New to asthma - is this the start of an attack?

[Kellysbellies]

Easier for me to write than speak.

Chest tight all day, blue & brown inhalers making no difference.

Am now wheezing when I exhale and chest feels at its tightest today so far.

Should I stay on the Ventolin for now? Is there anything else I can try?! Will go to A&E if I absolutely have to as a last resort. How long do I leave it before I say enough is enough? Breathing is ok, chest isn’t comfy.

Phone 111 now

The brown inhaler is preventative so you won’t really feel a immediate effect from it. How many puffs of the blue have you taken?

Taken about 24 puffs of blue since 10am.

Not comfy talking. Trying to keep calm.

I am so new to this I don’t know if this is ‘normal’ for an asthmatic or not.

From the symptoms you've listed there you need to be ringing 111 at least.
When my son was having breathing issues we were told if he had similar symptoms to what you describe to go to walk-in/ A&E

I will call them.

Thanks all x

Your first line says it all. You need to seek medical help now

Phone 999

I literally got told by gp yesterday that if blue inhaler isn't helping to phone for an ambulance, it's a medical emergency, please look after yourself

I used to have a nebuliser at home for things like this - call 111; you may need one, or steroids; or a stronger inhaler.

All the best

You need checking out. Take more blue now - 2 puffs, then another 2 puffs... keep going until you feel easier, until you reach 10 puffs. Could you have a chest infection?

Have you been taking the inhalers with a spacer? Even adults should always use one.

But yes difficulty in talking means you need a bit more help than the inhaler. Speak to 111

My asthma isn't particularly bad or anything, he wasn't saying that because I'm a particularly vunerable patient or anything, that is the standard advice

Hope 111 helps

2 puffs every 2 minutes.
If you get to 10 and still having difficulties you need to be seen ASAP , but you can continue taking inhaler

www.asthma.org.uk/advice/asthma-attacks/

Once you have have got this attack sorted and are feeling better it might bexwirth asking to see the asthna nurse at your surgery and go through your inhalers and how you should be using them. It sounds like you are using the brown inhlaer as a reliever when its a preventative that yoy take daily once or twice usually. Once you get to know your symptoms and recognise what can make you deteriorate (ie start of a cold, visting someone with pets) you can up your preventative for a few days to help you not need your reliever as much and then step back down when you can. You will get to know whats normal for you and what helps you but if in doubt never ever hestiate in seeking medical advice. And do make sure you keep up with your reviews with the nurse even if feeling well - its always good to talk through your meds and usage and will help yoy feel more confident in dealing with it yourself.

I have had asthma for years - go to a&e. If your blue inhaler is not working then you are having a bad attack and need a nebuliser and possibly oxygen if your levels are low.

Hope you feel better soon xx

As an asthmatic, luckily improved with age, you should dial the out of hours gp immediately, and if no luck, dial 999 immediately. Really, immediately. I have absolutely no intent to induce further worry, but having done exactly this myself I was bloody grateful I did. You require at the least reassurance don't you? Dismiss any notion of time wasting if there is any. Go on, get help, get better. Absolute best of luck. Take care eh

Have you got a peak flow meter? It's useful for monitoring even when you get to "know" your asthma. I'd agree with PP to call 111 and/or go to walk in centre - it's sounds like you probably need a go on a nebuliser or at least start a course of steroids. Also, book appointment with your asthma nurse afterwards to review your meds. Never be too lax about your asthma.

Hope feel better soon, it's a horrible feeling!

Thankyou all.
Ambulance on way.
Will update later.

Good luck OP.

Hope you ok op
Hopefully the hospital will sort you out. I’m a nurse and I have an asthmatic son.
We have an asthma plan via our asthma nurse and asthma uk which has a flow chart for when he is ill. See your practice nurse once well to discuss what to do in this scenario again so you’re not panicking wondering what to-do.

Even myself, with lots of experience with kids with severe and life threatening asthma attacks at work gets a bit flustered with my own child, so having a plan helps to know exactly what to do
Feel better soon x

Hope they get you sorted.

Asthma can be terrifying.

By the sounds of it you need a stronger preventer inhaler. The brown one is the “entry” level one they tend to give everyone. You might need something more like Seretide which comes in 3 different strengths and suits a lot more people. With Seretide my asthma is so under control I hardly ever need to use my blue inhaler (which is a good indicator of how well your preventer is working).

Ideally you should also have a rescue / emergency prescription of steroids for use at home if you have an attack.

Hope you feel better soon.

Hope you get sorted and are soon feeling better and back at home.

Thankyou

Better now! Nebuliser given then I vomited. Nice!

I have been using my brown twice a day (& rinsing after) so was using my blue yesterday as a relief.

I do have a peak flow measure gadget at home so recorded it last night.

Chest not 100% but it’s nearly there. Seeing asthma nurse tomorrow x

Good luck tomorrow.