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 am not a dr, but I thought nebuliser was the same as 10 puffs of the blue inhaler?

My asthma isnt great at the moment but cant see an asthma nurse for 3 weeks.

I do have a drs appointment next week (ironically because Ive been feeling "short of breath" but for a long time now. No fever or anything.

Ive ordered a peak flow. Ive only ever done it at the drs.

My daughter has a spacer but I dont!

I have an oxymeter. You can have asthma without the sats dropping though, in my mind it would just would show if you needed urgent help?

With the nebulizer does the gp prescribe e the impulse to go with it? I have always been told no
The anxiety is making my asthma more disruptive than usual. I have been doing some yoga breathing exercises to stop me tightening up my chest and throat. Anxiety is a trigger for me. I was diagnosed as disordered breathing but if I dont keep up the physio exercises I end up needing steroids.
For those who need steroids, can u share with me how frequently? I hate them and they drive me berserk but sometimes nothing g else works now I am having them every month and that's not good is it?

Cant do links I'm afraid. Amazon have some. Mine was a Phillip's but Omron also do them. Cost about £50 then you need some saline as a carrier. My thinking is that, if I get pneumonia, GP can prescribe the meds to go in it (previously I've been told to dial 999 if I get to that point because the paramedics can nebulize you but feel that they are going to be pretty busy so dont want to depend on them).

Hopefully it will be a wasted purchase but I figure I can use it in future to help clear up chest infections, to which I am prone.

I have a disc preventer inhaler, I cant see how a spacer could be used with this device.

Thank you Porcupineinwaiting I have had such conflicting advice and Luke eveyonebwith asthma, feeling a it vulnerable to thus thing as it goes straight to the lungs. Hope that whatever I had last week is the limit of it for me. I work in a public setting so i dont want to hand it on or pick it up.

You'll need a GP to prescribe nebules for a nebulizer.
I've had one from the hospital for years but they are generally quite reluctant to give them out.

All the advice on asthma uk site says nebulisers show more more effect than an inhaler with spacer. But I’ve had two asthma attacks the past year and it’s so frightening when live alone so I’ve got one and bought hypotonic saline (you don’t need a prescription) . If my asthma is bad due to the virus I will use the neb first to clear the mucous and then use the inhalers. Hoping that way they will be more effective.

I don’t use a powder inhaler so have a look at asthma uk site for the guidance on how to Take them and when to use spacers. You can also download and asthma plan so you know based on peak flow when you need to start upping your inhalers.

Yes, can still have asthma and sats be 100% of course. I’ve got the monitor for reassurance I guess. That My inhalers and nebs are working as I’m not compromised. And then obviously if my sats dip I know I need more help.

I’m not advocating everyone buy a nebuliser . I did as I live alone and it will give me peace of mind to know I can use it to clear my chest prior to taking an inhaler if I need to

That's really useful and helps me feel a bit more prepared

I have good control with a preventer, DD less so as she won’t take it even when told to. However the preventer suppresses the immune system so I’m not sure I should encourage her. It’s confusing.

He preventer suppresses the immune system!??! Eeek. Ive made an asthma nurse appointment for a review but its 3 weeks time.

another asthma sufferer here & also very anxious - I have tried to order more of my preventative inhaler but told it's too early.

Ordering a peak flow now as that's something I should really have

If the preventer suppresses the immune system; that clears up a few mysteries in my saga with asthma. I am in a constant cue of cheat and sinus infections then steroids. This is on a 3 week loop. So bored if it now

Following. We all have asthma here too.

Asthma is an over reaction of the immune system so it makes sense. Because we only have mild asthma it’s not such a problem. With severe asthma the risk is likely higher from the asthma itself, so keep taking it. Asthma seems low on the risk factors compared to high BP and diabetes.

Shasta its low on the risk factors? That might reassure me a little.

Steroids usually sort me out eventually if its "just" the asthma response they are treating. Although the not breathing well terrifies me every time 🙄. Id be much more reassured fi I knew my asthma wouldnt be worse than it normally is if it flares up.

www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/13/coronavirus-pandemic-visualising-the-global-crisis

Scroll down. This shows chronic lung conditions as much less than high BP. It will include more severe conditions as well as asthma. I saw something suggesting mild asthma wasn’t higher risk. In flu it can be fatal because of over reaction of the immune system, in that case steroids could be helpful. Keeping in touch with the GP is the best option as we are all different.

Thankyou. I am super anxious so this will help. My asthma isnt mild..... hence flu jab each year to avoid flu etc. Its so hard to know. I almost want to get it now while there's hospital resources for when I have to go in!

How is everyone doing? My peak flow is 360 which is my normal. And my sats are 99%. No wheeze atm, I’ve upped my brown inhaler to 3 times a day and it’s working. I’m taking vitamins and my next thing to tackle is making sure I get enough sleep. Might also check m bp tomorrow. It’s reassuring to know my lungs are normal for me .
How’s everyone feeling?

Mild asthma - low dose preventer. Is it worth getting a nebuliser just in case? I wouldn’t be able to use it with meds but would it help clear my chest if I’m ill?

Please can people be careful about taking unprescribed medication!

Hypertonic saline nebulisers are usually trialled in a hospital setting first as they can cause bronchospasm.

My son has a chronic lung condition and uses a ventilator. He always needs salbutamol following a hypertonic saline neb.

I completely understand this is a scary time for all but there is a reason not all asthma sufferers are given nebulisers.

Ive ordered a new oximeter as Ive lost mine, and a peak flow thing as Ive never regularly done that.

Im going to ask if its worth uppingg the preventer. I need to clear up whatever ivd got now. I feel like my peak flow would be rubbish.

I'm actually now really really scared. Should we properly isolate for 4 months like the over 70s!! How!??!

playdough
A neb won't do anything without meds.

Following with interest as DS 12 has asthma which is poorly controlled. Peak flow rarely rises above 250 even though he is 1.64m and has had nasty chest infection already this year which needed 2 doses of steroids. Problem is, he also might be reacting to asthma meds, so I'm reluctant to put up his preventer.

Peak flow meter arrived today and I checked everyones. My thermometer is a bit rubbish so was going to take our normal temp so we could see if it changes. It often reads lower than you'd expect.