help ☹️

[Shannon97]

hello everyone

i suffer really bad with health anxiety anyway i was diagnosed with ashtma when i was small ect and its only as ive bot older im worrying so much i suffer with anxiety,depression and ive been suffering with tight chest..but it dont always feel like it is..my peak flow has been between 380-410 and i dont no if thats good im so scared when ot comes to taking stiff but ive been taking my brown inhaler i just dont no what to do or think ☹️ xx

[Blue3456]

Hi Shannon,

it sounds like some help to manage your anxiety might help you, but also maybe speak to your gp about how to manage your asthma.

Do you have a peak flow metre? It's a good idea to measure it morning and night for a while to establish your normal readings. Everyone is different when it comes to peak flow. It depends on your sex, age and height, although your normal may be higher or lower than the average. This link has a chart with a guide, but it is only a guide so don't worry if yours is lower.

activ8rlives.com/support/da...

As well as your GP I recommend calling the asthma UK helpline. The nurses I have spoken to have been lovely and given me some fantastic advice.

Sorry I can't be more help.

[ChrissieMons]

Your peak flow is fine, but you are so wound up you can't sort out what's going on. You need to speak to your GP or, if you have someone special who helps you with your anxiety, get in touch as soon as you can. Asthma is often made worse by stress so you need to separate what is really worrying you from your physical health, so you can feel better physically and emotionally.

[LDloveslattecoffe]

Hi according to the link Blue3456 my best PEFR for my age now if 410 and highest on the graph for me was between 430-440.

Me best PF is 430 and has been since I was 19 I am 48.

Please remember PF can be normal but doesn't mean asthma controlled. It's only used as an indicator and one off readings are not helpful.

When I was first taught by GP back in 1990 who was investigating whether I had asthma, the 3 readings a day (blow 3 times but take best of 3 readings) shows different times of day and over period of time ie in my case a month but a week would be fine.

I was told I had asthma because it would look like peaks and troughs. Then put me on medication for a month and compared. Pattern changed less peak and troughs so medication made a difference.

So point is don't take PF in isolation.

If you are getting any of these :

short of breath,

chest getting tight,

Coughing at night

Wheezing

Getting frequent infections.

Remember there are many triggers that affect asthma and stress/anxiety is one of those triggers.

Helping your anxiety won't magically get rid of your asthma but can help your asthma symptoms.

I have never tried it but there is a machine you can buy from chemist for asthma it has no drugs in it but it helps you to regulate breathing which could also help with your anxiety just a thought.

Otherwise I am sure you have been given tips on mindfulness which can be helpful and distraction from your anxiety.

Best option is to go see a dr in your practice that you feel a) you trust and b) who makes you feel listened to.

Prepare before you go in ie. Write down jottings of points you want to ask about.

Maybe take 3 readings a day for a week to show Dr remember to plot on graph the dots of PF and join them. This gives a visual of what's going on as often numbers don't mean anything its the peaks and troughs of the PF you see on graph ie are they steep or gentle etc.

Use forum and Asthma UK for research and to ask GP questions

Ie would different medication help?

Your health anxiety could be genuine because you know something is going on but can't explain or when do you feel people don't believe you and you haven't got a diagnosis.

Which came first the tight chestedness or the anxiety? Eh if your chest was tight cos asthma not controlled it can be scary which brings on the anxiety or were you anxious generally and then chest got tight? Can be a bit chicken and egg question.

Maybe get annual bloods check but ask for the following as well -

Get vitamins checked as they have a major role ie Vit D and Folic Acid - Dr's don't routinely check but are common in people with long term conditions such as asthma, diabetes, PCOS etc.

Also get Vit B checked, ige, eosinophil (IGE and eosinophil are allergy related)

CRP and ESR indicate infection and inflammation in the body

Honestly, the best feeling in the world is a Dr who listens and does not dismiss your concerns and allows you to participate in a two way process. If you get one of those you are in good hands.

I knew there was something wrong I know my body. I have Asthma, PCOS and more. I was putting on weight at an alarming rate my BP was all over, my ankles swelling.

I saw one GP said wanted my PCOS checked and was told won't show anything except you have PCOS and hadn't I heard of middle age spread.

I saw another GP who I felt listened and worked with me, we drew up action plans. She found the Vit D deficiency I am now on maintenance dose, she found folic acid deficiency now on tablets for life, she sorted my BP meds and referred me to sleep clinic who found I had severe obstructive sleep apnoea and hypoventilation syndrome so now on CPAP machine. (my oxygen Sat's fine sitting and standing but drop severely on lying down).

I am an unpaid carer and I work freelance as an assessor/IQA where money is not regular so I have a lot of stress in my life. By nature I'm not an anxious person but stress and worry affect me more physically than mentally. So I have to try best to reduce or minimise stress and use good coping strategies (not always easy to do) xx

[lillyofthevalley37]

Looking at your profile and other posts Shannon I see you had an eating disorder

I could be wrong but I think "Ana " is spooking you and scaring you ? Instead of scaring you not to eat the anorexic voice aka Ana is scaring you by suggesting the worst case scenario for any small symptom of illness that you experience - you need to tell it to get lost - like I say I may be wrong but you are extremely stressed at any little thing and I think it is the anorexic voice or presence that is frightening you

[PaulRosedene]

Hi there

I am not keen to take medication, but my with my asthma I have no choice. Have you tried meditation as a way to calm your stress ?