Asthma Attack

[Owjay]

Hi - I was wondering if anyone could give me a bit of advice. I have suffered from asthma for quite a few years and this has always been under control until a couple of weeks ago.

I went to work as normal (I work in a hospital) and must admit I didn't feel brilliant when i got up anyway after speaking to another member of staff she advise me to get checked out by one of the nurses on the unit I work under. Well what a shock my BP and pulse were sky high and I was immediately asked to lay down and then was transferred to the Same Day Emergency Centre where I was checked over. I was eventually put on a nebuliser as my chest was feeling a bit tight and I was feeling breathless, I was seen by a doctor who decided that I needed to stay in apparently I was having an asthma attack.

I was tested for Covid as is everyone when admitted (this came back negative thankfully) I was in a couple of days being put on a nebulizer regularly during my stay, I was then discharged to be seen by a team of nurses as a virtual inpatient with a home nebulizer until I was feeling better and my observations were stable. I was eventually discharged from their care a week after leaving hospital. I am now a week down the line and I am still feeling breathless and keep still getting twinges when I take a deep breath. I have never had an asthma attack before and not sure if this normal and wondered how long it takes to get over something like this.

[Troilus]

Hi Owjay, did they give you prednisone? If not I would contact them and ask if you could have some. The effects of the attack will gradually wear off. People recover at different rates so there is no definitive answer. As the inflammation reduces you will start to feel better. That’s why I asked about the prednisone, that speeds up the process.

What inhalers are you on? Do you have a preventer and a steroid one?

Asthma attacks are scary and you may feel anxious about it happening again ( I know I did ) but with the correct medication you will minimise the risk. Your asthma has been well controlled up until now and hopefully it will be again.

[Poobah]

Hi Owjay. Back in the day when I used to have severe attacks my hospital stays were usually two weeks long and included high doses of cortisteroids. I would then be discharged with oral steroids for another two weeks to ensure that the attack was well and truly quelled. I know that hospital treatment has changed and patients are discharged much more quickly while still poorly and expected to continue treatment at home.

I suspect that less intense treatment means that the attack will take longer to recover from. I no longer have attacks but if I get an exacerbation it takes weeks to get over it, even with the help of steroids.

If you haven't been prescribed steroids (Prednisolone) have a chat with your asthma doctor or nurse. A week's course may just do the trick. But do follow up with the doctor if your symptoms persist. Part of the recovery should also include increased inhaled meds until everything is back to normal.

All the best.

[Owjay]

Thank you for your replies - yes I have been on prednisone since I came home and I am due to finish them tomorrow. I am also taking my sybicort inhaler (2 puffs) in the morning and evening as well as my Ventolin inhaler being used inbetween. I also take Montelukast in the evening.

[ccccc in reply to Owjay]

Hi Owjay

I think you're supposed to have a follow up with your own GP as well to check your medication, so make sure you contact them and tell them what's happened.

[lovelife00]

Hi, I also had a scary experience about a year ago, years of being fine then my asthma flared up. It felt scared and terrified I would not get better. I started to feel better about 3-4 weeks after my attack. (a year ago). On the whole i'm fine and do everything I need to do, run around, work, garden etc. Still trying different meds and have been referred to a consultant (I requested this) as i'm determined to get back to how I was before the attack. So what i'm saying is don't give up. If something is not working ask to try something else. Make sure the same dr/nurse sees you. Anxiety and worrying makes asthma worse.

[Owjay]

Thank you everyone- I’ve requested another phone consultation with my GP today as there still not seeing patients as my chest feels tight again and I’m wheezing - it’s kept me up all night 😢. Really don’t feel brilliant today x