Asthma attack

WEent out today into town,went in a local shopping centre then my cheststarted to tighten,I slowed my walk and stood still not knowing wat o do,luckily a friend came by and gave me a lift home,I was so scared. It's made really scared now to go out

[Gordon57]

I know just what you mean. If I'm looking to go out anywhere now I need to plan carefully where I am going, allow lots of time, and really build myself up to doing it. I know I'm going to be slow and panting, which gets funny looks but I'm used to it.

I wouldn't contemplate going shopping as such, if I head to town or the doctors I need to know just where I am going and what for. Otherwise I worry about even setting off, will I be OK, what if the weather is bad and I can't shelter when I need to stop and get my breath. I need to know that I can manage to get from A-B then B-C and C-D, not like being assessed for DLA where they only consider the first A-B stage to the bus stop.

I carry a small card in my bus pass wallet now. On one side it tells anyone who stops to see if I'm OK that I'll be fine in a couple of minutes, on the other side it asks them to get an ambulance and explains why ! I know I can't speak properly when I get SOB, so that could be a very useful bit of card. Thankfully, I've not needed to use it yet.

If you just find somewhere to sit and relax, use your inhaler if you have one, and see if the problem eases. If not, don't be afraid to get an ambulance rather than suffer. If I don't think I'm improving after a few minutes I can always try and wave someone over then show them the info on my little card. I try not to go anywhere that I would be on my own, sticking to public places and streets as much as possible.

It is a big worry when you start getting too scared to even go out, but you have to force yourself if you don't want to become agrophobic. Try and make sure you go out with someone, which will give you confidence.

[Hidden]

After this today I am afraid to o out Gordon.im allright if I'm with someone like last sat,it just came out of newer ,I just couldnt get a breath my chest felt o tight,I don't know wat o do ,it's happened before ,I don't want to go out now

[Hidden]

Wat is SOB.?

[Gordon57 in reply to Hidden]

SOB - Short of Breath

Don't be afraid, have a chat with the wonderful staff on the BLF helpline about this - 03000 030 555.

As I suggested, make sure you go with someone if possible, otherwise be prepared. Make sure you've taken any inhalers you need to, carry your blue one with you, if you have one. I find I just have to sit it out for 20 minutes or so and then can carry on. Only a couple of times in the last 20 years have I needed to go have a nebuliser at the hospital.

[Hidden in reply to Gordon57]

Thank you,that's good news,the thing is Gordon I tend to panic,I know I shouldn't because it doesn't help,I'm just afraid now to go anywere,my asthma used to b so well controlled ,but as iv got older I just despair I really do

[ivyleaf]

Short of breath.

[Hidden]

Had an ECG which was fine,but hav to hav a stress test ECG, doi need to worry cos I am

[bobless in reply to Hidden]

HI Meg no need to worry about stress test its a treadmill that goes realy slow and gradualy picks up speed and uses gradients but at any time you can stop if you need to there are usualy 2 nurses there with you and they will stop it imediatley you say stop

[Hidden in reply to bobless]

Thanks love,I'm just waiting now for an app,

[Hidden]

Hi Meg I sympathise with you. Asthma attacks are frightening. To try and avoid them I make sure I take my medication regularly and if an attack starts the first thing I do is use my ventolin inhaler. I usually know when an attack is starting when my chest feels tight and wheezy and I start coughing a lot. Always carry your inhaler and use it when you go out in public. If another attack happens try and sit down and concentrate on breathing slowly and steadily. No one will take any notice of you. Please don't stop going out. Don't become a prisoner at home.

bev x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

That's wat I feel like ,a prisoner,I dread having to go out in the old,I'm apprehensive before I o out ,which doesn't help,does it?