Asthma bad, day 6 of steroids and getting worse

[ragmayo]

Day 6 steroids, peak flow better, sats good. Chest not as tight, but still v painful all the time and when breathing. Started antibiotics yesterday as coughing up white/yellow sputum. From yesterday becoming lightheaded on standing. Today when sat up, even when supported I feel v dizzy, lips fizzy, head swimming so am led down. Any ideas? Thought I'd be feeling better by now not worsening.
Don't want to bother doctor today but will call tomorrow if same

You need to see the dr today. Don't fuck about with asthma.

If your peak flow is good its prob not the asthma. Chest infection might have worsened to pneumonia. Give out of hours a ring, I think they will want to see you. How do you know Sats are good?

My daughter has severe asthma so have a sats probe at home. There's no out of hours no for my dr, just 111 and that's for urgent cases?

111 is also for out of hours care. Please call them and they can book you an appointment with a dr today.

Ok cheers for advice

Are you taking codeine?

This is exactly what I'm like if I take codeine. Took me a while to work it out but I can't take it.

No codeine, just paracetamol prednisolone and antibiotics. Feel better now, can sit up for a while without feeling dizzy

What are your peak flow and sats?

Peak flow 300, sats 98. Can sit up now with out feeling lightheaded. Lungs feel like bricks and v painful

I’ve just been through 3 weeks of this - moderate asthma, 3 lots of different antibiotics and a steroids (I also have Addison’s disease so I take a lot of steroids anyway). It was horrendous. I ended up ringing 111 and going to a and e, they changed my antibiotics and I slowly felt better. It’s been a very slow process. Definitely seek medical advice, I would say if your peak flow is good then the symptoms are probably due to the infection. I had very bad chest pains - but if you have chest pain the rules are it should always be checked out.

Peak flow of 300 would be low for me to the point I’d be seeking medical help.

I've had a bug about 5 weeks, the last 3 it's been on my chest and I've been alright until over Christmas. Since last Tuesday I've been floored by it,unable to do normal jobs around house without difficulty and needing lots of rest. Peak flow was 250 so it's better.
The dizziness started yesterday, if I'm on my feet for a few minutes walking I feel like I'll pass out. The pain in my lungs is v bad. Just brushed my daughter's hair and not exaggerating, it was a struggle to finish.

Fairylea glad you're feeling better 😊

Have you still not called 111? You really should seek medical advice, particularly as you're getting worse, not better.

Have you taken your blue inhaler? You can take it up to 4 times a day, 2 puffs at a time. If you’re doing that and your peak flow still isn’t coming up much and you’re in pain and feeling dizzy you really do need to see someone medical. Sorry you’re so poorly.

I'm asthmatic, and say 111 for those symptoms. Hope you get seen this evening, never take risks with breathing!

111. Before it becomes 999.

Just to say thanks everyone 😊 If no improvement in pain then will go to doctors tomorrow. Not needing the ventolin today so improvement there, and have been sat up for a few hours now so hopefully dizziness resolved. Obviously still have pain, but feeling a little stronger in myself so fingers crossed

If your peak flow is that low and you are dizzy then you should be using the blue inhaler, that’s what it’s there for! You don’t need to be wheezing to need it. Chest / lung pain and low peak flow are all indicators.

Hope you managed to get some rest and get to see a doctor today.

Thank you, only slept 3 hours but can sleep today as children all back at school. My normal peak flow doesn't get much higher than that, but rubbish! I really appreciate your help with all this😊

Just back from doctor, she said it's the flu and to have a chest x ray