I have a question about something that happened to me at work yesterday...

[Willow7733]

I have moved to the neurology ICU at work (started my new job last week! Yay! Loving it!). We are on the 4th floor. Yesterday, I was going to lunch with some colleagues (to the cafeteria) on the 6th floor. We had to go up four flights of stairs. One person in the group is scared of elevators, so we took the stairs. No problem right?! I know I need to exercise more these days, but I am not exactly that out of shape. But I had major trouble when we reached the cafeteria (I couldn’t talk, couldn’t catch my breath, my whole chest was heaving). It was really embarrassing. I felt like I was going to faint for a moment. Everyone was asking if I was ok, so I tried to act like it was - trying desperately to not hyperventilate (or look like I was), hoping nobody asked for my two cents in the conversation that was going on (because I couldn’t talk even if I wanted too), trying SO hard to act normal...which made my breathlessness worse! I am not sure if this being out of shape or an asthma thing. I guess my question is how do you tell if it is an asthma thing or bad physical conditioning? (My rescue was in my locker in Neuro at the time. Do you all keep yours on you at all times, even at work??) I am off today (a small miracle, because it doesn’t happen often), so I was thinking of recreating this by using my stairs at home and trying my rescue if I have a reaction. The whole thing really scared me. I just don’t get why, when I am taking my medication faithfully, I am still having these problems....

[Yracy]

I'm huffing and puffing just reading this! Please, keep your "rescue" with you. Do not worry what people will think,better for you to breathe! Good luck with the new job!!! Stay blessed...

[AirIsUnderrated]

I can relate! Poor you! My first few times out walking up the road after the virus I had to keep stopping and heaving for breath.

My thoughts: did you get your breath back without the blue? If you did then it’s more fitness than asthma. If you needed the blue before you could breathe comfortably then it’s asthma. But asthma does make the tubes more sensitive so that they close up more easily even if you aren’t hugely unfit, so it could be a bit of both.

There’s no harm in walking up and down your own stairs a few times a day to improve your condition. Start slowly tho. You’re aiming for your muscles to ache before you lose your breath. Keep the inhaler with you to remove the anxiety aspect.

Congratulations on the new job and I love that you’re enjoying it! 🥰

[Willow7733 in reply to AirIsUnderrated]

That is exactly what I was thinking...but what happened was we went to lunch (I didn’t eat mine) and by the time we went back, I was still having trouble. I was busy trying to just stay calm and calm down my need to gasp. I was worried by then. I did have my blue rescue in my locker when we returned from lunch. It took two doses of two puffs (so four I total) of my blue to feel it calm down. That was Saturday, and I still feel a bit off from that. Coughing a lot. It takes a few days to get over. Lots of phlegm in the morning when this happens. Same thing happens when I mow my lawn or shovel my steps in the winter.

[AirIsUnderrated in reply to Willow7733]

It sounds like asthma to me. When I can’t/don’t use my blue when I ought to, it takes a couple of days to get comfortable again, and as you say, lots of gunk to cough up.

It doesn’t seem that you are controlled yet. Are you on a new meds regime?

[Willow7733 in reply to AirIsUnderrated]

I was thinking, it takes more than just sitting down and stopping the activity before I am not gasping for air like I have just ran a full marathon. I have been on these medications since being diagnosed 5 years ago. I was well controlled until this March when my father died, and I changed jobs, and was cut off from my family because of the pandemic (all happened all at the same time). I have promised my mother tonight that I would call my doctor tomorrow. This is getting ridiculous. So embarrassing....

[AirIsUnderrated in reply to Willow7733]

I think you’re doing the right thing. As the weather gets colder and coughs’n’flu season begins, you need to get as controlled as possible so that you’re less likely to pick up bugs. The AsthmaUK nurse explained to me that the twitchier your lungs are allowed to get, the more they will react.

Let us know how you get on? X

[Willow7733 in reply to AirIsUnderrated]

It is good advice. I just have to get this under control. I can’t afford to miss work, and now that winter is coming, I got to get a handle on this.

[AirIsUnderrated in reply to Willow7733]

I’m so sorry about losing your dad. 😢 You’ve had a rotten year. Time to take extra care of yourself.

[Willow7733 in reply to AirIsUnderrated]

I have been working a lot to keep my mind off of it all. Can’t wait for 2020 to be over! I mean, really! I can’t take much more.

[AirIsUnderrated in reply to Willow7733]

Yup, it’s been pants all round! You’ll be able to cope with it much easier if you’re feeling better though. 👍🏻

Now it’s past my bedtime so I’m going to say good night and all the best for your appointment tomorrow. God bless! 😴

[AirIsUnderrated]

Hi Willow, did you manage to get an appointment? X

[Willow7733 in reply to AirIsUnderrated]

I called, and I have a telephone appointment tomorrow (sometime between 9am and 11am). My doctor’s office has a secretary who takes the calls, and then he calls us from his house or office...it is so strange. Now I have to figure out all the things I want to mention. I hardly call, so they are pretty good when I do - I get an appointment right away. Which is nice.

[AirIsUnderrated in reply to Willow7733]

Oh that amazing. Write your list of questions! 👍🏻

[Willow7733 in reply to AirIsUnderrated]

I think I will have to make a list, because my usual reply to him is that “I am fine”. Have to break that habit and get this taken care of. It is not getting better.

[AirIsUnderrated in reply to Willow7733]

Haha! Good luck! Let us know how you get on? X