Fetch Wheezers

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BarefootEm Sep 2020 10:32pm, 13 Sep 2020 1,568 posts	0 BarefootEm Couldn't find anything recent on the forum about asthma, or specifically for those of us the wheeze... How is everyone at the moment? I'm struggling, and have been for about a week, just wondered if others were relying on the blue inhaler as much, if it's a weather thing or the like?
fetcheveryone Sep 2020 10:48am, 14 Sep 2020 24,666 posts	0 fetcheveryone An almost-former blue inhaler user here. I started using one in about 2007, after finding my chest a bit wheezy after a lot of my runs. Habitually took two puffs before each run for the next 11 years; and then thanks to a misplaced inhaler, I stopped using it before running. I think I've had maybe one hit off it this year, when my hayfever was bad. There are a bunch of threads that maybe might be ideal for waking up: fetcheveryone.com/search.php?search=asthma&area=threads
BarefootEm Sep 2020 2:22pm, 14 Sep 2020 1,575 posts	0 BarefootEm Yes, I thought I was off the list a couple of years ago after getting my GP to have it removed from my record for military medical purposes, as I had been fine for so long... But something's not been right the last few weeks, very strange! I'll go take a look at those other threads, I did do a search, but they all seemed so old I thought I'd leave them be... maybe I'll try prodding one or two...
bish Sep 2020 3:14pm, 14 Sep 2020 120 posts	0 bish Yes, two goes on the blue inhaler before every run for me. I have been experimenting with not taking it before shorter and/ or slower runs - not sure if I can tell the difference.
HappyG(rrr) Sep 2020 10:57am, 17 Sep 2020 35,975 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) Yay, it's the asthma thread! Right, I never thought I had asthma. I've always had allergies (summer and winter, up and down, no idea what all the triggers are - symptoms streaming eyes, sneezing, itchy skin, but not usually coughing, except if it's from snotty nose.) I had already for a few months been taking my allergy pills again. Much reduced sneezing, itchiness. But still the cough. Last summer I was coughing and it got to the point of keeping me awake at night. And got very out of breath with it. Keeping missus awake was no longer acceptable (!) so went to doc. She said probably just from the runny nose due to allergies, but can give you an inhaler (symptomatic) and I could get further tests if I wanted she said, but see if it helps. It did. , but didn't bother with further tests. Still didn't think it was asthma. Mid lockdown (April?) practice nurse (asthma specialist?) called me. How was I getting on? Oh, right. Blue inhaler helps when I need it. No coughing at night now. Remaining symptom is still a bit shallow / restricted breathing towards end of the day or while running. How often do you use blue inhaler - night before bed, in the night sometimes, before or during running and maybe one other time during the day. That's too much, she said. We should be able to do something better for you. So peak flow meter testing morning and night. Was at best 400 ish, sometimes low 300 (I believe this is pretty decent and not at all acute - is that the case?) So I was given a brown (preventative steroid) to take morning and night. Another couple months. Is it improving. No on measurements, but symptoms fine. No night cough, occasional wheeziness in day or when running. Not using blue too much. She said goal is to not use blue at all. Ah. So now on pink (combined blue and brown makes pink?!) morning and night. Relatively low dose I think. Another follow up, is it helping. To be honest, all still the same. So I don't know what to think. Medicines not helping massively. Main bad symptom (night time coughing and breathlessness) gone. Thank you NHS docs n nurses. But still (minor) wheezing during day and running. Not exactly serious or life impairing. But that's where I am. G
BarefootEm Sep 2020 11:11am, 17 Sep 2020 1,599 posts	0 BarefootEm I was diagnosed as a child, like many of my age group (I'm 43) and have carried a blue inhaler with me everywhere I go since I was about 10. However it hasn't really been a problem for me unless I have a cold or chest infection, then it would be bad. Brown inhalers, pink inhalers and steroids, most winters... and like Fetch, a couple of puffs on the blue one before any kind of activity, regardless of how I was feeling. A couple of years ago I switched squadrons with the air cadets to a flying school, and had to pass an RAF pilots medical. You can't do that with Asthma on your record... so I spoke to my then GP who confirmed I probably didn't have asthma at all, and wrote this on my file to clear me for flying duties! (Unfortunately been recently grounded due to migraines!) I stopped relying on the blue inhaler before I ran, and didn't see any drop in lung performance. I think for my age and height I should be blowing about 450 on a peak flow, and typically get closer to 550-600, so lung capacity is very good. I am not sure what they class as acute... I find allergies make the wheeze worse, dust, smoke and animal hair are the worse for me and some pollen's. I have also always found steam a great reliever for my wheezing. I hot shower, or even just running the hot tap in the sink for a while. and one time I was caught short without an inhaler someone suggested a strong coffee, apparently caffeine helps? a blue inhaler was located not long after the coffee appeared so I don't know if it would have worked!
Little Miss Happy Sep 2020 2:00pm, 19 Sep 2020 3,336 posts	0 Little Miss Happy Happy - I'd think that there should be a better combination of drugs for you. Em - no change in my asthma recently to answer your initial question. Have you tried an antihistamine to see if that makes a difference to your current symptoms?
Little Nemo Sep 2020 4:11pm, 19 Sep 2020 11,129 posts	0 Little Nemo I might join this thread if that's OK? I don't have asthma but following my possible Corona-19 infection in March I have developed a persistent cough. A phone appointment with the doctor diagnosed an allergic cough. I have mild hayfever every year and occasional eczema so he thought this was most likely. My triggers appear to be cigarette smoke and steam. I have a blue inhaler that I use 2 times a day, been on this since late May. It definitely helps and I notice if I don't use it for a couple of days my cough gets worse and I feel like my breathing isn't as easy as it normally is. It's not a bad cough, just a sort of throat clearing one that happens every few minutes. My inhaler is on repeat prescription but I guess I should really follow up with the doctor to see if this will be a permanent thing to take.
Little Miss Happy Sep 2020 5:21pm, 19 Sep 2020 3,337 posts	0 Little Miss Happy LN - it sounds as though you may need some kind of preventer inhaler rather than a reliever if symptoms worsen if you don't use it. There is probably an asthma nurse based at your practice who would be a good place to start.
BarefootEm Sep 2020 6:38pm, 24 Sep 2020 1,611 posts	0 BarefootEm Welcome Little Nemo Had an interesting trip to the GP on Monday, diagnosed Chest infection, nice rattle and crackle in about 80% of my left lung and maybe a little of my right one too, but only maybe. Still managed to blow 450 on the peak flow which confused her, she saw the word asthma on my notes and wouldn't hear otherwise. Even with that result. facepalm So she's sent me away with a peak flow thingy, and when I am well enough, I need to start recording it daily and make an appointment with the asthma nurse for a check up. Presumably so she can say, 'If you blow 450 with a chest infection, and 550-600 normally, you probably aren't asthmatic' - but i will jump through the hoops! Again.