asthmatics... do you measure your peak flow? And should I start the prednisolone?

[Yorkiegirl]

Mine is usually around 480. Atm it is 390 as I am not well.
I have some prednisolone tablets in the cupboard which my GP gave me to use if my PF dropped... should I start taking them do you think?

[foundintranslation]

don't measure mine - know I should really. I go by how I feel and how 'clear' (iykwim) my breathing is. My dr (lung specialist) also does a lung function test every few months.
How does your breathing feel? If you don't have any noticeable trouble I would wait and just check with your GP on Mon before starting to take them. If you don't feel right I would start them.

[Yorkiegirl]

I am aware of my breathing which is not normal IYSWIM

[foundintranslation]

I'd prob take them then, and head for the GP on Mon. I'm on a Symbicort inhaler once a day, and sometimes up it temporarily to twice myself if I'm not feeling 'clear'.
Hope it gets better :)

[mcmum]

yorkiegirl, im asthmatic but only do peakflow when ill or notice a change i would definately start the prednisolone and go see gp tomorrow out of hours incase you have an infection, im on ventolin becotide and severent inhalers and my ds is v bad asthmatic too but seasonal. good luck

[coppertop]

I used to measure mine regularly when I was prone to attacks. My usual PF score was around 440. The asthma nurse went through a plan with me about what to do when it reached certain levels.

IIRC if it dropped to 75% I was to double my brown inhalers and make an appointment to see the GP asap. If it felt bad then I was to start the course of prednisalone too while waiting. If my score dropped to around 50% it would be classed as an emergency and I would need either an emergency appointment or a trip to A&E.

I would go with your instincts tbh. I've had days where my PF wasn't all that bad but it felt very hard to breathe and other times my score has been fairly low but I've felt okay in myself.

[mcmum]

what have u decided yorkiegirl ?

[Yorkiegirl]

I am going to start the prednisolone. Having just sat and coughed a load of green nasties up (sorry TMI) I think I am going to get worse before I get better!

[Arabica]

I don't think starting the steroid can do you any real harm provided there isn't any chance of it reacting with other meds, but if in doubt why not call NHS direct?
I was given similar advice to Coppertop, ie at around 75% PF I'd start increasing my preventer inhaler doses & consider starting steroids if I was still worried. These take a while to have any effect, though, so if you are at all worried you might be about to deteriorate further, I would ring NHS direct or local A&E for advice. Whenver I have been admitted it's because I waited too long before going to hospital, often a quick nebuliser can sort you out but I've always had to stay in which is well boring!
You should have a personalised asthma plan sorted for the future so you know what to do.
Get well soon!
My asthma's been bad today BTW.

[Yorkiegirl]

I have a nebuliser at home so I am going to use that later on this morning.
I do have an asthma plan, its just that I can never remember the exact levels of the peak flow to start with different medication!

[Arabica]

How are you feeling today Yorkiegirl?

[Yorkiegirl]

in a word
crap
couldn't eat my dinner without getting short of breath

[coppertop]

Oh no. :( Will you be able to see a doctor tomorrow to get checked out?

[Yorkiegirl]

well if I can't get in to the docs I don't know what I'll do.

[brimfull]

have you started the prednisilone?

Think you should phone nhs direct .Hope the neb helps.Have you done a pflow?Are you able to do one at all or are you too puffed?

[Arabica]

Yorkiegirl, please contact A&E and ask their advice. If you can't eat dinner without getting breathless you really need to be checked out asap. I know it's hard to accept you need help but this sounds pretty serious especially if you've alrady nebulised and not got relief. Same thing happened to me and I left it thinking I would get better soon when the drugs kicked in--and ended up in hospital for a very long week!

[Tortington]

asthmatics die. people forget that as inhalers are so common place. am sorry to be so fking happy about it - but i am an asthmatic and in your situation i would be down the hospital.

if you havent, start the prednisolone. the doctor will only prescribe it anyway, no use in having another bad nights sleep.


NB dont forget coffee opens your airway. its the caffiene - so decaffeinated won't do!

get someone to rub your back and dont do any running around after anyone - i mean anyone unless they are about to eat the iron or something.

my dh rubs my back and sometimes when i can't breathe i manage to fall asleep for a while.

drink coffee take the pred.

[Yorkiegirl]

I have got my nebuliser going again... 2nd time today

[Yorkiegirl]

flippin hate the shakes I get with the nebuliser

[Yorkiegirl]

shakes are subsiding and I feel a bit better. What I could really do with is a nice big slab of chocolate..... none in the house tho!

[CountessDracula]

yorkiegirl I really would start the prednisolone - just do 15mg as you can take that for 3 or 4 days and then stop without having to tail off. Or do the 7654321 thing

[Yorkiegirl]

have started prednisolone already.
7654321 thing?

[Yorkiegirl]

ah yes 7 tabs today 6 tomorrow etc
oops had forgotten that
salbutamol sending me loopy

[CountessDracula]

yes it is vile isn't it
HATE those shakes

[Yorkiegirl]

think I will come out of the docs rattling tomorrow. Cough is productive in the green sense of the word. Throat hoarse again. Crap.
Will probably need more than just tomorrow off work. Crap again!

[Arabica]

Worried about you Yorkiegirl, please insist on getting seen today.