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?

Ds (7) has asthma too. We are both triggered by viruses foremost and then cold air, winter, exercise in winter if not controlled. Non allergic though chemicals can set me off. Dh wants us all to be off from tomorrow. I said id wait to see what dfe guidance was. Part time but need to decide by weds.

Not going to lie I'm starting to panic now. was contacted by my doctors today to say that the Asthma nurse would ring me because they weren't accepting patients into the surgery. Nobody rung me back, so I rang them. I was told in a snippy voice that they hadn't finished ringing everyone (fair enough) however no call back sad I need asthma pumps.

So if you have asthma and have to socially distance should I take my kids out of nursery? One has asthma and one has cerebral palsy (which is also on the list but it's a list for adults!) so confused.

Im really really scared now. My asthma isnt currently controlled (waiting for dr phone call instead of visit wed. Id been trying to sort this before but long waiting lists to see dr) I was expecting to be given steroids but sounds like that makes me more at risk. And im really obese. I'm worried they wouldnt treat me if there's competition for ventilators.

Kids are out and asking husband to work from home after sorting things tomorrow. Im now really sacred Im more at risk than I though and wish I'd done this weeks ago.

We are going to be financially in a lot of debt.😔😥

I am also wondering what this means for sending the children to school. I am asthmatic, controlled with daily inhalers but I often have a flair up when I'm unwell. DH can work from home and so can I for as long as needed. However, if our children are still in school surely they are very likely to bring the virus home? Should we keep them home for the 12 (or more) weeks?

Im keeping them home the whole 12 weeks as I cant risk getting it.

Is there a best time of day to take peak flow and temp for recording purposes?

Anyone here with cough-variant asthma? I use a symbicort turbohaler twice a day (powder one) and my asthma has always been badly managed despite numerous GP/asthma nurse visits. Of course my cough is kicking off and we are all now self isolating.

@Pansypath I don’t think so just try and stick to rough same time each day. I do mine when I’m brushing my teeth before bed in the evening

@boomboom1234

Honestly, get your kids home and keep them there.

@Stellaris22 for the future - I had horrendous Asthma cough for years and the. They tried me on Fostair and within a month of so it was about 80% better maybe even more. Six months of Fostair now and literally life changing

Fostair has been lifechanging for me too @Pansypath. I've gone from rescue prednisolone at least annually when I was on Clenil to barely feeling asthmatic (slightly flare up with some colds only, never anywhere near the oral steroids point). Although for the first time ever, when I went to pick up a repeat prescription this morning the chemist didn't have it in stock. Fingers crossed this is just due to everyone getting ahead with repeat orders and they'll have it in a few days....

Yes I was struggling till Fostair. Still have had some bad viruses which have meant I've also used my blue but the increased energy was huge.

Agree with Fostair - I’m down to my last 4 doses and none in stock at the pharmacy!

www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/coronavirus-covid-19/

If you have asthma and have no symptoms of COVID-19:

Wash your hands often with soap and warm water.
Use tissues to wipe your nose or catch a sneeze, and then put them in the bin straight away.
Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands aren’t clean.
Avoid unnecessary interactions with other people. This means avoiding large gatherings, shaking hands with people or hugging them, and unnecessary travel, especially on public transport. You should also avoid going to public venues like bars, restaurants and cinemas. If it’s possible in your job, try to work from home.
You do NOT need to stay inside your house at all times or self-isolate. You can go for a walk, or to the park, or to the shops if you need to buy things. Just try to cut down the number of people you meet with on a daily basis. And try to keep your distance from people when you see them.
Carry on taking all your usual asthma medicines as normal.
If someone you live with develops symptoms of COVID-19, you will need to stay in your home for 14 days.

Lifelong asthmatic here (42 years).

PLEASE nobody do or take anything (nebulisers etc) without speaking to an asthmatic nurse or gp first. Stick to asthma plans and call GP if struggling.

Steroids in inhalers are at such a low dose that they are generally considered not to lower the immune system.

Corticosteroids given during pneumonia can set off a fatal cytokine storm and should not be used here according to the WHO. If you check the resources on their website there is a PDF for clinicians detailing how and how not to treat COVID19 and its in there. Please don’t advise people to take corticosteroids (sorry cant remember who posted that advice) thats for a GP or hospital doctor to decide.

I think it’s great we have fellow sufferers for support but don’t take the advice of strangers off the internet, especially when it comes to something so potentially dangerous as asthma.

Thanks for the advice re Fostair, I'll mention it next time I'm able to go for a review. I honestly hate this cough, I know it's my asthma cough but I'm self isolating on the advice of my GP when they did an over the phone appointment yesterday. I get this cough after every little cold and it lasts for weeks, meaning weeks of not sleeping because of it. Sorry to moan but it's horrible.