New to Asthma

[Noplacelikehome]

New to Asthma taking powder beclometasone and Salamol relief inhalers.

Occasionally waking in the night with a very tight chest almost goes through to back and feels sore? Next day very tender and hurts to breath in feeling exhausted 😩 has anyone else had these symptoms? Thanks 🙏

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Hi

It sounds like your asthma is not controlled atm. I’d suggest contacting your GP for review. Waking at night with asthma symptoms are a warning sign that things are possibly spiralling.

Hope this helps and that you feel better soon

[Noplacelikehome in reply to EmmaF91]

Thanks for the reply, I see the Nurse next week for the first review.

[twinkly29 in reply to Noplacelikehome]

That's good that you have a follow up but it might be sensible to call before then if you're symptomatic.

[Poobah]

If you're seeing the asthma nurse it may be useful to jot down the number nights you've woken in the last couple of weeks and how many times your asthma wakes you in the night. It will help demonstrate that your symptoms need addressing. And definitely note how often you're getting the pain you describe. Plus how you are at different times of the day. Communication is key to getting your healthcare professionals to understand your asthma - we are all different and so the treatment should be tailored to your needs. It can be trial and error at first to find the right mix of meds that suit you best, as well as the doses that make the best impact.

So always follow up with the doctor or asthma nurse about six to 8 weeks after starting a new med, just so the efficacy of the medication can be reviewed. If it's not working as expected then a change can be made. Too often patients soldier on with an ineffectual medication. The aim is to make sure your asthma is as controlled as possible so you can go about your daily activities without too many symptoms and that includes a good night's sleep.

All the best.

[Noplacelikehome in reply to Poobah]

Thank you for your kind advise, had another bad night and my peek flow is down from usual however I have no idea what the norm is a good day is 300 and a bad day is 260 ish. Will go and see the nurse at Clinic many thanks

[Poobah in reply to Noplacelikehome]

Peak flow is very individual. There are tables that give an expected level based on age etc, but the truth, normal is your best when you have no symptoms.

You should take along any record of peak flow results when you see the asthma nurse. This, along with your diary of symptoms, will give a picture of what's happening with your asthma to the nurse.

Ideally, if you take your peak flow before you take your inhalers and again 20 minutes after, you should see an improvement in your peak flow. Again, if that doesn't happen, you should highlight it with the asthma nurse.

You should also be given a plan which indicates what action to take when your peak flow drops. That helps with decision making and prompts you to take the right action sooner rather than too late. Definitely ask about a plan.

We often have to wait for appointments, so it's important to prepare well for them and communicate the salient points and not leave thinking " I wished I'd asked about..." Ideally, you should be monitored through a series of appointments until your asthma is controlled.

All the best.

[Noplacelikehome in reply to Poobah]

Thank you great advice again I will keep a diary now regards

[Jollygood]

Hi, welcome to the forum. Those are the exact symptoms I get when my asthma is deteriorating. Sounds like your meds need altering as mentioned above. Good luck xx

[Noplacelikehome in reply to Jollygood]

Thank you that’s a great help to me x