Lots of new triggers!

[Junglechicken]

My asthma has been temperamental over the last month or so. I’ve been following my amber action plan for the last week. I was starting to feel much better (PF has been close to PB), so have gradually gone back to my usual maintenance medication as per the plan.

Today I washed my hands with my usual soap and developed a wheeze, used my other regular soap also resulted in a wheeze. A few hours later I used my hand cream and started coughing (which is slightly productive) plus a PF drop.

Can anybody tell me why I’ve suddenly become intolerant to so many odours that I’ve experienced countless times before? Airways a little more twitchy than usual?

Thank you, JC

[Troilus]

Asthma can be so fickle! I don’t know if this is what is happening to you ot this is something different. I have noticed that if my peak flow is lower than usual then I am more sensitive to things. Things also seem to smell more strongly. So, for example, hair lacquer. Most times I am ok with my usual brand, but when I am below my norm I don’t use it unless absolutely necessary and even then I hold my breath and exit the room sharpish while holding my breath. Even then, 9 times out of 10 I will need a puff of blue.

Same goes with soap, soap powder, hand cream, washing up liquid, perfume etc.

My think is, I probably do have a small unnoticed relationship to these things but when my pf is lower, the slight reaction pushes it down to a level that is noticeable. Does that make sense?

[Junglechicken in reply to Troilus]

Hi Troilus. Thank you for your reply. What I think you are saying is that maybe the products I’m using have always been a trigger but the reaction is only noticeable because my airways are unhappy. Have to say my usual washing powder had a very strong scent too which I don’t normally notice.

[Troilus in reply to Junglechicken]

Hi Junglechicken, Yes, that’s the way I view it. I could be wrong of course.

[kola05]

I have asthma and vocal cord dysfunction. Ever since my first severe asthma attack 4 years ago, I've developed a heightened sense of smell that has gradually increased, along with intolerances to more and more different scents. It turns out that I also have MCS which is an immune and neurological system disorder that impairs the body's ability to metabolize chemicals. Please do some research on MCS and determine whether this could affect you. There is also a very informative and helpful group on FaceBook to learn more about MCS.

[Blue-Breeze]

Hi JC asthma really is the invisible devil isn't it. When you think you have it something else creeps in. Around the back of us someone is starting BBQs with lighter fuel. The smell is awful and today I'm in amber. The pasts 2 weeks I've been in low green and odd amber now I know why.

Troilus has explained it really well. Hope you feel better soon BB

[Junglechicken in reply to Blue-Breeze]

Thanks BB. Well as you know I increased the meds and was feeling so much better. I’m on the max maintenance inhaler dose already, so I really can’t continue on the temporary higher dose for any longer.

I don’t like taking a higher dose than normal and hate talking my meds as I worry about what it’s doing to my body. I’ve noticed that my skin has become very thin over the last year since I started to take a regular high dose of inhaled steroids.

I had a bad night, back into amber and feel pretty rough today. My salbutamol is pushing me back into green but only just (bang on 80%) and I had to take it twice yesterday. I’m probably going to go back to my Azithromycin for a few weeks to see if that helps. I really don’t want pred unless I’m absolutely desperate but at the same time I’m terrified of an attack. JC

[Blue-Breeze in reply to Junglechicken]

I hear you JC, but you have got this well oiled now so you seem to know how you go so don't leave it. It's not nice feeling rough. I've been on low green 320 310 puts me in amber on and off for a few weeks. I've been using fostair and ventolin combo, only because Fostair gives me cramp. I do have a CNS appointment on 26th just hope I see her this time. Last time she didn't hear me correctly and wrote all the opposite! Had me in tears.

Take care and rest day BB

[Junglechicken in reply to Blue-Breeze]

Thanks BB!

[Boswell08]

I find that I become sensitive to all sorts of things like this when going through very stressful situations for a long period of time.

[Yellow75]

Yep asthma is fickle, I think as someone said if your airways are already slightly sensitive it may be you more susceptible. I had a very bad attack over past day and half, cause was son using an excessive amount furniture polish, when I was working in the room. Also think lungs are slightly . I’ve never had a reaction like this before to household products.