Just wondering how others juggle asthma/work

[Jokir152]

Hi folks,

I'm struggling again, further 2 wks off work trying to get to grips with my asthma, how do others juggle work/asthma ??

Employers not very supportive 😟

[Beth_19]

My flare up of asthma is very recent so I can only go off what I've experienced recently, but its been hard to juggle it all. I had a month and half off work during the worst of my exacerbation and currently I have to keep reminding the others not to wear strong perfumes, deodorants etc cause they set me off.

I'm fortunate to have a supportive boss who told me they didn't want me back at work until I was better, so I took my time under doctors orders to return. Things still aren't great still have a cough worse then a dogs bark and the slightest thing sets off chest tightness, but when that happens I leave the room and take my inhalers and stay out usually near a window until things settle down.

Can you have a meeting with your employers and discuss an action plan / procedures for you when things are getting on top of you. Like is there a place you can go sit, take your inhalers and have time to bring your breathing under control? Discuss triggers and how they can be minimised in your work place.

I've got a quick though if you don't mind answering (tell me to mind my own business and I won't be offended), did you have asthma before you started with them and did you inform them of it?

[fallon12]

Hi, Its not easy to juggle and sometimes I feel so guilty when I'm off sick but it cant be helped. My employer has always been supportive until I started to get worse and had so much time off. Now I feel pressure to go in even when I'm sick and I usually end up getting worse and have even sat upstairs unable to even get to bus stop. But having spoke to my manager and trying to explain my severe asthma I feel a bit more secure. People don't always know or understand how serious asthma can be so let your boss know how quickly things can change and hopefully they will be more understanding. I wish you luck xx