What does a asthma attack look like?

[lulu788]

So I'm currently struggling with my asthma, in the last 30 mins, I have been struggling to catch my breathe, a tight chest and my throat feels swollen- I have never had any issues with my asthma. Does this just sound a worsening of symptoms or a asthma attack- I have taking my blue inhaler about 7 times in the last 30 mins it is helping.

It is a worsening of symptoms if you normally have it under control. Are you using your brown inhaler daily? From what you've just described I would take an antihistamine as well in case it's asthma triggered by an allergic reaction to something - that swelling of the throat sounds scary. Hope you are OK.

From the NHS website:
“Call 999 for an ambulance if you do not have your inhaler with you, you feel worse despite using your inhaler, you do not feel better after taking 10 puffs or you're worried at any point.”
Hope you feel better soon.

If your throat feels swollen and you're worried about your breathing then please phone 111. Better safe than sorry with asthma. (By the way a worsening of symptoms means the same as an asthma 'attack'.)

If you are struggling to breathe, you need medical advice asap.

I would take an antihistamine, which will help if you've developed an allergy. Try calmly breathing (hard I know when you're having an attack) in through your nose, out through your mouth. If you can sit upright, don't hunch your chest over, maybe sitting backwards on a chair, with your arms over the back, lifts your ribs and allows more air into the lungs. Are you getting full lung fulls of your inhaler? Inhale it and try to hold it in your lungs for a little bit. If it gets worse, you'll need to seek help. Take care.

Call 111 but don't be surprised if they send you an ambulance - They have a low threshold for things like difficulty in breathing.

Ring 111 OP.

Do you have a peak flow meter, and do you know your normal reading? That would give you a fair idea of whether it's asthma or not.

Thanks everyone it's calmed down now, ring my doctors in the morning although last time I tried to get something to help my asthma I got told no due to the fact I wasn't breathless at the time.

Do you have enough blue reliever if your symptoms suddenly worsen? Do you have a spacer today use with it?

Please get a GP phone in appointment for tomorrow even if you feel well. You need to ask him to issue you with a peak flow meter if you haven't already got one.

Asthma can suddenly go wrong and you might need a different dose of your preventer or antihistamine as well.

I hope you have a better night.

Thanks to everyone that respond, spoken to doctor who says to use my pink inhaler as MART now and he thinks it may be pollen related, he has prescribed me a peak flow meter to see what the readings are.