Asthma attack!!

[downfader]

I set off early this morning at about 6.25am intending on exploring a little but as I got to the top of Abbey Hill I couldnt breath. I had initially just thought I was out of breath, but by the top my lungs kind of closed up. I stopped went through the bag but realised - no inhaler!

I'd left it at home after changing bags yesterday.

So I struggle home the 3 miles, park the bike up around the back and run in to grab the inhaler. Releif. I've felt pretty bad and wheezy all day now, though. Tree pollen is trying to kill me.

Anyone here using masks to counter the pollen? Do they work, I wonder..? If I can stop it triggering the asthma so much the better until the pollen dies back down (and then we have the fungal spores of autumn that also set me off)

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

I always take 2 puffs of the ventolin before I set off every morning, since I have been doing that its been fine...

 

[downfader]

I always take 2 puffs of the ventolin before I set off every morning, since I have been doing that its been fine...

I tend to prefer to save it until I need it. Usually I'm fine.

 

[Tommi]

I used to have pretty bad reaction to pollen, including asthma attacks at times, and I had the works to take daily - antihistamine, eye drops, nose spray and inhaler. Over the years I noticed I just didn't need the drugs as often, or maybe I had decided to take them less to give immune system some exercise, and today I'm not taking anything. There are some times my eyes itch or I run a little out of breath that feels consistent with asthma, but nothing that would be more than minor annoyance. I don't know if taking less drugs helped, maybe I just got old.

 

[661-Pete]

Sorry to hear that Downfader, but at least you got home OK. You'll probably double-check your inhaler from now on, and don't ever leave home without it! And don't get caught out with an empty inhaler! (I believe a worthwhile dodge is to weigh it and compare the weight with one known to be empty). Do you take any steroid preventers like Clenil?

I have been on first Beclazone then Clenil for a couple of years now, although the asthma only really started up for me in my 50s. Luckily for me I hardly ever have an attack and I don't need to carry salbutamol around all the time (though I do if I'm going to be out for any length of time). My wife also used to suffer, for a much longer period than I, she takes Qvar and also it seems to eliminate the need for ventolin.

In the days before I was on the Clenil, I used to take a puff of ventolin at the start of a - say - 8-mile lunchtime spin, and then another puff half way around at the top of a short hill. This used to see me through.

But everyone is different though. I knew a chap who died of an asthma attack. But no reason to get scared: this is very rare.

 

[downfader]

I used to have pretty bad reaction to pollen, including asthma attacks at times, and I had the works to take daily - antihistamine, eye drops, nose spray and inhaler. Over the years I noticed I just didn't need the drugs as often, or maybe I had decided to take them less to give immune system some exercise, and today I'm not taking anything. There are some times my eyes itch or I run a little out of breath that feels consistent with asthma, but nothing that would be more than minor annoyance. I don't know if taking less drugs helped, maybe I just got old.

My GP's surgery I saw a specialist last year. He said good exercise will strengthen the muscles and counter the asthma. Trouble is I do plenty - 12 miles min in the morning and 6 on the way home, plus weights usually 3 times a week. I also do a physical job. I still get the asthma attacks every now and then

 

[Holdsworth]

Not a nice experience, especially so since you left your inhaler at home. I have my own problems with exercise induced asthma which did and still does me in every now and again. I haven't had as much trouble since I was prescribed a preventative inhaler as well to take twice a day. I still get out of breath if I push it, encounter a headwind or go up a gentle slope but I am not having to keel over at the side of the road to take a reliever like I used to. The ventolin still comes along with me though just in case as I had an attack back in January, didn't realise at the time, and it felt terrible!!!

 

[downfader]

I havent taken the preventative inhalers since a child (the old brown one, dont even remember what the medication was). I should have clicked that the tree pollen would be coming up, warm weather, time of year etc.

Going around the doctors tomorrow to see if I can get a prescription sorted. They got a bit fussy with me last time I went and I dont think they gave me a repeat...

 

[XmisterIS]

I take Simbicort once in the morning. Much better than the brown inhaler and I hardly ever get asthma now.

 

[Flyingfox]

II'd left it at home after changing bags yesterday.

Maybe you should do what I do and get a couple of inhalers - I always keep one in my backpack and one in my handbag, that way I'm never without.

 

[Kestevan]

I have inhalers secreted in various places round the house, one in the drawer at work, one in the saddle pack etc.

I never have an attack.... unless I've somehow managed to avoid all the above places and found myself miles from an inhaler... queue instant asthma.

Sods law init

 

[downfader]

Maybe you should do what I do and get a couple of inhalers - I always keep one in my backpack and one in my handbag, that way I'm never without.

That was the usual practice.

How are your Docs about multiples? Mine gets a***ey. I asked twice for them to put 2 on the repeat but they wont.

Yeah Kestevan, sods law is about right!! Today has been great though. Chest is fine, I'm a bit tired from yesterday so have taken it easy. Hoping to get around the quacks sometime this week

 

[661-Pete]

How are your Docs about multiples? Mine gets a***ey. I asked twice for them to put 2 on the repeat but they wont.

I'm surprised to hear that. Maybe all practices are different. Ours runs a regular asthma clinic - usually you're seen by the specialist nurse, who often knows a lot more about inhalers than your GP. I have one salbutamol on my repeat - my doc insisted on including it - but I rarely ever call up for it, been over a year since the last one.

Moreover, about two years ago before I was on the preventer, I got caught out one bank holiday weekend and had to call for an emergency prescription from another practice. No problems there. But they did write to my normal GP and I was summoned to the asthma clinic.

What's wrong with using the repeat to get one, then a few weeks later repeating the exercise? Or will they get stroppy about your apparently 'using one up' too quickly?

Methinks this thread ought to be moved to the Health & Fitness forum, perhaps.