I'd need a bit of help as I'm not sure what's going on...
I've been diagnosed with asthma bronchiale when I was 3. It was mild/moderate then totally went when I was about 14ish. I then moved to the UK (I'm Hungarian) when I was 27. I'm now 40, and recently my asthma is difficult. I'm on Fostair 100/6 (for years I was on Symbicort turbohaler 100 and then 200/6). I have a reliever Ventolin 100 too. I am checking my pt and my best is 350-370. I am still doing this reading now when I'm unwell. I feel short of breath and my chest feels slightly compressed. No coughing or wheezing much and never wake during the night.
I even exercise every day for 40mins, we have a treadmill, usually walking uphill or do aerob exercise in lounge without any issues.
Why am I breathless? I increased my inhalers to 3 x 2 puffs now and still need my reliever several times a day and even that hasn't got much effect. Are my meds too weak? Could my breathlessness be stress related and only in my head? What is going on?
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Klau80
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Sorry to hear you're not well. Asthma can definitely come and go - I had it mild/moderate from age 7 then it gradually got better then came back after swine flu at age 23.
However, what you're describing does sound unusual for asthma. Peak flow doesn't have to drop with asthma, but I would expect the reliever to help your symptoms at least. This post on peak flow may be helpful healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...
You say you don't wake at night with it, but do you find you are short of breath first thing when you wake up, or feel that you haven't really had a good night's sleep and are still tired when you wake? Asthma does tend to be worse at night, but it doesn't always have to mean you wake up fully and are aware of it.
It's also more unusual that you seem able to exercise without things getting worse, but perhaps it helps that you're inside and relatively fit already (if that's a regular thing you do). Is there anything you find makes it worse (eg inside vs outside, pets, dust, weather etc)?
Re the is it in your head: anxiety can mimic asthma symptoms or make them worse, but it's also a bit of an easy go to for doctors sometimes - do you actually feel anxious or stressed? It could also be a dysfunctional breathing pattern you've developed, which can happen on its own or alongside asthma and/or anxiety (it doesn't automatically mean anxiety). This post talks about the differences and may be helpful to read:
I do think you should see your GP: if it is asthma, it doesn't seem well controlled and you may need a change in medication. If it isn't, you still need to get to the bottom of what's going on, in case there's another reason that you can fix or which needs investigating.
It may also be worth giving the AUK nurses a call or message - they're very friendly and can chat through things with you. AUK helpline is 0300 2225800 M-F 9-5; AUK WhatsApp - 07378 606728 (obviously next week they'll be back on Tuesday as it's the bank holiday).
Thanks you so so much for your reply, my symptoms are certainly unusual for asthma.
I did have anxiety not long ago after my second daughter was born a year ago for months. I seem to manage it by meditating and listening to relaxation audios. And I found exercise really helps that so since february I kept doing daily exercise and feel so much better for it.
There is the usual stress with Covid, 2 small kids, finances but nothing major. I sometimes do worry though that if it is a worsening asthma what could be the outcome if I catch Covid...
We don't have grandparents to help either so feel quite drained anyway most of the time.
Do you think my meds are too weak? I think it could be increased to stronger ones but whenever I mention this to GP/Asthma nurse they just increase the puffs and tell me to use more of my reliever...
Thank ou for the AUK helpline numbers, will contact them next week for sure! X
Hmm that's really not good advice from your GP! You should be able to get asthma under control, which means you shouldn't need to be using reliever more than 2-3x in a week. Telling you to just use more reliever is absolutely not what they should be doing: if it is asthma you might need a different preventer entirely. If this isn't asthma then that won't help, but either way more reliever isn't the answer, and they should be more proactive about why it isn't helping. If you always see the same GP, could you try a different one in the practice? There are some in mine I won't go near and some who are great.
Re COVID: there obviously was a concern at the start that asthma would be a risk factor based on how eg flu and other respiratory viruses affect us, which was why more severe and uncontrolled asthmatics were told to shield and less severe/those who were better controlled told they were in the vulnerable group. However, now they know more about COVID it does seem that asthma really isn't nearly as much of a risk as they expected; things like diabetes, age, obesity, being a man and some ethnic backgrounds actually seem to be higher risk than asthma. I have severe asthma, had to shield and was worried at the start but now I feel like flu would be more of an issue asthmawise (though I still don't want to catch COVID!)
Oh Lysistrata, you made me feel so much better regarding Covid, I always thought as asthma is a respiratory illness and covid attacks the lungs that it would be the most affected group.
Regarding GPs, well I have tried a few already, I am really getting upset about this now that they just tell me to increase the puffs and saying that, oh you don't even wheeze much so it's not likely asthma etc.
I will go back however next week and put my foot ďown a bit now.
I'm sorry you have severe asthma, it must be so frightening! What meds do you use? Is your asthma controlled? X
I think everyone thought that with Covid at the start! But it seems to behave in unexpected ways, and they're now getting a better handle on how it acts and who is at higher risk.
That's very frustrating with the GPs - as I'm sure you know asthma does not need a wheeze (I hardly ever do, even in bad attacks), but many medics haven't got that memo yet. Even if this isn't your asthma, the wheeze or no wheeze shouldn't be how they decide that.
Definitely put your foot down, and also try to speak to the AUK nurses beforehand - they have a very practical approach and should be able to help you with what you need to think about/discuss and prepare you to address any more odd ideas the GPs come up with. Asthma care in the UK is a bit hit and miss to be honest and I think too many in primary care don't get much proper training on it, though some are great.
I don't find the severe asthma frightening - more annoying as it isn't well controlled and that interferes with life! I'm on Fostair Nexthaler 200/6 plus Spiriva Respimat, montelukast, and Phyllocontin (and ventolin for reliever) - they all do something but not enough for control. There are biologic drugs for some types of severe asthma, but annoyingly not mine - I don't have the right type!
have a word with your gp seeiftheyczn refer you to the respiratory clinic there might be a wait for an appointment depends how urgent the gp put on referral.
Do you know your triggers these are what triggers your asthma like pollen, dust, pets, smoke etc.
How often do you exercise and do you use your blue inhaler before exercising.
Have a word with the nurses at asthma uk they are very good and advise you what to do.
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