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Related: Lockdown Learning, discuss home schooling during lockdown.
Covid
Very mild asthma- brown inhaler?
Blueblackrose · 20/03/2020 07:07
I have very mild asthma in that I rarely get wheezy and if I do it's not that bad - last time was 18 months ago when I got a cold and a chesty cough. I don't carry a blue inhaler and go away on holiday without it without a second thought - I forget most of the time that I sometimes get wheezy.
I do have a brown preventor inhaler in the house and I've been try to get info if there is benefit even though I currently have no asthma symptoms and rarely get asthma to taking it now? I'm struggling to find much guidance on this.
I'm not sure if steroids now will help in case I get coronovirus. I am worried that taking meds when I don't fully need may make it more likely I might get an infection in my lungs.
Has anyone with very mild and very intermittent asthma been given or found advice about using a preventor as a prophylactic?
Windywuss · 20/03/2020 07:09
Yes take your preventer. My doctor advised it and issued me a new one even though I'm mild.
rosy71 · 20/03/2020 07:12
I have mild asthma & very rarely need the blue inhaler. I do take a brown one everyday though. I think (but am not 100% sure) that the brown one keeps your airways open so you are much less likely to need the blue one. I think advice atm is to keep taking the brown one to cut risk of an asthma attack in the event of a respiratory infection.
Jemmy360 · 20/03/2020 07:12
I'm taking mine, like you I only get wheezy about once a year when I have a heavy cold. I hate taking steroids but we have no way of knowing how this virus is going to affect us as individuals. I'll take any advantage I can get.
Blueblackrose · 20/03/2020 07:21
I started taking it morning and night 2 days ago. My main worry is that by taking the seriods now that I might inadvertently be increasing my chances of an infection in my lungs.
TheShapeJaper · 20/03/2020 07:28
I have mild asthma too but have been hospitalised after a cold turned into a chest infection which resulted in an asthma attack. Seven days in the respiratory ward on oxygen wasn’t a whole lot of fun. I have also had several rounds of antibiotics and steroids, also no picnic. The last time was about seven years ago and I’ve been fine since we moved it to a new build house. Anyway the thing with asthma is that it can strike when you least expect it. I use my brown inhaler as prescribed and can’t remember the last time I needed the blue one. I look at the blue one as an emergency item and not something that I should be using daily. The blue inhaler saved my life. Please take one everywhere with you.
whatisforteamum · 20/03/2020 07:46
I am very confused too.40 years asthmatic.Blue in half used lots for wheezing most days when diagnosed.Cold weather and exercise made it worse.
Years later prescribed brown inhaler and offered flu jab.
I haven't needed inhalers recently until I developed chest infection in the winter and felt like I was drowning.
Now I'm confused as the nurse told me I didn't need a flu jab not having had a brown inhaler lately!!!
She was a bit abrupt t tbh.
Where do I stand with all this all my sis kids have asthma too plus sis.Help?
GreyishDays · 20/03/2020 07:48
I think if you google it will say that it takes a couple of weeks to kick in.
Why do you think taking steroids will increase the risk of infection?
Mycatismadeofstringcheese · 20/03/2020 07:57
I have to take my preventer every day so not mild asthma. When I picked up my prescription earlier this week the chemist had a quick chat with me and said I should be sure to take the preventer every day in case I get the virus.
I’ve actually started taking it using my spacer device to get maximum benefit from it.
I know that’s anecdote and not data but it’s all I’ve got to go on right now.
CatkinToadflax · 20/03/2020 08:47
I would say do take the medication you have (so in your case, OP, brown inhaler twice a day) to give you maximum protection. My asthma is quite severe (4 different medications every day plus another two medications when it properly flares up) and I’ve been told to be completely regimental with taking the usual 4 and to use my own discretion with if/when I need to add in the other two. I think we all have to be as cautious and careful as we can.
niffynoonoo · 20/03/2020 08:54
dh only suffers with grass pollen season and rarely uses his blue. But he is getting his brown one out and using it. It doesn`t hurt to use it and who knows may help as CV does go for the lungs.
teta · 20/03/2020 08:55
The advice now is to start using the brown inhaler even if you are mild.
I'm another one that's worried what effect this might have if we do become affected. As there is talk of steroid use affecting the virulence of Covid 19 in certain countries like Iran. I think not enough is known about this yet and this is the best advice currently.
Don't take Ibuprofen though.
Angelika321 · 20/03/2020 08:58
Mine is very mild but I always carry my blue inhaler in my bag. I haven't used a brown one in years. However on advice from my doctor I got the brown one yesterday and am starting off on one puff a day as it takes 2 weeks to become effective.
HotGlueGun · 20/03/2020 09:08
Why would using a brown inhaler increase the risk of a lung infection??
Blueberryham · 20/03/2020 09:24
I am in this position too. Haven’t taken brown inhaler for years. I am reluctant as I heard anti inflammatories make cv worse so just not sure if I am better with it or without it
WrongKindOfFace · 20/03/2020 09:24
Why would using a brown inhaler increase the risk of a lung infection??
Steroids can suppress the immune system, however this is more of a risk with oral steroids and a lesser risk with inhaled steroids. The risk of an asthma attack if you stop taking your inhaler is generally considered to be greater than the risk of a lowered immune system.
Duchessofblandings · 20/03/2020 09:27
Our son’s asthma nurse was very cross when I used the phrase “mild asthma”, she said categorically there’s no such thing. it’s either controlled asthma or uncontrolled asthma. You can be under control for 10 years, encounter a brand new trigger and suffer a catastrophic attack. Use your inhaler.
Blondiney · 20/03/2020 09:35
So grateful for this thread. My asthma is ridiculously sporadic, have inhalers but only use the blue very rarely and was panicking a bit about what to do. Think I'll dig out my preventer and start with it today, just n case. Thanks so much.
Blueblackrose · 20/03/2020 18:02
Thank you all - it is strangely reassuring that others are having the same thoughts.
I too had read about steroids (oral) inhaled (less so) have a negative effect on the immune system so hence why I was undecided.
I've had a tight chest all day but I think that it is actually worry - I watched the Sky News Bergamo piece and am so very worried.
KayakingOnDown · 20/03/2020 18:12
OP I have exactly the same severity of asthma as you. Very mild - barely need the blue.
When this all kicked off I ordered a new brown one from the pharmacy and started taking it as a precaution. I didn't realise it was actually steroids though? It's Clonil - is that steroids?
Unfortunately I have now contracted Covid - not tested (as they won't test unless you're in hospital) but GP has diagnosed me and is pretty sure I have it. Obviously nothing to do with the brown inhaler and doctor advised me to keep taking it, though he recognised the blue wouldn't help as I'm not actually wheezing. Instead I have a tight chest, pain in my chest and it's sore (but not wheezy) when I breathe. I've had these symptoms for a few days but today and yesterday have been the worst. I'm just hoping my body fights it - i think it will. I'm 39, healthy, fit.
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