Asthma and sickness

[birdlover18]

When I was diagnosed with asthma, I was not aware that going untreated could lead to irreversible damage. I spent years using my rescue inhaler 6-8 times a day as my asthma regiment, without taking any asthma stabilizers. Now, despite taking several control medications for asthma, I find that I just don’t breathe the same as I used to, before asthma. Additionally, now even if I catch a cold I end up with a hearty long-lasting cough and bouts of bronchitis. I was wondering, when those of you with asthma get an upper respiratory infection or even just a cold, what do you do to prevent it exacerbating your asthma or giving you chest congestion? When I get sick I start a prednisone taper which helps my chest tightness and wheezing but doesn’t help the fact that I get gunk in my chest which is very hard to cough up.

[Beasley63]

I also get bronchitis a lot. If I just have sinus drainage. I have had it three times this summer. It also comes on after I have come in contact with my triggers. Then it is prednisone and antibiotics.

[Minushabens Asthma Captain]

One of the really difficult things I find myself trying to deal with in life is the respiratory car crash that my parents & GP created for me as a child. I know it was 50+ years ago, but their collective failure to manage my asthma, even allowing for the state of treatment at that time has left me with badly damaged lungs & a raft of extra problems that are now adversely affecting my quality of life.

I can really relate to what you are saying. The only real strategy I have for infections is to get straight to the GP & drop off a sputum sample. They know me well, & will give me at least a couple of weeks of antibiotics which usually regain some control, although the frequency I get them, & inability of my lungs to deal with them naturally are a long-term problem.

[EmmaF91]

I get the bronchitis whenever my asthma is uncontrolled! I had it for years until my asthma nurse explained that I needed more drugs then it disappeared (until I flared again). Initially I didn’t know what an attack was either so it took me 2ish months to get help for my first - I just went through a blue pump every few days 😅 - I now know better!

If I’m ill I up my pred and nasal spray (so my sinuses don’t join in), if coughing up the gunk is difficult I get a course of carbocisteine and possibly antibiotics, and I’ve just discovered mustard baths which helped me a lot without irritating my asthma!

Hope that helps and you start to feel better soon x

[birdlover18 in reply to EmmaF91]

Oh god exactly, I used to go through nebulizer treatments and inhalers like crazy! When I had the flu in Feb I did 4 rounds of antibiotics, two of which were doxycycline. None of the antibiotics helped my chest congestion at all since my illness are typically viral, so this time around we’re steering clear of antibiotics! I have started a prednisone taper which hopefully helps. My Dr says my lungs sound great, just occasional post nasal drip goes into my chest and it’s hard for me to cough up unfortunately. Hope this flu season treats you well, happiness & health to you 😊

[EmmaF91 in reply to birdlover18]

Thanks - currently getting over a chest infection, so hoping that that’s it for this winter! 🤞🏻 I’m also usually ill with viruses, was shocked this time that bloods suggested it was bacterial! 5 days of doxy (and cyclizine or else the doxy won’t stay down) 😒. I can’t have ammoxicillin or clarithromycin as I’m allergic to them 🤦‍♀️ I always hope it’s viral 😅.

If you don’t have a nasal spray for the PND try asking for one - had a big impact on mine and if it can’t fall down you don’t have to cough it up!

Hope you stay well and breathing easy! X