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

You may have / be developing a secondary bacterial infection on your chest from the original viral cold . Dr can listen to your chest ( IF you can get a face to face appointment ) and check out other symptoms

You are not just going about a cold though, you are going about your asthma, so you do need to go.

Have you done a Covid test?

And yes, go to your GP. Could be a chest infection.

Another saying to definitely see a doctor. You've done everything right. Managing it at home for a reasonable amount of time, spoken to pharmacist.

The fact that your snot is still green (not clear), it's going to your chest and pharmacist has been seen and recommended a doctor... I'd go.

Covid test and if negative go to GP for the wheezing.

I’m asthmatic and when I get a cold it’s a lot worse than other people because I get wheezy. If the pharmacist suggested the GP for steroids then I’d go ahead and book an appointment.

This!

I was also diagnosed with asthma as an adult. You need to see your GP. Colds, flu and similar infections are often worse in asthmatics as they can trigger symptoms and chest infections.

Any worsening of your asthma needs to be looked at. Do you have an asthma nurse and an asthma action plan? If not when you see the GP, ask for one.

An action plan will usually advise you of steps to take when unwell. Mine says I can up my Fostair from 4 puffs a day to up to 8 puffs. It also says to see my GP or asthma nurse if I need 3 reliever puffs in a week.

I would also suggest getting yourself a peak flow meter and a pulse oximeter. Both really useful to have as an asthmatic.

You have asthma, you are using your reliever more frequently and it is not working effectively.
This is what you need to say. If there are no gp appointments ask to see the practice nurse. You need to be seen today.

In total agreement with other posters. When I had similar symptoms I was prescribed a good dose of antibiotics, went back after they were finished and prescribed a second lot before I was properly well. I also have asthma.

Take care of you, @peachesandcream3 🌹