Adult Onset Asthma, talk to me

[eandz13]

I've had breathing trouble since early March this year (completely non covid related) and I've EVENTUALLY been diagnosed with asthma. For one, I didn't know you could just develop it as an adult, and for two, I haven't had the typical wheezing/coughing associated with the condition. I've simply been short of breath every day. It feels as though I can't take a satisfying, deep breath, even at rest. As though my lungs aren't expanding the whole way. It came on very suddenly one day.
Has anybody else got any experience with developing asthma? Did it gradually develop for you, or was it pretty sudden? Did you have the wheezing and whatnot?
I'm just pretty stunned with the diagnosis, I'd put my symptoms down to having low iron (and so did my doctor originally). I'd be interested to hear others experiences.

@Fucket yeah, I think that's exactly what he's done. If my X-ray comes back clear (I honestly think it will) then I'll push for an asthma nurse.
Can I ask, as an asthmatic, when you have a flare up of bad breathing or being close to an attack, can you bring it back to a slower, more regular level by yourself without your inhaler? I'm still just weighing out the likelihood of it all.

Mine improves with anti-histamines but can't reduce by myself though not an expert on that.

I was diagnosed at about 50 and it coincided with both menopause and moving to a new house. I still don't know what triggered it but it is well managed with just the preventer and I probably use the blue inhaler a couple times a year now. I'm able to do cardio etc with no problem.

I was diagnosed in my mid 30s, not long after my second baby. There is a strong history of it in my family. I had a cough for months and it was worse after exercise. I was diagnosed after describing my symptoms and low peak flow readings. They also did a chest xray to rule out anything sinister. I think you should go back, OP. I'm not a doctor but they do sound a bit casual, from what you've said. Ps yes the reliever inhaler helps relieve my symptoms.

@eandz13

I can control with blue ventolin, but sometimes have to go upto nebuliser frequency for it to work...when that happens, I would start with steroids held in case. And let gp know in case they want me to come in for a check up.

My gp group are super careful as a young teen died in an asthma attack at the surgery some years back.

I can control & calm my breathing & therefore my asthma onset IF I start early enough. My asthma is triggered by pollution, dust & mould - although I am only allergic to the last.

I am regularly on a combined bronchodilater/steroid, montelukast, strong antihistamine. Had carbocisteine added to deal with the thick gunk building up in my lungs, due to aforementioned allergies/triggers.

I also have a course of antibiotics at home as gunk makes me more susceptible to chest infections, make more susceptible to asthma attack etc.

It took nearly 7 years of circles until I insisted on a respiratory consult...with a decent surgery. Keep on researching.

@Saffronesque thanks for the reply. I'm going to call the doctor back tomorrow and discuss all the information I've received. When my breathing issue first began I really, really panicked about it and lost control of the focus on steadying my breathing, I could not calm down and it was awful. I truly felt as though I was going to stop breathing and die. My panic over it lasted a few hours until I ended up going to A&E and I calmed down a bit when I saw my oxygen was at 99%. If that was an asthma attack, I wouldn't have been able to calm it on my own, would I? Since I'd lost control at that point? Would my oxygen have shown to have decreased if it was? I've read mixed things about that.

Sorry for all the questions, turns out I really don't know much about the condition at all!

In my case when I have asthma attack I need nebuliser, steroids, and possibly oxygen if I go to A&E. on days where the atmosphere is humid and there is pollen in the air I increase my symbicort dosage. Symbicort is a bit like a reliever as well as a preventer. I May monitor my peak flow to get an idea of how bad my asthma is.

My DH who I would say is mildly asthmatic and doesn’t really take it very seriously (much to my dismay) seems to manage with ventilin as and when required. When he has a cold he will take his preventer. He does wheeze at night sometimes but he doesn’t really seem to care! He’s a nightmare in that respect.

[quote eandz13]@Fucket yeah, I think that's exactly what he's done. If my X-ray comes back clear (I honestly think it will) then I'll push for an asthma nurse.
Can I ask, as an asthmatic, when you have a flare up of bad breathing or being close to an attack, can you bring it back to a slower, more regular level by yourself without your inhaler? I'm still just weighing out the likelihood of it all. [/quote]
Asthma ≠ hyperventilating.

In my case, asthma means having difficulty inhaling due to a feeling of tightness or restriction in my chest. I am trying to suck air in but I can’t. This is always relieved by ventolin, which works very quickly.

Other asthmatics get different symptoms, eg coughing.