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Ask the nurses your question

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Hi all,

A reminder that the Asthma UK nurse team will be online tomorrow to answer your asthma-related questions. No question to big or small! Post them on the thread.

Thanks,

Dita

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12 Replies

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elanaoali6 years ago

I most always never wheeze except during my first asthma attack 2 years ago this month. Doctors are always looking for the wheeze and I not showing this. I believe my airways that get inflamed are in my upper airways hence no wheeze. How can we get GP more aware of the different ways asthmatic present themselves. I also can have a rock solid peak flow that also doesn't add up. Education?!

in reply to elanaoali6 years ago

Hi elanaoali

We hear this a lot on the helpline. It's a GP's responsibility to understand the guidelines and different clinical presentations of asthma patients. sadly we unable to control this in the real world. However we do have a healthcare professionals newsletter where we promote best ways to treat people with asthma and manage their condition well.

Thanks,

Dita

LysistrataAdministratorCommunity Ambassador6 years ago

Me too on the wheeze. I have confirmed severe asthma and rarely wheeze. I am aware the guidelines don't say you have to have a wheeze if you read them carefully but the general impression many healthcare professionals have is wheeze=bronchospasm/asthma. I've been told nebs won't help during an attack because of this and it's just not true, and I don't have the energy or breath to argue properly.

Personally I have resources now like my asthma passport and personal summary before I go anywhere near hospital, but many people don't have that, and no wheeze is not just an issue in severe asthma.

I'd be interested to know if there are any resources or something patients can use with the wheeze devotees that is respected by professionals and doesn't come across as us being difficult or delusional.

in reply to Lysistrata6 years ago

Hi Lysistrata

Please see our comment above. The other thing we suggest is recording your symptoms on your phone so when you go to the doctor you can play it back to them.

Thanks,

Dita

katie-astrophe6 years ago

How is it I can have a good peak flow but poor o2 saturations and chest tightness?

in reply to katie-astrophe6 years ago

Hi katie-astrophe

Peak flow only records how much air you can blow out quickly which will show how narrow your airways are. Not everyone's peak flow will go down when asthma is flaring up. For some people, oxygen levels will drop and have symptoms of chest tightness so you shouldn't rely on peak flow on its own.

Hope that helps,

Dita

renetteoy6 years ago

Had persistent cough for months, mainly worse at night, and waking in the morning with really tight chest. Went to one doctor who had Given me an inhaler, which relieved daily symptoms, but not nightly ones. Needed 2nd opinion after few weeks, so went to different doctor But that doctor ruled out asthma as my spirometry, xray and immediate family history had no indication of asthma and told me to stop inhaler and told me it was acid reflux, gave me some a month of tablets which make me nauseous, and are not helping. Im on week three of this but After about a week and a bit of no inhaler i could feel the difference in my body and the coughing and breathlessness has started back. I don't know whether the weather has something to do with it. Iv got a GP appt on Tuesday, but dont know how to approach it if that makes sense, if they've ruled out asthma?

in reply to renetteoy6 years ago

Hi renetteoy

When you go to your appointment on Tuesday, it's worth asking your GP about getting a peak flow meter to keep a peak flow diary. This is usually done for 2 weeks, very morning and evening and then recorded. If there is differences in these readings that are significant, this would suggest asthma. Spirometry can be normal for people with asthma because they don't have symptoms at the time of the test. Chest x-rays are often normal for people with asthma as well.

The other option would be to talk to your GP about a 'trial of treatment' which means getting a brown inhaler to trial for 4-6 weeks to see if your symptoms go away. If they do, it's likely to be asthma.

Hope that helps,

Dita

Jemm_beth996 years ago

Are digital peak flow metres reliable to monitor asthma?

in reply to Jemm_beth996 years ago

Hi Jemm_beth99

Asthms UK don't recommend any particular digital peak flow meters, however some doctors or nurses use these in clinics only but don't give them to people with asthma to self-manage peak flows (due to cost). It's not any more reliable than a standard peak flow meter.

Hope that helps,

Dita

ingemaria6 years ago

Dear Dita, I have asthma and am regularly short of breath and cough so much that I cannot talk. However, I also have glaucoma and was told by my consultant not to use the steroid inhaler as it raises the intraocular pressure in my eyes and therefore further damages my optic nerves. The increase in IOP was confirmed over a period of month when I did use the steroid inhaler. I have mention this to my GP but he just said that there wasn't a contraindication concerning the steroid inhalers. It is true that there is no contraindication but there is a definite possible side-effect which is also mentioned in the information leaflet of the steroid inhaler. I do occasionally use the steroid inhaler when absolutely necessary and worry about losing more vision. I was told by my local asthma nurse there was no alternative and I would damage my lungs as there is inflammation in the lungs which can only be dealt with by using the steroid inhaler. I have asked for advice from various organisation but nobody can has an answer. I am really worried about damaging my lungs further and going blind. It seems I have to chose one option over the other. I'd be immensely grateful if you could either give me some advice or tell me where to find it.

ALUK_NursesPartnerALUKAsthma Nurse in reply to ingemaria6 years ago

Hi ingemaria

So sorry for the delay in replying you your post. And sorry to hear that not only are your asthma symptoms giving you problems but that also because you have glaucoma, appropriately managing your asthma symptoms is proving tricky.

Yes, it is known that steroids can cause elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP). Any form of steroids can cause a rise in eye pressure in persons with glaucoma or at risk for the disease. But the degree to which eye pressure may be raised will vary between individuals and may be dependant upon the dose of inhaled steroid taken.

In your shoes, I would discuss your concerns with your GP, bearing in mind the advice of your Eye Specialist and ask for review of your asthma preventative treatment. Steroid inhalers are not effective if used intermittently. We do not know the level of inhaled steroids that you have been advised to take. It may be appropriate for you to take a preventative medication that is not steroid based possibly in addition to a low dose of inhaled steroid.

As your situation is complicated, you may find it helpful to give us a call on the Nurse Helpline: 0300 222 5800 (Mon- Fri 09.00-17.00)

Yours,

Asthma UK Nurse Team

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