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Struggling to breath but no history of asthma. Is this the beginning?

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iamjody
iamjody

Hello everybody,

I am a 33 year old woman and I have had a chest infection for 2 weeks, on antibiotics...

My breathing was a little troublesome, which was normal for a chest infection, but over the last couple of days my breathing has become so very difficult I have been to casualty twice...

If I sit still and don't move or talk I am fine, but if I walk across the room, or try to have a conversation is such very hard hard work, I have to sit down panting away with my heart racing until I can catch my breath.  I was prescribed a Salbutamol inhaler which helps but only for a very short time, I am exceeding 30 puffs a day which is making me feel wooozzzy.  I was given 40mg of Prednisolone this morning and was wondering how long it takes to kick in??  I can't face another sleepness night wondering if I should call and ambulance or struggle on for a bit longer...

Is this the start of a lifetime of asthma for me, as it seems like a curse.  I do not smoke and i am slightly overweight.  The breathing is difficult blowing out as opposed to breathing in, like it is stuck in my lower throat.  My SATS were fine in hospital 95% o2 so wasn't having an 'attack' but it is so new to me.  Is it possible to have asthma temporarily?? Please help! sad

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Dondons3
    Dondons3 iamjody

    Posted

    Hi, I think the steroids kick in pretty fast but if you're struggling don't put it off, I used to do that a lot, felt like was being a pest for calling an ambulance but the longer you leave it the more likely it is to get worse.

    Hope you feel better soon x

    • iamjody
      iamjody Dondons3

      Posted

      Thank you for your advice.. I'm ok now!!! x
  • iamjody
    iamjody

    Posted

    Well, 12 hours after I took the 40mg of Prednisolone, they had started working!!!!!

    Just in time for bed!!!!

    What a relief to be able to lie down and not fighting for air anymore.  Will continue the course for the other 4 days.  I wish the hospital had given me these the first time I went in, i suppose they thought the antibiotics would work... anybody in my situation, needing help to breath and salbutamol not working (though not quite full-on asthma attack) - go straight for the hard stuff, they are magic!!

    I hope this was a one off event, and do not have full-time ashma....??

    Going to boost my fitness and lose a bit of weight just in case!

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