does this mean my meds are not working properly ...?

Hello,

I did an 11 mile charity walk yesterday for some hospices and while going uphill (most ofthe time, I could not catch my breath, and was really really struggling all the time going uphill, even though i was using my blue salbutamol? inhaler quite a lot of the time.

Normally this works, but it so didnt yesterday - i did think i would have to be carried off by an ambulance at several points. does this mean that my meds are not working very well???

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Its a sign that your asthma isnt as controlled as it could be.

Maybe try visiting your GP??

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Hi there,

Congratulations on completing a walk for charity, what a great achievement. I'm sorry you've had these problems with your asthma during your walk, though.

As Emma says, this is definitely a sign that your asthma is not as well controlled as it might be. The goal of asthma treatment should be that you are able to lead a normal life and do whatever physical exercise that you want to, albeit with a reliever inhaler to hand, and perhaps a puff of reliever before you start. There are several medications that could help to improve your control, some of which are specifically good for exercise-induced asthma, so do go and see your doctor and talk it through.

I'm a little bit worried, too, by your statement that you thought you would have to be carried off by an ambulance at several points. If you think you need an ambulance during an asthma attack, you should call one. Having an attack which is not responding to your normal reliever inhaler is a sign that you need further treatment, and you need to seek urgent medical help if this happens, either by dialling 999 or by contacting your GP or out-of-hours service. I realise that on this occasion, the symptoms obviously eventually resolved themselves to the extent that you did not need extra treatment, but next time you might not be so lucky. I don't wish to frighten you, but asthma attacks are potentially dangerous, especially when they are undertreated.

Please do see your doctor as soon as possible to get your treatment reviewed. I do hope you don't have any more of these episodes; there is every reason to think that you won't have these problems once you are on the right combination of medication.

Take care,

Em H

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thanks for your replies.

I have now made an appointment to see my doctor, but cant get in before 2nd June. Im reluctant to go to the gym now until ive seen him.