How do I know if my asthma is mild/moderate etc?

[Maya_227]

I have ongoing daily symptoms (coughing/rattly phlegmy chest/intermittent tightness) and have had so for 4 years now. I have just been given Fostair 200/6 inhaler instead of my usualAirFluSal and continue to take montelucast, mometasone nasal spray and an antihistamine. GP says if this doesn't work she will refer me on. I have just returned to work after 18 months off and the Covid risk assessment I've had to fill out only scores you on having an underlying health condition and not its severity. I therefore score at the top of the first category - carry on as normal with appropriate PPE. Thankfully I am able to mostly work from home and have had the Covid vaccine but after being super cautious for the past 11 months I am very nervous about doing face to face contacts as my asthma is not controlled. Is this considered mild or moderate asthma?

[twinkly29]

It's difficult to say as there's no definite criteria as far as I know - it would be difficult to have a criteria really given howvcarued people's asthma and treatments can be. If they're thinking possible referral probably moderate but 🤷‍♀️. Daily symptoms for some time, to use your example, wouldn't necessarily be relevant though in determining severity as someone could have mild asthma but not have been taking their meds properly (I don't mean you by the way!) or might be mild but it's uncontrolled (which is what the daily symptoms do indicate) but with a change in medication the control returns.

Hopefully the Fostair will help you and over the next 6-8 weeks (how long it takes to become fully effective), you'll notice an improvement 🙂. Things might feel a bit naff initially, requiring more ventolin as the new inhaler steroid has to build up.

[lovelife00 in reply to twinkly29]

I'm on the same meds as you to control my previously uncontrolled asthma. About 3 months into the meds my asthma began to improve significantly. I have moderate (not mild or severe asthma) triggered by allergies. I've got Covid (day 7) but thankfully if I had not have been tested I would not have known. xx

[Maya_227 in reply to lovelife00]

I really hope you continue to stay asymptomatic 🤞 it's good to hear that you had significant improvement on the meds. I thought for 2 days things were on the up but my symptoms have got worse again but that is my normal cycle. I'll sit it out and hope I have the same outcome as you.

[lovelife00 in reply to Maya_227]

Thank you Maya. The two things that help my asthma are coffee and a mini steamer. I've also been on Seratonin for 9 months (which I was very resistant to as i'm not depressed) however that had definitely helped too as it's taken the edge of anxiety which triggered my asthma Zoe x

[Poobah]

Strictly you should have an occupational health review at work, not a risk assessment. The first is carried out by a specialist practitioner, whereas a "competent person" with no medical training can carry out the risk assessment. You can read more about occupational health services and your rights to reasonable adjustments in the workplace at Access to Work. gov.uk/access-to-workAtW is a free government service available to all employees who don't have access to occupational health services through their employer.

[hilary39]

There is a helpful classification chart in this article from the National Institute of Health:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...