with the severe asthma team at Addenbrookes. My asthma hasn't been responding to treatment for close to 2 years now, after a huge asthma attack and a weeks stay on the respiratory ward. The follow up appointments never came through, and by the time they did we had moved to a different county. I've been referred to the severe asthma clinic and after months of waiting, finally have an appointment for next week. But I don't really know what to expect. I have had 7 courses of oral steroids this year, and 5 courses of antibiotics for chest infections. I feel so unwell all the time, and have random allergic reactions frequently too. Not severe, just hives every so often, facial flushing and a rash on my chest, coupled with wheeziness, but although the skin prick tests all looked positive for 14 out of 15 things they tested, the allergy consultant decided I'd reacted to the actual skin prick and not the allergen.
I want to go armed with my list of symptoms, things I think are triggers and what I'd like to happen, but I actually don't know what I want to happen. If they can't pinpoint what it is that's causing all my symptoms, then how can they ever know how to treat it?
I'm currently on fostair twice daily, with qvar on top (which hasn't made a blind bit of difference), montelukast at night and Fexofenadine daily to keep allergy symptoms at bay. But I'm still wheezy most days, short of breath a lot and just so, so tired all the time. I just want to feel well again. 2 and a half years ago, I was nearly 4 stone lighter ( most of that is steroid weight gain, although because I can't exercise that's contributing too), my skin was healthy and glowing and I had so much energy. I worked full time and went to the gym 5 days a week. Now I can't even manage part time working and I get out of breath walking up the stairs.
Anyone with experience of severe asthma? What are you taking, and how well is it working for you? Did it take a long time to find a treatment that worked for you, or did you get things resolved quickly? Addenbrookes is over an hours drive, with no way to travel by public transport, so DH has to take a day's holiday every time I have an appt. There's no severe asthma service nearer, and I don't know how we'll manage if I have to go back frequently.
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I finally have an appointment...
6 replies
Mitebiteatnite · 05/09/2019 13:30
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