Has anyone's else's asthma got much worse since last month?

[GreenTeaPingPong]

I'm trying to work out what's causing my asthma to have made a big come-back since about the middle of August. It's triggered by allergies such as mould and house dust mites. I take Montelukast which has been working really well for the last few years, meaning I hardly ever need to use my inhaler. But since mid August I've been really wheezy and congested, needing to use my ventolin inhaler every day.
I was wondering if it's something unusual in the atmosphere like a particular weed pollen. Or just my mouldy old house . I don't think it's covid-related (I take regular LF tests through work). I know I should probably see my asthma nurse, but I think she'll just prescribe steroid inhalers again, when I'd rather eliminate the cause if possible.

Yes, but it's damp lately in the mornings and evenings.

Hmm, I guess that could be part of it.

Mines the same. My chest feels like I’m living in a very polluted city, I’m not! Last year was my best year ever health wise. I put it down to last year having less air pollution plus a long dry summer. This year roads seems busier than ever, planes back overhead & a pretty rubbish August where the grass was damp morning & evening more like late September. I too am allergic to mould spores & there were toadstools & mushrooms in august this year

I too am allergic to mould spores & there were toadstools & mushrooms in august this year

Ah that could be it, yes we had loads of rain in the first part of the holidays. Also round here there's been a 'no mow' thing going on, which although good for wildlife has probably meant more weed pollens.

By the way, I don't seem to be affected by air pollution, as when I lived in a very polluted city abroad I was absolutely fine (different pollens, different moulds), but have in the past had bad symptoms when staying in rural holiday cottages.

Do you take an anti-histamine? I take cetirizine year round and it makes a massive difference to my asthma.

It's easier for me to just take it all year than remember all the random times of year I'm affected by different pollens and spores.

I’ve noticed (from the smell in the evening) that people are starting to use their wood burning stoves again. Your comment about also being affected in cottages made me wider if solid fuel burning might be what’s triggering your asthma as lots of cottages have open fires or burners.

Anna I don't think I can take anti histamines alongside Montelukast as it's like a very strong anti histamine, will check though.

Thesunrising - possible but I don't think it's that, as it started in mid August when the weather had been rainy but got a bit drier and warmer.

Yes I'm wheezing frequently lately. Can't get to see my asthma nurse though

I take beclomesathone & ventolin, neither seem to be working very lately though.

I take cetirizine and fexofenadine all year round plus 10mg Montelukast at night for allergies & asthma. I was at my healthiest in this country during lockdown 1 or when holidaying in Nordic countries or on volcanic Greek islands.

Yep
Same as you.
Can't get to the bottom of it

You totally can take antihistamines alongside Montelukast - montelukast acts completely differently to them.

I've done it for years on advice of my asthma nurse (plus I am a doctor).

@thesurreyyouth I bloody loved lockdown! My lungs were so happy.

My DFs was worse, we looked at pollen count on Kleenex site. It tells you pollen count and percentage of each type. His was nettle.

Could be leaf mould allergy?

Commiserations to others in the same situation, it's miserable, isn't it?
Thanks for other suggestions - leaf mould yes very likely, but why suddenly so much worse this year?
Thanks AnnaMagnani, I did look it up. I might try, but in the past antihistamines have worked for me only for nasal symptoms not asthma.

Yes my asthma has been terrible since late July/early August.
I've just had my steroid inhaler changed and I think it's slightly improving.

My asthma has always been very well controlled and my best peak flow readings have been about 400-450, recently Im lucky to get 250.

I've had a lot of health worries and stress but my asthma is usually triggered by exercise and hot/cold.

I'm hoping it continues to improve.

Yes and I thought it was just me!
I’m very wheezy, especially at night with a really itchy back and eyes.
It’s much worse this year.

Also thought this was just me!

Interesting to see it's more than that. Not sure what triggers mine but wondering if it's a mould pollen issue.

Mine is triggered by dampness in September/Oct. years ago my doc recommended me not doing the morning school run walking (walk mainly involved walking over large parkland) - the damp grass/trees were possibly setting me off

Mine is worse at the beginning of the year starting Feb & again this time of year mold spores, bracken etc. The weather constantly changing from cold to sunny also effects mine. One big trigger for me is those lovely Yankee candles & any man made scents.

@Joy69 I'm so with you on candles and scents! My absolutely worst is Lush, I can't even walk past the shop without wheezing.

I'm joining the worse asthma club too. Mine had been dormant for many years and came back and hit me like a ton of bricks in June. I take Soprobec and have recently upped it to three times a day rather than two. I have no idea what's triggering it but my friend is convinced it was my covid jab as it started straight after.

I dont really know think it is that though.

Has anyone else had their flu jab?
I'm booked in for Friday and I'm a bit apprehensive. I haven't had it for a few years because last time I had it I was really poorly and it triggered a big asthma flare up for several days that really frightened me.
However this year it just feels more necessary so I've bitten the bullet and booked it.