Possible asthma???

Hello from one Beth to another Beth

I am 43 years old .I had childhood asthma that went away and came back approximately 20 years ago following a bad chest infection.

initially my asthma in adulthood didn't pose a lot of problems. I could do most things I did before (exercise, dancing etc ) I also used to socialise on a weekly basis on the pub/club circuit (more money days and pre marriage and kids). this was prior to the smoking ban and back then cigarette smoke never flared up my asthma . the only real time I had a problem was when I had a chest infection as this would flare up things and occasionally I would need steroids and or antibiotics. back then I never took my preventative inhaler religiously (thinking I never needed it) and I now totally regret that.

i would say my asthma has probably deteriorated about the last 12 years or so .again the asthma seems to be worse after a cold or chest infection which are far more frequent than before . I reckon I am on steroids and antibiotics at least 4 times a year. Unfortunately the 5 day of 40 mg steroid is never a long enough dose and it usually takes a 10 day steroid course to settle stuff down.

I now suffer from a post nasal drip (diagnosed about 6 years ago) and rhinitis .Unfortunately the ENT specialist said I'm not a candidate for surgery with my rhinitis. I do feel sometimes that it's the nasal drip and rhinitis that are the main cause of my daily cough .I cough so much that im often unaware of it . I believe that central heating can exacerbate my asthma and cigarette smoke from others most definitely makes my asthma symptoms worse .

I lost my mum last year. she suffered chronic lung problems for approx 46 years and for that last 9 years or so she wore round the clock oxygen. funnily enough out of mums 4 lung conditions asthma was never diagnosed albeit from chatting to one of her consultants they said a patient can develop asthma at any age. What I would say is that when mum would end up hospitalised and very ill, i would run on automatic pilot, making sure I visited mum for hours daily, still working and looking after my kids. i remember there was many a time that mum would be discharged and "recovered" as best as possible then at such times my asthma symptoms would kick in . I definitely believe stress and anxiety is a factor in my asthma symptoms. I am quite an anxious person by nature so it's a hard thing to control. I was nearly hospitalised on my daughter's birthday in June but eventually the nebulizer at the hospital did the trick and discharged me. sometimes such nebulizer help, other times not so much .when attending A and E that time the medical staff suggested I started yoga to help with my breathing . i do intend to get organised and start it (soon) I haven't exercised much in recent years. I know exercise suppose to help asthmatics but I usual end up with exercise induced asthma symptoms.

You mention that you may have been getting bouts of pneumonia or bronchitis . can I ask if this has been formally diagnosed.? I had it pneumonia 2 and a half years ago and was hospitalised albeit for only one night (some Mothers day that was) I was exhausted for a very long time afterwards, for several months and well after the meds finished. I was off work sick approx 6 weeks. My poor mum had very sever broncho pneumonia on at least 5 occasions that we know of. she would need a couple of weeks hospitalization and the strongest antibiotics as an IV treatment for the duration of her stay. mums pneumonia was about as severe as you can get but even mine with only oral antibiotics and a one night admission left me washed out for months .

I'm not overweight but feel when I do gain a few pounds it can impact on my breathing so I can appreciate what you are saying with regards to weight loss and exercise. it's very difficult when you want to do it all but when activity can potentially exacerbate your condition.

can I ask if you have been given any steroids or saline nasal spray as a treatment for the nasal drip symptoms ? j can get really bad sinus infections and I've got to stick to the sprays religiously as the nasal passages blocked can defo labour my breathing. ironically when at the hospital out patient my pulmonary function tests indicate my lungs are performing at 128% .very strange when you are feeling very low with your breathing at times.

please try not to be frightened of the asthma. easy to say I know just remember many of us on this forum have led normal full lives whilst living with asthma

It's better to get the checks done to find out for sure and get the right treatment if needed .I'm now on a preventative inhaler called symbocort and a nightly asthma tablet called mongelukast. I only use the blue salbutamol when needed . sorry for all the info but just wanted to give you the full picture. take care