I have asthma and my inhaler hasn't helped

[phipps]

I would say I have mild asthma as I can go weeks without needing to use my reliever. I have just had tightness across my chest and a bit of difficulty breathing which has come out of nowhere. Have done 2 puffs of my reliever and the pain as gone but breathing isn't normal.

If you dont have a spacer, use an empty soft drink bottle- cut hole in the bottle bottom for inhaler. Breath through top. Keep relaxed.

This happens to me sometimes after I eat peanuts- other times no reaction- get blotchy too- perhaps you have had an allergic reaction to something?

Yes have up to 10 puffs (pref via spacer) then see how you feel.

If breathing isn't better after 10 puffs then call OOH, go to walk in centre or if you're really struggling then go to A&E.

(Also don't mean to sounds patronising but make sure you're using your inhaler properly. Many people that don't use it often aren't very good with their technique! You don't need a very rapid breath in, just take a long steady suck in as you press the canister down, assuming you have a standard metered dose inhaler).

agree with everyone and hope you're starting to feel better?

Thank you all for your advice. I went quite strange. I went all light headed and couldn't hold my head up or open my eyes. I had a big coughing fit as well and had trouble staying stood up. DH put me to bed and I ended up needing 6 puffs. I am grateful for the advice as to how to use my inhaler properly as I have never had a proper lesson about doing it and I do wonder sometimes if I am doing it wrong. I slept from 10-6.45 and feel a bit better today. I have a hospital appointment today anyway for something else so if it happens again I will ask the doctor. I have no clue if it is allergy related as I haven't eaten anything new though I did make some new biscuits but individually I have had all the ingredients before.

I could sleep for a week now.

I don't have a spacer but think it might make things easier for me. Can you buy them?

Will a GP give me a prescription for one if I ask? I would have to ask at the surgery as I don't know if there is an asthma nurse. Most of the time you wouldn't know I had asthma then Bam! he comes out of the blue.

Okay, I will ask. There is one nurse who refused to vaccinate my youngest child so if she is the asthma nurse I will have to go somewhere else.

You should see someone for a review of your therapy; if you are having episodes of shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing or your lifestyle is limited by your symptoms it's probable that you need an increased therapy.

You should get a spacer on prescription and may well need a regular inhaled corticosteroid which should be taken via a spacer anyway.

(As an aside, why did the nurse refuse to vaccinate your child? The mind boggles!)

She refused to vaccinate him as I was asked by the hospital to ask that in future the nurse do the injection properly because it wasn't when DS1 had his and he ended up very ill in hospital. I was merely passing the message on but she got very angry with me.

Gosh how unprofessional!!

Probably best that she doesn't vaccinate him if she can't do it properly.

I agree, was very annoying though as had to organise childcare while I went back with him but it was done by someone else and he ended up at the emergency A & E so it wasn't a great time.

Definitely get checked out. If your inhaler isn't helping after multiple puffs then as a general rule you need to be seen, even if that means A&E. Just wondering though, had you been near a pet that you don't normally see before the attack? I do find that other people's dogs and cats can set me off. If I take an antihistamine tablet (preferably beforehand but afterwards helps too) that controls it, along with my inhaler if I have already started to wheeze. Seems odd for it to come totally out of nowhere.

Did the light headedness and feeling strange come after you had had your 6 puffs of reliever because that may have caused it. 6 puffs of ventolin would make me feel woozy and increase my heart rate (8 puffs and I come out in hives!)

Could you be coming down with something (cold or similar)? All my worst asthma attacks are caused by another illness.

Do get it checked out though.

just for future reference, coffee caffeine helps astha, not a lot of people know that.

you need to go to the gp.

the light headedness and feeling strange dont sound right. It may or may not be linked to your asthma or the medication. Or something else. Either way you need reviewing.

I don't like coffee.
Hadn't been near new animals, I have a cat but I have her for 16 years.
I have just spent 2 hours at the hospital and didn't remember to mention last night other than to say I had an asthma attack.
I am hoping it was a one off as I have a lot to deal with atm.

DH has asthma and had similar symptoms to you after a camping trip - turns out he had a chest infection and had to have oral steroids. It soon cleared up - if it continues i would definitely go to GP.

The lightheadness could have been caused by hyperventilating thru panic gasping but do go fort an asthma review.

I have dizziness and feeling weird every day though. I have got my mental health sorted and my physical health is going to pot .