to go to the GP for a cold?

[peachesandcream3]

Hi. I’ve had a cold since last week. It’s been quite a bad one and I’m still at the horrible snottery stage although it’s mainly passing and everything is coming out. I had all the usual symptoms- blocked and runny nose, green mucas, tiredness, crackly ears etc. but I also felt much chestier than normal- as if everything was blocked up and tight and uncomfortable. I’m asthmatic but I’m quite new to this asthma business as I was diagnosed as an adult so I’m still finding my feet with it all. I usually take my preventative inhaler twice a day and my reliever whenever I need it which is very rare now. However over the last 3 days I’ve been having bad tightness and a whispery sound when I’m breathing. I also keep feeling lightheaded which I’m not sure why?! But taking my reliever helps temporarily, I’m just using it much more frequently than normal.

is it ok to call the GP for this since it’s basically all stemming from a cold? The pharmacy couldn’t recommend anything but said to try and ask my gp for some steroids. Just not sure if I should wait and give this a few more days to subside as it hasn’t been that long, or what the gp is likely to do? First time in this situation so unsure what to do! Also because the symptoms are coming and going there’s a big chance I could go to the gp tomorrow and not sound wheezy at all if it just happens to be that the symptoms are ok at that time so unsure they could even do anything? It’s mainly worse at night but obviously the gp won’t see it then
TIA

Don't fuck around when it comes to breathing. Make an appointment.

You are unwell for a week and not improving, home remedies are not helping. The pharmacy could not recommend you anything and advised you to go to GP.

So your next step in these circumstances is to call GP. It’s very simple logic.

Definitely when it involves asthma/your breathing, see a GP. You may need a course of steroids just to clear it up. Hope you feel better soon.

Yes, contact your doctor. My doctor prescribed 5 predisone tablets when my asthma symptomd were the same as yours and it helped. I didn't have a cold, but pollen/allergies were doing me in. Feel better soon.

Ask a pharmacist in the meantime

You've got asthma and the cold has gone on over a week, yes you should call the gp. You are at greater risk of complications from a normal cold.

Green mucus can indicate a sinus infection. Sometimes you can shake them by using a neti pot to get the ick out, but you may need a course of antibiotics, especially if it seems like it's travelling to your chest. I don't see anything wrong with a visit to the GP!

I started to read and thought you should ask a pharmacist. YOu did s/he said GP.

Cast iron, gold-plated talk to your GP.

Do a covid test, then if negative, go to docs.

It's probably COVID, even if the LFT returns negative, as the tests aren't updated for new variants. If testing yourself make sure to swab your throat, inner cheek and nostril, not just your nose.

It's on the up at the moment everywhere.

OP said the pharmacist advised her to get steroids from GP.

once you are feeling better get to see you asthma nurse or GP and get an asthma management plan.

I am a late comer to asthma as well only diagnosed 2 years ago, got a rotten cold in Oct last year and spent 10 days coughing even after all other symptoms had stopped until I realized that it had flared up my asthma (such a smart nurse!), used my management plan and got the steroids started. I actually got a repeat script and have a course at home now if I need them - had to use them earlier this year (but realized much quicker)

Take a peak flow reading. If that is too low get an appointment (if you can).
If you are feeling bad you should be resting.

Definitely call the GP. My son gets a bad chest every time he has a cold (we then use blue inhaler) , we use a Humidifier with eucalyptus oil in in the night which helps so you could try this too.

Definitely see your GP. Chest tightness and asthma together needs someone to listen to your chest. Could need antibiotics and steroids to get you back on track, and as PPs have said, an asthma management plan to follow up. Ring this morning!

As a life long asthmatic please call your GP.

However your symptoms are also classic of the current covid strain based on what inwas reading the other night, have you dine a test? I would do one before you go into the gp to be safe.

Sounds like you might have covid - even with the utterly ropey levels of testing, it's clear there has been a major increase in case numbers, and what you describe is bang on typical symptoms. And unfortunately, they those symptoms last for ages.

Definitely get this reviewed by doctor or specialist asthma nurse. Whether covid or something else, your treatment may need adjusting

It’s not just a cold, it’s a viral induced asthma exacerbation. Without proper treatment, this can kill you. Contact your surgery as soon as they open and insist on being seen today.

At a minimum, this isn't "just a cold" but some kind of secondary infection.

This may be a cold but it's also an asthma exacerbation.

I usually have a course of steroids with every cold.

It doesn't matter if you aren't wheezy on the day, some people with asthma never wheeze. It's still an emergency.

Of course it’s ok, you’re not going with a snotty nose only

The pharmacist has basically told you to contact your GP so do that and say the pharmacist sent you their way

Viruses can trigger asthma exacerbation. The whispering noise could be a wheeze which signals a narrowing of your airways. Definitely see the gp.

I’d go and see the Gp. I don’t have asthma ( I did as a child) but as an adult have several episodes of viral induced wheeziness. Steroids and an inhalerp

See your GP.

The pharmacist has told you to see them so don’t ignore them.

It’s not “just a cold”. It’s something that’s causing problems with your asthma.

Asthma can kill. Don’t mess about with it.