Asthma in pregnancy

[AButterflyLightsBesideUs]

I'm going to pick my GP's brain on this but wondered if anyone can share their experience?

I've had previous pregnancies but my asthma is far worse now than then - it's not well controlled at the moment, we've had building work going on and the dust has been a big trigger. That's just coming to the end now and now it's the pollen getting me!

I'm on a high dose of the inhaled steroids (1000 mcg/day) plus the long acting reliever combined in a Flutiform inhaler and also regular ventolin use to relieve symptoms.
I was prescribed prednisolone tablets recently to try and bring it under control, I have to admit I didn't use them - they were a "just in case" prescription that the GP gave me to cash if I felt I needed it, to save needing another appointment.

Currently also taking a daily antihistamine as advised by a pharmacist.

I'm not pregnant yet (I don't think), but I'm wondering how they manage troublesome asthma in pregnancy. eg would the prednisolone even be an option? I don't think you can take antihistamines can you?

Anyone able to share how their asthma has been/is being managed while pregnant? Any tips/suggestions?I don't want to get myself into a right pickle if I can avoid it.

[m0therofdragons]

More than 90 per cent of the time pg improves asthma - I was told this when mine was very bad at 7 weeks! I bucked the trend apparently and had a nebuliser for my pg. Pg number 2 was twins and bizarrely no sign of asthma.

[Thebookswereherfriends]

My really well controlled asthma became quite bad with pregnancy (3yrs ago) and I was able to switch to a combined inhaler which has been the best thing ever! I rarely get wheezy now. Is it possible to try a different combined inhaler to see if it is more effective?
I think there are antihistamines you can take in pregnancy.

Prednisilone is not recommended in pregnancy.

[SouthDownsSunshine]

Sympathies. Uncontrolled asthma is a bugger :(

Talking to the GP in advance sounds like a good idea. My GP was happy for me to continue my normal, steroid based inhaler, on the basis that controlled asthma was better for me and therefore baby, than uncontrolled.

[SouthDownsSunshine]

I'm also on a combined inhaler (symbicort) and it's enabled me to control my asthma much better.

With dd my asthma almost disappeared. No such luck this time.

[greenlizard]

Another symbicort user here. My asthma has previously only required blue inhaler when exercising but went totally wonky in my first pregnancy - another one who bucked the trend! I ended up on all sorts to try and get it under control and it stayed poor after pregnancy too .

Now I am 17 weeks with number 2 and it is well controlled with symbicort inhaler and blue if I need the occasional top up. Seems to be doing the trick and my peak flow is really good at the minute.

[AButterflyLightsBesideUs]

It's been 15 years since my asthma only required the blue inhaler when exercising I will ask the GP what the difference between the symbicort and the flutiform that I am on is.

I am half wondering if really I should cash the prednisolone prescription and try and hit the asthma hard and see if I can get the inflammation right back down and see if that gets me off of needing the ventolin so much & gets me into a better starting position if that makes sense. I'll ask about suitable antihistamines too.

Thanks all.

It's such a balancing act sometimes. My health is shite - asthma, autoimmune thyroid disease, IBS, non anaemic iron deficiency... it would be much better if DH could do the gestating, he is strong as an ox.

[AButterflyLightsBesideUs]

It's been 15 years since my asthma only required the blue inhaler when exercising I will ask the GP what the difference between the symbicort and the flutiform that I am on is.

I am half wondering if really I should cash the prednisolone prescription and try and hit the asthma hard and see if I can get the inflammation right back down and see if that gets me off of needing the ventolin so much & gets me into a better starting position if that makes sense. I'll ask about suitable antihistamines too.

Thanks all.

It's such a balancing act sometimes. My health is shite - asthma, autoimmune thyroid disease, IBS, non anaemic iron deficiency... it would be much better if DH could do the gestating, he is strong as an ox.

[OhIfIMust]

Although not ideal if needs must you can take prednistalone tablets during pregnancy if necessary. I had to due to fierce allergic reaction in first Preg. I also took antihistamines on docs advice.

[user1469617289]

If your asthma is triggered by dust then you need to work on getting rid of the source of your triggers. An air purifier would be the best natural solution to get rid of dust and allergens from the atmosphere. This should reduce your asthma symptoms. This is a great page you can view here www.allergycosmos.co.uk/air-purifiers which details air puriers really well.

[AbsolutelyIDo]

I've had to take prenistalone in both pregnancies, due to severe asthma attacks at around 26 weeks both times. My asthma is lifelong but normally well controlled.