Asthma advice - constant chest tightness

[Mogget]

Hi all,

This is my first post here and I'm looking for some advice as to how I can manage my asthma better. The asthma nurses I've seen over the years haven't been especially helpful. I've had asthma ever since childhood and live ok with it, but over the past few years it seems to be worsening, despite changes in my medication. I take Fostair (4 puffs a day), Montelukast and Fexofenadine.

I have episodes of chest tightness almost every day and it just seems to be a constant thing which is always there, fluctuating in severity. I don't wheeze but I find it hard to draw full breaths. I also sometimes experience chest pain. Sometimes there is no obvious trigger, but things which do worsen it are exercise (anything more than a brisk walk), lack of sleep, lying on my right hand side and lying on my back in bed. I fall asleep on my left hand side but sometimes roll over in the night and then wake up with a tight chest. This morning it was particularly bad and I actually called an ambulance because I'd never felt it like that before.

I haven't seen an asthma nurse in around 8 months but am going to make another appointment. Is there anything I ought to ask for? Would different medication potentially benefit me?

I have diagnosed cat/dog and grass/tree pollen allergies. I have not limited my diet (e.g. cutting out dairy) - perhaps this could be something to try?

Thanks

[Hidden]

Similarly to you I have had asthma my whole life and recently (this year) I have had a tight chest through April to about a week ago, also I have cat, dog, horse, grass, dust mite and other allergies (from skin prick test).

But cats, dog, horses and grass do not cause me any problems apart from a slight rash on contact, doesn't affect my nose, eyes or lungs.

The last 6 years I have had hayfever (tree pollen) starting in Feb and finishing in May/June but this has never caused any breathing problems until this year, and tree pollen barely reacted on the skin prick test.

I know the skin prick test for allergies is not accurate, maybe try making a diary of when your asthma is worse and try to track down what you are allergic to.

Asthma is so frustrating, good luck

[Mogget in reply to Hidden]

Thanks very much for your reply. That's interesting - I'm too wondering whether pollen is causing my current episode. I don't recall reacting to it like this in previous years but then I know allergies can change throughout your life. I didn't realise the skin prick test wasn't accurate. My test was done when I was 8 (I'm now 27) so am indeed now beginning a diary to better track my symptoms and possible triggers.

I went to the GP today and they prescribed me a course of prednisolone which I hope will bring relief, but I definitely need to start identifying the causes.

[ChrissieMons]

It is difficult to recommend anything medically specific, but try falling asleep sitting up in bed - 3 or 4 pillows behind you and one under your knees. See if you can find some relaxation exercises which work for you - I find that feeling lousy is a vicious circle - the frustration makes me tense which makes the breathing worse and so on. You can be tested for food allergies, but they are not always helpful. Cutting out a whole food group isn't considered good for you. You should have a blue inhaler - try taking it 1st thing, before the Fostair, to open your airways a bit. Keep on at the GP as well as the nurse until you get better. If the stuff you have isn't working, you ought to see a consultant. Good luck!

[Mogget]

Hi Chrissie - thanks for your reply. I did indeed have to sleep similarly to that last night, as lying flat-ish on my usual left hand side wasn't cutting it. Good point about the frustration - I've just been trying to distract myself as much as possible. I even went to work today because I just want to carry on as normal but ended up coming home early as the breathlessness and tiredness was a bit too much. I will look into relaxation exercises. I went to see a GP today and have been prescribed a course of prednisolone. And I've got an appt to see an asthma nurse. I didn't realise you could actually be referred to a specialist so that's good to know.

PS. I do have a blue inhaler (I just assumed everyone had one, but reading these boards I have found that's not the case!) and will certainly try using it before the Fostair.