue? If so is it a new thing or something you’ve tracked for a while (just to see if it’s a reliable measure for you). If you’re not it may be something that you find helpful for tracking the situation (more on PF here 😅 healthunlocked.com/asthmauk... )

It’s definitely worth following up and tracking symptoms in a diary etc so you can demonstrate what’s going on and what’s triggering the breathlessness and then showing your docs what’s going on. Hopefully you have an asthma plan to follow, which should hopefully give you a plan to follow, if not it’s worth asking about getting one!

If you’re feeling concerned however, I’d definitely advice giving The AUK helpline nurses a call. They are great and can be reached on 0300 2225800 M-F 9-5. Alternatively their WhatsApp service is 07378 606728. They should be able to help you work out what’s going on and give more specific advice.

Hope this helps and you feel better soon