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Asthma attack?

8 replies

Koalityone · 17/08/2024 11:18

I had asthma as a child, it went away and then came back post covid. Noticed it as I was short of breath a lot during the summer months when it was humid but not had an ‘attack’ (I don’t think)
Was put on fostair pink preventative inhaler and a blue reliever inhaler.
We moved house last month so I have to admit I haven’t been using them regularly as routines have gone out of the window.

Yesterday late afternoon I had a pain in my right side back and side of chest, thought it was where I was sat a bit slouched at first but as an hour or so went on I couldn’t get comfortable and couldn’t take a deep breath, felt a bit sick and just not right.
Thought the pain could be lung area so used both inhalers, it eased it slightly but still felt like I was sort of gasping for a big gulp of air all evening, did sleep but could only sleep in certain positions as it was aching and woke up a few times needing to take some deep breaths.
Have a pounding headache today, the ache is still there but I can take big gulps of air, bit breathless when going up the stairs.

does this sound like an attack? The NHS website says to see GP asap but obviously it’s the weekend and the wait times for A&E are insane in my city on a weekend (and would it be A&E if I’m feeling a bit better now?)

Thanks for reading!

OP posts:
bluecomputerscreen · 17/08/2024 11:28

don't fuck about with lungs.
go and get seen.

I don't wheeze. I 'just' can't breathe.
medication (in my case allergy/hayfever treatment) helps a lot.

also generally trying to stay fit (cardio), staying within normal bmi, breathing exercises...

RafaistheKingofClay · 17/08/2024 11:32

I’d go to A&E. (I know that’s not what you want to hear). The pain makes me wonder whether it isn’t asthma that is the issue at the moment.

RafaistheKingofClay · 17/08/2024 11:33

Alternatively you could ring 111 but with those symptoms I think they would make you go to A&E anyway.

HelenWheels · 17/08/2024 11:38

i imagine they wont make you wait with breathing difficulties.
have a hot drink

Koalityone · 17/08/2024 12:08

Thank you everyone, it’s right hand side so don’t think it is heart? But I will ring 111 now and see what they say.
thank you 💐

OP posts:
RosaMayBillinghurst · 17/08/2024 12:47

111 will almost certainly say to go to A&E.

Do you have a peak flow meter? If you do, it’s worth checking your PEFV & if you don’t know your personal “normal”, check against your height & age to get a rough idea. If you don’t, once things are more settled, make an appointment either with the practice nurse - they often run dedicated asthma clinics - & get an asthma plan made to include what to do in an exacerbation, checking your PF & working out what your normal is etc.

I know you know this, but taking your fostair as prescribed is really important. In an exacerbation, 10 doses of salbutamol through a spacer is as effective as a [low/starter-dose] nebuliser treatment, but it will make you feel very wired. (You may also find taking huge amounts of salbutamol drops your potassium levels - not dramatically, but worth eating a banana or two to offset it.)

Hope you feel better soon.

8008Bee · 17/08/2024 19:34

Sounds like a chest infection if it's painful. See if they will give you an out of hours GP appointment today!

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