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Progression of severity, what would be next?

Posted , 3 users are following.

AnonG
AnonG

To shine some light on my background relating to my asthma: I'm almost 18, this was going to be my final school year but my asthma has taken 10+ weeks out of my attendance, so I'm in school next year as my final year. My athsma was fairly mild most of my life and began progressing early 2016, where I was given seretide as a preventer. Now, in 2017 I've had 5 hospitalisations and 2 ICU admissions where I've required non-invasive mechanical ventilation, this was given through bipap and high-flow nasal prongs. 

I didn't think it could really go much worse than that. But I always relatively had great oxygen diffusion in my lungs no matter how bad my attacks were, my oxygen simply NEVER dropped below 90. The lowest I had ever seen it was at 90. 

Yet in my most recent hospitalisation, I was having only a mild/moderate attack, I could talk about 4 words at a time and didn't feel too panicked. Although my oxygen was at 79. I was fairly lightheaded and felt almost 'detached' from the situation. I was given oxygen and when my oxygen became relatively stable I was admitted overnight for observation.

I'm currently taking:

•Symbicort 200/6 (2 puffs twice a day)

•Spiriva (2 puffs in the morning)

•Montelukast (10mg daily)

•Prednisolone (10mg daily)

•Salbutamol (as required)

I've also had to purchase a nebuliser as I find salbutamol and ipratropium treatments through a nebuliser are FAR more beneficial in controlling my asthma than a puffer and spacer (yes, despite evidence suggesting there should be no difference).

My asthma is classed as brittle, and my condition can quickly deteriorate without immediate treatment. 

Now that I've got this added problem where my oxygen fluctuates incredible amounts (I may be at 84 before a neb, 100 afterwards, spend the whole day being at 100. Then the next day it may be all over the place, changing often with or without asthma symptoms and treatment). I don't know what to expect from the doctors or specialist next. Only 6 months ago I never thought I'd ever be on prednisolone daily, let alone any other problem. 

Is there anyone here who could possibly predict what might be the doctor/specialists next step regarding such variation in my oxygen as only a more recent problem? I don't mind if it's a rough guess and you're not 100% sure, I won't hold anyone to anything they say haha, after all, treatment differs so much from person-to-person. 

Any comment are absolutely greatly appreciated!!

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Aschm32186
    Aschm32186 AnonG

    Posted

    Am not sure t about some of the medicine you are on. But I know my o2 level would get low even when I didn't feel bad like 91 or 92. I found myself shallow breathing so started to watch my breathing and also joined a gym and started to work out slowing and before you know it started to get better o2 readings hope that helped some.

    • AnonG
      AnonG Aschm32186

      Posted

      Thanks for your response! I've recently joined a gym too and now I'm slowly working up my aerobic fitness, so hopefully that will eventually start helping. I've heard countless times that apparently swimming is incredibly beneficial for asthmatics.

      I used to shallow breathe as well, I didn't even realise occasionally I used to hold my breath every so often.

  • green881
    green881 AnonG

    Posted

    Sorry, I'm not aware there is any "progression" for asthma it's hard to predict in general much less for brittle asthma.  Wish we knew more.  Wish we could do something for you.

    All I can say is you have to keep at it.  Keep trying different medications and work on environmental factors, general health, trigger reduction, nutrition, stress reduction.  I know you've heard it all before, but I think that's all there is.  :-(

    • AnonG
      AnonG green881

      Posted

      Thank you for responding! I knew when I posted this, it was almost a very ambiguous question because of all the possibilities.  Lately I have been working on nutrition and physical activity side of things to get myself sorted in all aspects rather than just through medication. Hopefully my body will start adapting to these changes I'm making and things will start heading in a better direction. Again, thank you for the response.

    • green881
      green881 AnonG

      Posted

      The best exercise the one you actually will do, long term.  If you really love swimming then go for it, but elliptical machine, running, cycling, etc are also just as good.  Throw in some core a couple of times a week to keep you all round fit.
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