Asthma post COVID

[JJ2370]

I had asthma as a child and "grew out of it" - never needed an inhaler until 3 months ago. I was extremely active, an avid soccer player, hiking, biking, everything. I have been taking allergy shots all my life which helped make the asthma negligent. I got back to back colds in December-January, the first being covid which recovered fully. Then I got another cold (unclear if covid or some other infection) turned to post viral bronchitis then moderate-persistent asthma diagnosed by pulmonologist on March 2nd. I did a prednisone taper and am currently taking symbicort twice daily. My only symptom is persistent chest tightness/breathlessness. I'm not wheezing or ever really in danger of an attack. Symbicort doesn't seem to be doing much after a month in. My x ray had minimal hyperinflation and PFT had some air trapping, trouble on the exhale -- all very common in asthma. My asthma and allergist thinks it has more to do with post-covid symptom while the pulmo mentioned this but seems to think it's just asthma. Searching for relief and trying to stay hopeful.

[Tree20862]

Does pulm recommend using albuterol to help with your symptoms? Do you measure peak flows?

I hope you can find relief soon. I had a pulm who told me that lungs take 6 weeks to heal fully. Try meditation with abdominal breathing to work on expanding your diaphragm. Keep asking your doctor for answers.

I wish you well on your journey.

[JJ2370 in reply to Tree20862]

yeah albuterol before exercise but doesn’t seem to do much. It’s been around 10 weeks since covid infection at this point. Thanks for your reply just have to keep pushing covid is tricky and so is asthma.

[Hidden]

Ask you physician about increasing your inhaled corticosteroids for a few months. When better task about going back down. Everybody is different. If this helps you may need to stay on the stronger medicine for 6 months or more, then in the future go up on them each cold/ flu season..

[Jayarc]

It sounds like your symptoms are unpleasant but based on my personal experience even 3 months is early days in recovery. I was diagnosed in my mid 30s after a chest infection but after 2 years I was almost fully recovered, off all medication except a puff of ventolin before playing outdoor sports. My doctor basically told me it was in remission and I was really good for 10 years. Then covid hit me last year which was a setback. But my point is that in some people asthma does seem to fluctuate and I'm not sure even the experts fully know why. So I'd feel really hopeful that you can improve. Continue with your current protocol or even step up your medication then try to step it back down later, as suggested by Jkerski above, stay as fit as you can and pay attention to nutrition and I think you could see a difference in the coming months. Consider if there may be a trigger like dairy or gluten as well and be aware of stress levels, I find this can really aggravate my asthma. Good luck!

[Magnusj]

I am 12 week after covid and had a nightmare. I never had asthma as a child or before in my life. Never been sick besides normal 1 week colds. Now it has been 12 weeks with what looks like severe asthma. I am still being investigated and not yet diagnosed with asthma.