can someone explain what asthma actually feels like

[alypaly]

have had a non productive intermittent really tickly cough since november. My chest feels as if im breathing through cotton wool or dust. Once i start coughing i dont seem to be able to stop. I feel as if im trying to stifle the next cough so it doesnt trigger off another coughing fit.it is worse when i lie down. Am i describing asthma?

Anyone have similar.......as i am really panicky tonight and i know that will make it worse.

It can't be slower than mine chixinthestix surely! (also in the sticks)

900kbps tonight - actually not bad for us!

how do you know you dont snore...if your nose is bunged up...where do you breathe from

500 kbps here maximum. Costs £25 a month.

Perhaps DH has been too scared polite to mention it.

does asthma cause you to have a sore feeling in the centre of your chest

Hmm, not sure. My asthma's pretty mild and easily controlled. I have to say your description also doesn't sound unlike a panic attack. Do you feel like your throat is closing up on you when you breathe out?

Seem to remember more in midlle of back and achey ribcage. Could be all the coughing making muscles in your chest hurt?

no my throat is fine. I have had panic attacks in the past with depression and they felt nothing like this. As you said ,my throat used to feel tight and my plse used to race. My pulse is 48 right now so i know its not a panic attack but the breathing thing is making me worry as 5 months is a long time. Worrying that it is something more serious i guess

Go to the doctors alypaly. As you say, something's not right. If it is asthma they'll sort you out.

And ring NHS24/Direct if you're really concerned tonight.

thanks,am going to try and get some sleep now as long as chest doesnt tighten up when i lie down.
Night

Must go to bed - dcs will be up in a few hrs - but try not to worry aly, after 5 months a day or 2 more before you see GP again won't make any difference and the important thing is that you are seeing GP again soon. Its easy to google yourself into a panic at this time of night, have done it myself, but it may all seem different in the morning.

My father developed asthma in his late 50s/early 60s so not unheard of. I was 22 before mine was diagnosed after suffering several years of wheezy chests - particularly at night.

Definitely go back to the GP as you're still worried. You may need different inhalers or some steroids to help things along.

had a really bad day today.....have had two sprays of my beclomethasone and 8 ventolin today. My ears are ringing and i have got awful pain in my heart area. i feel as if someone has kicked my heart all day and night. DS1 has just taken my blood pressure and it is really high.....178/77 and pulse of 68. My normal is 125/65 with a pulse of 45. dont feel well at all. my heart is all irregular. i dont think the ventolin is agreeing with me,but if i stop it my chest gets even worse. help

Sorry you're not having a good day. Just seen you're on inhaled steroids already. I think my father has this when he's had an acute attack (he's not very good at controlling his asthma with his preventative inhaler). I've just read up on it and it says that although it can start to work within 2 or 3 days it can take up to 2 or 3 weeks to have an effect (am I right in thinking you were a pharmacist - if so, you'll probably already know that).

I don't know much about blood pressure but as you're so worried, can you ring NHS Direct for advice or do you have a walk-in centre you could get to? If not, definitely go back to the GP tomorrow.

thanks all.......ended up at walk in GP at 1am with awful chest pain......gp thought i either had a collapsed lung at the top or pericarditis. Sent me straight to hospital. Consultant saw me this morning and reckons i have pericarditis which is why the inhalers arent working for me. Was asked to stay overnight and now i am home. They want to send me to another consultant for more tests as they reckon its somthing to do with parvo virus