Fed up not being able to breathe properly

[Lunglady]

Last November I was given pink inhaler. I gave it 8 weeks but didn't really notice any difference. I've had 2 spirometry tests. One before inhaler was bad. One after was slightly better. I've now been using beconase and been given antihistamines to try because I have nasal drip. I'm not sure these are helping either. I've weaned myself off the inhaler. Feeling rubbish at the moment I haven't stopped coughing today and my chest hurts (from coughing) I'm wondering if I actually do need the inhaler now. I'm fed up of whistling and being out of breath and tired.

[corriena]

Start your inhaler again and see how you feel.

[Lunglady in reply to corriena]

Thank you

[RoadRunner44]

You sound very down hearted Lunglady and a little depressed. You don't say too much about yourself in your post, so why not share a little more about yourself. After all, a problem shared is a problem halved. We all have individual problems on the forum and support each other. We would like nothing more than to help you through this difficult time. Thinking of you. Chrys

[Lunglady in reply to RoadRunner44]

Thank you so much Chrys for taking the time to reply so thoughtfully. I've never thought of myself as being depressed or down, I'm always such a positive person. I think I was having a bad day. I'm still coughing and being out of breath doing the smallest of things. I have now been referred to respiratory at our local hospital but obviously who knows when I'll get an appointment with what's going on in the world at the moment. I work in a school. I have 2 daughters and a husband and 2 cats.

[RoadRunner44 in reply to Lunglady]

Hello again, It is nearly two months since you posted and it would be interesting to know if any of the advice given was useful to you.

Please keep us posted. I sincerely hope things have improved for you.

😊 Chrys

[Lunglady in reply to RoadRunner44]

Hi. Just a little update.

I've had a meeting with a consultant. Who is pretty certain it's dysfunctional breathing and possibly vocal cord dysfunction. He sent me for a ct scan just to rule out anything else and confirm what he thinks.

I'm now awaiting the results.

Thank you for caring.

[Superzob]

You should have been given a blue inhaler (Ventolin) as well, to act as a rescue inhaler; this is available over the counter if you can't get a GP appointment to prescribe it. You can take up to 8 puffs a day and that might just provide the temporary relief you need.

You don't say which pink inhaler you have. There are scores on the market and I tried 5 before I found one which suited me. You mustn't suffer in silence; see if your GP will prescribe a different one because 8 weeks is enough time to know whether it's working (2-4 weeks would be reasonable).

[Lunglady in reply to Superzob]

Hi. I was on fostair, but have now been told to come off it as it didn't seem to be making any difference.

[kdr112]

I’ve been exactly where you are! Most all of us on here have! Since you have post nasal drip, do you think you might have sinus issues? I am in the States. I went to Mayo Clinic a year and a half ago at my wits end. My local pulmonologist sent me to a major medical center in my state, and I received no help. I had no quality of life and went to Mayo as a last resort.

I was referred to an ENT at Mayo by my pulmonologist who scheduled me for surgery on my sinuses. My pulmonologist changed my inhalers and gave me a stronger dosage.

Today I am much more controlled with my asthma. I haven’t had a flare since September of last year. No wheezing and limited coughing. I am on oral steroids as we speak, for the first since September of last year. I have a respiratory virus that caused the coughing thus asthma exacerbation. Prior to the surgery, I was on oral steroids every 3 weeks.

Your sinuses might not require surgery, but maybe treatment would help with the post nasal drip thus improve your asthma.

Don’t give up until you find the root cause of your asthma. Blessings to you!

[Lunglady in reply to kdr112]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I've been told that I would have a lot of pain in my face if it was sinus related. I won't give up but it's taking forever.

[Izb1]

Hi Lunglady, I would go back to your gp and see if you can get a different inhaler, we are all different and getting the right one is difficult, tell him how you are feeling, there maybe something else he can let you have. Ask your gp if you could be seen by the ent department they maybe able to help wirh the nasal drip x

[Lunglady in reply to Izb1]

Thank you

[Kjg14]

Pop to the doctor you may have a chest Infection

[Lunglady in reply to Kjg14]

Thank you

[Caspiana]

Hi Lunglady , 👋

How are you doing now? I see this post is two months old. I was wondering if you are having treatment for your post nasal drip? Post nasal drip can be a source of respiratory illness. It can cause an awful lot if coughing as well. I had it quite bad for a long time. I hope things are better for you now.

Best wishes,

Cas xx ☘️🌼🌻🍀

[Lunglady in reply to Caspiana]

Thank you Cas,

I'm still taking nasal drops daily.

I finally had a meeting with a consultant after about 9 months of all this. He thinks it could be dysfunctional breathing and possibly vocal cord dysfunction. He sent me for a ct scan to rule anything else out. If it is what he says (which does make sense now I've read a bit about it) then I will have physio to help.

Thanks for caring

[Caspiana in reply to Lunglady]

Good to know you are being looked after. Take good care of yourself. xx 🙋💓

[Lunglady in reply to Caspiana]

Thank you

[Lunglady in reply to Caspiana]

You too

[madonbrew in reply to Lunglady]

Hi Lunglady,

Just spotted this post. I too have just been referred for physio...I have severe asthma and sinus problems...but nasal spray is helping that. But the doctor said that sometimes we can adopt dysfunctional breathing...with asthma,following asthma attacks,& almost need to relearn how to breathe again properly.

...do you have a wheeze too? I constantly wheeze, but sometimes it feels like it’s in my throat rather than an asthma wheeze...I’m just wondering as your consultant said about possible vocal chord dysfunction. I wonder if mine could be similar although I imagine mine could be caused by crazy doses of inhalers?

[Lunglady in reply to madonbrew]

Hi Madonbrew,

Yes I do wheeze. My breathing is really noisy and has been for nearly a year now.

I get a very tight, almost strangled feeling in my neck, around where I swallow. Sometimes it lasts for a few minutes sometimes much longer. This is (I'm guessing) the dysfunctional vocal cord bit. My voice sounds quite weak at times.

When are you starting the physio? Let me know how it goes.

[madonbrew in reply to Lunglady]

Hi Lunglady,

I’m not sure when I’ll start physio because of Covid and hospital being able to offer face to face contact, although the nurse thought they might start again from September but I don’t know. Will let you know.

I’m glad you have a consultant to try help figure these things out. I guess they ruled out asthma?

My voice too sometimes is quite weak but again I imagine that’s because of high doses of inhalers.

Hope it’s not too long before you get sorted! If it gets really tricky to breathe don’t leave it too long to see if it improves but ring 111 or get help from somewhere!

Keep us updated with how you are!

Dee x