Needing a bit of pep talk and perspective.....

Good evening everyone,

I am felling pretty down today so I thought I'd come on the forum to vent a little of my frustrations.

I am not sure if someone would remember me. I posted last year about my asthma triggered for the 1st time ever in Cairo where I worked and the hard decision I had to make about whether to go back. My GP's in London decided I had to return to work. So I did but I was right to fear such a return as no sooner I arrived in the country that my asthma was again triggered and the symptoms even worst that the first time around.

None of the treatments I was given in London worked and I even ended up in hospital in Cairo. I was forced to resign from my job and return to Europe. I actually went to stay with my family in France where my asthma started to finally be controlled. It took me 5 months to get there but it did. It is much better now with the obvious bad days here and there.I am still not sure what triggers it but it seems to be intrinsic asthma as most of the allergy tests I did in France were negative. I would still react to strong smells though such as detergents, perfumed candles, perfume and car fumes.

I am still in recovery process and facing the eternal question with regards to my job situation. My work takes me to various challenging places around the world. I have just turned down a job in Thailand as I was terrified that the weather conditions (heat and humidity) and the burning of rice fields would trigger my asthma.

I feel pretty upset turning this job I love so much down because I am too scared of the same things happening to me again. What happened in Egypt completely knocked my confidence down and I am only starting to slightly to get better and be able to cope with the attacks when they come. I do worry that I may never be able to go back to my job and travel because I will always have to consider environmental factors such as heat, humidity, sand storms or simply pollution levels.

Am I over-reacting or does it get better and I simply need to learn to live with these limitations? I feel pretty low thinking how my life is affected by asthma.

xxxxx

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hi foxtrot,Yes can remember you and your amazing job that takes you to lots of places around the world.Hope you get to travel more with your job.Asthma is a pain and can play up at all levals and treatment changes also.I would go with how you feel and just remember to be prepaired and may be check out where you stay and near a hospital or medical centre and have steroids and antibs with you.Hope you get to travel again but go by your health and how you feel and how controled your asthma is at the time .xxx

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Hi foxtrotte,

Yes I do remember you and your dilemma with work and asthma - sounds like a horrible one to have to choose between (relative) health and a job you love! Sorry to hear about what happened with Cairo but glad you've got some control now.

EDIT Sorry if I've repeated anything I said last time - especially if you replied and said not possible! Easier to find your replies than my post.

I don't know that I'll be able to offer any constructive advice. I'm wondering if there's any source of helpful advice on this; the AUK adviceline is good generally but this might be outside their expertise. I suppose what you'd need is someone who knows a lot about travel health and asthma at the same time, which could be a tall order; your work doesn't have an occupational health person who could help, given that they seem to be in the business of sending people all over? Or could you ask your GP to refer you to a consultant who might be able to help with a treatment plan which takes into account (where possible) the conditions you've mentioned?

The only other thing I can think of is whether you have any choice at all in where you go; do you just get sent somewhere? It seems to be mainly hot and humid places with lots of triggers that you mention; are all the postings to places like that or are there any to places less full of triggers? And if there were, could you request them on health grounds? Though I completely understand that may be at odds with your career plan and expertise as all the interesting stuff may be going on in the places with triggers!

I don't know if any of this helps but I'm thinking of you; not been in this position myself but I would hate to have to make this decision.

[angievere]

Hi foxtrotte, Like the others I remember your posting about being uncertain whether to go to Cairo or not. A friend of mine who went to Egypt on hol told me never to go there because she thought the climate etc would aggravate my asthma, so I wondered what you had done.

It's a very difficult one because asthma varies from person to person. Personally I would put health first, but my asthma has been very troublesome. Physically I wouldnt be able to do your job so I wouldnt ever be in your position.

Just wonder what your GP/Consultant recommends? Sorry, not much help but I do sympathise.

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Hiya!

I'm sorry to hear that your going through such a difficult patch. I completely get how your feeling regarding your job and asthma, as I'm currently on my 3rd month of not working due to several severe attacks and constant SOB now, and I was laid off Christmas week due to being off sick with my asthma and due to only being there 6 months I don't have a leg to stand on. I'm now being assessed to see if I will ever be able to work again ... That thought to me is depressing and the fact that they can't get my asthma under control is also getting me down.

I'm going to see my GP tomorrow regarding my situation and hopefully they will be able to offer me some advice.

The only thing I will say is that I've slowly over the months learned that my health is more important than a job, even one that I loved! Id speak to your GP and see what they recommend. Maybe a change in career would help if your asthma is back under control .. Sometimes a change is just as good.

Take care and if you want to talk, vent etc please DM me anytime

Jilly xx