Walking with Asthma

No advice re asthma, but best wishes on your recovery. Even if you're a property owning toff.

It's soul destroying not being able to do what you want to do. If it's any comfort, i know asthmatics who do sub 3 marathons.

Sounds like you need to control it with a preventer, as GOF said - I have flixotide which works in about 3-5 days although I can bump it up quicker by taking a load of extra puffs! Ventolin should only be used as a rescue.

Also, exercise induced asthma may benefit from Singulair tablets which reduces the amount of mucus produced in the lungs due to irritants like pollen/dust/etc. 

Thanks for the input peeps,Asthma nurse on thursday.

Ahh Mike you really do care...

As others have said, sounds like you need a preventer.

 Ventolin, (Salbutamol), is to relieve/control attacks.

 I have both a preventer and a reliever, preventer is Seretide, two reliever drugs in one, (fluctiasone propionate/salmeterol xinafoate). Usually taken morning and night. I can take midday if exercising all day. Hillwalking,etc.

 The Salbutamol I take to relieve an attack or take 10min. or so before hard exercise, during exercise if I get "weezy" breathless, up to a max. of 8 times a day. If I have to use more than that, I see my 'Asthma Nurse', she decides if to increase dosage of inhaler or if I can take more.

 I also see her every 6 months for a check up, or ASA if I need too, having attacks, etc.

 Unlike in the past, Asthma can be well controlled with the drugs now available.

 I am no 'athelete' these days, to old, but I've not had an Asthma attack in years, (unless I get the 'flu).

 I've managed to get to high altitude also, (4500m), so if you get the right treatment, there's nothing to stop you doing what you want.

Never seem to have conquered my Asthma to get well controlled for any length of time,better for a while then rubbish again.Cannot  get up any steep hill.

On 4 puffs of serentine preventer a day and reliever when needed.Been put on a course of steroid tabs today as breathing is rubbish again.

Asthma is one of those conditions where no one is sure what will work or not work till it is tried out. 

Point in case - we have had a lodger for 6 months and only when she was leaving did we discover she is an asthmatic and on the same treatment as SWMBO.  What is the difference between the lodger and SWMBO - about 30 years.

Likewise, have you been able to identify any kind of triggers?

Julian, If it was me I'd ask to see whoever manages your Asthma.

It could be you need a higher 'dosage' of preventer, or 'reliever', or both.

I visit the Asthma Clinic every 6mths, the surgery call you in to check how you are managing. If it gets worse, I can ring and get an appointment in between, most times the next day. I always get a 'booklet' on what I have to do to manage at the present and what do do if I have an "attack".

 If I do have an attack, or get worse, I get in touch with surgery ASAP. Even if I don't manage too see them that day, they will give advice over the phone, or tell me to get to A&E if that bad.

Husky,seeing the Asthma nurse the end of the month,had to book a month in advance,anything urgent I'm told to see the doctor.She did say last time if this didn't work she would send me for a hospital appointment.

As for triggers ive had to cut out wine almost totally (disaster)   cutting the grass leads to problems in the evening but apart from that have found nothing.It does seem to pretty much go when I'm away on holidays.Maybe cleaner air(?) and getting de-stressed?

Julian, do you have a pet? They can give lots of asthmatics problems, usually from 'dander', (small flakes of skin). My asthma gets worse if I'm around cats or birds for a long period. Luckly, (given my job), dogs are OK.

Another thing I can't be around for too long, are air fresheners, either plug in type or areosol ones. Pollen from Cherry trees in spring also is a 'trigger' for me and I've to up my meds for that time.

Sometime you stumble upon a trigger in the most unexpected way.

 No pets but surrounded by horses on 3 sides,usually one or two with there head over the fence looking for an apple or carrots from my horse obsessed daughter.I do stay away from the stables as it triggers watering itchy eyes.

Dr reckons it may be pollen related.These steroid pills have worked wonders at the moment.I feel well,first time for ages.

Not sure what Beth means about side affects ? Taking the 'micky' about steroids? Prednisolone isn't an 'anabolic steroid' like 'body builders', etc. take. If I get a 'bad chest', say a cold, I also take that, 8 per day.

 If it's only Spring to Autumn you get symptoms, it may well be pollen that's a cause, but as you say being in the stables near the horses, causes problems. I'm inclined to think it may be more than just pollen. If I'm around pet birds or cats that is the first symptoms I get, if I stay to long after that I know I'll have an attack, or need to use preventer.

Re. antihistamines, that maybe a good idea, you can get them in tablet or inhaler form.

 I hope you get it controlled, If not I'd ask to see another Dr. for a second openion.

I had to as the first one I saw, couldn't get my asthma controlled. The other, younger Dr was more informed and knew more.

All intresting...put on lotradine antihistimine last week.