Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Pollen causing lung condition to get worse? Is that possible?

20 replies

giraffesCantBoogie · 27/04/2014 16:54

Really struggling with lungs just now, have type 2 brittle asthma. Past 3 weeks have got worse. 3 weeks ago had to go to A&E for treatment (O2, back to back nebs, IV magnesium and steroids) in an attack where home nebs weren't helping - was on high dose steroids (50mg pred) for a week then gradually tapered them down the next week.

10 days or so in the evenings have been coughing and wheezing more than usual. Struggling at night too with chest pain, tightness and sore shoulders. Reduced peak flow. Also waking up every morning coughing and bringing up lots of gunk - just clear stuff.

Doing extra nebs and have had to do them when out and about too with my mini nebuliser.

Was at a wedding yesterday and had to leave early as was struggling in eve, had some nebs there but it didn't do much. And paying for it today! Feeling exhausted and sore.

Oxygen levels are ok, dip a wee bit at night but not dangerously. My sats are usually good on a pulse oximeter, but in ABGs I retain CO2 and blood acidosis.

Trying to work out what has changed recently. No temp. Possibly pollen? Going to phone GP tomorrow and maybe try a different antihistamine. My GPs are great BUT their knowledge is limited and will offer me pred probably which am keen to avoid. I do have to accept to some extent that I have this lung condition and it sometimes will get worse temporarily or deteriorate permanently. Next consultant appointment is in June.

Just having a moan/thinking out loud really.

OP posts:
MrsMot · 27/04/2014 16:57

Sounds awful for you OP, tree pollen's pretty horrific atm - seems much worse than last year.

Can you get an earlier review?

madhairday · 27/04/2014 17:01

I would also say could you see your consultant earlier? If your condition is having such a nasty exacerbation they should fit you in, and like you say gps can be a bit clueless about this type of thing.

Sympathies re the pred, it's nasty nasty stuff but helps you breathe as well, horrible having to balance it out!

Not sure about the pollen but apparently it is awful this year so could be not helping.

Do hope things improve soon. Thanks

giraffesCantBoogie · 27/04/2014 17:07

I feel bad saying this about my GPs as they are so so supportive, fit me in t the drop of a hat, will phone me if I need to just ask for some advice (like when I was coming of pred and needed to do it slower because of awful muscle cramps!) But they are only really good if I have a sudden deterioration and they do the standard, ABs/pred/increased nebs/send me to hosp etc. They often get confused about my meds because am on such a high dose of inhaled steroids - equal to a low dose of oral pred.

Will try GP and see what they say this week. And will ask about earlier consultant appointment if different/increased antihistanime doesn't help. I have only recently developed hayfever...but then I have only had asthma for 3.5 years and it keeps getting worse.

OP posts:
mousmous · 27/04/2014 17:10

sounds awful, hope it gets better soon.
but yes, a high pollen count can make asthma worse.
how is it at home? can you get someone to vacuum and damp dust your home, wash bedding etc?

giraffesCantBoogie · 27/04/2014 17:14

I have a cleaner! She is coming tomorrow :) I am not posh or rich! Just that cleaning products set me off and by end of day at work am exhausted she helps so much! So will see if that helps.

OP posts:
Grockle · 27/04/2014 22:01

Wish I knew what to suggest or could hep in some way xxx

Cocolepew · 27/04/2014 22:12

My DH has copd, he needs half a lung removed, and he has been much worse the last few weeks.
I have hayfever from tree pollen, so we presumed it was that affecting him. He got worse just as my hayfever started.

MrsDmitriTippensKrushnic · 27/04/2014 22:15

It's pollen season for Plane Trees (very very common street trees) and they're complete bastards -very allergenic. I have pretty mild asthma usually (night coughs and needing inhalers when I get colds) but this time of year it gets very aggravating. Keep meaning to try anti-histamines to see if it helps but I'm terrible at remembering to go buy some!

Bunbaker · 27/04/2014 22:17

We don't usually suffer from hayfever here, but both DD and I have got through boxes of tissues over the last few weeks, so I would be inclined to think that the mild winter has set everything off early this year and there is more pollen about. We also have fields of oil seed rape surrounding our village which doesn't help.

Sidge · 27/04/2014 22:18

My asthma patients are really struggling over the last few weeks, I'm guessing it's the pollen.

Probably a stupid question but are you on montelukast?

Chanatan · 27/04/2014 22:24

dd suffered terribly this time of the year until a visit to a new GP who prescribed montelukast (singulair) tablets to be taken along side her inhalers,this year she hasnt suffered at all,hope you get some relief soon.

giraffesCantBoogie · 27/04/2014 22:26

hmm sounds like it could be pollen related then - I really hope it is! Am sitting coughing away and chest and shoulders hurt.

Yes am on montelukast. Meds are -

• Seretide 250 – 2 in morning, 2 at night
• Flixotide 250 – 2 in morning, 2 at night
• Spiriva – 1 inhaled capsule at night
• Montelukast – 10mg once a day
• ventolin/atrovent/saline nebs as required

OP posts:
Sirzy · 27/04/2014 22:40

DS is struggling at the moment I am putting it down to hayfever triggering the attacks (even though he is on daily antihistamine and nasal spray)

Was just starting to consider decreasing his daily ventolin and now he is back up to 4 -6 hourly instead.

magso · 27/04/2014 22:52

I think you need to see your respiratory consultant for review, although I know that is usually difficult to acheive. Pollens are a real nusance to me too. I think the montelukast is to help with the allergic side.
Hope you are feeling better soon.

giraffesCantBoogie · 28/04/2014 00:41

Thanks all :) Will let you know what gp says tomo

OP posts:
giraffesCantBoogie · 28/04/2014 20:13

Been put on fexofenadine. If that doesn't work she going to have to phone my consultant at brittle asthma clinic as she doesn't know what else to do with me!

OP posts:
magso · 28/04/2014 20:30

Oh I find that reasonably helpful - better than other antihistamines anyway. Hope it works for you, and that the GP will talk to your consultant if it doesn't. Look after your self and don't be slow to go to A and E if your SATS drop.

giraffesCantBoogie · 28/04/2014 22:27

Can I top up with piriton too?

I realise I could google...!

OP posts:
magso · 28/04/2014 23:51

Would not have thought you could. Perhaps ask the pharmacist?

BiscuitMillionaire · 29/04/2014 00:07

My asthma has returned with a vengeance the last few weeks, guess it must be tree pollen. Have you thought about getting an air purifier? I've been reading online reviews and it seems the best ones make a big difference for some people.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread