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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To start a topic for asthmatics?

85 replies

Twistedunicorn · 09/01/2023 18:22

I feel being asthmatic is something very few people actually talk about, I've been strucked down over the weekend with a chest infection which has led to a pretty bad asthma attack where I've been nebulised 4 times since yesterday and no farther forward.

Does anyone else go through similar when they've had a flare up or been unwell? I feel so sorry for myself and looking for anyone who's struggling to chat away too for support

:-)

OP posts:
Original poster
Twistedunicorn · 09/01/2023 19:56

Maybe suggest a spacer to take it with? Its such a pain when something that is supposed to help makes us feel worse.

OP posts:
Original poster
Twistedunicorn · 09/01/2023 19:57

@SouthCountryGirl nope I've never heard of that, what is it?

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Lancrelady80 · 09/01/2023 19:58

cptartapp · 09/01/2023 19:32

In which case you should be back on a preventer for at least the next two years, and as such as re entitled to a flu vaccine.
Absolutely should have an annual review too. We've never stopped although doing peak flows are currently contraindicated in clinic due to Covid.
Practice nurse.

Show quote history

Thank you for this advice. I'll make an appointment.

With me, it's not a problem until it is, which can lead to a lot of complacency all around tbh!

Original poster
Twistedunicorn · 09/01/2023 19:59

Goodness me @RedFaerieBoots you've certainly had some time of it eh, during lockdown we didn't get a chance to mingle and catch bugs but the past few months it's considerably worse.

My whole house has been loaded with coughs and sneezes for as long as i can remember.

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FriendlyLaundryMonster · 09/01/2023 20:11

Hi all, I am on Fostair. My triggers are cold air, exercise, allergies. I would like to find out more about diet-related improvements, but doctors don't seem to know much about this. They just want to keep prescribing stronger and stronger medicines. If I could make some lifestyle changes to reduce the meds, that would be amazing. Has anyone had any success on this front?

LeFeu · 09/01/2023 20:14

The best lifestyle change I made was cardiovascular fitness. When I was running a lot my asthma was a lot better, but I am currently too unwell to run so it’s a bit of a catch 22. I’m interested if anyone else is into exercise how they manage it!

Hellohah · 09/01/2023 20:17

AccidentallyRunToWindsor · 09/01/2023 19:20

I've had my second chest infection in 4 months, felt rotten.

My bloody inhaler has been switched as well (not by choice they just sent a different one) and I can't take it. Makes me cough

I had my asthma review last week, and they said they were switching my inhaler (blue) to something more environmentally friendly, maybe this has happened to you.

I don't use my blue inhaler now, I was put on a different brown one (that isn't brown) called relvar and I haven't had a chest infection in the 6 years since taking it. It's amazing and my asthma has never been better.

Original poster
Twistedunicorn · 09/01/2023 20:18

During lockdown i walked everywhere, lost just under 3 stone and not an inhaler insight.. however fast forward to today I definitely weight more than I should and constantly take my inhalers.

I so wish i could get back into walking but right now even going to and fro my kitchen is challenging x

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Coffeecreme · 09/01/2023 20:19

i believe swimming is meant to be good
and also the cyclist Laura Kenny took up cycling as advised as a child due to her asthma

FeedMeSantiago · 09/01/2023 20:23

I had a load of tests in August which my respiratory consultant ordered in May but I have to wait until April for the results at my next appointment.

I had an allergy test which was negative, even for pollen although I have hay fever which triggers my asthma so intrigued what the other tests showed.

I'm on Fostair and Montelukast. Montelukast has been a wonder drug for me. I've had 3 courses of prednisolone in the last year (2 in March and one in September). Had Covid in 2021 and I'm sure it's made my asthma worse although it's always been difficult to control.

I also had the flu type virus over Christmas, been coughing loads for two weeks now.

Asthma just isn't taken seriously enough. So many of my family don't take it seriously and think I'm precious for avoiding their cigarette smoke (it's a big trigger for me, as are colds/flu etc. cold air, hayfever, dust and exercise).

Has anyone been switched to an environmentally friendly reliever? My GP surgery want me to agree to a switch but haven't provided any info on whether this is suitable for me. They tried to stop my asthma meds during a (sadly shortlived) pregnancy last year so I don't trust them to only make sensible suggestions re: my meds.

Americano75 · 09/01/2023 20:25

Mine is often bad at this time of year but even worse this time. I had two viruses, one after the other. Four courses of steroids and I'm still struggling with breathlessness now. Fuck asthma.

Original poster
Twistedunicorn · 09/01/2023 20:26

I haven't had any tests at all, apart from when I was younger and diagnosed asthmatic. None of my friends or family take it seriously enough either, I'm a bit heavier than i should be and the looks of horror i get off people when I'm struggling to walk about or up hill makes me feel embarrassed.

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Original poster
Twistedunicorn · 09/01/2023 20:27

@Americano75 Sorry to hear you've been unwell, this year and towards the end of last year has been awful. I absolutely love that! Fuck Asthma 🤣

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Woolandwonder · 09/01/2023 20:29

LeFeu · 09/01/2023 19:38

Hello, fellow asthmatics. I’ve had the awful flu bug this December high led to chest infection and rescue steroids. Been 3 weeks now and my chest is still rattling. It’s horrid and I’m so tired. I don’t think people realise that it’s not just attacks that are the problem with asthma, it’s the chronic stuff!

Is there anyone else here who has chronic problems with oral thrush from using a preventer? I rinse my mouth, brush my teeth after taking it, use a spacer, had my technique checked by the nurse, just seems to keep coming back!

Yeah I really struggle with oral thrush am on symbicort and monkelukist. Nurse has suggesting switching inhaler to see if it helps but it took me a long time to get my asthma under control so am hesitant.

Americano75 · 09/01/2023 20:29

I've realised I can't go running come the autumn, if I've got anything brewing it kicks things up several notches. 😔

Original poster
Twistedunicorn · 09/01/2023 20:34

Here's a question for everyone...

How do you sleep? Last night I tried every position possible and could not stop wheezing so ended up wide awake on the sofa from4/5am ish

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Jewel1968 · 09/01/2023 20:43

I find asthma strange. I was first diagnosed about 20 years ago but was in denial for about 10 years. I just didn't believe it. Also my asthma manifests strangely in that I feel like I can't fully take a breath although I do wheeze and cough when I get a virus. I have had two lots of steroids recently for an awful cough.

I think swimming has helped me a LOT but haven't been able to swim for a couple of months which I am sure contributes to asthma.

Anyone tried singulaire? My DS had it as a teen and helped a lot.

neurosensitive · 09/01/2023 21:01

Maybe try a spacer? I can't take my ventolin without one as I don't have the coordination to spray and suck at the same time. If the spray is going into the spacer you won't feel its harshness.

scaryplaguegirl · 09/01/2023 21:12

I take Forstair inhaler and Montekulast tablet. I also have allergic rhinitis and would even sneeze with exposure to sunshine. Means I was always congested but Montekulast has been a game changer for me. I also had that awful cold/flu virus over christmas with that horrible rattling chest when I breathed. Over it now but was awful while it lasted.

Throwncrumbs · 09/01/2023 21:29

SouthCountryGirl · 09/01/2023 19:55

Has anyone had a FeNo test? Been sent for this as well as physio to see how I breathe as consultant isn't sure whether it's actually asthma.

I’m seen regularly at the hospital and have had many FENO tests, it’s a really quick thing where you have to breath into a tube and keep the ‘bubble’ in the green zone..it’s hard to do but they give you a few tries. It’s regulating the breathing out part. I’m regarded as having ‘difficult asthma’ my lungs have been hyper inflated in the past, where I can’t breath out all the air I breathe in. I was ok and well controlled until 2017, then been uncontrolled since. I’m on loads of meds and inhalers, it’s scary being unable to breath, people do not understand what it’s like. Ending up in resus is not great!

Neapolitanicecream · 09/01/2023 21:32

So you of you have a wood burner? I think it’s a trigger for me even though it’s supposed to be a sealed one not and has certificates

Throwncrumbs · 09/01/2023 21:35

Neapolitanicecream · 09/01/2023 21:32

So you of you have a wood burner? I think it’s a trigger for me even though it’s supposed to be a sealed one not and has certificates

First time my neighbour used his wood burner my back door was open and smoke( he was burning old decking) came into my house, ended up in an ambulance in resus, environmental health got involved, he burns the correct stuff now, can’t have windows or door open for my dogs if the bloody things in use as it still spouts out particulates which are an irritant.

Coffeecreme · 09/01/2023 21:55

i have a rubbish score on spirometry
anyone else?

dicker · 09/01/2023 21:57

Asthma is so terrible and tough to cope with and yet you have a child and smoke? Have you not heard of 3rd hand smoke?

Coffeecreme · 09/01/2023 22:04

@dicker
the majority of smokers dont smoke in the house