Please could someone advise me - my chest is tight but I have taken my inhaler...

[FransJam]

Ok, so firstly, I don't think I am asthmatic. I had mild asthma as a child (no attacks) but grew out of it.
A before Christmas I had mild cold which left me with an annoying cough. After 4 weeks I saw my GP who said I didn't have a chest infection but that my peak flow reading was very poor. She said I had had a virus which had caused an infection in my lungs and brought back my asthma .
She gave me turbo inhaler (on pack it says 200/6 inhalation powder budesonide/formoterol fulmarate dihydrate) which I have to take 2 puffs, twice a day.
My cough has been much better (I have been taking it for 3 weeks now) but in the last few days it seems to be returning and I am having increased episodes of a tight chest morning and night - usually back to normal after taking my inhaler. This evening though, I took my inhaler at 6.30pm because I was getting quite uncomfortable but now my chest is a bit tight again. I am not having trouble breathing and am sure I don't need to go to A and E but just wondered what to do next? Can I take another dose of my inhaler?
Thanks if you have managed to get to the end of this!

[PoppyWearer]

Another mild asthma sufferer here, it has got better and worse over the years.

I think you should be ok with another puff.

You ought to see the GP again on Monday, as I have needed steroid pills once to get over a chest infection. In fact I had to go back for a second batch.

Or a walk-in centre tomorrow if any open near you?

[IDismyname]

I'm in a similar situation as you, Frans - slightly asthmatic, and had this chesty cough thingy before christmas which needed my inhaler to just help me get over it.

It came back again last week, and is just on its way out again. Same as you - its worse first and last thing.

I'd take another puff, but get yourself back to the GP. I've been holding off, but my need to see her is outweighing all the palava of actually getting to see her IYSWIM... :)

Good Luck

[FransJam]

Puff taken and I am feeling better, thanks. I should have read the pack before posting - it says you can take it as a preventative inhaler but no more than 8 doses a day so I have had 6 now.

I will go back to my GP as I should be needing it less not more I think! I wanted to see her last week but she only works 2 days and it's ruddy impossible getting an appointment. Think I may just give up and see another GP at the practice instead.

Thank you both for the reassurance, this tight chest thingy is a bit scary - I don't remember having asthma as a child () so it is a new (slightly unpleasant) experience!

[BoulevardOfBrokenSleep]

I think it would be a good idea to see a different GP at the practice - with a family full of asthmatics, I have noticed that every GP seems to have different ideas on how to treat it, and GP no.1's route doesn't seem to be working for you, so...

The inhaler you have there is for keeping symptoms under control day-to-day, it's not really designed for when you get wheezy but I guess it'll help a bit. If I was you, I'd be happier if I had a blue inhaler (eg salbutamol), which will help your chest straight away.

If you do get wheezier or feel like you're having trouble breathing, don't be afraid to go to A&E, they have always been very lovely when faced with our wheezy family problems!

[digerd]

My GP said, when I had a phase of increased asthma problems, that I should take the 2 puffs 3 x day.
Must admit the weather always affects it - cold damp being the worst with overcast skies. Which we have at the moment here, and am having problems , since yesterday. Was fine on the sunny fresh air cold days we had earlier this week. I do not have a cough, but chest is tight and breathing difficult, so will increase the Simbicort to 3 X a day until the air quality improves.