What is the matter with DH?

[mummytopebs]

Dh has had a bad chest since October time, he eventually went to the doctors end of Dec and they gave him some antibiotics, he was still coughing up phlegm and short of breath so he went back. They gave him some stronger antibiotics and some steroids. He seemed much better when on these but has been finished them for 2 days and is very short of breath again.

He does have quite bad asthma but is short of breath walking up the stairs or even playing with dd. Does anyone have any ideas what this could be?

My Dad suffered from chest infections and shortness of breath for a few months. He is a smoker and has been for years. He was diagnosed with emphsema.

May be worth checking this out

Probably has an exacerbation of his asthma brought on by a chest infection. It can take ages to get back to normal.

He needs to see his asthma nurse - he probably needs his asthma therapy ramping up until his chest is better.

In the meantime tell him to take his salbutamol inhaler every 4 hours when awake and to take up to 10 puffs each time, preferably via a spacer.

Thanks for your reply dietqueen. Dh doesnt smoke but asthma and ephesema does run in his family. He wroks outdoors all day so have been hoping it might just be the cold weather but dont think it can be that to be this short of breath. Do you think it is worth him asking for a chest x ray? Or maybe he needs a change in medication for his asthma

Thanks Sidge i hope it is just his asthma, have scared myself a bit by googling. Is it ok to take salbutomal 10 puffs at a time?

I am having a c-section on Wednesday so he doesnt want to go the gp tomorrow in case they keep him in or something, but i will book him an appt with gp and asthma nurse for Thursday. He was ok when he was on the steroids last week so maybe he needs another course of them

It's fine to take 10 puffs and is now recommended for when your chest is bad ie during a cold or exacerbation.

I normally recommend taking 2, then if no better in 5-10 minutes take another 2, and so on up to 10 puffs. If no relief at all from 10 puffs then need to seek medical help.

Hope your section goes well