asthma exacerbation

[ewusia28]

Within a month and a half, I had three courses of steroid tablets and antibiotics. I finished the last course on Wednesday and today I started the next one for five days. I have no strength left and I don't know what to do. My heart beats fast, 125 per minute, oxygen saturation 94-95. I'm starting to get scared. Shortness of breath and wheezing when breathing. Wentolin helps only for 2 hours and then the same thing happens again. I cough and spit out green phlegm. Have any of you had the same problem? How long can it take? Thank you for all your replies.

[teddyd]

I think you should put a sputum test in to check for infection and speak to your Gp or respiratory nurse .Three weeks of steriods and antibiotics is not unusual for me. Infections have a mind of their own. But certainly worth speaking to who ever treats you, as the antibiotics might not be right for the particular infection .

[ewusia28 in reply to teddyd]

Hi. Thank you for your answer. Today I took some phlegm for testing. I received a referral for a chest X-ray.

[Poobah in reply to ewusia28]

Did the GP surgery agree to test your phlegm? It does sound as though you may need a more targeted antibiotic and hopefully they're awaiting results before prescribing. Last winter I had one course of Amoxicillan followed by a course of Doxycycline. If that didn't work the GP was intent on sending me for a chest x-ray. I think they want to make sure of what they're dealing with before prescribing a macrolide antibiotic like Clarithromycin or Azithromycin.

But while you're waiting for x-ray and test results, if things get worse, either go back to the GP or head to A&E.

[Homely2 Administrator]

Agree with teddy.

I had out of control asthma, without an infection, a year or so ago. Three five day courses of steroids in 20 days or so.

Luckily I had an appointment with my consultant during the third course, who sorted it with a twenty or so day course including a weaning period.

Asthma can get scary, so have a chat about it with the asthma UK helpline, office hours, on 0300 2225800. They can tell you if there is anything meds wise worth suggesting to your medic and give you some reassurance. Sometimes you need to talk.

If it deteriorates further and you cannot talk to your medic or asthma UK, ring 111, or if you need to, 999.

Once it is sorted do you need a meds review or to see your consultant.

[Bevvy]

Hi I have regularly required a number of courses of antibiotics and steroids. Sounds like you would do better having a longer course of both and then a weaning off, of steroids. Rather than taking steroids having a few days break and starting again. Also have they changed antibiotics at all? I note you have taken a phlegm sample in to the doctors but I would still expect a change in antibiotics.

[ewusia28 in reply to Bevvy]

Hi. I don't know why, but my GP has now only prescribed me a course of steroid tablets. I don't know what to think about it.😟

[Headoverheels in reply to ewusia28]

Hi. In my experience the amount of steroid courses is worrying. Are you under a hospital for your Asthma or your GP surgery?

[ewusia28 in reply to Headoverheels]

Hi. Only GP

[Headoverheels in reply to ewusia28]

I agree with Bevvy..it sounds as though one longer course of steroids might have been the answer. I never wanted to take extra and got myself into a real mess and landed up in hospital. Have you E Asthma?

[ewusia28 in reply to Headoverheels]

Hi. I'm so sorry you were in the hospital. I'm afraid I'll end up there too. Yes, I have asthma

[Bevvy in reply to ewusia28]

Have you actually spoken with gp and asked about steroids and antibiotics? Or did gp just send a repeat prescription for steroids?

Certainly if not I think you should have a face to face appointment with gp.

[ewusia28 in reply to Bevvy]

Hi. I had a face-to-face meeting with a doctor. He only sent a prescription for steroids

[Northern-soul]

My advice would be to go to A&E, or at the very least ring 111. The treatment is obviously not working and now your heart rate is raised and your oxygen level are probably reduced to less than normal.

Good luck, I hope you’re feeling better soon

[Patk1]

Yes, they're common symptoms with an infection.u need to put a specimen in for testing to ensure u get correct antibiotic.

[peege]

Goodness you really must see or at least speak to a gp ASAP ewusia28. I was like this for over a year before a good gp read my recent history and referred me to a respiratory consultant. I'd also had endless infections, pneumonia 5 times (3 diagnosed by same surgery but different GPs & 2 at hospital's walk-in clinic). All these have left me with Small Airways Disease and CFS & lung damage. On the occasion of the good gp my O2 level was 93, he picked up the phone immediately to call an ambulance, it was pneumonia yet again.

Please do seek professional help

[Angel6767]

I seem to have an exacerbation every 4 weeks & have to take steroids & antibiotics & it's getting me down. Unfortunately the last one went to far ; I ended up in hospital. So I can understand how you feel, I used to have exacerbation about 3 times a year but this, winter has been awful I really feel I need help with what is happening & I think the ending up in hospital has made my Dr's look at things more closely I am really hoping that they can do something to stop this cycle of illness.

[PW_R in reply to Angel6767]

Angel, are all these exacerbations recurring viral / bacterial infections?

[ewusia28 in reply to PW_R]

Hi. Yes, mostly yes. Now the phlegm test showed bronchitis.

[Angel6767]

As an add on to my comment I also had a fast heart beat which is not unusual with lung problems my Dr put me on a low dose beta blocker which has slowed my heartbeat down & helped with my anxiety. He put me on bisoprolol 1.25 which I take 2 times a day.

[ewusia28 in reply to Angel6767]

Hi. Thank you for your answer. I took bisoprolol for several years and felt very good about my heart. Then suddenly another doctor said that bisoprolol was harmful to my asthma and my prescription for these tablets was discontinued. This is terrible🙈

[Poobah in reply to ewusia28]

If you feel your health was better while you were on Bisoprolol and it wasn't exacerbating your asthma, have a chat with your GP and see if you can go back on a non-selective beta blocker, but with a period of monitoring your asthma. It's not a given that BBs always exacerbate asthma and some can be well tolerated.