Asthma

[Ca12345]

Hi im 25 years of age i have asthma and my peak flow reading is 600 and then 550 when not controlled does that seem like a good score but still feel short of breath every morning

[Mariachristina76]

My peak flow is usually 350 so that’s high but every one is different.being out of breath is normal well for me it is.do you use a blue inhaler every morning

[Ca12345 in reply to Mariachristina76]

Hi maria thanks for your reply yes i have to use my blue inhaler every morning i am 6ft and had all the checks at addenbrooks and papworth and all come back as mild to modarate asthma bur still no better, how do you feel with yours??

[Mariachristina76 in reply to Ca12345]

Well not to bad I have sinuses probably to running nose itchy ears nasal drip watery eyes and itchy nose and acid reflux problems to lol

[Ca12345 in reply to Mariachristina76]

Feels more severe asthma, than mild to modarate asthma to me as its every morning, oh no you got a hitia hernia?

[Mariachristina76 in reply to Ca12345]

If the two mornings puff not working take two extra puffs always helps with me

[Mariachristina76 in reply to Ca12345]

Only heard about that hernia lately not sure on a waiting list for a test camera down the throat

[Ca12345 in reply to Mariachristina76]

I bad that done i got a little hiatas hernia

[Mariachristina76 in reply to Ca12345]

How does the hiatus hernia affect you

[twinkly29]

Hi, peak flow is only relevant when compared to someone's own best. So someone else having a peak flow that's lower and saying yours is good because it's higher than theirs is irrelevant really.

Your best is 600, your "not controlled" is 550 which is 91% of your best so that's way up in your green/ok zone (approx 75% of your best would be when things needed reviewing, not just peak flow as a value but alongside symptoms that worried you).

Shortness of breath can of course be asthma related but many other things cause shortness of breath, even in someone with asthma. So your shortness of breath may not be asthma related at all as your asthma itself could well be controlled with such a good peak flow compared to your normal.

These links might help:

Peak flow

healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

Info on other things that cause similar symptoms

healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

[Poobah]

When I was younger I was prone to asthmatic dips first thing in the morning, even when I was OK throughout the rest of the day. I always took my Ventolin to kick start my day and this was encouraged at the time as an increase in inhaled steroids just didn't impact on my morning symptoms. I was also encouraged to take Ventolin before bed, in the hope this would prevent the morning issues - it didn't.

Now the thinking is daily use of Ventolin isn't good as it masks asthma which could be deteriorating. It's more likely that you would be prescribed a combination inhaler that contains both a steroid (preventer) and a long acting bronchodilator (slow reliever). Taking that first thing and allowing yourself 30 minutes to feel the benefit should help. Over time (about 8 weeks) there should be an improvement to your morning symptoms. But if there isn't then your asthma nurse or doctor may wish to try Montelukast, which is taken in the evening. Montelukast definitely helped my morning dips. We're all different and we have to find what suits us by trial and error.

You may wish to try Montelukast before you try the combination inhaler. But your morning symptoms are definitely something to discuss with your asthma nurse/doctor in order to find a solution that works for you.

[Ca12345]

Thanks for your reply and im on a steroid inhaler 2 puffs in the morning two puffs at night but never have a wheeze just really short of breath in morning worse

[twinkly29 in reply to Ca12345]

The morning shortness of breath really could be caused by something else, not your asthma. If you're taking ventolin at that point and it doesn't help then it's possible it's not asthma shortness of breath. But it might be worth mentioning it to your GP or asthma nurse in case it is asthma.

[Ca12345]

Im on suburcort

[runcyclexcski]

There must be a table online for the "average human" -- men vs women, height, and age -- here you go

peakflow.com/pefr_normal_va...

Most importantly is that "normal" is when one feels good. So I keep diary to know my "normal" baseline. Mine is 940 when I am on steroids and feeling good (it's the highest number PF can measure). When I am <700 it's bad news. As you can see, none of my bad or good values are even on their chart of "average human" values.

[Dilly1958]

Depends gender age and height - check out the chart on line - peak flow graphs. As a guide I am female and 5ft2 with a normal peak flow target of 450 but rarely get over 380- I have a level at which to start steroid tablets and at 240 i need to contact a doctor. Interestingly bring out of breath is not always a sign of asthma- could be just unfit!!!! For such a small reduction you shouldn’t feel much in terms of capability/ it’s normal to vary. If it falls by 20% and doesn’t respond to ventolin and keeps falling it’s a danger sign of course

[twinkly29 in reply to Dilly1958]

Being out of breath can also be all sorts of other things too, not just being unfit (though of course there is that as well!)

[Evie3]

I think thats excellent. Mine is between 300-400 and less when Asthma not controlled. I am not breathless…think u need to speak with Asthma nurse or doctor.

[bluessapphire]

I haven't been told how bad my asthma is but am on flutiform 250 and spiriva respimat and my peak flow has been between 60 and 80 for the last 4 months have got to go to respitory clinic next week

[Ca12345 in reply to bluessapphire]

Have you copd

[bluessapphire]

Thats what they are testing me for also my sister has lupus