Asthma and positive test

[SheilaTakeABow]

Just what it says really. Anyone with moderate asthma had a positive test? Until fairly recently, my asthma was well controlled, but it's gone downhill recently, and a few weeks ago montelukast was added into the Fostair mix.
Had a positive test result today, totally unexpected, after thinking I should get a test as I had what feels like a standard cold. I felt far worse in terms of breathing earlier this year when I had something strange that I assumed was the virus - was even on the long covid threads for a while.
In danger of getting myself in a right state looking at worst-case scenarios, so I wondered if anyone with asthma has recently been found positive and what their experiences were.
Thanks

[SheilaTakeABow]

Bump

[CindersCatsSister]

Asthma nurse here. So far, the evidence suggests that people with well controlled asthma ie needing a reliever inhaler 3 times a week or less are at no greater risk from developing serious complications from COVID than people who don’t have asthma at all. So that is really positive and has been quite surprising to those of us in the respiratory community who feared the worst back in March.

[CindersCatsSister]

There is very new evidence that suggests that those with asthma are more likely to develop COVID but I’d read that with caution, as it’s pretty raw data.

[FlibbertyGiblets]

CindersCatsSister that is really heartening to learn, very reassuring, thank you.

Sheila I do hope you feel better soon m'dear.

[QueenStromba]

@CindersCatsSister

Asthma nurse here. So far, the evidence suggests that people with well controlled asthma ie needing a reliever inhaler 3 times a week or less are at no greater risk from developing serious complications from COVID than people who don’t have asthma at all. So that is really positive and has been quite surprising to those of us in the respiratory community who feared the worst back in March.

And those of us who need a reliever three times a day?

[Jrobhatch29]

My DPs friend at work has just had covid and he has asthma. He's mid 30s. Said when breathing in he felt like it was 80%. He also recovered quickly and said he never felt like he was in any danger. He's back at work

[SheilaTakeABow]

Thank all, I'd heard something similar, but there is so much conflicting information out there, it's really hard to see the wood for the trees - especially when you've had an unexpected positive test and are, frankly, shitting yourself!
What's even more annoying is I had something really strange back in March, identical symptoms to a lot of the Covid long-haulers, that now turns out not to have been it

[QueenStromba]

@SheilaTakeABow

Thank all, I'd heard something similar, but there is so much conflicting information out there, it's really hard to see the wood for the trees - especially when you've had an unexpected positive test and are, frankly, shitting yourself!
What's even more annoying is I had something really strange back in March, identical symptoms to a lot of the Covid long-haulers, that now turns out not to have been it

No reason to think it wasn't also Covid in March.

[SheilaTakeABow]

@QueenStromba No, I suppose not. It was much more respiratory then, whereas this is more like a bad head cold. Such a strange virus...

[CindersCatsSister]

If you’re needing your reliever 3 x week, your treatment needs tweaking - try and get hold of GP/asthma nurse/call Asthma UK

[QueenStromba]

Not much else they can do for me other than oral steroids, I'm already on Fostair plus tiotropium and can't tolerate montelukast.

[AntiHop]

I know someone who has serious asthma and has had a positive antibodies test. So she had covid without any symptoms.

[CindersCatsSister]

Have you been referred for specialist care?

[SheilaTakeABow]

Thank you @AntiHop, that's reassuring. I know anecdotes aren't data, but the data out there seems very inconclusive.

[HardBob]

Both me and dp had Covid. I have mild asthma, dp has severe asthma. I got the cough, dp didn't even get the cough but his chest did deteriorate and he took prednisone and he was fine. I was ill for about a week, dp about 3 weeks and that was it. We were both told that having asthma didn't necessarily mean a worse outcome.

[QueenStromba]

@CindersCatsSister

Have you been referred for specialist care?

Yeah, they keep saying I need lung function testing but it keeps getting cancelled.

[SheilaTakeABow]

Thanks @HardBob, glad you're both feeling better

[Incrediblytired]

As someone whose whole family is asthmatic I have found this thread reassuring.

I hope you feel ok and get better soon OP x

[ParlezVousWronglais]

Such a strange virus...

You can say that again. At least 30% have no symptoms at all and yet some other people (like poor Kate Garaway’s husband) get catastrophically ill. It’s so strange.

[SheilaTakeABow]

Thanks @Incrediblytired, and I'm glad you're finding it reassuring.
@ParlezVousWronglais, that's the terrifying thing isn't it? And no real way of knowing how bad you'll be - although I'm pleased to learn that it's not automatically fatal/severe if you're asthmatic

[Mancala57]

I have ‘medium’ asthma - it needs controlling with morning and night preventers and I use my blue inhaler about once a day. I had Covid (confirmed by antibodies, am NHS staff). Prior to that, I had been particularly worried about getting C19 given my asthma. Hadn't qualified for shielding letter. Had full blown C19 symptoms but asthma was okay, no major differences to normal living. After it, I had bouts of feeling breathless but not wheezing, which came and went for about 2 months. Not extreme breathlessness. I started doing 20 mins on a crosstrainer each night which helped me feel I was recovering.

[Wobblysausage]

Me and I got through it. Mines moderate but controlled. I probably used my inhaler about 5 times

[Idratherbeinbarbados]

I have mild asthma, tested positive last week. I had heavy head cold symptoms then lost taste and smell, hence getting tested. I have been mildly breathless but not wheezy and used my reliever a couple of times. I’ve been ill for a week but feeling much better now. The worst part of it for me was the anxiety, I was convinced I was going to take a turn for the worse. Just try not to worry too much, rest up and drink plenty of fluids, take paracetamol if needed, I hope you feel better soon x

[NeurotrashWarrior]

A very reassuring thread.

Hope you're ok OP and all continue to get well soon.

Interesting that cross training helped manc. Asthma review pharmacist suggested more exercise as I'm coughing a lot from just normal asthma. I do think it's helped. I'm sure it's a balance though as post viral fatigue doesn't let you exercise.

Did anyone find the cough was croupy?

[SheilaTakeABow]

Yes @Idratherbeinbarbados, the anxiety is the worst. I keep almost talking myself into being breathless, if that makes sense.
I am feeling reassured @NeurotrashWarrior; as someone with a tendency to catastrophise, I am really struggling with being officially diagnosed with the Most Fatal Disease Out There, and I massively appreciate all those who've taken the time to reply to this thread