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Original poster

How do I cure my asthma?

23 replies

Kendodd · 06/01/2011 14:59

I developed asthma as am adult in my late thirties about three years ago from nothing. No history of asthma, not even as a child. I use an inhaler about three times a day now. Just before I developed it I was going through a very difficult stressful time for a few years, this lifted about the time my asthma started. I can't help thinking the two are related, maybe not though.

Anyway, the asthma came on by itself, can it just go by itself or can I do something to get rid of it? Also does it shorten life expectancy? I don't and have never smoked by the way although I did work in nightclubs for many years when I was younger before the smoking ban.

OP posts:

PixieOnaLeaf · 06/01/2011 15:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

RunningOutOfIdeas · 06/01/2011 15:55

Well controlled asthma does not shorten life expectancy.

Did you move house, get a pet or install carpets around the time your asthma started? These are common triggers.

nightcat · 06/01/2011 18:48

another potential trigger could be reflux
eg here

Katisha · 06/01/2011 18:53

Presumably you have been given a preventative inhaler as well? The key is to use that regularly as well as the ventolin one. And step it up if you get a cold.

Original poster

Kendodd · 07/01/2011 11:06

It developed between my second and third pregnancies, they have all been quite close together, three children in three years. I was very sick for them as well with just about non stop burping.

It's the blue inhaler I use.

If I can't do something to get rid of it can it just go away on its own anyway?

OP posts:

Katisha · 07/01/2011 13:20

Well if you are using a blue inhaler three times a day I would suggest going back to your asthma nurse and asking for a preventative one as well. Three times a day on blue suggests that your asthma is not currently as controlled as it could be.

Mine hasn't gone away - have had it all my life, but I haven't had a flare up for years now. At times it gets worse so I get on to the medication. I couldn't say whether yours will disappear or not, but I do think you should go back and talk to the asthma person at your surgery.

evansmummy · 07/01/2011 13:34

Had Mine from age 7 to around age 16. It now only flares up a little when I have a cold. So yes, it can go away by itself as sneakily as it comes. I would echo others, get yourself an appt with the asthma nurse and talk about a preventative inhaler. They can make a difference. It's perfectly possible to live with asthma, good luck.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 07/01/2011 13:36

Watching with interest as I was given a Ventolin inhaler yesterday at the grand age of 39. Not impressed. Have recently had pneumonia so am hoping it's a legacy of that and not actual asthma. Have to have a spiro-something in a few weeks.

Original poster

Kendodd · 07/01/2011 13:43

I had pneumonia as well, but it came on after I had a cough/breathing difficulties for a while. Again between pregnancy 2 and 3.

OP posts:

HattiFattner · 07/01/2011 13:57

there are ways to control asthma - like regularly hoovering, wet dusting, allergy bedding. This is assuming that your asthma is caused by dust mites, which is a very common cause.

I have just invested in a vax machine to regularly wash DS1s carpet to remove mites and pollen (his triggers).

Leave your windows open in all weathers for at least 1 our a day. STrip the beds at least once a week, hoover the mattrass and pref have an allergy mattress cover. Hoover any soft furnishings weekly, and think about switching to blinds and wooden floors.

However, I agree with Katisha that 3x a day is way too much and you need to ask about apreventor. Frequently a low dose steroid, they keep you lungs clear and help them heal. Also ask about a long term brochiodialator (a long acting "blue") - DS1 uses one called Serevent. This combo has kept him stable for 6 years.

flimflammery · 07/01/2011 14:06

You could be completely asthma-free again if yours is allergic asthma like mine. It can be quite severe when in contact with allergens, but then I can go for years without needing an inhaler if I'm living somewhere without the allergens (e.g. I spent a winter working in the Alps and it disappeared because apparently house-dust mites don't like the altitude and cold dry air there). As well as dust mites, I'm also allergic to mould spores, so watch out for that one too. It might be worth getting tested for allergies, and think carefully about when you seem to get worse - a particular time of year (tree pollen and mould, or grass pollen etc), or after moving to a new house, etc.

giraffesCantDirtyDance · 08/01/2011 14:14

Mine has only been diagnosed recently, never had asthma before a few months ago. Its been very difficult to understand. I have had lots of support on asthma thread - you seen it?

wuggglemump · 08/01/2011 14:20

Mine was fine and not a bother at all until early this year when I ended up on a ventilator.
I've been hospitalized again since then.
I take my medication and have cut out wheat and dairy 90% of the time (I have milk in tea and the odd treat at the weekend)
There is no cure, but you should be able to control it.
I have type 2 brittle asthma which is hard to control but I take it a day at a time and count myself lucky for every day I am healthy.
It's all I can do really.

wuggglemump · 08/01/2011 14:22

That would be last year obv!

Giraffes, do you see a specialist?
I'm just being nosey really, as I know from your posts you are in Glasgow and my case is based at Gartnavel.

giraffesCantDirtyDance · 08/01/2011 14:45

I was diagnosed in November by dRS in the medical assesment unit in the western where I was admitted after doc sent me as he suspected blood clot (chest pain and breathlessness) after 2 admissions got diagnosed with asthma and given blue inhaler

Then seen asthma nurses from out of hours gems at western and been put on steroid tabs, brown inhaler there.

Been reffered to asthma clinic which I think is gartnavel, got letter through other week and its this week, so not actually seen anyone yet. Letter just said gartnavel, no level or anything

giraffesCantDirtyDance · 08/01/2011 14:46

Thats quite far from you is it not? I though you were helensburgh way?

wuggglemump · 08/01/2011 14:54

I am in Helensburgh.
The first time I was admitted was a middle of the night ambulance job, and our nearest A&E is RAH in Paisley. I hated it there and refused to go back.
The nearest hospital which is Vale of Leven won't take me as they don't have ITU so when I had to be admitted in October, my GP got me into the Western, and they transferred me to Gartnavel, which has a more specialised ward apparently.
I'm considered high risk because I was in ITU and touch and go for a while.

They were fantastic in GN.

I'm due to go for my next appointment the first week of Feb.

When you go into GN, turn right after the Cafe and it's down there.
I see Dr Bicknell and he's lovely.

giraffesCantDirtyDance · 08/01/2011 14:56

Which cafe? The one thats like in the square open plan bit, sort of mini costa style thing? Or the one you turn right when you come in the door to get to thats more like a canteen?

That name rings a bell I wonder if I have read it on here before or if its on my letter.

giraffesCantDirtyDance · 08/01/2011 14:58

Just read the letter - yes it is him I am seeing :)

wuggglemump · 08/01/2011 15:03

It was the Medical Assessment ward in the Western where I started off last time.
The Doctors I met there were all good, particularly the one who did my blood gases. He actually acknowledged they hurt and was so nice about it.
They got a lovely respiratory nurse down to see me too, who set up humidified oxygen for me, as I hate it dry.

They had no TV's though and didn't serve enough cups of tea!

wuggglemump · 08/01/2011 15:07

Right after the actual sit down cafe, not the small stally type one.

You'll be fine with Dr Bicknell.

It was him who got me allergy tested and got the most fantastic physios up to see me.

Your appointment may be different from mine, but just to warn you, I had to get X-Rays first, and then lung function tests before I saw the Doctor.
It wasn't a problem as such, just meant I was there a lot longer than I had anticipated.

giraffesCantDirtyDance · 08/01/2011 15:16

Did you meet a beardy Dr, fairly young. Very erm odd personality. He was the first one who suggested asthma. He chanted "you got asthma" in a funny voice. My friend and I were laughing lots at him. Very nice but very unusual manner for a dr. My friend was in tere too for a while. So we got to know the staff fairly well between us!

Ah ok cool. I am going to try and phone and change appointment to a Friday as I work other days.

wuggglemump · 08/01/2011 15:24

I don't remember seeing that particular one, he sounds erm odd!

One of the nurses in the Western went on and on about my nail varnish. I know I shouldn't have it on and the sats thing can't read through it, but I'd apologised already and it was 3am!
My oxygen levels were down at 84 when I went in and I could barely breathe so the last thing on my mind was my nails!
Oh and the ambulance drivers started being moany about picking me up from Helensburgh, but soon shut up when they saw how ill I was.
I hate rude/moany/naggy HCP's.

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