Having to move to a ground floor home because of brittle Asthma

[99Poke]

Hi everyone,

This is my first time posting a thread on here. Basically, I'm having to move from my second floor flat to a ground floor property because my block of flats has no lift and climbing the stairs triggers my asthma.

I love where I currently live but the last time I climbed the stairs to my flat I ended up in intensive care on a ventilator. And I'm still waiting for an outpatient appointment with the asthma consultant, but this has been delayed because of covid.

Currently, I am in my second floor flat waiting to be rehoused through the council, and can't manage the stairs...being stuck here is driving me mad.

Has anyone else had to move house because of their Asthma? Have any of you got any asthma related tips on handling the move - physically and mentally? My friends and family have been really supportive, but it would good to hear from someone with asthma who totally gets it.

Thanks

[K8ty25]

I am in similar circumstances at the moment. When I bought my flat my Asthma wasn't as bad as it is now. I am considering moving to something all on one level or at least something that I can turn into a downstairs bedroom.

I really struggle now if I come home after a trip to the hospital. I have to stay with my parents and sleep on their sofa until I'm well enough to climb the stairs again.

There are other things that mean I want to move but my asthma will have a very big role to play in choosing a new house

[99Poke in reply to K8ty25]

So good to hear from someone in the same position.

I don't have anyone I can stay with who has a home on the ground floor when I come home from hospital. When I got home from hospital 2 weeks ago, I had an ambulance crew take me up the stairs on a special stair climbing wheelchair...not the most dignified trip up the stairs, I must admit.

Are you able to get help with moving K8ty25? My family all live in Ireland and I live in London. I have lots of friends who have offered help with the move, but the whole thing is so daunting.

I know moving to a ground floor flat will be good for me, and it's kinda short term pain for long term gain, but it's pretty stressful, and I don't want my asthma to get worse whilst moving.

[K8ty25 in reply to 99Poke]

Yes. I'm lucky to have family in the area but I'm dreading the stress of moving. The thought of dealing with selling the flat and the solicitors and estate agents is daunting. Just after I moved two years ago I spent 3 weeks in hospital. I don't think the moved caused it but it probably didn't help.

As a long term view though I think it will be of benefit to me to move even if as you say short term it will be very stressful

[99Poke in reply to K8ty25]

That's good you have your family to help with moving. I'm gonna just pay for a removal company to pack up my stuff for me and move it to my new place. I don't want to have an asthma attack with all the dust that is kicked up when moving stuff myself.

I wouldn't have to deal with estate agents or solicitors because I'm in a housing association and don't own my flat, but since I got out of hospital the people who are supposed to be helping me like social workers and OTs and housing officers keep passing the buck. Meanwhile, I'm sitting at home, stuck on the 2nd floor, and can't get out anywhere...it's like a lockdown within a lockdown! Sorry, rant over lol 😂

[K8ty25 in reply to 99Poke]

I'm thinking similar to be honest. It would be much easier to hire someone to come in pack everything and move it

[ChrissieMons in reply to K8ty25]

Delegate as much as you can and just take things as they come. Don’t fret about the slowness of events as it doesn’t make anything happen more quickly. Definitely pay the removals people to pack & move your stuff, and get family to be at either end of the move. You leave your flat tidy and go out for the day. When you go to your new place it is all there, neat and tidy, so you can rearrange at your own pace. People like to help, so let them. Admittedly I was in hospital giving birth when this happened for me, but it is a great help.

[Spikedog66]

Lots of people feel like you including me. I'm presently decluttering my home day by day, when I'm up to it to sell my home so I can live on the ground floor the stairs are killing me. It's the thought of change also, its stressful!!! which doesn't help our chests either. Get boxes delivered or ask friend's to get them for you, sit and pack a box small stuff. Do what your chest allows and think how much easier your life will be...we only have time due to lockdown for now. Take fairy steps not giant leaps. Hope all goes well and much happiness with easier breathing in your new home. It will be worth it.

[hilary39]

That sounds so hard. I'm sorry your asthma has been so rough!!

My own varitation on this issue is living near people with pets. I had to move out of an apartment I loved a few years ago because we shared several common areas with people who had a dog.

And right now, my husband and I are moving out of our apartment building and moving several hours away where we can afford a house because many people have cats in our building and when they move in and out my asthma gets so bad I get in week or month-long exacerbations.

It's so hard to have to uproot your life because of health issues. I empathize!

[99Poke]

Thank you everyone for your advice and support. I think I really need to let other people help me with the move, and I have had loads of offers of help from my friends and family. Thanks again 😊👍