Asthma.

[Machli]

Relatively new to it. Diagnosed as an adult. Am on 2 x puffs of Symbicort twice daily and have been fine on it. Never take blue inhaler.

Last few days I have had a sore throat though and am coughing a bit. Peak flow very slightly down. Usually 480, down to 450. Is this just a normal sore throat? Will it affect me more as I am asthmatic? My upper chest feels itchy and sore. Bit more mucousy (sorry if TMI) But not unbearable, been like this for three days. I just don't want to have a full blown attack and at the same time not keen on starting the steroids in my emergency pack unless completely necessary.

Any thoughts please? Thanks.

You're probably fine at the moment as your peak flow hasn't dipped too much but keep a close eye on it. Is your cough worse at night? If your peak flow dips down to say 400 and you get wheezy and feel your chest is tightening it's best to see a doctor and or take your blue inhaler when you need to.

Your doctor may also tell you to double up the dose of Symbicort as a first line of treatment.

Thanks for answering. No, no cough at night as yet but I had that before and it was horrific. Hadn't been diagnosed then and was waiting for 6 weeks to be seen at respiratory clinic. Was ill that whole time. So I know what to look for with that. Will definitely keep eye on peak flow then. Thanks again. Do you think the rest of what I describe sounds normal for asthmatics?

Not nice for you. My husband suffered asthma since he was a child. He discovered the Buteyko method about 7 years ago and hasn't used either inhaler since. Worth looking into as it might work for you even if its only to reduce your need for inhaler. www.buteyko.co.uk/

I'm on Symbicort too and have had an itchy throat and mucous for just over a week now. For me it's hayfever which I think is more common in asthmatics as all allergy related to some extent - I've been a bit breathless but not checked my peak flow

I've doubled up my Symbicort (usually 1 am/pm when well but double when a bit dodgy) and been taking antihistamines which has helped.

As you are so newly diagnosed it would be worth getting checked out though. I've had oral thrush from different inhalers or overuse before - make sure you have a drink after taking it.

Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks. Always rinse my mouth out after taking it. Think mine is hayfever related to. The asthma came on after a particularly vicious summer of it last year but they said it had probably always been bubbling away in the background. I was really ill for about five months before diagnosis. Kept getting turned away from GP as they said it couldn't be asthma this late on (am 42). I saw a specialist finally and within two days of seeing him and being on Symbicort and steroids felt better. Just really frightened of ever going back there again. Thanks for replying .