Preparing with asthma

[Nofoolfornoone]

Hi all,

I have asthma and so I am worried about covid-19. It’s not particularly well controlled these past couple of years with a few attacks and I live alone so I’m quite anxious.

To prepare i have ordered extra inhalers, I’ve started taking my preventer 3 times a day instead of twice, I’ve ordered an oxygen Saturation monitor and a nebuliser. I’ve stopped using public transport and I’m walking everywhere - sounds good but as I live in London it’s prob not that great for my lungs!

I’m going to try intermittent fasting too as a way of reducing inflammation.

Anyone doing anything else?

I'd just add making sure you wash your hands as much as possible and social distancing where possible. Also, if you start to feel anything at all be in touch with your gp via phone. I have asthma and I am suffering from anxiety at the moment, so I appreciate how you feel.

Have you got a peak flow meter as well?

DD11 has pretty certain CV at the moment, and I'm monitoring her SpO2 (finger oxygen reading) and peak flow every few hours.

IV upped my preventor, keeping as fit and healthy as I can. NHS worker unfortunately so worried about that

Do you have a spacer? They can be very useful for helping take your meds when your chest is bad.

Im starting ti get anxious :(

Asthma here too and very scared 😟

All good steps, but please make sure that you’re washing your hands as advised.

I got some steroids on Friday, just about to finish the course. Still not 'right'.. Not sure what to do next. Will phone gp again tomorrow I think.

Yes I have a spacer - always use it! And absolutely hand washing.

@anappleadaykeeps I’m so sorry, I hope she recovers soon. I do have a peak flow, ive started to monitor it every day.

@bananabob And @SquashedFlyBiscuit it's very worrying isn’t it.

One annoying thing, I ordered a repeat prescription of all my meds . One is thyroxine and my gp is insisting j have a blood test before issuing me a repeat- I’ve been on it for 3 years and I know technically I’m due a blood test but surely given the circumstances they could make an exception so I don’t have to go into surgery?! So frustrating

@Porcupineinwaiting I thought spacers were essential for everyone.

@MissEliza I've only ever been given one during a flare up, and my DD got one when she was diagnosed at 5 but normally I just use my inhaler on its own.

@toothsil I think they are recommended now in asthma guidelines for everyone all the time. I notice a massive difference if I go out and my bag isn’t big enough for the spacer so use my inhaler on it’s own

The best thing we asthmatics can do is make sure our preventive treatments are the optimised level for us. I say that as someone in the 3% whose asthma can't be effectively controlled
Of you're on steroids but not l00% better at the end of the course either the course needs extending or you may have an infection that needs treatment
If you're on a regimen that isn't leaving you well controlled speak to your GP about tweaking treatment
If you aren't great at the moment talk to your GP about steroids boosting

what do you put in the nebuliser? Do you buy it online?

COPD at the grand age of 20 something without a smoking history go me - not asthma but same deal with inhalers/spacers/being worried :/

Obviously I'm not a medical professional but at our last appointment with ds2 and me (Jan 2020), my understanding was everyone needs a spacer.

Oh I did not know about the spacer. I thought it was only for young children. Good to know.
DD not asthma but viral wheeze 🤨. Anyway colds go to her chest. Must go and get extra inhalers. Thank you.

Is it worth ordering nebulisers for her and possibly for dh who has severe COPD? (He won’t entertain the idea).

To be honestly found the adv about dd and her “asthma” appallinh over the years. But that is another story.

I've just bought a spacer, pulse oximeter and peak flow from Amazon. May be considered as panic buying, but I will use them. Cost £30 all in.

Monitoring my health regularly should help alleviate any anxieties I have.

Must go and get extra inhalers. Please don't ask try to stockpile them.

I've just bought a nebulizer from Amazon. I figure it'll be a pretty useful thing to have about the house if I'm unlucky enough to catch it during the peak. My aim is to avoid needing hospital (pretty much assuming I'll get pneumonia).

Any links for the nebuliser?

Can you help me out re the nebuliser? It won’t be for me so no idea how they work. Would you need to buy medicines for it. I want to get it for dh and dd but I am clueless.