COVID-19 and asthma

[Maryhart]

How is everyone doing? I live in the US and am living “shelter in place” and only going out for essentials practicing social distancing. A lot of the symptoms people are having this time of year may be caused by high pollen counts and flu so knowing the difference between them and COVID-19 may be helpful. I want to add that managing your asthma and taking asthma medications that control your asthma should still be a priority for anyone with asthma. I am doing everything I can to stay healthy. Other issues associated with this pandemic include anxiety, depression, fear, insomnia etc. Have you been experiencing any of these? What have you done to help cope with it all?

[Hidden]

Previously, I was homeschooling my 7th grader because of migraines and my 5th grader was in school refusal. To help ease my stress I've let homeschooling be much more independent and self guided. She's doing great without me, even though she prefers to talk things through over reading and writing answers. My tth grader needs a bit more facilitation, so I've shifted to making sure she is online when she's supposed to be (video meetings) and I don't push beyond that. Then, i make sure to walk the dogs, pet the cats, and either nap or watch a show. I'm one of the ones that is just as busy now as I was before. Difference is that I'm not running the roads for appointments. My goal is to use the exercise equipment we have, consistently do PT stretches, so that i can breath better and feel better. I have found, although a bit lame, Woebot is useful for self checks and redirection. It is an app for anxiety reduction where you have a conversation with a bot. It's not perfect, but it brings things to light too make manageable before they get too big.

Good luck and stay healthy!!

(I'm in Denver area)

[asthmaK]

I find getting out to go for a walk has helped immensely to keep my moods from tanking. I'm a social introvert so stopping and talking while out for my walks (using social distancing) has helped a bit. I homeschooled before all this, so nature walks as part of our day and take yoga breaks and schedule times to watch TV or chill while the kids play. (Michigan just called off school for the rest of this school year - but we are still homeschooling so I can have structure to my day).

My asthma is mostly in control now, but I've noticed that my spring allergies are starting to act up (cough, runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes). This will be the first year in 12 years that I have not had shots to control my asthma (Xolair for 10 yrs, Nucala for 2 yrs). It's hard to remember not to touch my face.

I'm going through grocery shopping withdrawal as my husband has taken over that job. Stay healthy and wash your hands lots!

[Sisqob]

Yes 🤚🏼me been having all the above I just got laid off and have no medicine to get through this crisis stressed out with my asthma

[Maryhart Partner Asthma Educator in reply to Sisqob]

I am so sorry to hear about your lay-off. Lots of people are being laid off and I’m sure this is going to be a big problem. We must do everything we can to find resources to help with this issue. Have you tried getting some samples from physician (they may have some??) also look ON-line for patient assistance programs from pharmaceutical companies. Has anyone else dealt with this before? What did you do? Please share

[Sisqob in reply to Maryhart]

I just started I’ve been calling non stop looking for other resources but haven’t really gotten anything good yet first thing they ask is health insurance I don’t have any and haven’t had some in about over a year due to lay offs smh 🤦🏼‍♂️

[Delories]

Asthma affects the immune system so anything can be set of I call it the domino affect. When one falls it trigger the one next to it to fall..

[ddsmith63]

Have asthma/copd. Yes, definatley anxieties/depression. Have made a good support team of primary physician, pulmonologist, counselor, and health coaching through work benefit. This has helped keep me from going too deeply into my depression. Using Symbacort twice daily, ventolin for back up emergencies, and singular at night, along with flonase twice daily. All I can do to pull myself up every day and go to work, especially wearing a mask for 8 hours.