First time using an inhaler. Need advice.

Hi Kaitlyn, I've been asthmatic all of my life but I would request a spacer device first and it's called volumatic or an aero chamber. It means you slowly inhale and hold your breath for 10 seconds.

You will normally need a steroid inhaler caller a preventor and there are so many, in so many strengths and after 55 years I'm still struggling to find one to suit me but I'm chronic unstable.

If your chest still feels tight ask about preventor and to see an asthma nurse who are specialised in this area. They would do peak flow which measures how hard you blow out through a tube.

A good starting point is reading asthma UK and gain information to prepare you to all the right questions. I'm not sure if you're in the UK but they have asthma nurses online you can telephone. Good luck and others will probably answer.

That's sound advice from Lynn. Get as much info as you can - this website, nhs websites, asthma UK etc - forewarned is forarmed as they say. I too agree you should see your asthma nurse. If you ring your surgery & tell them your an asthmatic havibg chest probs they'll get you in quickly. Not wanting to sound dramatic the sooner you are on the right course I treatment the better managed the condition is.

I had asthma as a child, got lazy & stopped using my inhalers telling people I'd grown out of it. A few years ago after constant chest infections I was told that you don't actually 'grow out if it' as so many people think you can & I should have kept Tami the meds - if I had maybe I wouldn't have been suffering as much then. I was given clenil modulite which was fine until a few months ago & just isnt doing the job. I've switched to sirdupla & have also started on montelukast as I'm really suffering. Mine us not well managed at present & hayfever season is almost upon us which affects my asthma greatly - I've already started antihistamines to combat it as its a trigger of mine.

Over time you will learn what triggers your symptoms & you can learn to manage the condition but it takes time & you will develop a relationship with your asthma nurse which will see you through. Good luck but its not as scary as it seems at first x

Those are great tips. You never grow out of asthma. Staying away from triggers can also help but you still need the right medication. Air pollens, smoke, and many environmental triggers could also be around. You could even need to be allergy tested. Hope this adds to theirs and helps.