Where would I go to have a nebuliser

[gillbee]

if I had an attack in shops / restaurants etc. I can’t go outside with smokers as triggers my asthma And I wouldn’t want to be alone in my car in case I needed assistance?

[twinkly29]

I suppose it depends what it's like/how sudden etc. If it's not like a huge sudden onset thing I'd go outside but away from smokers - I find it's easy enough to find places (but I agree they are really really annoying literally outside shopping centres and eating/drinking places - go elsewhere!) If it is a big sudden attack then to be honest it would need to be wherever you are at the time I guess, even if this is in a shop for example. If you were in your car and the neb was helping then great...if not you could phone 999 and just continue with the neb until they arrived? I know it can be scary on your own but, realistically, with nebs you've already got more than random others can do for you anyway.

[gillbee in reply to twinkly29]

My asthma isn’t controlled, my consultant thinks xolair isn’t working anymore. I’m having a chest X-ray and bloods taken when I go for my injections on Friday to see if Esophils are present in my bloods to transfer over to those biologic injections but I’ve been on pred 40mg for 4 weeks now and 3 lots of doxy. I went to the shops for the first time and had a ffp3 mask on but that triggered my asthma. The smell of the mask and I needed to nebulise then but wasn’t sure what to do. Being in the spotlight increases my discomfort and I panicked and just left the shop. I think I need a plan for when I’m out.

[twinkly29 in reply to gillbee]

If things are bad I would suggest not wearing a mask at the moment especially if panic etc then exacerbate things. It's likely that it was actually panic causing most of the symptoms at that point but adding to asthma symptoms by wearing the mask, especially a high level mask, is probably something you don't need at the moment. In that situation, I'd have gone outside and used my neb because then I'd have been in the fresh air too. Also like you say you're not doing in situ. It does sound like anxiety is playing a big part at the moment (understandable with it being unsettled) - relaxation techniques might be useful because being anxious about using your neb or managing when out is just going to exacerbate things - or the anxiety reaction at the time is going to do that so it might seem like it's not helped when it probably has but then what you're feeling is the anxiety of using it/the "what of it doesn't work" thing. If that makes sense 😅

I hope you get the tests done, and results back, soon.

[gillbee in reply to twinkly29]

Thank you I am use to wearing masks as I’m a nurse but not the thicker FFP3 ones. I find mindfulness very helpful but as you say I was starting to feel panicked when I took the mask off and started getting dirty looks. I had screenshot the sign saying exempt from wearing mask, but as my first “day out” of shielding I think I underestimated the impact shielding is has had on me. Thank you for your advice, see my Consultant tomorrow.

[twinkly29 in reply to gillbee]

I've got thin 1 layer masks for that reason - the looks or comments that might occur. The thought of them is horrible! That might be an option for days where it's more difficult for you?

In some ways things being different to how one expects can actually be bigger in impact than the thing itself. Which is always then frustrating 🙈

Good luck with consultant!

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Hi gillbee,

If you're experiencing an asthma attack in a restaurant/shop and your reliever inhaler isn't working, please, don't be afraid to call an ambulance. The paramedics are experienced and used to helping people with asthma attacks and carry nebulisers to help you (I've been there and had it done). If you havent got a phone ask the shop/restaurant staff to call an ambulance. Your health should always come first. Take care