Night Time Struggle

[WhoNeedsAirAnyway95]

hey,

So I always considered myself to be lucky as I has 0 night time symptoms with my asthma.

But 4 weeks ago I got a chest infection 😫 now I literally tick all the night time symptom boxes. I told my doctor but she just gave me more steroids to help my lungs from the infection.

But its so bad I literally sleep with my blue inhaler glued to my hand or in my pj pockets.

Has anyone else suddenly got terrible night symptoms after a chest infection? Did your symptoms reside eventually? Did you need new medication? Is this even normal?

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Hi

do you have an asthma plan and do you use PF as a measure? If you do please follow it if you are into the red zone (any of; can’t eat/sleep/talk/walk normally and/or PF below 50%) if you don’t remember you can if needed take 10 ventolin puffs instead of the 2 but you have to inform your GP the next day, and if it doesn’t work/reset to normal or doesn’t last at least 4hrs before needing to do it again you need to head to hospital (even if it is silly o’clock at night). Nighttime waking isn’t a good sign in asthma especially if you’re already on steroids.

Infection (be it viral or bacterial) are a very common trigger for asthma attacks, and often take a while to fully resolve but it’s not unusual for people to need extra help in hosp if the steroids are calming things down. Usually once the infection is over things go back to normal and sleep returns to normal also (as night wakening is a common sign of uncontrolled asthma) however some people may end up needing an add on or change in medication if their lungs don’t fully calm down.

Please don’t leave it to avoid hosp/making a fuss if you do need hospital treatment, as waiting it out can have dire consequences. If you decide that you don’t need to go to hospital tonight but would like more advice The AUK helpline nurses are great and can be reached on 0300 2225800 M-F 9-5. Alternatively their WhatsApp service is 07378 606728.

Hope this helps and that you feel better soon

[hilary39]

Definitely check in with your GP as soon as you can as nightime asthma is often a sign of uncontrolled asthma.

There are a lot of reasons asthma worsens at night--sleeping in a reclined position, your cortisol (your body's natural anti-inflammatory) dips to its lowest level around 2 am, heating and AC can irritate the lungs, the bronchial tubes can close slightly during sleep etc.

I am in a flare right now and waking up every night at 2 or 3 so I empathize!

Sending hugs.

[WhoNeedsAirAnyway95 in reply to hilary39]

I've got a few days off this coming week so im going to try get into my GP

[Missythefox]

Do you have an spacer tube? If not ask for one from asthma clinic staff or doctor. It should help with using the inhaler to get the drugs into you better.