Breathing suffering

[Coop20]

Hi everyone,

I haven’t posted here before.

I’m 30, female, have asthma (usually mild) and suffering with breathing problems over the last few months to be honest.

I was diagnosed in March this year with Pleurisy and really since then my breathing has been going downhill. I feel wheezy almost all day, breathless when i do any form of exercise or walk and my doctors keep saying it’s your asthma however my peak flows are consistently 550-600 (higher than they’ve ever been) I’m currently taking inhalers daily (symbicort the red one 200 and the blue reliever as needed which goes up every day. I’m struggling.

I have another doctors call on Friday but it’s horrible how much they’re just ignoring what I’m saying.

Am i crazy for thinking this isn’t asthma? Does pleurisy effect you like this or can i still have it?

[madonbrew]

Hi Coop20.

I have severe asthma, but my PF can often look good even though I’m struggling for breath! My asthma plan only takes me into my amber zone with a PF of 250...but I would be in hospital by the time it’s there!

My PF now is almost some of my best readings, but I’m really struggling most of the time and have just got steroids.

I don’t really know anything about pleurisy, but know that on the whole...if your PF improves after taking your ventilin...then it probably is asthma.

Saying all that, I’m not medically trained at all!!!! The asthma forum is a really good site! ..if it’s asthma!

Sorry not to be more helpful!

Dee 😊

[MoyB]

I have asthma but also have COPD and bronchiectasis.

My asthma has not bothered me much until the end of last year (ongoing). I am finding the need to use my Ventolin on an almost daily basis at the moment despite having just had a course of 2 weeks antibiotics and still on 2 weeks steroids.

My peak flow is nothing like yours! I cheer on the days I score 210 and it is often below 200. However, usually my preventer inhalers keep everything under control.

I have read all sorts of things about the changes in pollution levels this year as that seems to have had an effect on ozone and pollen levels, both of which affect me.

Have you been seen by a specialist at all? If the treatment you are getting from your GP is not easing your symptoms, you could ask to be referred. I paid for my first consultation as I was getting nowhere with my GP and getting repeated chest infections and pneumonia. That was when it was confirmed that it wasn't just my asthma.

You have your whole life ahead of you and need to get this sorted so that you can learn to manage whatever condition you have, or even better, recover from it.

Good luck for your next phone consult. I hope they have seen you face to face as well and listened to your chest.

xx Moy

[Coop20]

Hi both, thankyou for your replies, I’m literally getting nowhere with my doctors and i am putting in a formal complaint today.

Last night the breathing problems got worse and turned to chest pain, i woke up at midnight with pain on left and right no matter which way i turned the pain was there and i was struggling to take full breaths. So ended up in A&E. I absolutely hate having a fuss like this and was forced to go but get like it was a waste when some paracetamol and antibiotics or steroids from my doctor could help but you know when the pain is too much so i had to go.

Turns out another issue (high thyroid levels) that my doctors keep pushing to one side was high again last night after they took bloods and i was informed that thyroid issues can easily effect and are linked to breathing problems! So all this time my doctors could have made that link and didn’t. I’ve had ongoing thyroid issues with it being borderline or high consistently and once again my gp said no further action.

Thanks for your replies and I’m sorry for a long response from me, you know when you just want to feel better so you can get on with your life, yeah that’s what i need.

[Cade1]

Has anyone actually listened to your chest recently? If not, it might be a good idea to see if they will. I know it’s difficult getting to see someone at the moment.

I had Covid symptoms in April & pleurisy type pains in my back. I felt exhausted for a good 2 months afterwards. When I spoke to the respiratory nurse in July, she thought the exhaustion was possibly post-viral exhaustion. So, there may be an element of that going on.

Good luck x

[Some12U]

Hello Coop20,

I’m sorry to hear you're feeling so unwell. I suffer with allergic asthma and sympathise with breathlessness on exercise or walking. I wonder is your peak flow is looking so good because you’re taking a lot of reliever? I’ve taken asthma preventer inhalers for ten years, and if I was experiencing what you currently are I’d feel my asthma medication needed reviewing. A higher dose of Symbicort or even a short course of steroid tablets? Pleurisy may have worsened your asthma to seems to me, temporarily hopefully. I hope this helps. All the best 🙏

[Some12U]

PS. I’m sorry I didn’t see your post of two hours ago! Awful you had to go to A&E but hopefully now you’re getting the help you needed. Take care x

[Ami40]

Hi can I ask if you eventually got yo the bottom of what you had at all, as it sounds very similar to what I have and I have no idea what it is... Dr's just keep saying asthma/COPD issues, I've tried countless inhalers and had to come off them due to horrible side effects, now just tried symbicort and my anxiety skyrocketed today and felt as if my BP raised high as felt very hot all if a sudden... only thing I can take is Ventolin and that seems ok! But if I come off steroids then have to take that daily!! Feel as if can't win either way and I'm guessing you feel the same...!!

[Coop20 in reply to Ami40]

Hi! It’s been a constant battle but I’ve had thyroid problems since then and have been put on meds for that. But also still have high BP, they are also now putting me onto vitamin d. I had to have a lot of private tests through Medichecks to find out all this so i would just say keep talking to your doctors and exploring options of what it could be.