Welcome to the latest research blog from The Patient Connection. The purpose of this page is to provide a space for asthmatics to tell their stories about treatment of asthma through the use of inhalers to provide bronchodilators for short term relief.
Typically this does apply to asthmatics but people with other conditions may also use the inhalers. If this is you we would love to hear your comments as well.

The kinds of things we are interested in especially are:-
- How were you diagnosed with asthma? Have you previously been diagnosed with other conditions for the symptoms of asthma? What would normally trigger an attack?
- How were you taught to use the inhalers? Who provided the training? Do you feel that this was enough for you?
- Have you used an asthma spacer? If so was this an improvement over just the inhalers?
Is there any advice you would like to give to healthcare providers regarding the provision of education about this and other related conditions.
Thanks for your participation which is very much appreciated. It will be used to help frame a research study into the use of inhalers later in the year.
If you have any queries about the study please feel free to get in touch with me.

Best wishes

Belinda

Please click here to leave a comment

Belinda | 10/04/2007 10:27:00

Just to let you know that all your comments are confidential. Just select a aname and nickname and type in your story. If you have any questions for other respondents please do not nestiate to ask.

angela o'shea | 10/04/2007 11:11:00

i was told i had asthma after giving up smoking for 12 years then due to a sudden death in the family i took smoking back up again after 3 months i stated to cough went to my gp and was told i had asthma i was shown how to use but i have never use a spacer

gemini | 10/04/2007 11:15:00

I have been taught to use both inhalers by my Doctor & also have regular asthma reviews.This is the highland health board (skye). A tip when you don't have an inhaler is a very strong cup of coffee to relax the airways.

Kate | 10/04/2007 11:21:00

I gave up smoking 10 years ago and became asthmatic within 6 months. This was quite severe for the first 2 years but has gradually got much better and I only rarely need to use my blue inhaler!

susan | 10/04/2007 11:23:00

I have used inhalers for abot 20 years, some days i feel great but there are days when the inhalers dont seem to be helping

Please click here to leave a comment

bluebuddhist | 10/04/2007 12:00:00

I first became asthmatic around the age of twelve. At that time inhalers were not in use, and I was prescribed a variety of linctus and other liquid medicine which had very little beneficial effect. I was first prescribed an inhaler by a newly qualified GP at the age of about 14. The effect was immediate and startling. I felt as tough a millstone had been removed from my neck, and was able to fully participate in sports again. I still have both blue and brown inhalers at hand but rarely have cause to use the blue these days, touch wood. When I do, it is usually because I have been dusting, sweeping etc, without facial protection. Beware of the strong adhesives and glues used when fitting cork tiles etc. The fumes from these solvents caused my last bad attack.


Michelle | 10/04/2007 12:02:00

i had asthma as a child and seemed to out grow it even though i smoked, i gave up smoking and still had few problems and it was only when i took my young son to an asthma review that i was re-diagnosed with it, i had a cold and it triggered an asthma attack, i was told to use the brown inhaler twice daily and the blue whenever necessary, i have regular asthma reviews at my local health centre and they check i am using the inhalers correctly and also they ask questions about how the asthma is, i very rarely use my inhalers now as i seem to have it under control now

Joy | 10/04/2007 12:04:00

I had been treated for chest infections for many years. Each time I had a slight cold it would develop into a chest infection, so I was told. I would have trouble catching my breath, combined with really bad coughing attacks. These coughing bouts would be unproductive and I could not clear my airways. I would be light headed and on the verge of fainting on many occasions. I also used to loose bladder control. On one particular visit to the doctors I had a coughing attack in the surgery. The coughing lasted for ages or so it seemed, I had trouble catching my breathe and was perspiring heavily. At the end of the attack I was exhausted but in a way it was a good thing as the doctor saw first hand what I found difficult to explain. When I had calmed and my breathing regulated, my doctor decided to test me for asthma. When I blew into the tubes my readings were between 225 and 275, not at all good. I had to collect my prescription and then go back to the surgery. When I returned I had been given 3 inhalers (preventers and reliever), a handbag sized spacer and a peak-flow meter. I had to check my peak flow 3 times a day, for a month and keep a record on the chart supplied. I had to go back to my doctor weekly for that first month. I now have 6 monthly checks and my initial medication has been changed on a few occasions.

Adam | 10/04/2007 12:05:00

There does sem to be a connection between giving up smoking and getting asthma. I started having attacks on giving up. Is this unusual?

Please click here to leave a comment

James | 10/04/2007 12:10:00

I have been astmatic all my life. When inhalers were introduced they were a godsend. The first ones were quite dangerous but once salbutmol was introduced it has been great. I now use ventolin occasionally, serevent twicw a day with flixotide 250mg. Regarding smoking, I smoked for a long period but gave up 10 years ago with only an improvement in my breathing. I am now 60 and enjoy my life more than ever thanks to modern medication.

Phil | 10/04/2007 12:11:00

I was told I had Asthma some years ago I have been shown how to use inhalers but could not manage to do it properly so have to use a Spacer I find I only get a tight feeling in a dusty atmosphere and in the past few years I have become a professional singer I have to do vocal exercise and warm ups everyday a few times per day this involves the breathing and stretches I have found my Asthma has improved greatly and hardly ever need to use the inhalers which i was not using properly anyway

jean cross | 10/04/2007 12:38:00

asthma was in my family but I didn't develope it until I was 41.I was put on to a nebuliserfist as my attack was bad . I was given Salbutomol and becotide but fin that the new cfc freeinhalers do not seem to work as well does anyone else find this I also was visiting my gp one day who said I sounded wheezey and gave me atrovent .At no time have I ever been shown how to use them and at my review I never get checked on peak flow meter I feel our practice isn't hot on asthma

Lindsay | 10/04/2007 13:03:00

I was diagnosed with asthma at the age of 21 after a childhood with a night time cough. I was shown how to use the inhalers but find that a sudden breath in to take them triggers a coughing fit so was given a spacer.This helps but is too bulky to carry around with me. On one occasion in an emergercy i used my daughter's 'easi-breathe' inhaler and found this much easier as you can breathe in more slowly, but have been told by the GP these are only available for children.

Jennafei | 10/04/2007 13:05:00

I had been a sufferer of bronchitis so many times, especially during the spring. My Asthma is allergy-related as what teh doctor says. I did use to be a smoker, but I was only a smoker for five years total. (With some months and weeks of breaks in between.) I was not shown how to use it. I was 'told'. No demonstration of any kind. The doctor prescribed me an inhaler. When that was expired (This was five years ago), I was told to try the OTC to see if it'd help should I need something in the future. Lately as the pollen has gotten worse, I've now used it three times during this spring season. However, the OTC works just fine. I'd have a coughing fit where I could not stop and it hurts my lungs to breathe; they were sore. I do my breathing exercise daily. (Taking a deep breath as I could, holding it and exhaling slowly.) I've never been checked on the peak flow meter. I guess you could say I'm a seasonal asthmatic person with severe allergies to pollen as of late. :)

Please click here to leave a comment

Sara W | 10/04/2007 13:09:00

I was diagnosed with brittle asthma in December 06. I have had mild asthma since I was 18 mths old and then when I turned 14 my asthma took a nose dive. I then caught pnuemonia in December and since then it has become brittle and unpredictable. I have been using inhalers for 18yrs. When I was younger my mum didn't understand that I needed to be given my preventer inhalers even when I was well and even then she didn't know how to get a 2yr old to take an inhaler. When things were bad and I was ill she would just spray the ventolin inhaler around me. We had no spacer, she didn't know what to do and I didn't start seeing an asthma nurse until I caught a nasty chest infection at age 6. I was then taught how and when to use my inhalers and was switched to breath actuated inhalers. At age 12 I was given a Serevent inhaler with a spacer. I was then given home nebulisers at age 16 and have been on them ever since. I don't really use a ventolin inhaler much now as I have home nebulisers but still do use a Seretide inhaler with a spacer.

danielle | 10/04/2007 13:24:00

i was diagnosed with asthma in the 6th grade. i was suffering from exercise, allergy & bronchitis induced asthma. my doc showed me how to use the inhaler. i feel it was sufficient i am 34 yrs old now. i have never used a spacer.

Myra | 10/04/2007 13:42:00

I used my inhaler but had palpitations after using it. I tried reflexology and it has been very beneficial.

kathy t. | 10/04/2007 14:10:00

i have used many inhalers over the years, and always have them on hand around the house in my bag by my bed.my asthma has improved over the years ,but i still like my "satety blanket"the blue ventolin is always with me for instant relief from a attack.then of course the aerobec forte (brown )spray for long term .i have got a new one the past 5year.sweet to take i have a sweet tooth so i love it ,name escaoes me at the mo. just ran out of that one.but the two main ones i use are the above mentioned. i have used these two for 30 yrs. now. i feel and know there work for me .and that is half of the remedy knowing that there work (for you)form oct every year withpout fail those persciptions are in for my sprays to take me safetly over the cold ,damp months ahead. then i nomally get two more over the next few months for the hot ar warmer weather. you see i am affected by too cold or damp ,and too warm .

Please click here to leave a comment

Lynda | 10/04/2007 14:34:00

Can anyone tell me what my peak flow should be? I test it every day with the meter I ve been given but not knowing what it should read, this seems a bit pointless. It reads between 350 and 420 usually. I am female, six foot tall and weigh around 12 stone. I use 4 puffs of reliever, morning and night and the blue inhaler I use when needed. Sometimes I use it before the brown to open the airways and make it easier to get the brown one in. My asthma is triggered by furry animals, cigarette smoke, grasses and pollens, some aerosols and cleaning fluids, air conditioning and, more unfortunately, white wine! I've had asthma for about 30 years. It affects the amount of physical activity I can do at times along with my speech which is breathy and shaky. I also suffer from depression but I don't think the two are related in any way. We have an excellent respiratory specialist nurse here in York at the Jorvik Medical Centre. Hope this helps our research.

kathleen from Sunderland tyne & wear | 10/04/2007 14:37:00

i was diagnosed six yr ago after suffering every winter with chronic bronchitis. I was shown how to use my inhalors, both preventor and releiver. Never had to use a spacer, my daughter does though. We have regular clinic visits where our medication is checked and have to keep records of our peak flow meter readings which we take with us. The clinic nurse is brill and can see when we are struggling and makes a dr appointment immediately for steroids or changes in inhalors.


Lynda | 10/04/2007 14:37:00

I forgot to say, yoga is excellent for relieving asthma and I have experienced complete relief from an attack by using techniques I have learned - more so than with inhalers. I also get palpitations from Ventolin, Myra. I'm told it's a completely normal side effect.

jen | 10/04/2007 14:52:00

I was diagnosed with asthma many years ago at Orpington hospital.I was approx 30 years old so that 22 years ago. It was there that I was first taught how to use inhalers.It was suggested that I take my blue inhaler with me at all times and this advice I have followed ever since.I am recalled to my surgery every year where my peak flow is recorded and my technique is checked, I can also ask any question I may have at this time and get up to date info on asthma management. I use Flixotide when necessary at present 2 puffs twice a day and Ventolin up to 4 times a day. Sometimes I only have to use ventoiln every day, although I find I have to use both when I have a cold or in the hayfever season. I suffer no side effects with my inhalers.I always use a small spacer to stop my voice getting husky. I find it also helps to rinse my mouth out on the odd occassions that I do not use my spacer.

Please click here to leave a comment

Jenny | 10/04/2007 14:57:00

I became asthmatic at age 18, just after meeting my future husband. I've always said I'm allergic to him! When I was first diagnosed, I was given tablets, which didn't help at all. Eventually I was given a blue inhaler, but was given no training in the use of it. I've got a spacer but rarely use it because it's so big to carry around. Not exactly something I can fit into a handbag! I find the spacer helpful for use with the beclometasone inhaler, as it lessens the effect on my throat. If I don't use it, my voice gets quite hoarse, and I get a sore throat. I was very interested to read about the new heat treatment being trialled at the moment. If that could lessen the need for inhalers, especially the steroid ones, it would be fantastic

cathy 10/04/2007 15.00 | 10/04/2007 15:02:00

I have suffered with asthma mostly since my teens usually bought on by stress but dust or straw make it worse i gave up smoking 4years ago and have found an inprovement i only have a blue inhaler but that works well both my sons are asthmatic as well

Samantha | 10/04/2007 16:08:00

I was diagnosed with asthma at age 5. I have used both 'blue' and 'brown' inhalers, althought have recently replaced brown with symbicort (red) after a particularly bad 'do' as I call them. I normally suffer in winter, colds go straight to my chest. My dad and brother both suffer with asthma. I feel that more emphasis could be given on routinely taking inhalers as I found getting into that quite difficult. I found it difficult as I had 5 asthma free years in my teens, and so did not need inhalers. Lynda, this website gives you the chart how to work out your predicted peak flow: http://www.peakflow.com/top_nav/normal_values/index.html Hope this helps x

Jane | 10/04/2007 16:44:00

I have been diagnosed with Asthma, although one doctor thought I had Emphysema. I find the inhalers I have don't really help and if I try to use the Peak Flow meters at my doctors' surgery I cough so much I end up being sick. I don't know at what point my bad, continual cough became asthma , but I was working handling fibres (telecoms industry) and my cough worsened at that time. It got so bad I had to leave work and I am troubled by coughing fits daily, to the point where I vomit. I don't know if other Asthma suffers have the same problem.

Please click here to leave a comment

Philip | 10/04/2007 16:50:00

I was diagnosed with asthma 10 years ago and use both the 'BLUE' and 'BROWN' inhalers daily.The doctor gave me a quick outline of what to do ,and I proceeded from there.It was only in the last few months that I was told that I should swill my mouth out after every session,and also swill the inhaler,because you can get thrush if you don't.


angie | 10/04/2007 17:03:00

I came back from Africa 2 years ago and had a bad cough, they told me it was asthma, I now take the blue inhaler as and when and also subutomal every night and morning, this is the one that gives you thrush in your mouth so its best to take it before cleaning your teeth. Not really told how to use inhalers - have peak flow readings and visits to specialist every 6 months, found after a ct scan that I have a tumour on my plura but thankfully it isnt malignant. Just get breathless if rushing around. Never had asthma before in my life and I am now in my fifties so it was a bit of a shock

helen | 10/04/2007 17:31:00

i was diagnosed with asthma at the age of 16,i had been to swimming pool and i felt very claustrophobic and felt my chest going very tight. the doctor said i had asthma symptoms since id been 2, but this experience must have trigged things off. i have regular check with the doc and attend asthma clinic every 6 months. recently the asthma seems to be getting better as im older and now how to control the situation when an attack occurs. i only use the inhaler and for a short while when i was diganosed used a spacer

Please click here to leave a comment

Maureen | 10/04/2007 17:57:00

After moving to Bournemouth 12 years ago from the Midlands, I was diagnosed with Asthma, after I developed Fibromyalgia, but found out I had actually been suffering with it for years and it was just treated as allergies. I was given 2 inhalers and my GP and the nurse told me how to use them. I was after a short time given a volumatic spacer, which I have found a tremendous help. My Asthma is now well controlled and I can now 90% of the time avoid the things that cause attacks. I attend the Asthma clinic every 6 months. My 7 year old Grandson, has suffered with Asthma and multiple Allergies, since he was about 18 months old and our GP and Hospital Consultant have been fantastic with him - although he has to have 3 inhalers (using them with spacers) and numerous medications, we have avoided hospitalisation for him, by following their expert advice, and he is now fairly well controlled, with improvement building daily. I cannot praise our GP and the Hospital Consultant enough for their help and support.

Myrtle | 10/04/2007 18:07:00

I was digagnosed as having asthma about 10 years ago. I had suffer from it for a number of years before it was diagnosed but when I moved house and changed doctors the first thing my new dictor did was sent me fior a chest Xray. Previously Ihad suffered from coughing attacks when I coughed until I was sick. I now attend the asthma clinic every six months and see the doctor every six months so my condition is checked every three months. I used a lue inhaler with a spacer as I have trouble breathing in when my chest is bad and also use a Spiria inhaler every morning which has made a huge difference to my breathing. I can't speak to hihly of both my doctor and the asthma nurse they have been a great help to me and I can live a normal kife now

tony | 10/04/2007 18:41:00

I'm the worst type of asthma patient!! I was diagnosed as a "late onset asthma sufferer just over 6 years ago, having originally been mis-diagnosed as suffering from bnonchiectasis.I had put up with bad chest infections for many years and during most winters was prescribed course after course of anti biotics.My asthma was finally diagnosed at UCH in London and I attend for regular bi-annual checks. My medication is Flixotide 500 & Oxis turbohaler 6 which I take twice daily. This seems to control symptoms adequately, but dosage has to be "tweeked" from time to time when experiencing bad patches. My problems arise whenever I catch colds; these always develop into chest infections and invariably I find that treatment with antibiotics is ineffective and under my GP's guidance I have to resort to prednisolone tablets. as a result of this I have problems with "thinning skin" & more recently thinning bones.The medication for the latter is more of a problem than anything else. I do not take note of my peak flow much to my doctors annoyance. I told him that I am not prepared to let the asthma take over my life and prefer to deal with any problem times as and when they arise. Am not looking forward to the onset of summer; I find that a warm moist climate does not agree with me; whenever possible I try to escape to dry climates for holidays. Best thing is that despite all the steroids, my weight has not varied in the past 6 years!!

Please click here to leave a comment

Rema | 10/04/2007 20:45:00

I had to change doctors to get a diagnosis! My grandparents and father was asthmatic and whilst I was pregnant was given an inhaler as I had a "cold" that would not go away. All of my children proved to be asthmatic and I learned to use an inhaler to assist them. I prefer to use the inhaler without the spacer as I find it more effective without.

Anne | 10/04/2007 21:56:00

I've had asthma since I was in my mid teens. To start with it was quiet mild but at times has been severe enough to end up with a few A&E visits a year. These days I only have the blue inhaler as my good patches are so long and I cope so well without the brown inhaler that its not worth using it. I find that nearly all of my asthma is allergy triggered although if I get a cold it tends to turn into a chest infection and I can suffer badly then.


tampi | 11/04/2007 01:25:00

april is a bad month for me especially with spring bringing in the new blossoms and pollen.but this year has been better cos i took the flu jab earlier in the year and have tried to stay away from strong scents, dust and some foods like peanuts. i use two inhalers(brown and blue) but it is all a matter of knowing what to eat or stay away from and you should be fine and just get on leading a normal life.

linda | 11/04/2007 09:26:00

i've had asthma fifteen years now, but for two years i was ok, didnt use my inhalers at all. then six weeks ago i had a bad cold and my asthma came back worse than ever, i was admitted to hospital for a week with it. now im taking 3 inhalers using a spacer which i find is a lot better, my peak flow is still not going above 300 but i have a chart to keep track and i have to go back to hospital at end of this month for a check up

Please click here to leave a comment

Jax | 11/04/2007 09:40:00

I was diagnosed with asthma when I was 52 - no history of asthma in the family at all. My partner was diagnosed with it a couple of months before me. I find this strange - do we really have asthma or is it some form of allergy? I find medical treatment lacking in this area - it would be preferential to find the CAUSE rather then just taking medication forever. We find that if we go away to, for example, Western Scotland (Highlands & Islands) or places by the sea in Somerset or Kent, we rarely need to use our inhalers & come home feeling brilliant! Could it be where we are living? A basement just off a very busy seafront main road. We also have an iguana - I've heard rumours of iguanas causing breathing problems but again, the doctors don't seem to have any opinion on this. I am prescribed Seritide 500 - 2 puffs morning & night (I am not as dilibgent as taking this as I should be) & Airomir as needed. I do have a spacer but don't use it. I was taught thoroughly how to use my inhalers at an excellent Asthma Clinic at a local hospital & told what to do if my Peak flow readings dropped considerably. I was also given basic allergy tests. I have reviews every 6 months at my doctor's surgery. Generally I'm happy with the way my asthma is controlled but would like to find the cause!

Jax | 11/04/2007 09:48:00

Forgot this: attackes seem to be caused by cold air (esp. going from hot to cold), oven cleaners, excessive exertion, cleaning, or sometimes even going into, the iguana's room - possibly caused by spores of vegetable matter in the air, sometimes dust... I too find deep breathing can help - breath deeply in to a count of 6 pushing your chest area out & getting air into the usually unused bottom areas of the lungs, hold breath for a count of 6 & then release in small expirations through the mouth...heep the shoulders still & try to concentrate of your lungs' movement.

cheryl | 11/04/2007 10:03:00

I suffered badly with asthma as a child back in the 70's,which i think was brought on by allergies.I was allergic to cats and my eyes would itch & go red & swollen,and i'd end up wheezing.I most probably had hayfever too,which i suffer with as an adult.But i remember back then how bad i was.There was no inhalers to use and i don't even think they diagnosed me properly with Asthma.One day my mother was taking me to the doctors,i was 6.I could hardly breath and she had to carry me most of the way,as i didn't have the strength to walk.I don't think anyone realised how much i was suffering.The only medication i was given was some pink breathing tablets.They obviously worked.And as i grew older i suffered less and less.Though when i did get chest colds,my asthma would come back with a vengence.My younger brothers suffered with asthma too,they was given inhalers.Then my mother having been a heavy smoker most of her life began getting breathless 10 years ago.It got got quite bad on occasions and she caught pneumonia.In hospital,she was advised to quit smoking else she wouldn't live past 5 years.She did give up,she seemed better but the past3 years her breathing has got much worse.She also gets chest infections alot.Has all sorts of inhalers,oxygen,and antibiotics.Alot of the time she gets confused with which ones she needs to take.Even though i remind her.Also she often forgets to take them.She thinks if she is feeling ok,she don't need them.She can be fine one day,then the next day an attack will come on.She has recently been prescribed some new breathing tablets which she takes whilst still using her inhalers,Hopefully they will be good.

Please click here to leave a comment

sue | 11/04/2007 10:11:00

I have been a diagnosed asthmatic for 28 years but had probably been suffering for several years prior to that. my G.P. offers an asthma review with the practice nurse yearly, but at my last one - with a new nurse- I found I was telling her the best way to handle an attack. She also said she was unaware that asthma can become worse pre-menstrally, something wich a G.P. had told me on a previous occasion. When I mentioned that in an emergency strong black coffee can help to relieve mild asthma this was something else the nurse was unaware of. I come from a family of asthmatics (at least 8 of us) so I am aware that I probably know a lot more than some people but I would expect a nurse running an asthma clinic to have a good idea of what asthma is

David | 11/04/2007 10:13:00

I hate these c.f.c. free inhalers. They just dont seem to be as good as the old sort. Both my mum and my sisteragree with me. they also seem to run out suddenly with no warning as it is moredifficult to tell how much is left in them

maureen barnes | 11/04/2007 10:19:00

I was diagnosed as being asthmatic about 15 years ago. the trigger in my case was car fumes. Since moving out from central london, my condition has greatly improved, and I rarely need to use anything but my preventer

cheryl | 11/04/2007 10:25:00

Those c.f.c free inhalers i use myself.I do think they are good,though some would say they are too small to handle.As for running out unexpectedly,Just go by length of time you get through them.Say one lasted a month on average,i would then order some more,before the times up.Thats what i do.

Please click here to leave a comment

david | 11/04/2007 10:40:00

I have been an asthma suffer since I was 7 I am now 44 andstill use inhalers. I still have attacks but no longer get it so bad I can only sit there struggling to breath. I recently learnt that the reason I have very little memory of those early years is due to lack of oxygen to the brain which has effected my memory. I do remember long nights of sitting in bed in the dark terrified out of my mind as a child struggling to breath. It is worse as we move towards spring and summer. Rape seed in the fields is the worst for coursing attacks even with the use of inhalers. And theres the useual suspects such as dust(mites) grass cuttings ect.. Food allergies have all most completely gone now. I always make sure I keep a supply of inhalers in store after hearing ayoung man stoped having attacks and assumed he was cured. He dropped dead in the street from a massive attack, so I always keep a supply as much as I hate doing them and suffering from throut infections in spring summer becauseI have to use them more regularly. I beleive the reason this nasty dilbilatating illness is steadly increasing is because the very air we breath isso poluted it is attacking the amune system in all age groups as anyone seems likely to get it and the one thing we all do is breath the air. Thats my theroy anyway.

Antoinette | 11/04/2007 11:20:00

I was diagnosed with asthma almost 20yrs ago, I noticed that I was getting breathless while participating in sport. I have never used a spacer and no longer use my inhaler everyday (though I should use it more often than I do). I seem to be worse when it is very cold or very hot.

Leighton | 11/04/2007 11:24:00

I use a nebulizer 4 times daily for COPD and a Symbicot inhailer for use twice daily. I have Combivent which I carry with me and was diagnosed with asthma just under two years ago at 57. The treatment seems to be effective as I do not have many attacks provided I take the medication regularly.

John Squire | 11/04/2007 11:24:00

I used to have both becamatasone & salbutamol, learning in my youth the use of brochial relaxers until adverse reaction to the inhaler. Later my G P re started the use of these modern varients with no side effects until removal of C.F.C's in the propellant meant the inclusion of soured milk stoped salbutamol as aviable medication

Please click here to leave a comment

Jill | 11/04/2007 12:34:00

I was diagnosed with asthma after going to the GP after having difficulty with breathing following what I believe to be an alergic reaction to certain trees. I was given a peak flow meter and confirmed asthma. I was immediately given both the brown and blue inhalers. However, I feel this was well over the top and inconsistent with my needs. I had had 3 'attacks' and to be given the brown steroid inhaler to have twice a day seemed too much. This was about 4 years ago. I dont use he brown inhaler but carry the blue one just in case. I have needed to use it about 3 or 4 times a year - i am sure it is an alergic reaction just cant identify the tree. I have been offered an asthma review once but to be honest i didn't book it as i was already having a lot of time of work to see a consultant about something completly different so this didn't seem a priority

Emma | 11/04/2007 13:17:00

I was diagnosed as asthmatic aged 9 but my mum reckoned i had it earlier as i was diagnosed with bronchitis every single time i had a cold. I was initially put on tablets but then got changed to an inhaler that had both reliever and preventer mixed in. At a review / appointment once i was asked who had prescrobed that - it was another dr at the same surgery. I was then changed to 2 separate inhalers, a reliever and preventer. The specifics of these have changed over the years and i'm currently on Qvar and Airomir which no-one seems to have heard of. My asthma has got worse as i've got older, i'm having more exercise-induced attacks particularly when i've got a cold. I used to be really embarrassed using the inhaler in front of people but i've got over that now - if i need to use the inhaler then i use it.

Suzy | 11/04/2007 14:14:00

I was prescribed Ventolin and Becotide inhalers in my 20s, and used them most days then. I was taught to use them by my GP. I feel that I should have been prescribed them as a child as I always struggled at running type sports. I now use them rarely, as I only need them when I have a cold or hayfever (which I suffer from quite badly during the summer months.) I don't feel that children's symptoms are taken seriously enough.

wendy | 11/04/2007 15:33:00

Have had mild asthma since chuldhood which is worse in the summer and when i exercise. Have always used a ventolin inhaler for treatment and prevention of attacks and because i dont pver use my treatment it is still working at present.

Please click here to leave a comment

weemam | 11/04/2007 17:03:00

I had been a sufferer of bronchitis for years , I seem to have asthma because of secondary smoking my fathere used to smoke and so did my husband , they both stopped 18 years ago ,, I have a preventer and an inhaler , It is stress related mostly but can be triggered off with different smells , I havn't had a bad attack for quite some time now , but I still use the preventor . I have a checkup with the asthma clinic at my doctors surgery in Central Scotand every year , the Doctor taught me how to use my inhalers

musicmarster | 11/04/2007 18:33:00

I was diagnosed with asthma about 10 years ago following a bout of bronchitis. I did smoke but gave up 33 years ago. I was briefly shown how to use the inhaler by the doctor. I don't even know what a spacer is? I was given a peak flow meter and a book to record readings but have never been told how I am meant to use these readings for any beneficial purpose. I use seretide twice daily and ventolin when required. I have worked out that anything to do with "malt" is a trigger so that includes Beer, Whisky, Ovaltine, Horlicks, Vinegar, etc. and I also suffer with stress due to being a working carer so that doesn't help either. Also whenever I get a cold it now goes straight to my chest and affects the asthma usually with me ending up on steroids to get over it. The local asthma clinic in the health centre keeps an eye on the medication but gives very little help or advice. it would be nice if someone could explain things better to me so that I could understand the point of a peak flow meter.

Gralloc | 11/04/2007 19:10:00

I was diagnosed with asthma about 13 years ago, not long after giving up smoking. I am quite lazy when it comes to taking the preventative inhaler, and discovered that at the best I was only able to blow 71%, but now after 3 weeks of using the inhalers correctly I am now blowing at about 85% so I would advise all to not get lazy with your inhalers just because you have not felt too bad, as you can get bad without even knowing. My doctors has a great straight talking asthma clinic with good infomation. I suffer when pollen starts to fill the air, tree is a bad pollen.I am 46 Male am disabled unemployed ( not the asthma) live in a rural part of Cornwall.

Margaret | 11/04/2007 19:19:00

In my teens I was told I had bronchites 4 years ago when I changed doctors I was told I had asthma and given inhalers the nurse told me how to use them I go to the asthma clinic every 2 months to be checked that the medication is right and that I am using it correctly since having inhalers my life has improved greatly and with the help of the clinic I can get my medication adjusted to whatever my needs are

Please click here to leave a comment

Simon | 11/04/2007 22:14:00

I have had asthma since childhood but over time it has become a lot less sever through regular exercise & preventative inhaler usage (twice daily, religiously). I very rarely need to use my reliever inhaler. Obviously avoiding smoke, excess alcohol, dust, mites and stress stops any onset of an attack. So rather than asthma managing me, I manage IT!

Jacky | 11/04/2007 22:15:00

I was diagnosed after I had my first child. 30 years ago. I only have attacks after I contract a cold that turns into a chest infection the asthma. I've been hospitalised twice with it. I've only ever had on review that was last year. I was surprised ot be called into the surgery. The nurse who was there although very nice, didn't seem that knowledgeable. Or at least I was the first person she had ever come across with this type of asthma. She said she would get me called in for a spigomerty test. I'm still waiting for it a good 6 months later. when I inquired at the surgery I was told I was on the list.

sue | 12/04/2007 01:21:00

I was diagnosed at 18. I had recently moved in with my boyfriend who had a dog, and it's thought that this triggered it off, although my parents said i had always been a wheezy child. I used to attend regular asthma clinincs, where I was shown to use my inhalers, but as i've gotten older this has become less of an issue, and slipped down my list of priorities. For the last 18 months or so I have noticed that my asthma picks up during summer, linked to my hayfever, and also during cold spells/winter. Other than that I don't tend to suffer much anymore. I can get breathless after running/exercise, but I generally don't need to use an inhaler any more. I have no idea what a spacer is or how to use one, this has never been shown/explained to me.

Charmaine Jensen-Voisine | 12/04/2007 07:47:00

How I came to be dx with asthma was after a very severe allergy attack many years ago. Allergy was to pollen's and then they discovered I was allergic to much more than that trees, grasses, molds and most importantly Different drug allergies and last but not least "Peanuts".. Asthma for me becomes a major issue during very cold seasons (I have difficulty catching my breath and also during very hot days)... also allergic to people smoking around me.. cat dander... I have to use Symbicort 1 puff in the a.m. and 1 at bedtime and I also have a bricyanl (sp) puffer that I can use 2 puffs up to 4 times daily if needed.. and when needed no it does not always work - if it is really bad I go to the hospital and they will put me on an IV drip of Benadryl with compressor of medication. charmainejensen@sympatico.ca

Please click here to leave a comment

Tracey | 12/04/2007 08:24:00

I was diagnosed with asthma about 17yrs ago after being ill with virul pneumonia. At the time I was told by the GP that the virus had probably triggered the onset of the asthma. Thinking back I remember that as a child any cold would invariably go to my chest & I would be left with a cough for weeks on end. Two out of my three children have also developed asthma (my eldest son being only 14mths old when diagnosed), so it leads me to think that I have probably had mild undiagnosed asthma since childhood. My partner moved to London from rural Worcestershire a few years ago & within 2 mths of being here was suffering badly with asthma that had not troubled him since he was a child. We have a very good asthma clinic at our GPs surgery, with regular asthma reviews, but he has been told that his symptoms are unlikely to improve whilst we still live so close to the busy South Circular road in London due to the car fumes. (It's also worth noting that my son was originally diagnosed with asthma approx. 3mths after I moved to a flat only about 30yds from the South Circular road, again in an area with high traffic volumes & congestion, so a high concentration of car exhaust fumes. I was diagnosed about a year later) Over recent years I tend to only need to use my brown inhaler when I have a cold or other virus, to prevent my peak flows dipping too low, & very rarely need my blue salbutamol inhaler. At the asthma clinic reviews our peak flows are checked & our technique with inhalers checked too, to make sure we get maximum benefit from their use. I have never used a spacer.

karen | 12/04/2007 08:41:00

I was diagnosed with asthma last summer, after a prelonged period of antibiotics which never seemed to clear up the problem. Until finally I found myself, over a week totally exhausted very breathless hardly able to speak, and when I did speak it made me cough. my legs & arms were really stiff. So on this I went back to my GP as I had had enough. It was good that my doctor seen me in this state as after thorough tests I was diagnosed with asthma. I have changed my inhalers a few times since but thankfully it has made such a difference to me. I find that different things trigger the asthma off. Such as animal fur, excerise, stress & some plants although I havent discovered which ones yet. I am 36 years old & have played football for 5 years, I have never smoked although my husband does this is a definate trigger. I guess I am only really learning with the asthma because you dont really know what to expect. I have to say when I was diagnosed I was shown properly how to use my inhalers & spacers. However my only gripe is that when I had attended my GP she did not inform me that I had infact suffered a bad attack which I had previously incountered but didnt know. I think it is very important that sufferers should be informed of what to watch for & when to seek help.

Diana Smith | 12/04/2007 10:45:00

I take a steroid inhaler each morning and night before I go to bed and as I get up. This seems to keep the asthma controlable. I was first diagnosed four and half years ago and now feel it is controlable. I use a vetalin inhaler as I need it through the day usually using it twice. I laso use it before excersice, which I do more of now. I have lost 4and a half stone over the last year and a half and feel that has alao contributed to the control of the asthma. I used to smoke 40 a day but have not smoked for 6 years. I have been shown how to use the inhalers from the asthma nurse at my surgery and she has been very helpfull in organising my treatment. Two years ago I had my tonsils out as they were often infected and it was thought this might help my chest. It was a very painful experience as I was 41 and has not helped my chest. However I don't get tonsilitus anymore.

Please click here to leave a comment

Tom Noonan | 12/04/2007 12:19:00

I was diagnosed with asthma at a visit to my GP when I was about 35. I used to smoke and was coughing more than usual and finding it difficult to catch my breath. I have never been diagnosed with other symptoms associated with asthma. I was first given Salbutamol in capsules, with an inhaler which breaks the capsules and you inhale the powder the capsules contain. After quite a while I was prescribed inhalers of Salbutamol and Beotide (Beclometasone). I was taught to use the inhalers by the GP practice nurse. She also suggested I try a spacer device. I find this is more effecive than using the inhalers on their own, so I use the spacer all the time now. I am now 52 and find my asthma is pretty well controlled. I only get attacks now really when I get a bit of a chest infection or a heavy cold. I try to steer clear of smoky atmospheres as this is an obvious trigger.

MARIAN HOGAN 12/04/07 13.45 | 12/04/2007 12:50:00

I have asthma since I was a child, never really bad until 1993 when it got progressivily worse, I was given Ventolin and when I moved to Devon I it got worse due the difference in climate. In 2006 I was diagnosed with COPD and so the inhalers were changed to work on both the asthma and COPD, the GP and the Asthma nurse are outstanding and I have learnt to read my own symptoms so can prevent a lot of the problems.

Jim Fyfe | 12/04/2007 13:02:00

I am 56yrs old and have been asthmatic since birth. In 1962 I was involved with ventolin inhaler trials. I currently use, Flixotde 500 X 5 puffs morning and night. Oxis X2 puffs Morning & night, Symbecort X 2 puffs morning & night, I use a Bricanyl inhaler during the day as needed and get through 6 inhalers every month, I also take Singulair 10 mg tabs X 1 at night. Most days i also take prednisolone 5mg tab but can take more if needed, I use my Nebuliser with Bricanyl frequently. As you can see i take a fair amount of meds but my asthma is more controlled now than it has ever been. I still get frequent attacks that i control wothout the need to be hospitalised. About 25 - 30 years ago i was admmited to hospital 5-6 times a year. thank god for medical advances.

Jo | 12/04/2007 13:36:00

I developed asthma at the age of about 22. I had been working as a veterinary nurse for four years and suddenly developed allergies to small animals, hayfever, excema and asthma all at the same time, this didn't bode well for the job and so I had to give it up. In the years following this my asthma wasn't very well controlled and I ended up hospitalized on several occasions. I tried various medications but it wasn't until I became pregnant with my first child that my symptoms eased. I have had three children and throughout each pregnancy and the subsequent 18months or so following, my asthma and hayfever have virtually disappeared. My youngest child is now two and I have noticed the symptoms of both my asthma and allergies worsening again, but I don't think I'll go in for anymore babies!! I currently use Seretide twice morning and evening, with salbutamol as a reliever if necessary. I definitely notice a worsening during the pollen season and in very cold weather. Unfortunately my eldest son seems to have inherited my problems, he suffers very badly with allergies and excema, but so far has only needed a reliever inhaler when he has colds or flu.

Please click here to leave a comment

Malcolm | 12/04/2007 14:00:00

Diagnosed with asthma years ago along with childhood allergies to house dust mite,animal dander(spl)etc. etc.Had numerous colds & chest infections YES I stopped smoking 26 years ago I guess it has helped,now use salbutamol easy breathe have used the "rugby ball "shaped thing it was much easier using that when I used ventolin & becotide but now using salbutamol & seretide with no problems but still take anti-histamines every day to help my breathing.Had hospital tests several times & the only thing I can remember is the doc saying that if you had a certain type of line beneath your eyes you had asthma!! go figure!!

Davidgeman | 12/04/2007 14:33:00

I was suffering badly from asthma when I lived in London. I was born there in 1944 so I lived through all the Fogs & Smogs. When I moved to Worcester in 97 my asthma went away. (I thought) but now as I am putting on weight it has come back

Ann | 12/04/2007 14:59:00

Have had asthma for about 20 years (interestingly I smoked up to 25 years ago) I don't have much trouble, using a blue inhaler occasionally except when the oil seed rape is out, when I struggle and when I have an operation, then I have to go on a machine first to help me and have on one occason come round to find I'm hooked up to oxygen again cuz that seems to be when the asthma wins. Other than that- so far so good. I have only ever used a little inhaler but my children had spacers which were a nightmare. I was so glad when they got onto ordinary inhalers. They also only now need occasional puffs of a blue inhaler unless they are struggling with a cold, stress or oil seed rape.


Sarah | 12/04/2007 15:52:00

I discovered I had asthma ten years ago when I decided to get a cat. I was unaware that I was allergic to it and ended up having an asthma attack that resulted in a visit to hospital. I now have the blue inhaler that my GP showed me how to use. I have never used a spacer. I have regular check ups in my local asthma clinic.

BABS SMITH | 12/04/2007 16:18:00

I was also diagnosed as having asthma after giving up a 40 a day smoking habit and also working in a smokey environment. i was having real trouble with a persistent coughcouldn't sleep went to doc who advised me that the cough was to be expected after giving up smoking a couple of days later I was coughing for over 3 hours and unable to breathe I went into the garden, to get air. Hubby came home from work and immediately took me to our surgery as I did not have an apptment I had to sit for an hour waiting for med attention even though I was in distress. eventually seen by a practice G.P. that I had never seen before he immediately asked hubby if I was asthmatic and he put me on a nebeuliser he transferred me to hosp where I ended in ICU as I was in status asthmaticus I am unable to tell you the next few days. hasten to add I was diagnosed with asthma I was healthy fit child run for school sports team, continued athletics until I had my kids. After birth of 2 kids I took up body building and entered competitions here and abroad. I also gave all this up a the same time as I stopped smoking. I have been on every concoction of inhalers and tried spacers. today I nebeulise x 4 daily ventolin 2puffs four times a day oxis 2 puffs twice a day and pulmicort ventolin and atrovent in my nebeuliser and touch wood apart from having copd I rarely have attacks only about 5or 6 a week but not as long lasting as they used to be. My blue ( ventolin ) inhaler is my lifeline I wont even go to the toilet without it .

Please click here to leave a comment

David | 12/04/2007 16:22:00

I have had asthma since I was 13 I am now 47 the blue ventolin inhaler has saved my life quite afew times.They give instant relief,I had one doctor who tried to change them,worst year of my life,I think doctors should lusten to the patients as most know through experiance what helps,as we know are selves what sets us off and what helps,when I first had astma at 13 the doctor diagnosed a blocked nose it wasn't until I was in hospital at 17 for a brain hemorage that I started to get the blue inhaler it was like a godsend no longer having to struggle for breath,which I had to do for4 years,every day,I now control my astma myself and do abetter job than the doctors

Wenif | 12/04/2007 16:33:00

I was diagnosed as asthmatic at 40, I am a life long non-smoker but was brought up in a house with 2 heavy smokers. So far(touch wood) it has been well controlled and apart from the first few months when my doctor was trying varying inhalers etc it has been well controlled.

martha fab | 12/04/2007 16:46:00

I was about 7 when I had my first asthma attack (1989). I was visiting my grandparents in Cambridge (I live in Yorkshire) and had an attack (can't remember what caused it, possibly dust from sleeping on the carpetted floor). Went to grandparents' doctor who put me on a nebulizar. I was consequently diagnosed as having asthma. I was given both a brown and a blue turbohaler and told to use the brown morning and night and the blue when needed. I still do that now, only needing to take the blue when I have a cold or something like that. My GP clinic forces me to have an asthma review every year, when it fits in with them not when convenient for me, even though I have managed my own condition for nearly 20 years. It is a total waste of my time and they don't tell me anything new but they won't prescribe my inhalers unless I go along. I think they only do it to get more funding and it drives me mad.

Elaine D | 12/04/2007 18:17:00

I was diagnosed with asthma in 1999 when I had a cough that just wouldnt go. I was given inhalers and taught how to use them with a spacer but found it too cumbersome to carry around. My triggers are stress and severe cold. I tend not to need my inhalers and go for months without using them but feel i need to have them just in case. I know its bad practice but it works for me.

Please click here to leave a comment

Wen1 | 12/04/2007 18:22:00

I Have had Asthma for around 2 years I do not now why I have this as at the moment I do not smoke and do lead quite a heathly life style, I was diognosed after a very servere coughing attack after a bad cold which would not go away. I was incredibly breathless for a while. I have however been in a lot of hospitals from when I was very young up till the last couple of years and having to go back an have operations as well. During my last operation I was on oxygen and had to use my inhalers alot after my operation as I had a reaction to the genral anasthectic. I was shown by the nurses at our doctors how to use the inhalers proberly and by my doctor for my asthma clinic. I have purple and a blue in haler and I am glad to say that my asthma is under control and I do not often have bad asthma attacks I do not run up stairs as this can cause me to get breathless. I cannot run or walk fast as I have had A total Hip Replacement within the last year and a half and I am just getting back to being healthy. I do go for regular Asthma clinic check ups to make sure every thing is under control.

Sandra v W | 12/04/2007 18:50:00

I had what in Argentina they term as 'False Crupp' (Falso Crupp) when I was a baby till I was 8 ys old. From then I never had any problems at all with chest infections or colds. 3 mths. before I came to live in England I had a full health check, i had been feeling a bit tired and under the weather but with the kids, packing and good buys I kept going. The doctor took some x-rays and said I had had Bronquitis. About 2 ys ago I went to the doctor here in england with a Persistant cough that would not let me sleep. I was prescribed Qvar50 (Brown inhaler?) as my peak flow was not too good after checking it 3 times a day for a month. It has helped a little at leat it doesn't keep me awake all night I am now on it twicw daily.

Mandy | 12/04/2007 19:36:00

I've had asthma for around 30 years. During that time its been around, gone and come back again. I had quite a large period of time when I was asthma free then it came back whilst pregnant with my second child. All sorts of things can trigger an attack, the weather, dust, building work in the house, and the main one stress. My first doctors practice used to offer reviews but as I would describe myself as a fair weather suffer I stopped attending after a couple of years. My second practice only saw me when I had a problem but to be fair I was only registered with them for two years. I now moved again and this practice doesn't seem to do a lot in the way of reviews. I've never been shown how to use an inhaler properly by anyone at a doctors practice, but a few years ago I attended an asthma awareness meeting at work which was very informative. Knowing what happens to your body during an attack certainly helps you to focus and use an inhaler properly. I have used a spacer but only tended to do so if I was really struggling for breath as I find I couldn't co-ordinate breathing in with activing the inhaler.I now use breath activated inhalers which makes life a lot easier. I have had a couple of episodes over the last three years where I have been prescribed steriods, but this was only for a period of a week at a time. I'm a non smoker, my husband gave up smoking 18 months ago, but I do find smoke sets me off as does cheap hairspray (mum-in-law please take note!)

Please click here to leave a comment

Beverley Price | 12/04/2007 19:40:00

I have been an asthma sufferer for over 19 years. I was diagnosed at the age of 19 after having hay fever since the age of 13. I was having difficulty breathing - had some tests & peak flow's carried out and asthma was confirmed. I started with a twist cap inhaler, which did absolutely nothing. I then progressed to a steroid based inhalier with a spacer devise, then onto two inhailers (brown & blue). All inhailers prescribed were demonstrated to me by my doctor. Severe cold & humidity are the main factors that trigger an attack. Physical excercise, walking up even the slightest of inclines also has an effect.

Richard | 12/04/2007 19:40:00

The last time I was tested on a peak flow meter, I blew it off the scale. When connected to a computerised meter, I had a peak flow of 823 (no mistake: 823). I suffer from asthma during the summer months, when I also have hay fever, and I use a ventodisk diskhaler on an ad hoc basis. One dose is enough to relieve the symptoms fo at least a couple of hours.

Janis | 12/04/2007 21:42:00

I was diagnosed with Asthma in 1998 it was brought on due to working conditions!! I worked in the local bingo hall, which was very very smoky! Now 9 years later Im still on becotide n salbutamol cfc inhalers! I personally feel they do not always benefit me! My peak flow averages 430!

sammy32 | 12/04/2007 22:24:00

i was diagnosed with asthma when i was 21,im now 32,mine is mainly stress related as i suffer with panic attacks aswell.my asthma also flares up when there is a season change and my asthma is worse during the colder months which is when i usually start taking the steroid inhaler,my peak flow average is 350,i have not used \a spacer..

Cat | 12/04/2007 22:26:00

I have suffered from hayfever for the past 20 years, then four years ago, during a particularly bad hayfever season I suffered from breathlessness that wasn't relieved by sitting still and relaxing. The doctor diagnosed it as asthma aggravated by the hayfever. My father suffers from asthma, I grew up with the blue and brown inhalers living in the side-board, and my brother also developed asthma in his later childhood. My mother has subsequently tolf me that I had a touch of childhood asthma as a young child. I have never smoked, but had two bouts of bronchitis before the age of 23, I assumed that this was the cause of wheeziness in certain circumstances. My triggers are hayfever plus another factor such as cigar smoke, laughing a lot and after walking uphill in cold weather. I was prescribed a blue inhaler, but not shown how to use it. There has be no follow up. Most of the time I sit and wait it out, and am lucky that I've not experienced a life-threatening episode.

Please click here to leave a comment

pat | 12/04/2007 23:26:00

originally i was told i had chronic lung damage caused through smoking then after moving to a new area (so a new g.p) it was suddenly called asthma. I do not have "attacks" but just do not breath very well (like i cannot get enough air down) I do not find the inhalers help much (the blue has never given me any instant relief) I have just learnt to do things slower and not talk so much.

Hazel | 12/04/2007 23:39:00

I was first diagnosed with Asthma in my early 20s, triggered by Hayfever and allergies. I had never suffered Hayfever previously, but had always had allergies of some kind, food, etc. After about 7 or 8 yrs the Asthma seemed to settle down and I had no problems so stopped using inhalers. 2 yrs ago, just before my wedding I developed a bad cough which turned to chest infection, then pleurisy. This triggered my Asthma all over again. I had several courses of steroids and had to go back on the inhalers. I use Becotide and Salbutomol. I was shown how to use them, and given a peak flow meter as well, so I could check my breathing at home. I have regular checks with the Asthma nurse, due for one next week actually. I find my Asthma is always worse when I have my Hayfever, which also causes catarrh, sinus problems etc. My wheezing is really bad at the moment due to the tree pollen season starting. I have also found that my sleep apnoea and snoring are much worse and am currently trying a homeopathic remedy for this. My GP believes there could be a connection between the Asthma and sleep apnoea, I wonder if anyone else has this problem?

jim | 13/04/2007 00:44:00

As a brittle asthma sufferer for 60 years i have used every inhaler available some worked some didn't but as my illness got progressively worse non seem to give any respite so nebulisers and oxygen was prescribed this worked reasonably well for a few years but again became ineffective each chest infection created more scarring and subsequent longer stays in hospital the only solution to a severe attack was addmitance and a drip put up to administer phyllocontin and antibiotics on a daily normal basis i am on oxygen and a subcut intravenous terbutaline pump to keep the airways open smoke pollen heavy exertion perfumes dust anything of that nature can trigger a instant attack which can be controlled or not depending on severity this plus large weight gains and diabetes both caused by long term high dose steriods causes one to question research or lack of in this field as it is a less glamorous illness it attracts less money perhaps this survey will go somewhere towards serious research as to why and how to cure asthma in all forms

Squidge | 13/04/2007 00:48:00

i was disagnosed with asthma in 1986 when i was 6 years old. It is triggered by cold weather & activities like swimming, dust, smoke and even arosol sprays airfresheners etc. I use ventolin accuhalers & seretide accuhaler now, this is a lot easier as i used to have 3 inhalers, ventolin, serevent & flixotide, but the serevent & flixotide is now combined into 1 inhaler called serevent, which i take twice a day. the accuhaler is better than the ventodisks or other disks & easier than inhalers. i had a reaction to the inhalers but this subsided when i was changed onto the disks & accuhaler. I manage to control my asthma & know how important it is to act when i have a asthma attack. i have had many severe attacks & it is really scary so i keep it as much under control as i can.

Please click here to leave a comment

puffy potsmoker | 13/04/2007 01:04:00

I have been using my inhaler along with my pot usage for five years now. I continued to smoke pot even though I couldn't breathe. In the height of my usage I would take one puff of albuteral and then light up a pipe, joint or even use a vaporizer. I would start to feel my chest tighten and start to wheeze after I had taken as little as one inhalation of smoke. I would continue to smoke until I got high enough. Usually 4 big lungsfull of extremely high grade product. Then I would wait a 10-60 seconds before using the albuteral pump again. The albuteral pump enabled my pot smoking. I have taken Serevent, but my pot smoking has taken me to the point where I need something stronger. So now I take Seretide because it also has a steroid. At the height of my pot smoking I would inhale one puff of Serevent in the morning, one in the afternoon, one in the evening, and one before bed. All the while smoking pot and using albuteral throughout the day to keep my comfort level of THC in my bloodstream. I've tried ventolin, and salbutamol, but they are not as effective as albuteral. I've even had to take steroid pills in emergency situations to avoid having to go to the hospital. I have now been smoke free for seven days. My lungs feel much better. I have taken one inhalation of Seretide in the morning and SOMETIMES once more during the day. Since I have been smoke free I have only had to use the albuteral pump once a day. Pot has been a mental and emotional dependency that is very hard to shake. It's complete insanity for me.

Gillian Bennett | 13/04/2007 07:43:00

I was not told I had Asthma at the start. I was given an inhaler because I complained of having a tight chest. I have suffered chest complaints since teenager having my first attack of pneumonia at fourteen years, I have had this twice,also have one definate and one suspected pulmonary embolism. I have not noticed anything to trigger any attack but notice sometimes when walking I get breathlessness. I have never used a spacer and the only time I have been taught how to use the inhalers I have was two years ago in a five minute session with my GP although I had been given inhalers some years ago.

Justin | 13/04/2007 08:40:00

I have had asthma since I was little, I can't remember how it was diagnosed. I did use a spacer to train me on how to breathe at the correct time when using an inhaler. I didn't get on with the automatic inhalers as they are too heavily designed for you to know when they are empty, so I found I was still using a empty inhaler, so now I just use the simple, normal style push down and breathe inhaler. Fortunately, I have never had a serious asthma attack, it only really shows up it I have a cough, or have been exercising. I tend to use a preventer everyday.

Please click here to leave a comment

Lez | 13/04/2007 09:49:00

I have suffered from asthma since I was about 4 or 5. I remember being in hospital with it when I was a child. I also remember the really bad attacks I used to have then, when I would be struggling to breathe. I also remember getting out of going to school by saying I had a bit of asthma, and getting out of P.E. at school by using the asthma excuse. I now use the brown and blue inhalers and have regular checks at my doctor's asthma clinic. Because I cannot take my brown inhaler properly I have to use a spacer. As I have got older my asthma seems to have got a bit better, but I always carry my blue inhaler with me, just in case I need it. Cats cause me to have really bad attacks, so I have to stay away from houses with them in. I am alright with dogs as I have one of my own, although I did suddenly start getting asthma when I was near one of my brother's dogs and that was after years of being with it. I also suffer if I get a cold and it goes to my chest, as I then suffer about 3 weeks of coughing and generally having no energy because of it.

Geraldine | 13/04/2007 10:05:00

I was diagnosed with asthma at 14 in 1969. To be honest at that time there was no training given for pumps all I was told was when I had children I would certainly pass asthma exma or hayfever on to them My doctor was correct in this one son had seasonal asthma and the other has had severe hayfever since he was 3 he is now 31. In aprox 1989 I had an allergy test and was told the things that triggered my attacks but as I had had the asthma for so long now no further treatment was given. I moved and registered with a new doctor and was given becatide with the ventolin and to be honest my GP view is that as I never complain of the issue it must be under control it has now been 37 years so I suppose the attitude is she should know what she is doing. I have had bad bouts when a cold got too far and ended up on steroids for a short time but these days I do not leave things as long before I check them out. One comment that I feel very strongly about is the fact that we have to pay for ASTHMA related prescriptions. If you have thyroid trouble the gve the medication free and there are other conditions where this is also the case. I feel that all Asthma Medication should be free.

Glo | 13/04/2007 11:40:00

I was diagnosed with Asthma when I was three months old. this was only because I stiopped breathing and when I was resusitated at the hospital they realised I was having a severe asthma attack. I am now 54 years old and have now been diagnosed with brittle Asthma. i use a nebulser on days when my inhalers don't work. I was shown how to use my inhalers properly at the Asthma clinic by both doctors and nurses and my teqnique was fine. However over the past year I was experinecing problems at times when I found it difficult to use my inhaler properly. I use a spacer when this happens and have found this helps. I did not like the full sized spacer and my GP gave me the small version and this fits in my handbag. this has meant that I can wait a little longer before using my nebuliser which gives me more freedom as I am a busy person. I also purchased a small Omron nebuliser which fits into the palm of my hand so I don't need to carry the big version from the hospital. This all adds to my freedom. I aslo agree that perscriptions should be free. I am on 17 items for various health problems none minor, although I pay a prepayment it is still nearly £100. In the past when I paid for the items it was difficult if I was ill as I needed even more eg. antibiotics and had to decide which drugs I could do without.

Please click here to leave a comment

julie | 13/04/2007 11:45:00

I was diagnosed with asthma when i was 11yrs old approx,ive had some really bad times with it and have had to have steroids to help me through them.Im on two inhalers Bricanyl turbo haler and also symbicort turbo haler as well and at nights as i have a dustmite allergy i have to take singuair tablets as i cant sleep properly if i dont take then,i wake up wheezing terrribly.my out put max is only 350-400 on a good day and haveto have regualer check ups too with the asthma clinic at the surgery,im coping with it but its always bad at this time of year as the pollens dont help also the crop spraying in the fields by local farmers contributes to a very tight chest in the evenings or if its very humid too.

Rachael | 13/04/2007 12:14:00

I have had asthma ever since I can remember. I was diagnosed after being sick with wheezing and coughing forever. I also had Pneumonia Lots of things trigger my attacks. I cant run any longer because of asthma. No more than 30 meters. I was taught to use my inhaler from a young age. My mum and brother taught me. I also get really bad in different seasons. I have used a spacer since I was old enough to know how. It helps to deliver it more effectively than if I just use the inhaler on it's own. I have to take seretide daily and my ventolin when i need it I seem to use it lots more than I should have to. I have had many asthma attacks.

Sue | 13/04/2007 14:40:00

I was diagnosed with asthma after suffereing from an irratating cough that never cleared. i only need an inhaler occasionally - something sets it off then I need the steroid inhaler until it clears. Then I can go for ages with no problem. Havn't found what causes it still.

Mary B | 13/04/2007 18:32:00

I was diagnosed with Asthma when I was 36 about a year after my second child was born, and afew months after moving house and giving up smoking. My GP thought it was triggered by our decorating and scraping off distemper from our kitchen walls. He put me on tablets and the brown and blue inhalers. Afetr about a year it had improved so much that I stopped taking any of the inhalers and the tablets but in the last 3 years it has become a problem again.I now have annual reviews from the asthma nurse and use a peak flow meter when requested but not on a regular basis. I now take the blue inhaler two puffs in the mrning prior to taking the brown inhaler in order to improve intake of the brown inhaler, but can't say that it makes much difference. damp and bad air pollution make me worse and most weekdays mornings I am wheezzing as I take the stairs at the station on my way to work in Central London. I also think that the new CFC free inhalers are not as good as the old ones. I also now find that I am more susceptible to chest infections and pneumonia and had a really bad bout of pneumonia last year despite having had the pneumoina vacination the year before.

Please click here to leave a comment

CAROL | 13/04/2007 18:49:00

I always had coughs and colds, especially in the spring and Autumn months, I put it down to Hayfever, until I was left one day unable to breath and taken to hospital were I was diagnosed with Asthma at the age of 30, I take steriods regularly now and have three different inhalers, blue brown and green. which I use four times a day. I have a peak flow metre and have regular checks , had the vaccinations for flu and pneumonia each year but doesn't help. Once you have a cold and get a cough your Asthma gets worse.

Sue | 13/04/2007 20:20:00

I have suffered from asthma all my life I think, but was only diagnosed about 20 years ago, (I'm now 58) I was always a chesty/wheezy child, but was told it was my sinus'. I was diagnosed after having stomach sugery, I had a bad reaction to the anistaetics (excuse the spelling), since then have used both blue and brown inhalers with spacer when necessary, and life is so much easier. Over the years I have talked many friends and family into going to their GP because of their so called coughing fit, and most have been told they have asthma!! Staying away from smokers and trying to stay healthy has helped me a lot.

lesa 14/4/07 | 14/04/2007 14:10:00

i was told i had copd at the age of 45 and given inhalers combi vent and seretide and occasionally prednisilone tablets by my doctor i then had a very bad attack and was hospitalised and saw a chest consultant who did loads of tests and told me i had asthma not copd and that i was probably the most allergic person she had met she then gave me singlair tablets and they have improved my life greatly.

Cala | 15/04/2007 17:58:00

I have had asthma since childhood. I has allergy shots to try and reduce tie symptoms for 9 years starting at the age of 12. The helped immensely. I currently use q-var 80, serovent twice daily (a.m.-p.m.) and also use Serovent for allergies. I use an ibuterol inhaler only several times a year; usually in early spring and when I am in someones home who has a cat. I was told that you can't get the correct dosage without using a spacer, so I use that always.

Mike H | 15/04/2007 19:40:00

Now 56, I remember becoming short of breath at about 3/4 years old and being told I had asthma, which I might grow out of at 7 or 14 but never did. Triggers are cut grass at certain times of the year and other pollens at random times, particularly when a combination of pollens and weather conditions combine to make me breathless. Difficult to know exactly the cause, but more vulnerable if I have a cold. Dust is another trigger. Introduced to inhalers in the early 1970s and these transformed my life as previous treatments were ineffective. Now able to keep symptoms under control most of the time. Little if any training at first, but asthma clinics in recent years and advice on using preventive inhalers like Becotide rather than just relying on ventolin was useful. I have had a spacer but find it of little benefit. However my voice often goes husky and this may be connected to direct contact with inhaler contents rather than using a spacer. My advice to healthcare professionals would be to make use of the the long experience of asthmatics in trying to manage their own symptoms (over 50 years in my case), to empower them to treat themselves where possible without constant reference to doctors/nurses (ie easy access to agreed drugs) and to look into the benefits of exercise to asthmatics because I find this has helped me enormously.

Please click here to leave a comment

suzywong | 15/04/2007 19:57:00

i have had asthma for 15 year,when first diagnosed i was given no help at all,even now i get no help if i need to see the doctor or nurse i really have to beg, i am on a blue and purple inhaler,and some times seriods, these put weight on me, i would love to know how to lose that weight as ihave tried everything,also i have read that coffee is good during an attack but i dont like coffee any ideas?????????i was given a space ball after 7 years find this helps

alan | 16/04/2007 08:59:00

i was diagnosed with asthma nearly 3 years ago by a locum doctor at the surgery where i go,he asked me if i had any reatives who suffered with it and i told him i had an uncle & my youngest brother.i take a preventitive inhaler and also have a ventolin inhaler in case it gets bad and i need to take it to open up my airways.i suffer most in hot weather or if i`ve been dong a lot of walking about very quickly in my line of work.normaly i find i`m ok. hope all this helps.


DRAGONMIST | 16/04/2007 09:13:00

I cycled up a hill one day, and fell off my bike, totally unable to breathe - until I passed out. I had never had any sign of asthma before this. I was 48 then. I thought I was dying. My Doctor said it was stress induced asthma. I was told not to cycle or undertake strenuous activities as this might trigger a fatal attack. I used the two inhalers and had no problems for a while. Then my condition got worse. In the end I needed the inhaler to walk uphill or climb the stairs. Oil seed rape, which used to give me hayfever , now triggered the asthma. I had to spend 3 weeks indoors every year with windows and doors shut. I was given a different inhaler. I think it was called Ventodisk. The powder made the coughing worse. I slowly weaned myself off the inhalers, and learned Yoga Breathing Exercises. I haven't had an attack in 5 years now, though I don't take chances, so no cycling or running for me.

Peter | 16/04/2007 09:16:00

I have had asthma since childhood, I am now in my late 50's. I have found that as I have got older the attacks have become less frequent, in fact I rarely use an inhaler these days except when I might start a cold and need relief. So I have for years carried an inhaler wherever I go, and get good relief. I have never used a spacer.

Richard | 16/04/2007 09:56:00

I developed asthma when I was 14 after having an attack during cross country running. I have needed inhalers, both blue and brown ever since. I am now able, through Yoga to control my breathing more. This has helped me start cycling again and engage in other similar activites. I no longer use my inhalers as much, apart from when I come into contact with the following; # Dust, moving house / opening pc cases. # Hayfever, grass, rapeseed season, lillies. #Rapid changes between hot and cold weather. My current practice is excellent, has an asthma nurse who regularly (every 6 months) takes my peak flow reading tells me my usuage (down to 27% since yoga). One thing I would comment on would be that asthma inhalers are not free on the NUS, I was at uni and had to stop taking for a few months. Many other people were in similar circumstances, then you have 3 inhalers and it comes to £15. Herorin addicts get free treatment, so do smokers when they give up. Neither life threatening and both self inflicted. Diabeties is provided free through the NHS. However asthma is life threatening but is not free. Someone needs to state this to his Tonyness. speric07@msn.com

Please click here to leave a comment

marie | 16/04/2007 10:12:00

i have been an asthma sufferer for over 30yrs have it well controlled with breathing correctly, it is important to remember to breathe out and empty the lungs during an attack take control of your breathing and dont panic, i have used inhalors for many years but find my current treatment the best everwhich is serotide50 2puffs twice a day need to rinse mouth well out after use to prevent dryness of mouth, have never used a spacer i have also taken for many years Xyzal 5mg antihystamine tabs 1 daily all year round and also use a Rhinolast nasal spray. i was diagnosed with asthma in my early 30's at a time when i lived in a house with ducted central heating and blame that for the cause, i was very aware of the dry smell of dust everytime it switched on and the irritation it caused to my nose and chest, i am very sensitive to perfumes, dust,pollens grass being the worst for me, dog and cat hairs and worst of all tobacco smoke, roll on july,sorry smokers but you have no idea the effect it has on people with breathing problems thank god i am not a smoker, i will be 70 this year lead a very active life, look and feel 20 yrs younger so being positive about my life and not letting asthma take control of my life but me taking control of my asthma is my success theory, or maybe i am just lucky and respond well to treatment, i visit my practice nurse 6monthly for review and to make sure i use my inhalor correctly, a well deserved visit, we are better looked after now than ever.

Derdru | 16/04/2007 10:14:00

I believe I have been Asthmatic since I was a very young child. I "died" at birth and was thrown into the air to get my breathing to start. All through childhood I had chest problems, I would cough and cough until I was sick, I just couldn't stop, I was gasping for a breath, My grandmother used to get a medicine called 'Angiers Emulsion' for me and this really did help. I used to feel it cooling me inside. ( I had 'Vicks on brown paper plastered to my chest and back every night'. It seemed to get better during my teenage years but then the bad chests came back in my 20's, especially in the damp and cold. Every winter I would have the flu and bronchitis. My father used to say," Another clean shirt will do you",I was so bad. I was in my 30's when my GP diagnosed me with chronic asthma. I have so many triggers, Hot moist air,cold moist air,fog,perfumes,gas fumes,paint fumes,dust,anything with a strong smell or scent,etc. Pollin does not affect me,nor do animals,at least I don't think so. I have the brown and the blue inhalers which I do not use unless it is really necessary. The blue inhaler gives me the shakes for about half an hour after use. I don't like that.I have never used a spacer. My GP and my Pharmacist make sure I use them correctly. I also use the flo metre when it gets bad. I carry my inhalers with me at all times in case I am not able to manage when an attack starts. I would tend to use deep breathing and relaxing exercise to help me. A cup of black coffee is good in the morning to help open the airways. I am in contact with my GP on a monthly basis to make sure all is ok ( I have other health problems ). If he is unavailable I will see the practise nurse or pop in to my pharmacist. They are very helpful. I am 55 years old now and I think I am coping all right.

juli | 16/04/2007 10:15:00

i'm 40 yrs old(?)i was diagnosed when i was 8. use both reliever and preventer inhalers. have been admitted to hospital where my gp's choice of inhaler(alvesco 160 preventer) is always questioed despite the fact that its te one that works for me!the fact the inhalers are charged for is disgusting.....we have a life threatening disease

alan howarth | 16/04/2007 10:18:00

I have now been put on seretide 500,it has improved my breathing by 75% I was on 2 differant inhalers which didnt make any change .since the nurse at the hospital changed the meds I can do all sorts of things without problems

Julia Kilminster-Biggs | 16/04/2007 11:01:00

I have been diagnosed with asthma at the age of 40 due to the fact that I was finding that I was out of breath. I had about 60% lung capacity which kind of scared me. I have never had "an attack" rather I find I am a bit breathless but never gasping or absolutely flat on the floor. I have to say though that I find it difficult to control as the inhalers really do not seem to make a huge difference. The training was done by the specialist asthma nurse at my practice. I can use the inhalers well and have no problems with them. Never used a spacer. I think that the education is there if you want it and the internet is great if you want to find out more. I just dont like the fact that i have asthma and it interferes with my singing sometimes!

Please click here to leave a comment

Jennie | 16/04/2007 11:44:00

I was first diagnosed with Asthma at 4 years old and was prescribed a 'Brovon' inhaler. Although 'safe' in it's atomized state, the Brovon inhalant was a poisonous substance. My GP showed my Mother and I how to use it. I now know that my Asthma is allergy related because once we no longer had a cat I was not so bad, better still after the dog died. I later realised that horses too were a problem so could not go riding. House dust remained a minor issue. I seemed to be relatively ok out of the house and at school. Years later I joined the RAF and there was no sign of Asthma during my medicals. I was fine once I was away from home and carpets. I still had my inhaler with me but never needed it until I came into contact with a cat and later stayed with friends whose parents had visited the week before with their long haired Collie. I did not have my inhaler then, had not needed it for years. I nearly choked to death that night, it was very frightening. I saw the medical officer the following morning who gave me a Ventolin inhaler and told me to stay away from dogs. I don't remember him showing me how to use it, I just read the instructions. Some years later - now out of the Air Force - I had a bad chest infection and my GP gave me another Ventolin relieaf inhaler and a brown Becotide preventer. These two inhalers controlled my Asthma reasonably well, except when I had a cold or chest infection when I was almost overdosing on them to get relieaf. I changed GP's in 2000 and found my new doctor had a keen interest in Asthma. He gave me Ventolin in an acuhaler form - a round inhaler that you open to snap a blister inside, inhale it then close it again. He also gave me a Seretide 250 preventer. I was also refered to an Asthma nurse who showed me how to use the acuhalers and told me to take a sip of water afterwards to wash the residue from my mouth and throat. This would prevent the dry throat and tickly cough afterwards. This was the first time I had been told all this, I was now 51! Since then I have been able to manage my Asthma much better. I use my preventer night and morning - when I remember! Red wine also leaves me very tight and breathless but I am NOT giving up red wine! I just use my inhaler. Interestingly, I was diagnosed with Rhumatoid Arthritis in 2002 and have been on 7.5mg of Prednisolone steroid since 03. Since taking this steroid I do not seem to be as allergic to dogs anymore, which is great as I love them, and can now visit friends and stay over without too much of a problem. I might use my inhaler 2-3 times in a 24 hour stay because my chest feels a little 'tight'. I think the Prednisolone has something to do with this. Cats remain a problem but I'm not into cats anyway so have nothing to do with them. I have owned other animals eg Goats, Rabbits, Hamsters, Guinea Pigs etc. None of these seem to be a problem.

Julie | 16/04/2007 12:45:00

I was diagnosed with asthma about 15 years ago, my doctors were very good teaching me to use my becotide and ventolin inhalers. I have prblems now and again as i suffer from panic attacks and sometimes I feel as though I'm not breathing properly, but on the whole I haven't had any real problems

Please click here to leave a comment

Val | 16/04/2007 15:31:00

I was diagnosed with Asthma 15 years ago. I was having trouble breathing, and it gradually got worse. I put up with it for a while but then went to the Dr's who tested my Peak Flo reading which at the time was between 260 and 310. I was given a Becotide Inhaler together with Ventolin, and a spacer, which I only use on occasions now. I have since been upgraded to Salmeterol to open my airways, then I have Becloforte Inhaler, again I still use the Ventolin as and when needed. My Asthma is now under control, and in my own Dr's words, if I did as I was told, no one would know I have asthma. My husband has recently been diagnosed AGAIN with asthma, ( he had it as a child ) but outgrew it. The Dr said it could be seasonal, but I have never heard of asthma being seasonal, especially when his peak flo is very low. 210 He now has a brown inhaler and his ventolin, and is coping ok.

yvonne porter | 16/04/2007 18:41:00

I was diagnosed with asthma 8 years ago after suffering one virus after another which my GP finally decided was asthma. I took the brown inhaler every night and morning and the blue one as and when needed. It is finally under control and i only suffer and need the inhalers when i get a cold/virus.

Petra Scott | 16/04/2007 18:47:00

I developed Occupational Asthma while working in a orthopedic theatres. I find having to rely on inhalers and tablets some times very hard. I have always said I will never let Asthma rule my life and I have not. There is a lot of things I cant do now and have to be very careful when I go out.

Ruth | 16/04/2007 19:36:00

I was diagnosed with asthma in my 30's although as a child I had what was then called "wheezy bronchitis". Having had 3 bouts of pneumonia and endless hospital stays with attacks and infections I am now on home oxygen, nebulised Ventolin, Atrovent and Pulmicort, Flixotide and Oxis inhalers and Phyllocontin, Prednisolone and Singulaire tablets. I have many triggers but the worst are dust, pollen and feathers, also have severe reactions to non-steroidal anti-infammatories (aspirin and ibuprofen based drugs). Despite all this I lead as independent and active life as possible, it is getting easier to organise oxygen supplies whilst being away from home, as I have also been diagnosed with secondary breast cancer I am determined to get out and about as much as possible and make the most of the time I have left.

Please click here to leave a comment

Jill Holman | 16/04/2007 19:36:00

I don't really consider myself as an Asthma sufferer. I had a couple of attacks about 20 years ago when I was about 50 and my DR has always insisted that I continue to use my Brown inhaler once a day at night. I go months with no"wheezes" unless I go out in very cold weather or have a cold.

kirsty mayes | 16/04/2007 19:39:00

i was diagnosed when i was about 12,and was first given salbutamol syrup,but was quickly put onto inhailers.My asthma never really settled,and was under a hospital asthma specialist from the age of about 15,where i was diganosed with brillet asthma.I was given a spacer and shown how to use my inhailers properly at the hospital.Ihad,and still do have many,many triggers,from laughing,being sick,pollen,dust,horses,sex!,just recently i had a bath and that put me in hospital for 4 days as the steam made me have a massive attack where i was close to collapse.I do feel however that after using salbutamol constantly every day,more than 4-5 times a day,for 13 years,that it has started to loose the effect,and that i have to use more,or just put up with a constant wheeze or tight chest

kirsty mayes | 16/04/2007 19:41:00

sorry, it was brittle asthma!

JILL MARUEDO | 16/04/2007 21:01:00

THE RESULT OF A BADLY CURED COUGH WAS THE RESULT OF MY HAVING ASTHMA AT THE AGE 0F35. I HAVE HAD A FEW OPERATIONS WITH GENERAL ANASTHETIC WHILE IN SPAIN AND ALL WENT WELL. 16 MONTHS AGO IHAD A KNEE REPLACEMENT HERE AND HAD A VERY FRIGHTENING EXPERIANCE. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN USING 2 INHALERS 2 PUFFS OF A PREVENTER MAUVE COLOUR AND THE BLUE ONE AS AND WHEN I NEED IT

jane, darlington 16/04/07 | 16/04/2007 21:06:00

hi, i was glad to read all your comments as it made me feel a lot less alone. asthma runs in my family so when i was diagnosed 9 months ago at age 41 it was no surprise. my surgery has been really good, i get 3 monthly checks, have been taught to use my inhalers and when i first started i was given a peak flow meter so they could work things out better for me. i have no idea what a spacer is so obviously i have never had to use one yet. i found that when i first started with the blue inhaler i was getting palpitations as well but these eased off, i was then put on the green and the brown inhalers but i found out that i was having a reaction to something in them that was swelling up my throat and tongue so they put me on the orange inhaler instead which so far seems to be working. on bad days i am still having to use my blue ihaler inbetween times but a lot less than before. i do have attacks that leave my lungs really sore and i didnt know what to do about that until i read one ladies comment describing the lung excercises she does, which i am going to start doing and maybe that will help me too, so thankyou to everyone and please dont stop, you really do help.

Please click here to leave a comment

Jilly | 16/04/2007 21:38:00

I have had allergies for as long as I can remember and smoked for a long time ending up being diagnosed with asthma about a year before I stopped the old weed. Some times I can go for days without using my blue inhaler and other times I find I have to carry it with me. Evenings are the worst at the moment - I guess that's when the pollen is coming back down. I am reviewed every year by my GP surgery asthma nurse who is excellent and tests my technique each visit. I wonder how true it is that respiratory diseases are worse in east Anglia, as it is so low lying? That's where I have lived for over 20 years. Any thoughts?

dan | 16/04/2007 21:50:00

I've been asthmatic since age 3. It seemed to get better in my teenage years, around the time I started smoking, although I wouldn't recommend this as a treatment for it. I rarely use the blue inhaler - usually after coming into contact with dust or when I have a cold. I keep the brown inhaler and use it when I get a cold. I don't know about anyone else but I find that if I don't carry my blue inhaler with me then I'm more likely to need it (I expect it's subconcious dependence on it). Also as a child stress used to bring on pretty bad asthma attacks - in fact I could bring on an attack to skip school so it did come in handy occasionally!

Alan | 16/04/2007 22:19:00

I was diagnosed with asthma at about 25 years old, after working in garages for nearly ten years. Only needed an inhaler when summer came due to hayfever, but asthma got worse when I moved to work in an air conditioned office! Havent had a bad attack for two years though

Heidi | 16/04/2007 22:29:00

I have been asthmatic all my life. I don't recall being diagnosed, apparently I was given Ventolin Syrup as a very young child. I was given a Salbutamol inhaler along with a Spinhaler when I was at Primary School. My doctor showed me exactly how to use them himself. I vaguely recall a conversation he had with my mother about long-term side effects. I hated both inhalers to me they tasted akin to hairspray and the Spinhaler made my throat sore! My main trigger is stress, particularly when I bottle up worries. Perfume, air freshners, and dogs are my next biggest triggers. The changing of the seasons is also often a tricky time. I have never smoked and have always lived in a non-smoking household. My dad and step-mother smoked, but I lived with my mum. I was told to use a spacer by a new doctor when I was about 19years old. By this time I was taking Salbutamol, when req, and Becotide 100. She insisted I needed Becotide 250 but taken using a spacer. She didn't explain why or what it was, just told me to get the prescription made up immediately. I did as I was told at the time but things have since reverted to the previous course of treatment. Interestingly, during my first prenancy, my asthma vanished. It was a lovely feeling of freedom for a while, not worrying where my inhaler was or how I was going to carry it without a bag. Sadly, during my second pregnancy which would be about 20months after having my daughter it all came back and hasn't left since! I gave birth to a son this time and he has subsequently been diagnosed asthmatic. He takes Salbutamol and Becotide 50, through a spacer. He is good with it most of the time but carting that great "trumpet" about can be a nuisance to all of us at times, and an albatross for him if he wants to go to visit friends.

Please click here to leave a comment

Jan T | 16/04/2007 22:36:00

I was misdiagnosed by a GP when I was in my early 20s, - eczema and hoyfever turned into asthma, which was diagnosed by another sufferer, herself a nurse, who advised me to go and hammer the GPs desk till he did something about it. I was eventualy put on Ventolin and now Seretide - I also take steroid tablests. The reliever inhaler/steroid inhaler combination work reasonably well unless I'm trying to do something strenuous. I am very dissatisfied with the follow-up/care from the GP practice - there isn;t any. I see a so-called asthma nurse once a year - she asks the smae three questions and that's it. I am nor monitored nor offered access to any new drugs or formulations that may be available - I always have a feeling that I've been left on the same old ones because they're the cheapest. I have relatively little trouble since I'm now mobility-impaired as well, thus I can't run, rush up stairs, etc and so don;t get out of breath, but I feel the asthma is always there lurking and of i get a cold or am under stress the reliever doesn;t always work well.

Anne W | 17/04/2007 09:08:00

I developed asthma at 54 after working witha cocktail of chemicals in my work. My consultant said it had triggered asthma and it would improve after removing the chemicals from my environment. Unfortunately this has not been the case and my asthma has several triggers. Tree and grass pollens, some perfumes, dust mites in particular. I used inhalers all of the time but I have now taken part exercises for controlled breathing and also pilates. This has proved invaluable and I only have to use inhalers when the triggers are particularly high. Or when I have a cold or chest infection. I always carry an inhaler with me in case of emergency.

Virginia Edmunds | 17/04/2007 09:08:00

I was diagnosed because of a night cough I wasn't specifically shown how to use the inhalers as I had 3 children who all used them and as my GP knew that they used theirs correctly she assumed I would too. I have since moved across the country and now have regular asthma reviews and have been checked to see that I use the inhaler correctly - I do! I use 3 inhalers regularly now and do regular peak flow tests to check how things are. I get worse during hayfever season and again if I get a cold in the winter. I seem to be more susceptible to chest infections but have so far managed to only have to take steroid tablets on an occasional basis. I rarely have a "proper attack" more just trouble breathing generally. It seems to me that asthma is now diagnosed much more readily than it was when I was a child - my parents taught in a school for physically handicapped children who had severe asthma and people who had the sort of symptoms that my children and I have had didn't seem to be classed as asthmatic

Please click here to leave a comment

Brendon Bone | 17/04/2007 09:21:00

I am 35 years old and have had Asthma all my life. I am told that I was wheezing and coughing throughout childhood, but it wasn't properly diagnosed til I was 5. I had a severe asthma attack at The London Dungeon, collapsed and was taken to Great Ormond Street in London, where they diagnosed it. It took another 20 years to get it under control though!!! Ventolin, or Salbutamol has been the constant in my life for 30 years, along with Beclamethasone and now an inhaler called Seretide 50, which is steroid based and I take through a spacer. When I was a kid there was a stigma attached to being an asthmatic, nowadays, its common place to see people taking inhalers in the street. I struggled through childhood and teenage years to get it under control, but not aprt from in the winter or when I get a heavy cold, I hardly even notice I have it. As for illnesses, common colds and flu, if its going around, I guarantee I will get it, and normally worse than most people, but hey, thats life!

Carol | 17/04/2007 09:25:00

I was diagnosed with asthma aged 18, following a cold that left me wheezy. Even today (I'm now 44), my main trigger is the common cold. At the time I was on 3 different inhalers to control my symptoms. After gradually having the dose of my Becotide inhaler increased to the maximum, I was put onto Serovent a few years ago, which has made such a difference. My asthma is now under control and gives me few problems. I use a spacer device, which helps the drug get into my lungs better. I love the counter, which is built into the inhaler, which saves all that shaking your inhaler to guess when it needs changing. I see the Nurse at my G.P's surgery once a year, to check my inhaler technique and my lung function, to make sure that everything is OK. It also gives me a chance to discuss any worries, which is great.


Emma G | 17/04/2007 10:01:00

I was diagnosed with asthma when I was very young - around 2 to 3 years old, following an attack bought on by allergies to horses. Triggers now (I'm 34) include animal hair, dust, cigarette smoke, grass/hay/straw, preservatives in soft drinks and exercise, particularly in cold weather. I also have problems with colds once or twice a year that turn onto chest infections that can last months. I have never used a spacer, and was taught to use my inhaler by my doctor and my Mum, who used to be a nurse. When I was younger, I used an inhaler that you inserted an capsule into containg the medicine in powder form. A couple of things I have found out through other sources than my Doctor have been the need to drink water after using an inhaler, as it can encourage thrush in the throat and isn't good for tooth enamel. I don't use my inhalers regularly and haven't had a full on attack for about 10 years (triggered by horses). I worry about using steroids and if this is related to weight gain. I think it would be good to have been taught certain breathing techniques, that can help mild asthma without the need for an inhaler.

Please click here to leave a comment

kaz | 17/04/2007 10:11:00

I have both bronchial and allergic asthma. I find that using salbutamol when allergens are present makes me much worse. The asthma nurse totally dismissed this suggestion, saying that as the drug is to widen the airways, I couldn't get worse. I told her that wider airways would inhale more pollen, so cause more wheezing

Nige | 17/04/2007 11:03:00

Diagnosed with asthma when I was 8 years old after a bad bout of hayfever. That was 43 yrs ago. Thankfully the treatment has got a lot better over the years. I now use a peakflow meter, Seretide and Ventolin and only have attacks now and again much less than I use to.

tobyjug | 17/04/2007 11:38:00

In the 60s I was diagnosed with "panic attacks". This hounded me untill the mid 80s when I was diagnosed. The inhalers do a fantastic job when I use them (rarely now) I use a spacer if I am having a worse than average attack, normally when the weather is foggy or sultry or when very nervous eg dentist appointments. I am called to the Asthma clinic every year to check that all is ok and that I am using the inhalers properly but I can see the nurse at any time

jen | 17/04/2007 11:44:00

i was 3 when the hospitalfinally told my mum i was asthmatic after be being ill all the time. and im still here now at 25. i had a home neb for a while after getting double pneumonia at 14, but im managing a lot better now i take seretide 250 twice a day 2/3 puffs but will double up at any sign of attack. i have ventolin 400 but they are stopping making the disks so whenthey wun out i have to go back to a crappy 100 one that doesnt even last me a week, but hey if it keeps me alive. jen

Please click here to leave a comment

edna 17;04;2007/11;42 | 17/04/2007 11:59:00

i have both bronchial asthma. using inhalers do not give the same relief as using a nebulisers,with a nebulisers the drugs can get into the body quicker, i do use inhalers ventolin and spiriva as well as my nebulisers for flixotide and salmol and steri nebsand have done for the past 35 years , this way works for me .

Annie H. | 17/04/2007 12:00:00

I was diagnosed with Asthma aged 14yrs.I'd had a heavy cold with a chest infection which led to a dry cough at night.I was rushed to hospital by Ambulance unable to breathe.I was in hospital for 10 days and it there i was told i had Asthma.Nurses and the physio taught me how to use my inhalers and i felt confident that they did a good enough job in educating me.I use a spacer when i have a cold as this is when my Asthma really bothers me and using spacer really does help.I also have bought a nebuliser which i use when i have a heavy cold sometimes and this helps a great deal in managing the Asthma and helps to avoid having to take steroids.

mrsmac269 | 17/04/2007 12:13:00

I've had asthma practically from birth. I was born in a mining town and have been told that my asthma was so severe that a local GP suggest we move away or I could die. We moved to the North East by the sea and from around the age of 6 we all thought it had gone. I had an asthma attack at the age of 20 where I was put onto a nebuliser, then again nothing until I was around 33. Stupidly I smoked for a great number of years, stopping eventually at the age of 30 (I'm 38 this year) and did have symptoms but didn't realise what they were! My grandmother and best friend died when I was 33 and the grief brought on another attack. I was hospitalised and then sent off to see an asthma nurse. I found out that I had actually still had asthma throughout the years, I just hadn't known the signs. I never wheeze but do get a very dry cough. I can't bear air fresheners, furniture polish or any type of spray. I spray my deodorant then run out of the room I have sprayed it in! I can use perfume though. I have been taught how to use my inhalers but have to admit to still not recognising the signs and symptoms of asthma. It can take me days to realise that I'm breathless (sounds stupid but true) or why I'm coughing. I don't use my inhalers much, just when I really need to. I'm not sure as to how much I should be using them. For example, do I still need to use the brown preventer every day even when I feel fine? I tend to think I don't need to, so just start them up when the asthma gets difficult. Also we pay for prescriptions, so it would be an expensive job for me to continually take them.

Margaret Spill | 17/04/2007 12:22:00

At the age of 12 I started hayfever, then at 32 I began suffering with rhinitis. When I was 48 I had a bad does of 'flu and developed asthma. I've been on medication ever since (9 years.) My asthma has never really been under control. For several years I took becotide and ventolin, now I'm also taking Serevent twice a day and a Singulair tablet at night. This is to help put a block between me and any allergy. I'm allergic to dust and all chemicals, including household polish. I use natural products like white vinegar to clean sinks or buy one of the supermarket range of natural products. I also take Aloe Vera and Vitamin C which is helpful for asthma. I don't believe my asthma is under proper control now as I also have exercise induced asthma and sometimes find it difficult to walk up hills. When I have a cold, it can be very difficult as even with all the medication, I have to be careful and not go out on cold, damp days when I have a virus. I'd like to emigrate to the Mediterranean!

Please click here to leave a comment

Kris | 17/04/2007 12:46:00

I was diagnosed with it after a serious chest infection. I have found the blue inhaler to be my new best friend - it saves me turning blue. I always use a spacer, taking the inhaler on it's own is not so effective.I find that changing from a warm environment to a cold one has to be managed carefully otherwise it will trigger an attack.

Eileen | 17/04/2007 13:41:00

I was diagnosed 6 years ago in my fifties after a cold went to my chest and I was sent to A&E by my GP after spending the previous night gasping for breath. In retrospect I must have had it for years as I had been breathless after stairs or even bending down to fasten my shoelaces but had put it down to age. I use a becotide inhaler morning and night. I use a spacer because I find my mouth gets sore if I don't. I carry the blue inhaler everywhere with me but don't need to us it very often. I would be interested in a smaller handbag sized spacer though as my spacer takes up room in my suitcase when going on holiday. I see my practice nurse twice a year for asthma checks and she has coached me in correct use of the inhalers. I also have flu and pneumonia jabs. I am quite satisfied with the level of treatment given by my GP practice. After my initial diagnosis I attended the Chest Hospital for about six months and had various tests and x-rays. The main thing I try to avoid is catching cold because they always go straight to my chest.

Liz | 17/04/2007 14:36:00

I was diagnose at the age of 3, but I never knew until I was 18, when my doctor ask why had I not been using ventolin... It turns out my mum was ashamed and never got me a repeat prescription. As a kid I was always breathless and had chest pains, I was told by my mother I had growing pains. Why did the doctor never mention it before I was 18? At 18 I was given my first ventolin rota inhaler, I had to read the instructions inside the box... So I taught myself by looking at the pictures on the instructions. In my early 20s I was given I was changed to a normal inhaler, which was not as good, yet again I read the instructions. In my late 20s I was given a spacer, but did not use it as it was so large and I was doing a lot of travelling. Stress kicks of my asthma, the same happens when I have a cold. My step son has asthma and we have taught him how to use his inhaler properly. I have asthma check ups every year but I feel it is just a waste of the nurses time, I wish I could just make an appointment if I am concerned or if it changed, as I am nearly 40 now and I understand about asthma. Asthma clinics really only need for the under 18s and the newly diagnosed every year but others can just book an appointment if they become concerned.

Please click here to leave a comment

Fiona | 17/04/2007 14:51:00

I was diagnosed as asthmatic at the age of 4 (I'm now 34). At that time the medication was very basic and did little to help. It usually involved breaking a capsule inside a self propelled inhaler....very difficult to do when you are gasping for breath and so young. It wasn't until I moved to a different health board area as a teenager that I was given a 'blue' inhaler during an emergency. The releif was immediate and after a consultation with our new doctor was put on the 'blue and brown' inhaler combination. I have had very few attacks since (even though I smoked for a few years) and have even taken up running!! I did have an attack last year; the first for 11 years; brought on by bathing the dog with the heating on and the window and door shut...silly me!! The smoking ban here in Scotland has also gone a long way to reducing my symptoms. My two daughters have also been diagnosed as mild asthmatics but have thankfully never had a bad attack, partly due to not making a fuss and keeping calm. I can say with confidence that being an asthmatic has very little impact on our lives.

jinny | 17/04/2007 15:51:00

i was diagonsed with asthma 14 years ago after the death of 2 relatives, it was really bad, but with using my 2 inhalers daily i find im ok but still have the coughing fits and my peak flow never goes above 275

Ralph Johnson | 17/04/2007 15:58:00

56 yr old asthmatic all my life use ventolin and becotide at times they have seemed like lifesavers, occasinaly have had to be put onsteroids that is until2005 when I was diagnosed with AF, went into hospital as an outpatient and had a cardiversion which thankfully corrected my arithmabut the good news is Ihave not used either inhaler since have spoken to my GP and consultant who both say it is a coincidence but I am still to be convinced, anyone else had this experience

John London | 17/04/2007 16:41:00

52 year old, was diagnosed as having asthma 22 years ago when my wife was expecting our first child. was first given ventolin but had very little info on how to use it except the manufacturers leaflet, once our son was born the symptoms dissapeared and so i was told to carry the inhaler just in case anything happened, (i could not beleive i had asthma as i was a very active cyclist and used to go out on training runs on the bike most nights covering upwards of 30 miles and also cycled 12 miles each way to work every day with no problems) my G.P. said that i had what was called nervous asthma!!! i had no more problems for 3 years until my wife was expecting our second, and then all went clear again for another 3 years when we had our third, all was then clear until i suffered from a pulmonary embolism in 1999which affected two thirds of my right lung, and i then had myventolin inhaler replaced with one called Combivent, still no training on how to use the inhaler correctly, once i was back on my feet after this i was diagnosed with Sleep Apnoea and when i was adnitted to Royal Brompton Hospital for this i was then given instruction on how to use the inhalers correctly and they also suggested that i use a spacer as this would assist me in using the inhalers more effectively, problems i have is that the spacing device is very bulky and difficult to carry about when using my wheelchair and also difficult to take out from its case and assemble when in the midst of an attack. does the spacing device need to be so large and awkward to use?i am sure i have seen some young children around who have a different style of inhaler thet has a different type of mouthpiece that seems to incorporate a miniature spacer device.

Please click here to leave a comment

Bev | 17/04/2007 16:43:00

48 yr old slight asthmatic. diagnosed in 2000 after a reaction to a general anaesthetic and a few panic attacks. I used to have to use QVAR as well as ventolin but recent tests show that I no longer need QVAR. I still use Ventolin depending on the severity and sometimes need to use a spacer.

claire2703 | 17/04/2007 18:18:00

I was diagnosed aged 13. I found it hard to deal with as I was a sports person for my school and county. I was made to give up my sport by my trainer as they thought asthma meant I could no longer compete. My gp taught me to use my inhalers and apart from each winter getting a severe lung infection my asthma is well managed and has been now for 22 years.

dorothy | 17/04/2007 18:36:00

i have been diagnosed late on in life with asthma it runs in my family and i have had it over 5 years now,some days i struggle more than others and the weather has alot to do with bringing on attacks,i use 2 inhalers and sometimes i struggle as sometimes when i have a severe attack it takes time to work.i struggle with stairs and steep hills and become breathless very easy as well as tiresome i get regular chest infections and this also is a trigger point with asthma i have heard they will be bringing out a new device to help us which is a great idea as i hope this will stop so many attacks i am willing to give it a try if it helps.i have regular check ups to monitor the peak flow but sometimes when you go for these tests i find them hard as with pushing to had as they expect you to do it it is not that easy if you have breathlessness,they blame alot with smoking but i dont think this is the case as some people have asthma from being babies and they would not of smoked any cigarettes,anyone agree on this point.

lynn | 17/04/2007 19:23:00

I have been asthmatic since a baby, and spent a lot of my childhood in and out of oxygen tents. I never let my asthma affect my life dramatically and still participated in many activities. My five children are all asthmatic, some worse than others. I had a good few years where I experienced no problems at all with my chest, then two years ago it spiralled out of control. On one occasion I was admitted to hospital requiring oxygen. I take various inhalers, also steroids, and need too nebulise. If there is anything positive from this being admitted to hospital made me realise how precious my children are, and I have not smoked since.

Please click here to leave a comment

Julie | 17/04/2007 19:31:00

I was diagnosed with asthma when I changed doctors and had a check up. I suffered badly with hayfever. I had problems with the change of seasons and used to have trouble catching my breath if stressed. My previous doctor had just told me to breath into a paper bag if I had trouble catching my breath. I am on seretide 100 twice a day and take a ventolin inhaler when needed. I go to asthma check ups every 6 months. I have never smoked but both my parents did. My dad bred budgies which I have been told can contribute to bronchial problems.


Miss Tracy Smith | 17/04/2007 19:56:00

I was diagnosed with Asthma when I was about 16-18 years of years I was out in the garden with the flowers and it was late evening when I fel short of breath so my mum called out the doctor who put me on a nebuiser. I was then sent back to the doctors on the monday where I was put on blue and borwn inhalers. Since then my asthma has improved but have now changed my brown inhaler to red and have been put on servent. I go for 6 months Asthma check with Nurse at doctors who recently combined my inhalers together as a purple one but unforutnately they did not work so went back to two.

Andrea Morrison | 17/04/2007 20:05:00

I was finally diagnosed with asthma during a very bad attack. Previously I was told that I had bronchitis, or that it was due to my weight and once I was told it was passion (after I said that my boyfriend noticed that I often became breathless). At first I was given steroids for that particular attack and a little twist inhaler (the kind children use) that I was to use when I felt breathless. I wasn't given much information at the time and was left to decide for myself when to administer it. This was in 1990. Over the years I had more attacks,and was put onto a disc inhaler on a regular basis. I mostly got attacks after a chest infection, and occasionally after severe exertion Then in 1996 moved to my current home and changed doctors. I was then sent to a specialist nurse who checks up on my asthma once a year and also checks my techniques in using the inhaler. I currently have 3 on repeat prescription, one I use twice daily, one for when I get a little 'chesty' and one for as and when I feel the need for an extra puff. My asthma is now so well controlled that I rarely need my two extra inhalers, except during the winter if it is really cold and I get a chest infection. .

Please click here to leave a comment

Jane. Ashy | 17/04/2007 20:33:00

I was first diagnosed over 13 yrs ago after leaving the army - Stress was the main trigger for my first attack. My ususal trigger for an asthma attack is Cat Fur, Stress, and changes in the season especially Winter and Summer. I was first taught by the local surgery nurse how to use my inhalers and what dose's etc i had to take. various tests were done first so that my dosage could be set. and i was also asked to keep a peak flow diary for a few months. regular check ups are done at my local surgery, and my dose's are bigger during the season of winter as this is when my asthma gets worse. I have since being diagnosed with asthma suffered from so many chest infections and phenumonia. which every year the chest infections get worse and also come with infections of other sorts. The advice that i have been given has been great and the nurses and been very informative and patient. which is good. I personally think that more people should be aware of the dangers of asthma and the risks that it does carry - even though some class it as not being life threatening - IT actually is...... I think that people with asthma should also be intitled to FREE PRESCRIPTIONS - as i said before it can be life threatening?

Hayley Hedger | 17/04/2007 21:18:00

I was diagnosed at the age of 4 having suffered an attack following an allergic reaction to Septrin. It got worse as I hit teenage years but has improved since having children. I have allergy and exercise induced asthma. I was given the brown inhaler years ago and am still supposed to be taking it twice a day and the blue one when needed. Instead I take the brown one when I feel a cold coming on and the blue one when needed. I don't like the idea of filling my body with drugs when I don't need them. As it is, I end up taking the blue inhaler just a couple of times a year. I also find that I cannot laugh too much without triggering an attack.

Gail | 18/04/2007 08:38:00

I was diagnosed with sports asthma at age 31 after spending the later part of my schooling being told the reason my chest closed up after sport was that I was unfit and needed to exercise more. My symptoms have changed now, and I get a bad coughing fit if I exercise, however a Salumol puffer has sorted that out and I can now swim 30 lenghts, before I had to stop after 2 to catch my breath and I can now cycle as well (not that Im going to be entering the Tour d' France any time soon!) I was a releif to know that there was something wrong and it wasnt me just being silly.

Chrissie R | 18/04/2007 09:02:00

I was diagnosed originally as a teenager on returning to the UK from Australia, living in a boarding school in a cold damp country wasn't a good thing. But managed reasonably ok - was on tablets and puffers. Then as I grew it faded until it came back with a force in my mid twenties after having my children, I have been on various tablets and puffers. I have found out I have many allergies - certain antibiotics, certain plants, horses, cats and dogs and house mites, so the carpets have gone, now have wooden floors, have allergy free bedding etc. and is usually reasonabbly controlled I have Seretide inhaler and of course the life saver Ventolin, I do have to go onto steriods at least twice a year which I hate as you always put on weight and it gets harder to loose it when you get older. I was taught how to use my inhalers by the Asthma nurse at the local hospital in T.Wells - she is brilliant I also see one at my GP surgery - I would recommend everybody sees an Asthma nurse they are so helpful and they do keep a close watch on you.I agree with Jane - Ashy - we should get FREE prescriptions it costs me a fortune everyear in drugs and puffers etc.

Please click here to leave a comment

Fiona | 18/04/2007 09:50:00

I wasn't diagnosed with asthma till i was in my twenties.I have always suffered from various allergies-eczema,hay fever etc.My GP surgery has been very good and i attend their asthma clinic at least twice a year.Currently i use Symbicort and Ventolin inhalers .My asthma is much improved and i rarely have to use my Ventolin inhaler(of course i still carry it with me always!!)My GP found out i was allergic to cats,dogs and dust mites.I was told that damp dusting in the house every day would help and it does!!Recently my Asthma nurse suggested i try montelukast 10mg tablets(Singulair)They have helped a great deal and i currently take one tablet each night.My seasonal allergies have also stopped-i rarely sneeze anymore! So although i have asthma it doesnt stop me doing what i want to do!

janice | 18/04/2007 10:13:00

I have had asthma for ten years,blue inhalers didn't work ,I was using it too often, and therefore had side effects,after two years my gp gave me serevent inhaler [green] it transformed my life. asthma is now controlled,i use my inhaler twice a day,and i have no problems. I carry the blue inhaler for emergencies eg cigarette smoke,car fumes. Ialso use a red inhaler as a preventive every morning. Like many others I am also allergic to some preservitives found in cleaners,toiletries,and make up. I attend an asthma clinic every six month .

Tricia | 18/04/2007 10:23:00

I took Asthma when I was in my teens. I was taught how to use my inhalers by a practice nurse and found this no problem.The only problem that I encountered was that I kept taking thrush in my mouth from not rinsing it out enough after taking the inhalers. This rinsing of the mouth was not stressed enough by the practice nurse. Brushing a horse triggered the asthma. I take attacks form dust mites and certain perfumes. I used to smoke, in fact since I was 14 (really cool thing to do then) but have been stopped now for about 15 years. I stopped after having a really bad asthma attack. Nobody told us of the dangers of smoking when I was a teenager and nobody told us that it was a drug and that you get hooked . My advice to other asthmatics is whatever you do don't smoke. I am 58 and have used inhalers since my late teens. I now use a spacer and have done so for about 15 years. This is much more effective at keeping the asthma under control and preventing thrush in the mouth. I have used different types of inhalers but my present ones which I have used for about 10 years are very effective. I use Seretide, Ventolin, Beconase nasal spray and a Singulair tablet at night.

REBECCA WATTS | 18/04/2007 10:28:00

I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ASTHMA AFTER HAVING A PERSISTANT COUGH. I HAVE BEEN SHOW ON NUMERAS OCCATIONS HOW TO USE MY INHALER MY THE SURGERYS NURSE, BUT I DO STILL FIND IN DIFFICULT TO USE. AND I KEEP FORGETING TO TAKE MY PREVENTER ( I THINK ITS BECAUSE I FIND IT HARD TO USE PROPERLY AND IT TASTES HORRIBLE. IT ALSO LEAVES A DUSTY RESIDUE IN MY THROAT?

Mandy | 18/04/2007 10:46:00

I have had asthma for 25 years, following a Psychological truma. I have used inhalers for 25 years after tablets made me shake uncontrollable. I was shown by the doctor how to use the inhaler I found it quite easy to use, its just to big for my handbag! So sometimes I leave it at home. ( Silly thing to do I know) Inhalers have not changed over the last 25 years in shape or use of. Over the years I have found polution, stress, polen in March / April and Fir trees are triggers I use Becotide and Ventolin

Please click here to leave a comment

Paul Critchley | 18/04/2007 10:47:00

I've suffered with Asthma since my early teens - more of an allergic reaction to pollen and particularly cold weather. I have two inhalers, which I use with increasing regularity during the spring / summer months. A purple steroid one two times, twice a day and the blue reliever. It just means to me that I've got to be careful about what I do and don't do. Swimming is great for asthmatics so I try to do as much of that as possible to keep fit! Paul.

Lisa | 18/04/2007 10:48:00

I was diagnosed with asthma when I was about 5. Mostly it was triggered by physical exertion and cat allergy but as I've got older I seem to have grown out of it. The cat allergy is the main cause of attacks now. The nurse at the surgery showed me how to use the inhalers and a spacer no problem, but the spacer just seems too cumbersome to take with you. It didn't seem to be a massive improvement over just the inhaler so I only ever used it when things got really bad. Now I only use Ventolin when I need it and Becotide if the tightness persists. I still try and attend the asthma clinic.

Kelly | 18/04/2007 11:03:00

My first asthma attack was triggered by a chest infection when I was around 6 years old. Although when I was younger I suffered quite badly, it is very rare I get an attack now unless I have a chest infection or am in the same room as a cat! I was given inhalers straight away and was shown by my doctor how to use them, however I was never offered a spacer which from watching my own daughter with asthma she finds the spacer easier to use. The doctor still prescribes me Ventolin and Becotide just to be on the safe side although I rarely use them. I was never booked into an asthma clinic though so it has been interesting to learn most of you have as I had never even heard of it!!!

Kerry | 18/04/2007 11:27:00

I had asthma as a child, but seemed to 'grow out of it' and did not have another attack until I moved out of the big bad smoky city to the nice clean countryside, where within 3 months i was living with a nebuliser! I have 2 inhalers I use morning and night as well as my blue one - one of them, the salmeterol(brand name Serevent) has been a godsend, as I now dont need to live with a nebuliser. Like Lisa I didn't find the spacer device very easy to cart about so I asked my doctor if there was something else I could use and he prescribed me an 'AeroChamber plus' which is about the size of a handbag size hairspray, and much easier to carry.

Lynne | 18/04/2007 12:24:00

No time at the moment to write about my asthma but wanted to mention that a mug of black instant coffee can ward off an asthma attack. I have one when I get up in the morning (when I'm most likely to cough a lot) and it works for me.

Please click here to leave a comment

Joana | 18/04/2007 13:43:00

My last serious asthma attack was when I was six years, over the years, I have had minor ones, I usually use the salbutamol inhaler which does help but design of lip for inhaler should be a streamline, but flater, otherwise, its works for me

Gail Smith | 18/04/2007 13:56:00

I was diagnosed with late onset asthma in my mid forties.I had developed a persistant cough after a chest infection and antibiotics didnt help.My medical history shows numerous chest infections and upper respiratory infections prior to this. I was shown how to use the inhalers by my G.P. and my 8 year old niece,also a sufferer. I find the inhalers and spacing device easy to use, although I do have one small criticism of the design of the inhalers.I once used my blue inhaler during an attack and made matters worse, because a tiny piece of paper had worked its way inside the cover(I assume through the open bit at the top of the inhaler) and was propelled into the back of my throat! The perils of carrying it around in the bottom of my handbag, I suppose.Now I always spray the inhaler into the air first to make sure its clear.

Debbie | 18/04/2007 14:05:00

my daughter has had asthma since she was a toddler and uses a preventer everyday I am convinced it has ruined her teeth has they are very stained.She is 10 now and very paranoid about her teeth and the thing is she as always brushed her teeth and regularly visited the dentist,plus she always cleans her teeth after using her spray.

Steve mason | 18/04/2007 14:31:00

I have had asthma since i was 20 and found that some of the inhalers are awkward to use, as you never know whether you taking the drug or not.

Angela Keating | 18/04/2007 14:57:00

I have had asthma since I was a child and have only every had one serious attack. I regularly use my Ventolin and Becotide inhalers and find that my asthma is easily controlled. I was given a spacer device to use whilst I was pregnant as my asthma got worse during this time. The spacer device was very helpful. My asthma definitely worsens during the pollen season with some years being worse than others.

Thelma | 18/04/2007 15:33:00

I was diagnosed with asthma after suffering bouts of coughing for several months. I was given cough medicine at first until I had a really bad attack. My practice nurse taught me how to use the inhalers, brown, green and blue. I have appointments every 6 months to see how I am getting on. I also have a spacer given to me by the practice nurse. I think every one who suffers with asthma should have at least a 6 monthly check up.

carolyn | 18/04/2007 16:03:00

hi ive had asthma since i was a child im now 28 and still suffer quite basdly. i love singing but my pumps tend to not let me achieve this. ive tried using a able spacer but dont feel the full medication gets through to my lungs with this. i would like to know if there are any long term affects associated wioth using an inhaler as i use 2 every day 4 puffs of 2 inhalers both becotide and a new one serevent both morning and night 8 puffs a day!is there any link to throught cancer or problems as these drugs are having to be used an awful lot. using the steriod based one has indeed stunted my growth as this im sure is common for those who need to use such meds when growing up. are there any alternatives at least for a time to not using an inhaler? thankyou

Please click here to leave a comment

cathie | 18/04/2007 16:09:00

I was diagnosed with Asthma in my earlt 40's The inhalor Ventolin is ok but when I was transferred to the CFC free version it was less effective. Becotide has now been added with good effect I am now well under control

Chrissie R | 18/04/2007 18:10:00

I have never heard of an aerochamber plus, is it easy to use, I don't usually have a problem using my puffers but soemtimes I get it wrong and this sounds interesting I will check on it back with my GP especially as I am currently suffering with a very serious chest infection at the moment and everytime I use my puffers I am coughing like mad then throw up...so anything that may help is worth trying - I disagree the CFC free version is less effective it is as good if you manage to get the full dose in - maybe a spacer or this aerochamber is worth using / trying. I have not personally heard of any cancers or problems with using the puffers not like oral prednisilone (Steriods) do.

sisgb | 18/04/2007 18:12:00

I was diagnosed with asthma in my late 30's after suffering from repeated chest infections over aperiod of years and also severe hay fever. My mother was asthmatic earlier in life, so maybe their is a genetic predisposition? My GP never ever tested me for asthma just always gave me antibiotics. I was away, in Wales when I developed a chest infection and the GP there immediately diagnosed asthma as well, despite my protestations that I wasn't asthmatic! He showed me how to use the inhaler, and I couldn't believe the immediate relief.All sorts of things set my asthma off now, including pollen, animals, pollution, however it is now extremely well controlled using Seretide- I hardly ever have to use the reliever Salbutamol/Ventolin. I purchase a three months prescription card once a year and stock up for the year.

Mike | 18/04/2007 18:48:00

I was diagnosed with asthma at the age of 18 and have been using a varity of inhalers ever since. I currently use ventolin, servent and flixotide rotahaler. I also have a home nebuliser for the few times I need additional medications. MY asthma is for a large part relatively well controlled. But I am prone to Chest infections when exposed to bacteria.

David | 18/04/2007 19:28:00

I started getting asthmatic at around 11 and was initially given a spinhaler (ventolin I think). It wasn't very good. Eventually I moved on to a ventolin inhaler and have been using them for around 30 years. My doctor at the time demonstrated how to use both types when he prescribed them. My asthma now tends to be seasonal, linked to the hayfever season, but a Becotide preventer usually helps stops it getting too bad. Every couple of years however I have a bad summer and end up taking a dose of steroids. I now use my ventolin mostly prior to running, just to make sure everything is clear when I feel a little tight.

Heather | 18/04/2007 19:51:00

I was diagnosed with asthma at 17yrs old. Up to that point I had been quite active. I have been taught how to use my inhalers. The 1st spacer I was given (a massive big clear one) but it was rubbish. Then I was given a smaller blue ended which helps tremendously. I think the accuhalers aren't very good for people with moderate to severe asthma as they require the user to take such a deep breath to retrieve any drug (are they taking the mick?!), I got quite ill using them. Inhalers are better. Gemini makes an excellent point about the coffee to calm an attack, but I find two tins of coke work just as well.

Please click here to leave a comment

Sheila | 18/04/2007 21:12:00

Had a "funny" cough sometimes when I was a child. Startrd smoking at 14,and diagnosed with asthma seven years ago. [Am now nearly 60]. Use 2 different inhalers, the regular blue and the brown with spacer. Extreme heat, extreme cold and extreme stress can start me off. As soon as I start slight wheezing, I know the weather is on the turn and use inhalers as prescribed.

Anne | 18/04/2007 21:18:00

I have had a 'silly' cough since childhood, and given cough medicines, and later in life, codeine linctus or Gees Linctus. About 12 years ago I inhaled fumes from a mixture of bleach and paint stripper, it burnt my throat and my GP put me on Becotide 50. Then added Salbutamol to it, without doing me much good. I persevered until last summer when an air freshner started it all up again, and I saw a doctor while on holiday. He was most surprised as to how my GP was ? controlling my asthme. He changed the Becotide to something better and I have had no problem with this new inhaler - a mauve cased one. My only problem is that the one my new GP prescrbed is half the strength and I have needed steroids twice in the past 6 months to get back to good health. Think I need to attend a review - its not good practice to do your own thing, which is what I am doing at present!!

Judi O'Sullivan | 18/04/2007 21:37:00

I was asthmatic as a child and grew out of it until I had to have radiotherapy for breast cancer and my asthmas came back with a vengance. Smoke does not affect me,(good as I am a smoker), carrying heavy objects and hills, cold and wind and chemical fumes affect me also an allergy to garlic brings on a major attack. Am loads better with the warmer weather.Colds get a better grip now too. My cat affects me only when I have a cold. Sensible attitude to medication has helped.

Lucie | 18/04/2007 21:38:00

I was diagnosed with asthma at the age of 9 after persistant chest infections and a very horrible cough. I had really good monitoring when I was young and was taught how to use my inhalers and had regular checks to make sure I was using them as I should. I am now 28 and still using ventolin but since being pregnant with my fisrt child in 2004 have been upgraded to an extra strong turbo haler. I am now pregnant again and have suffered several asthma attacks, think its because I'm expecting twins and my poor lungs need to cope with no space and a lot of extra weight! I have been always well treated for my asthma and encouraged to have regular check ups with my asthma nurse.

Darth | 19/04/2007 09:21:00

Always an asthmatic, I struggled along, until, after an attack and chest infection, I made an appointment with the asthma nurse to review my meds as I was ill as soon as I got a cold. She, being asthmatic, told me that she wanted to prescribe a particular inhalor but would have to try others first. Working in the pharmaceutical industry myself, I am aware that the first inhalors tried are the cheapest. Then came seretide (purple inhalor). Two puffs twice a day (with my first spacer) and I have gone from constant wheezing to no wheeze. Using the blue, four times a day to none. I can not express how well I feel, it is like I have new lungs. If, like me, you think, I am a mild asthmatic, a bit of wheeze is normal. It is not. Go and see your specialist and do not be fobbed off because your peak flow is OK. It is how you feel that matters. FYI, my peak flow has not increased massively on my previous best, but it is the same morning and night every day.

Please click here to leave a comment

Sharon G | 19/04/2007 10:05:00

I was diagnosed with asthma in 1968 age 5. My older sister had already been diagnosed and my son was diagnosed in 1986 age 2. Myself and my sister both smoked as adults and she died of an asthma attack (status asthmaticus) in June 1991 at the age of 40. I gave up smoking shortly after her death and both my own and my son's asthma improved dramatically. he after being admitted to hospital two or three times a year while I smoked was never admitted again and I have never had another serious asthma attack since giving up. We now only get wheezy if we have an infection and only need to use inhalers occasionally. My parents also smoked throughout my childhood and I am convinced that our improvement is down to my giving up smoking. We both used to have very bad asthma and had a nebuliser for home use and used daily peak flow meters. Now we have lives relatively free of extreme breathing difficulties it's tragic that it took my sisters death to make us realise.

angela | 19/04/2007 10:06:00

I was a severe asthmatic until 10 years ago when i found out that i also had chron's disease. I had to take steroids for months to try and get my chron's under control and when the steroids were not working well i was given a drug called Azathioprine. Azathioprine is normally used in people who have had transplants to stop them rejecting the new organ. It works by dampening down the imune system. Because both Asthma and Chron's disease are both caused by the immune system over reacting this drug practically cured my asthma. I know longer no what it is like to have Asthma, i haven't had an attack in 7 years and have been able to cut my inhaler right down. This tablet can have serious side effect but i have had none from taking it. There were trials of this drug to see if it could cure Asthma and the results were 50/50 so they are now doing another trial so this drug may not work for everyone but if like me you have severe Asthma it may well be worth asking your doctor about it.

Sammi | 19/04/2007 10:30:00

I was diagnosed with asthma aged 16, ( listened to chest, 'you're wheezy, you have asthma' ) and just given a 'blue' inhaler. My mum was told to boil the kettle and make lots of steam in my room during the night when I was wheezy! I had only 2 attacks that needed hospital treatment (being a teen I constantly forgot to take my inhaler anywhere). The last attack I had as a teen was when I was staying with a friend in Norfolk and I got rushed to hospital in the middle of the night and was put on a nebuliser. I felt fine after a few minutes, much to my embarrassment, I was asked where my inhaler was, and I replied 'in London'. I was a teen smoker, starting at 14, and only gave up two years ago. I am now 37 and have been rediagnosed ( 'your asthma has come back' ) after suffering a chesty cough that 'wouldn't go away' for nearly 3 months. (I had already been taking Paroxetine (anti depressant) 30mg for nearly a year).I was in total disbelief, I GAVE UP smoking surely my lung should be improving after the amount of ex smoker 'muck' I got rid off! I was asked to measure my peak flow (started at around 400 and after 3 weeks and medication rose to 600). I was taking the 'brown' twice in morning twice at night and blue as and when. Also been put on Certrizine (anti histamine) as it may have been an allergy, said my doc.( I feel he is hedging his bets here!) Being a naughty me, I normally forgot the brown and after getting another 'cough' went back to docs and I am now on Simbicort two in the morning, blue still, as and when. I have just this minute checked what my peak flow should be, being 5' 4", female and 37, it should be around the 440 mark (EU Mini Wright meter), but I just blew 600 again. So, either the medication is working extremely well or I have large lungs! I am still coughing up some 'muck' every now and then, still taking the Certrizine and Paroxetine 30mg daily (anti depressant) too. Am I allergic to something instead? Did the anti depressant 'weaken' me some how? I feel fine at the moment, although I know that NOT taking these medicenes will make me feel worse? Would I still be fine with a 'placebo' instead? Maybe I need to talk to my psychologist more :D

Please click here to leave a comment

val1938 | 19/04/2007 10:35:00

i was diagnosed with asthma in my late fifties during a number of tests after my health suddenly became cause for concern(i was also diagnosed with other things as well).at first i was having to use 4 inhalers/blue/brown/green/orange. as i became more familiar with my condition i was able to control it reasonably well--nobody smokes in the house now/i can usually judge in good time when i need extra puffs and do not use my blue inhaler much. did have one bad scare--taken into hospital one boxing day with anaphylactic shock which caused a massive asthma attack which might have been fatal without the excellent care i received. the source of the shock has never been discovered despite considerable efforts .there are no regular triggers ..sometimes it can be started by conditions which have no effect at other times. could not get on with the spacer, but use the brown inhaler twice a day,two or four puffs depending on how i feel(advice from asthma nurse).moved to scotland four years ago and generally find i have fewer attacks.air quality could be poor where i used to live.

Cazellis | 19/04/2007 11:32:00

I was told that i had asthma about 10 years ago. It runs in the family. I have only ever used the blue inhaler and i was not shown how to use it properly. I have not needed to use my inhaler since i ave birth to my daughter 3 1/2 years ago.

Patricia Olivant | 19/04/2007 11:59:00

Now well under control My doctor keeps a good check on me with very regular check ups. On 3 inhalers which keep me on track only suffer mild asthma (fortunately) I do find my triggers are dust, animals, smoke,rigerous exercise which I can avoid most of the time.I was diagnosed in my late forties after treatment for breast cancer so found it quite difficult at first but after 10 years it has become part of my "normal" life.

Chaney | 19/04/2007 12:24:00

For 30 years, I have been telling my doctors that the inhalers don’t work. The nebulizer and spacer are better but the relief is very short lived and they don’t really help and some even make matter worse. I recently had a lung function test, my first one, where they tested before and after the medication and finally I have proof that the medication does not work. As I have cough variant asthma I am now on codeine, which does stop the cough but dosen’t do much for the breathing. I very much feel that inhalers are just handed out, without much thought by doctors. They have many ingredients other than their primary medication and their side effects are dismissed, as doctors don’t seem to think that they can be as problematic as oral medication.

Please click here to leave a comment

Jane | 19/04/2007 12:51:00

I had my first 3 asthma attacks when I was 13, but as they were caused by pet allergies and there were other allergy symptoms also I didn't bother getting medical help (couldn't call an ambulance the first few times as walked across moors to get home so had to lie quietly for hours before being fit to get home to phone-then ambulance not needed) as my GP was incompetent anyhow. As a teenager simply avoiding the triggers was enough until I moved to a large city (for college/uni), when it got ridiculously bad overnight and I had to get treatment. In the same day I could run 6 miles in the country without any problems (despite mild hayfever) but couldn't jog 200 yards for a bus in the city in the same conditions just 20 miles away. I'm still living in the city, I don't have a choice. I can't exert myself or get any outdoor excercise without leaving the area, and if I have to go outside at time when the air quality is especially bad, I take my time and rest lots. I have other health problems also that would make living in a remote area impossible, and with buses trains shops, good GPs, decent hospitals, and libraries nearby, it's just a lot easier. I know the area and people now, and my parner's family are nearby, and I'm settled. If I could drive these things wouldn't matter as much, but without a car here's the best place for me. I've been on salbutamol (blue reliever) for 10 years now, which is an absolute life saver. I'm also have to take antihistamines all the time as I've developed many more allergies since moving to the city, and too many to avoid and I now keep pets I'm also mildly allergic too. I've been on beclomethazone (brown preventer) for 18 months. I should have been on it long before then, but I didn't as I had several blood tests indicating Cushings and wanted to avoid steriods (plus developed many other health probs and steriods didn't seem wise). Every winter for 4 years I've been getting very bad chest infections that I couldn't shift getting worse each winter even with antibiotics, which make me ill (allergic to many, poorly tolerate others), they'd still last for months. It ended up that I was getting the next infection before clearing the last (usual developing from colds that barely bothered others) , so I had a chest infection of some degree for 7 months straight. Thats when I started on the preventer and it has made a big difference. The first one they gave me I couldn't inhale hard enough to actuate it, but the next was ok. I'm still prone to chest infections, but they sometimes clear up on their own and now just one course of antibiotics is clearing up most of them (thankfully). I'd say my asthma is managed pretty well now. I have to use the blue if I go near smokers or out near rush hour times or do much in the way of walking around town, plus if I have a respiratory infections I use it all the time when I'm ill under my doctors advice, but no major attacks. My GP showed me how to use the blue one the first time, and I've never had a problem. The asthma nurses I regularly see see my inhaler technique is good. The brown one was shown to me by an asthma nurse and again no problems using it and my technique is fine. My brown one comes with a spacer but I don't use it. I think it makes it harder to actuate when my chest is bad and is just annoying the rest of the time. The extra storage space is a pain to and if I go visiting folk, then it just gets in the way. My blue inhaler just slips in my pocket or hand bag when I go out, but the brown is so large I need to take a larger handbag than normal to fit it in so it's a pain for visiting overnight. The blue one is now smaller than when I 1st started taking it, and it's so much easier to carry around even though its ony 30% smaller. Any inhaler manufactures reading this - small is good! Sudden cold makes me worse and the prolonged heat in summer does too, but I think a lot of that may be down to pollution. The summer before last I had to stay with friend in the suburbs during the worst heat of summer as I couldn't do a thing (5 degree C difference in the day 10 at night and that's just 4 miles away), and was breathless and exhausted (other health probs worsened it). Last summer I had major op, and had to stay with friends then as I couldn't be left alone so missed out on the worse of the city heat. Advice to others: If pollution affects you avoid it, don't go out in rush hours times, Avoid the city and large towns if you can, avoid towns in steep sided valleys also. If your doctor or asthma nurse thinks it's time to use preventers, give it a go for 3 months, then decide if it helps. Don't put it off like I did, it's not worth it. If you get lots of chest infections tell your GP and consider preventers. If you have allergies, take antihistamines, and if the first one you try isn't effective or ceases to be effective try getting a higher dose from your GP, then try others. Remember different ones work better for different people, there is no better or strongest anti-histamine, find one that works for you. Good Luck All!


LAURA | 19/04/2007 16:02:00

I was diagnosed with mild asthma at age 57. Quite an unpleasant surprise. Previously suffered with eczema and hay fever. Was taught how to use inhaler - ventolin. Use only when required. Triggers mainly smoking and paint fumes - sometimes pollen.Attend asthma clinic every 6 months.

shalimar | 19/04/2007 17:30:00

I use 3 inhalers, including Becotide and Serevent twice daily and Ventolin occasionally. Although I can use my inhalers, I find the spacer works better and is easier to use but difficult to pack when travelling or out all day! The worst thing about inhalers is never knowing when they are about to run out, especially annoying as one of them has 120 uses and the other 200, so I have to remember to buy well in advance.Also, because of the prescription process, it is annoying not to be able get both together as I would then have more of one than the other. It would be great if there was an indication when the contents were running low.

john marshall | 19/04/2007 18:08:00

I currently use two inhalers.I use my blue one regularly,maybe 4-8 times a day.and my brown one at least twice a day.My asthma has improved slightly since stopping omoking,but not as much as i thought it would.

Lionel Leighton | 19/04/2007 20:34:00

I'm 72 and first had severe asthma from the age of about three. So bad that I went into a coma in 1955 from a long and bad attack. It was suggested by the hospital that the coma was due to carbon dioxide poisoning due to being unable to breath out fully. I was then given Deltacortril (Prednisolone) which was a new trial drug at that time. Unfortunately the dosage to give was still under development and I initially was overdosed giving side effects. It took 20 years to wean me off prednisolone by which time newer drugs and inhalers took over my asthma management. Currently I rarely have an attack and my Ventolin (Salbutamol) inhalers often become out of date before being empty. My GP allows me to take my Becotide as and when I think fit. I'm on very low dosage (Becotide50) and usually take it during the summer when my hay fever starts being a nuisance. In the winter I might increase the dose if I get a cold. I suspect that my fathers smoking was the main cause of much of my asthma problems along with the London air pollution of the 1940s and 50s. Upon leaving home and moving to Worthing in 1964 my asthma virtually stopped. I have never smoked and neither did my wife. If I go into a smoke filled room I start feeling the need to use my Ventolin. The "no smoking in public places" is a welcome move for me. Paint fumes are bad for me too and will trigger off attacks.

Heather | 19/04/2007 20:46:00

I have always had coughs andjused to get breathless when pricipating in exercise. this got a lot worse when I gave up smoking.I got collared by the practise nurse one day and she did a peck flow readingwhich was about 250. after a history I was prescribed ventalin ans becotide Ihad the breath accavated ones as the others made me worse. having been on these for ten years I had a bad asthma attach and landed in hospital. now am on Salbutamol accuhaler 2 puffs four times a day (blue inhaler) atrovent four times a day and sreavent twice a day I have prednisoline and antiboticsin the house to take when I need them should this be at a weekend and I start getting symptom of an asthma attach coming on. Have managed to stay out ot hospital using this method

Please click here to leave a comment

lorraine mortimer | 19/04/2007 21:28:00

i was dignosed with asthma when i was 23 years old before hand i was taking bad attacts of broncitis i also ended up with double bronical pnumonia i was very very ill it took a longlong time to get better from that then the broncitis came then after that i took the asthma i get very bad coughting attacts where i end up not being able to breath i have the blue and the brown inhalers also the serevent inhaler which i have to use twice a day i have the peak flow meter and a spacer ive only had the spacer for two and a half years now i have cronic asthma now and they say iam heading on to take the emphasimea my asthma is getting worse instead of better but my inhalers help me a lot i have to take my blue inhaler a lot now

Gillian | 19/04/2007 22:49:00

I was diagnosed with asthma in my mid 30's - an allergic reaction to paint fumes in an NHS clinic where I worked caused a persistent cough, and the doctor told me to see my GP! I have used Becotide/QVar, but now do so only in the summer. I initially used Ventolin, but this caused an increase in heart rate and shaking, so the asthma nurse suggested switching to Bricanyl. I attend the asthma clinic every 6 months, and was sent to the asthma nurse to learn how to use inhalers. This is checked at each appointment. I have used a spacer, but found it difficult to carry it around - but it did improve my sore throats. My asthma is now well controlled, mainly as a result of correcting breathing patterns, and I only need to use the reliever two or three times a week out of the hayfever season, unless exposed to smoke or strong fumes, or if I have a cold.

zil | 20/04/2007 07:54:00

I have coughed and spluttered daily for years and suffer several chest infections each year. I have never smoked or been in a smoky environment as an adult ( though my parents smoked in my childhood.). I have nearly always lived on the coast or in the country. My diagnosis was sporadic with some doctors saying it was asthma and others not, mainly because the treatment was not working. However, all prescribed inhalers of various kinds eg intal, becloforte, flixotide, ventolin, qvar. Following severe coughing fits which over time resulted in cracked ribs and slipped discs, I had a bronchoscopy which confirmed inflammation of the lungs and high levels of mucous. Asthma at that time was inconclusive but advice was to continue with the inhalers. 7 years on I have been diagnosed with chronic asthma. At this current time I take 4 puffs of symbicort 200 twice a day, uniphyllin twice a day, ventolin – varies 6-10 times a day and singulair at night. I have had prednisolone 3 times already this year. I feel at last it is now under control. I have not been diagnosed with other conditions for the symptoms of asthma but have had several chest x-rays and tests for bronchiecstasis and COPD. I was once refused a flu jab because I didn’t have asthma which was a surprise as I had been on inhalers for 10years at the time. My worst attacks are when I laugh (my friends say I will die laughing and they may well be right), when I exercise and changes in room temperature eg coming in from the outside. My attacks are worst during the night and I very rarely sleep through the night.. I can never have a lie in as I wake coughing. Significant other triggers include household cleaners, paint, some fabrics, smoke, dust, baking materials eg flour, custard powder, some flowers and plants ( not necessarily those that make me sneeze) perfumes and soaps, birds and some foods eg cheese. I don’t have allergies to cats and dogs. Initially I had no training on using the inhaler and no-one checked up to see if I was using it properly, probably because no-one even myself was sure whether I had asthma. I have to admit I did not use the inhalers as regularly as I should as they did not seem to make a difference. However, I moved house and changed health authorities. I have been recently diagnosed with chronic asthma where I have been shown and have regular check ups. This has made a significant difference to my personal management of asthma. I have used a spacer, but, although I had one at home and work, I did not always use it as it was not discrete, handy or convenient, therefore I can’t really comment about improvement. I think it is important for the patient to take control of their asthma and to do this requires education, training and support initially. Having had this training after 14years I now feel in control of my asthma. I take my peak flow twice a day and record this using computer software.(30 day trail available at www.my–peak-flow.com ) It takes about 10 mins and I can add medication to the chart, plus specific triggers. This gives me a record each month which I can share with the asthma nurse or my consultant if required. It can be the focus of a dialogue where they may suggest increased dosage prior to exercise or see patterns relating to lifestyle or work It also helps me when the PF is the red zone I can look back to see what worked. Further, it shows clearly the rapid effect of prednisolone. I now realise that in the past my asthma was not controlled and I only went to the GP when it was really bad and beyond preventative measures. Now, although my PF is still relatively low, I can reach 230 – 250, I have made it twice to 350 with the addition of prednisolone. I know the way my body works and what makes it tick which helps the medics treat me and I feel they know and trust me – which is preventative rather than reactive if/when my condition spirals out of control.. I think the education, training and support I have received in the last 12 months has contributed to my well being –the improvement in my physical health has had a knock on effect on my emotional health and a more positive outlook for the future. Since managing my asthma I have not slipped a disc or pulled a muscle in my back /chest or injured my ribs! Although I feel well in control, recently, I had a severe coughing episode during an early morning physio session ( not related to asthma) and the respiratory physio was called to assist. She managed to get the fluid and plugs from the lungs and it felt amazingly good. I experienced an unknown comfort. Apparently there are exercises I can do before getting out of bed which will help me and I would really like to find out more about them…and I will in time.

Please click here to leave a comment

Jamaica65 | 20/04/2007 11:07:00

I was diagnosed as having asthma over 20 years ago. I tried taking the inhalers but they gave me the shakes and since then I have never used them. Instead when I get an attack I put a few drops of eucalyptus oil on a tissue and inhale which always helps. For severe attacks I put the oil in an oil burner in the room along with the using the tissue. In my personal experience this has always helped me and I have recommended this remedy to others I know with asthma and they also find it helps.

Elanee | 20/04/2007 12:31:00

I was diagnosed with asthma at 7 my Father at 22 we are both allergic asthmatics I now only get asthma when I get ill cold or flu which immediately goes to my lungs and ends up with either bronchitus or pneumonia. I use a puffer and a nebuliser when ill. My youngest daughter was diagnosed at age 3 months she uses 2 different puffers and a nebuliser her son was diagnosed at birth so was her 3rd.child they both use puffers and spacers. It seems to be inherited in our family.and doesn't skip a generation. I too use eucalyptus oil and have a problem with the shakes from the inhailer, my daughter spendds at least 1 week in hospital every winter with asthma often more she puts up with the shakes so she can stay out of them

Scouse6663 | 20/04/2007 15:29:00

I have had asthma since birth a total of 41 years now. I have been a smoker for 30 of these years. I suffered badly from nervous asthma as a child and was prone to being set off by feelings and emotions as well as the usual allergies this meant that I spent long periods of time in hospital, sometimes months on end. I found that smoking stopped me having so many attacks due to it's calming effect. I have been using inhalers for a long time and have tried a spacer but found them to be quite ineffective. I have regular check ups and i'm always advised to stop smoking, but the fear of starting to have so many attacks again stops me.

irene | 20/04/2007 15:41:00

i have been asthmatic all my life and recently was on 4 inhalers +theophylline + prednisolone courses every 3 month or so, and following a review i was changed to a combined inhaler(seretide)+ my normal ventolin +tiotropium+montelukast-this has dramatically improved my condition and hopefully this will continue

PoppyJ | 20/04/2007 21:20:00

I got asthma after giving up smoking and catching bronchitus and have had inhalers for years. My trigger have never been loooked into and though we have a asthma clinic it is imposible to get an appiontment so I have given up. I have been hospitalized by asthma and when I use the inhalers especially the nebulizers it causes a reaction of tremlbling legs then body and when severe I pass out.The local hospital are not asthma aware and have accused me of over anxiety. One dr. told me I did not have asthma just a uncontrollable cough. The fact that I cannot get a breath and it has caused me to pasout on accasions makes me wonder if he is right. It is very confusing when accused of hysterics (I feel calm) then told I don't suffer from it them my own Dr saying I do. What am I soupoosed to believe. On a good day my peak flow is 250 it has rarely gone above that in ten years. What has helped me very much is cutting out wheat and dairy food. My wheeing has almost disapeared and I feel much better in myself. I have to keep away from perfumes paint, exhaust and chemical fumes and the cold windy weather affects it. So does sport if I don't take a puff before hand.The usual inhalers became too difficult to use due to arthritus so The Asthma clinic changed me to a twist powder form this acts much quicker but does leave a nasty taste.

jon higgins | 21/04/2007 16:15:00

suffered when i was a child. then it seemed to stop.my mu used to have to spray my bed with something for dust/bed mites.It was only when i went to the navy at 16 as an artificer that they failed me on the medical for astma and exma.never had suffered up till then.My brother then got rushed twice in one month for trouble breathing to A&E.i had been on a blue inhaler for a while then the doctor put me on a brown preventative inhaler.last year all sorts of symptoms have arisen .cholesterol,liver trouble and now diabetes.I do forget to take inhaler quite often as i am only 33 years old and don't feel i should need it ,until we have a long walk up a hill or something and i can get quite gasping.



chrisi evans | 22/04/2007 04:50:00

I get seasonal asthma anytime between May and September, the beginnig of August being the most troublesome. I have yet to discover which pollen might be responsible, but I can control it with Ventolin and Lockets. The problem used to be much worse, but I seem to be growing out of it as I get closer to retirement age. Other triggers are Marmite and some wines. Sudden excercise can start off an attack as can blast of cold air on a wintery day.

karen | 22/04/2007 14:11:00

I was diagnosed with asthma 16 years ago and refused to take the'brown' inhaler because it scontained steroids and just used the bricanol(blue) one. I moved to a diffferent county 9 years ago and my asthma became so bad that I had less than a third of my lung capacity, which was horrific and scarey so I was convinced to try the beclometasone. I can't describe the incredible imporvement it made to my life and how much strain and struggling I had with just making do with the blue inhaler, now I just have one I take if anyone gets a cold in my house, but I feel so much healthier. I am still concerned with the steroid affect, but I figure that my quality of life is so much improved now it is worth possible long term damage. I do also find that exercise is so much easier on my breathing and in turn this helps me to reduce my dosage slightly in summer, but I do have to stay away from ripe bananas and banana flavoured/scented products as they make me wheeze horribly.

Please click here to leave a comment

Anne | 22/04/2007 19:28:00

I was diagnosed with asthma at the age of 61. I had been wheezing badly and had trouble getting my breath when waking up in the morning. I had given up smoking a year before. The doctor thought the asthma may have been triggered by depression, as I had been involved in a car accident and was taking anti-depressants. I was shown how to use the two inhalers by the Practice Nurse. They work well for me. I had suffered with really bad nasal congestion since I was a child. Using the inhalers has seemed to relieve this. I no longer snore (a bonus for my husband). The only problem is that the congestion seems to have moved around to my ears, resulting in frequent bouts of deafness, which clear only occasionally.

judywear | 23/04/2007 04:42:00

I had croup as a child very bad about 7 yrs ago i was told i had asthma. The puffers help sometimes but I have to use 3-4 different ones to get any relief.As iam a mum,grandmother and student plus work it makes it hard. I really hate the way people stare at u when you start coughing they move away from me as my cough is really bad and that makes me cranky. I am now on spiriva as well as my other medication.

vivianne hawthorne | 23/04/2007 22:50:00

My Asthma was triggered at the age of 30 following very stressful family events.Death in the family , move to Scotland leaving behind my friends and family.Weight aggravates my asthma.However since having my 2 children close together my Asthma symptoms are almost non existent.I'm taking Seretide 125mcg 2 puff twice a day.My ventolin hardly ever gets used .

dbs | 24/04/2007 15:02:00

I had asthma at a very young age but never diagnosed till in late 50s. I used to play sports at a high level but would always pull up early due to shortness of breath. Occasionally fellow players commented that I was wheezing. My wife persuaded me to ask my GP. He examined me and said that yes, I had asthma,but did not prescribe inhalors. Then I had CABG and my asthma really blew up. Since then, I have been prescribed two inhalors. I have always used these with a volumatic(I giess it is also called a spacer).

Jackie Turner | 24/04/2007 15:36:00

I never find sprays effective although I am told I use them very well.

Susan | 24/04/2007 20:38:00

I have never smoked but due to living in public houses as a child(the living quarters where above the pub) I feel that my passive smoking has affected my breathing capacity. I was diagnosed by a locum at my surgery but then my own gp said not and so it went on yes no etc for some time until I was given ventolin. Over time I have had various medications including flixotide, becotide and qvar with aero chamber. I currently use ventolin and qvar but sometimes they do not appear to be effective. I suffer from stress asthma, panic attacks and certain foods can cause me trouble. I cannot drink any wine as within seconds I am unable to breath. I have recently moved to the coast from a small town hoping to improve my health, there seems to be a slight improvement but then other days sem just as bad as previous

Elaine C | 24/04/2007 21:35:00

Now 47 year old mum of 3. Was diagnosed with asthma approx in early 30's. I now believe it was in part stress related though different perfumes, aftershaves, oven cleaners and usually the change of weather between winter/spring and autumn/winter will affect me. Was shown how to use inhalers (dont know about spacers!) and get an annual review with asthma nurse. Ay my last visit, she sadly recorded me as being poorly compliant with taking the inhalers. I find that though I do use the BROWN and BLUE inhalers, I can manage normally with using them as I feel the need of them. When I did take them every day as the Nurse requested, I actually felt more symptomatic! I am a non-smoker and have a dog and a cat currently. My surviving brother was asthmatic as a child, seemed to grow out of it and then back into it as he got older (he is now 40). He is allergic to cats though has a German Shepherd. Only one of my daughters to date has shown a sllight tendency to asthma.

eric | 24/04/2007 23:12:00

I had my first attack at the age of 32. I had been ill and collapsed at home, got rushed to hospital as a heart attack patient, scary stuff. Hospital informed me it was asthma, (lucky me!!!!!!). 3 months off work, 10 years later I use a preventer twice a day but have not needed anything else for about 5 years

Please click here to leave a comment

Dick | 25/04/2007 16:57:00

Have genetic asthma & control with Ventolin inhaler.Received no training on the use but find that with a more careful diet resulting in a small loss of weight I find that i do not need to use the inhaler as often.It has become more of a prop should stressful situations arise.

chris chattaway. | 25/04/2007 20:26:00

I have had asthma for several years since my weight has ballooned. I had the brown inhaler for the mornings and the blue for all other times. Apart from when i was first tested with and given my peak-flow meter, no surgery, doctor or nurse has ever spoke to me about my asthma. Because of my osteoarthritis getting worse i have found that i cannot do the things i used to do. This results in me not getting so breathless and so does away with the inhalers most of the time. I now only use the blue one in windy situations or walking up stairs (when i have to). The main problems i have had in the past was living in damp houses and when i owned 2 cockatiels who made the atmosphere very dusty.

mary oneill | 26/04/2007 22:40:00

i have had asthma since childhood i use both the blue and brown inhaler sometimes i have been admitted to hospital with breathing difficultys but once givin the inhaler via the mask but all and all ive got very good help from the hospital and doctors

m/s janet bailey | 27/04/2007 00:14:00

i use my inhalers less in the summer than the winter.the cold weather upsets my lungs when i leave my warm house and venture in to the cold.my asthma has been better since using both the brown inhaler and the blue one.

Mogs | 27/04/2007 12:21:00

I was first diagnosed with asthma in my middle 20's, prior to being diagnosed for about 2-3 yrs i would wake up in the nigth coughing unable to catch my breath and would hang my head out the window. When i visisted the Doc's about something else i would mention this night coughing but it was not taken any notice of. then one year i got a very bad chest infection in the middle of summer of all times and it was then that i was diagnosed with asthma and have been on medication since. 1st i was on ventalin only, then as time went on because when i had a attack i would have to take more than 2 puffs of vent sometimes up to 6 to help stop the coughing attack i would then get the shakes clearly i was overdosing on it but was unaware of this. so i visisted the doc's and he then put me on Becotide which to me was the best thing ever. The puffer one i had trouble getting enough as it just never seemed to work very well nether did the ventalin puffer, so i was give the rotary caps for both ventalin and becotide and what a difference they made to me. I was alway shown by the nurse at the surgrey how to use things and everything expalined along with i could have an extra puff of becotide if i got a cold to help prevent it from going down to the chest. As time went on i was also given something short name oxzy which i was also to take with becotide and the two together were just great. then a couple of years ago they stopped making the rotary caps something to do with the cf2 or something, i was then changed to symbicort which i found totally ineffective and when the container was supposed to be empty in fact if you shook it there was pleny left. when puffing on it i felt like i was sucking fresh air, even though i was told i should feel powder like substance in my mouth i never did. I ran out of my asthma meds and thought i could do without for a while as i seemed fine, but within a 2weeks i was at the docs because i was struggling to get my breath i was then pu onto singulair 10mg a day which work fine. I then went to see another doctor ref my asthma and explained what was happening with the symbicot and she changed me to the Seretide 250mg 2puffs a day. I still have my ventalin in a blue container that i can see the powder. I have to say that since the change in the becotide rotary caps and the oxzy being taken off the market I dont feel my medication is as good as it used to be for me. whenever i get a cold i am now always left with a bad case of guiter which takes forever to get rid of it distsurbs my sleep and is just constant and annoying to say the least. Yes i am a smoker but this has never been a problem for me in the past. So bring back the becotide rotary caps or the equavalnt as in the ventalin dry powder and the Oxzy

Paul M | 27/04/2007 20:13:00

I have had asthma from age 35 (53 now) inthe winter it is very mild but now the spring is here i have to use Ventolin morning and evening and Becotide regulary. I am checked by my GP regulary

Please click here to leave a comment

Zamah | 27/04/2007 21:43:00

I developed asthma at about 12yrs of age and was given both blue and brown inhalers. I usually only had bad attacks triggered by exercise and was told at 14 not to do sport at school any more. Over 20 years later, I rarely use the blue inhaler because it makes me very shaky (even one puff) and so it has to be very bad for me to take it and I'm now disabled through a different disease so can't exercise. My sister is affected the same way with the blue inhalers and also refuses to use until seriously short of breath. I have found the most effective thing for my asthma has been learning to play the flute because I had to learn to breathe properly, from the right place, and with control so I can get more oxygen even when my airways are restricted. I also don't panic when I start getting wheezy and I've noticed that in some (especially teenagers and children) it is the panic that comes when you first get the sensation that you can't breathe that makes things worse and it becomes a vicious circle. I think asthmatics should be trained in good deep breathing techniques (using the diaphragm) and how to counter the very natural panic that can set in as well as be trained in the use of inhalers.

Clare | 28/04/2007 16:06:00

I developed asthma in '94: it was likely to happen at some point in my life as it's in my family and I have hayfever too. Yes, I smoke- and I'm so fed up hearing people who think they understand better how this condition affects me personally than I do myself, banging on about it- shut up! My asthma attack are only ever triggered by infections, like colds, and of course people don't avoid contact when they "only have a cold", they come into work, sit by me on public transport etc, and I might end up in hospital- THEY are my biggest risk, not smoking- use your brain! if it was smoking, I'd be in hospital all year round, wouldn't I?? Smokers are the new lepers, and I'm fed up with the attitude of so many people. I accept asthmatics have a lot of common ground, but triggers are an individual thing. I'm respectful of where I smoke, they should be respectful with their unwanted judgements and opinions.

sezbert | 29/04/2007 20:22:00

i was diagnosed when i was seven and it was always due to sudden exercise/movement, laughing a lot or changes in temperature (such as going uot on a cold day) also triggers were smoking and the spray from aerosols, especially the cloying stuff from deodrants, not the usual triggers at all. for the first few years i was given little tablets to take as they didn't give you inhalers until you were 12. i was never trained with my first blue inhaler, i just had to work it out on my own, although i was dead chuffed to be given one. I did try sports at school, i just had to make sure i have a couple of puffs before i started. (I actually used other excuses to get out of pe!) at uni i had the brown inhalers for a short space of time, because that was when i started smoking. (I also discovered there's a chemical in strong lager that sets me off too)When i started smoking every single cold i got settled onto my chest and i used my inhalers a lot more. the best invention for me was the easi-breathe system which took away the guess work. i gave up smoking 2 years ago (after 18 years of smoking) and the chest infections stopped. BUT 5 years ago i started taking multi-vitamins each day, just the 1 tablet of a to zinc and i hardly use my inhaler at all. in fact i usually have to replace them as they run past the use by date! My doc thinks it might be the vitamin c. the nurse also commented recently that my peak flow rate was probably so high because i was a smoker! (the peak rate was higher than the average persons!) BUT i am now a HUGE anti-smoker - just like all ex-smokers, because you can't see most of the poison in them. my parents were smokers and i developed asthma. medically there is a link? i'm a mother too and scared my little boy will develop this condition too. This is now my new panic.

Lynn | 30/04/2007 12:42:00

i was a child of a parent who smoked. when i was young i had no syptoms, but as i hit my late 20's i noticed a wheeze when lying in bed. i got 'breathless' just walking if i had a cold or felt low. i coughed a lot at night, but put it down to my partner who smoked. in the end it got too much as i could not sleep. so i saw my gp. he diagnosed asthma. the clinic asthma nurse showed me how to use my blue inhaler. explained asthma to me and sent me on my way.it was several years later that i had a check up and it was decided due to repeated colds and coughs that i needed a brown preventer as well as the blue reliever. as my attacks were quite mild and usually when i was ill, i tried not to use my inhalers. sometimes dust, pollen and the cold can trigger an attack, but up to now its all quite minor.i have recently received a spacer and find it very handy at the start of an attack. there is information out there, but mostly people see it as a 'convenient' illness to get out of doing things. there are not many who beleive or see asthma as dangerous and life threatening. maybe more public awareness. i must admit as my asthma is so minor, i tend to forget sometimes and look askance at someone who says they are asthmatic and wont mow the lawn or dust.....as i do, but i suffer. hope this is of some use.

Please click here to leave a comment

Becci B | 30/04/2007 20:38:00

I was diagnosed with heyfever induced asthma aged 13. I was shown how to use my inhalers by the practice nurse. Since being diagnosed Asthma has become a good brush off from doctors to explain any ailments that affect my chest. On one occasion I had to visit 3 different health professionals to have a chest infection diagnosed because the first two doctors saw asthma on my records and didn't bother to check me out any further. I am supposed to take a brown inhaler morning and evening and a blue inhaler when needed. At present I do not take either as I have managed my condition through breathing exercises. I do still suffer with the heyfever part although I take anti histamines to control the itching and rash, this also seems to have lessened the asthmatic symptoms I suffered as a teenager.


Sue | 30/04/2007 21:49:00

I was diagnosed with asthma as a child, I remember having a spinhaler. When I was 13 I seemed to grow out of my asthma, just after my Mynah Bird died! All was fairly Ok then with just the occaisional problem if I had a chest infection, and would use a Ventolin inhaler to help me and for a couple of weeks after. Then 6 years ago I was rediagnosed with asthma after having a chest infection that took an age to get rid of. I had a spirometry test to confirm it and was given becotide and used a spacer and ventolin, I was still having a lot of problems so was given serevent as well, used the spacer for this too. I had a very large handbag! The doctors practice I was with had a weekly asthma clinic which I was attending every week or two as I wasn't getting on very well with the inhalers, so the nurse asked if I would like to try dry powder inhalers, so I tried symbicort and bricanyl. I have not looked back since they suit me very well. I then went onto monthly then 6 monthly visits. I was shown how to use all the inhalers properly and had my technique checked regularly by a Specialist Asthma Nurse. My peak flow was always checked at the visits as well. Only had one bad asthma attack after that, I went to a funeral, and then to a relatives house afterwards, unfortunately they had a parrot! I have since been diagnosed as being allergic to birds - funny how things improved after my Mynah Bird died! Since moving house, the surgery I go to has asthma clinics, which I attend once a year, (where they check my peak flow and my inhaler technique) as I have my asthma well under control, but can get an appointment for the next clinic straight away as they are weekly and they will always see you. If I see the doctor at all he will also check my peak flow and check how things are even if I'm there with a completely different problem.

Mike McCourt | 30/04/2007 22:32:00

I have been asthmatic since 1984, still manage to keep reasonably fit, but following bout of 'flu & chest infection at start of the year, I have struggled to cope at times. Use both inhalers, but I frequently wonder when we can get away from inhalers and move on to other treatments. For example, will be ever have stem cell research for Asthma? Also, have heard of the "Buko" technique but cannot get any information on it. Treatment for Asthma only seems to be pills and ever differing inhalers and how to use them. Time to move on.

Margaret | 02/05/2007 16:52:00

I was diagnosed with Asthma when I was 50, The first really bad attack was at my sons 30th birthday party at a pub and with all the smoke I found I was having more and more trouble breathing. I have suffered from bronchitis since a child and have had pneumonia twice. when I went to the Doctors the day after the party I was still having a great deal of trouble getting my breath I was sent for a chest x-ray and given Steroids and 2 inhalers. I smoked when I was 16 for about a year but thats all . My condition varies from week to week and season to season but for the most time its under control. There are some things that trigger an attack which are, smokey places , fly sprays ,some air fresheners, and the weather, But luckily not my German shepherd dog

Kate | 02/05/2007 18:55:00

I have been asthmatic since I was 12 years old. It was not diagnosed by a doctor until some 2 years after the onset of initial symptoms. Asthma runs in the family, with my mother suffering from COPD and bad asthma, my grandfather and my mother's sisters. Yet out of me and my sister it is me that gets asthma!!! I have been on a series of medications since the initial diagnosis and have been repeatedly treated with corticosteroids (Beclazone and Seretide). As I have been on these for several years now, I have found that I am now beginning to find problems with long term steriod usage. Weight increase, polydipsia (increased thirst), polyuria (increased urine output), easy bruising, fluctuations in blood glucose levels, recurrent UTI (urinary tract infections) and URTI (Upper Respiratory Tract Infections) and so on. It really angers me that I have to go for frequent asthma check ups at the doctors, yet the sister always tells me the same thing time in time out - I am doing what she says and there is just NO improvement. If anything I find that by taking aerosol based inhalers (it is a trick that the practice like to use - budget cutting{more like corner cutting/penny pinching}) it causes me to cough more and I don't get the medications to where it is meant to go. I have a Volumatic (spacer) system, this is just hopeless. Even if I take the seretide with it I still end up with regular sore throats (had to have tonsills extracted 4 years ago - just after starting treatment with this medication because it kept causing regular chest infections!!! - explain that one!!), not to mention the number of chest infections I get has now increased to one per month - and therefore results in regular prednisolone usage - (I am sure they are sending me Cushingoid!! (Cushings is a disease which is caused by too much corticosteroid being in the body and the body's inability to cope with it). I HATE taking medications with a passion, I feel like I am a slave to them, yet the doctors keep saying take this one, take Montelukast sodium (Singulair) at night and this will reduce your inflammation!! (Yeh right!!!) Not to mention there is of course the issue with use of lactose in many medications (to which I am also allergic to) so by using the inhalers I am technically poisoning myself (right?) It is getting to a point now where I am using 2x ventolin acuhalers (the round non aerosol types) which has 60 blisters per inhaler (120 blisters) per month. The practice are moaning at me because the said item costs around £75.00 per inhaler (at last count) and I am apparently the highest user, yet NO ONE has ASKED me to attend a review where my lung function is tested or other medications are tried. I am sure now that my trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and alveolar exchanges are all so inflamed that they are very thickend -to the point of not allowing much air thru. Although sometimes (on a really good day when I am not honking with snot) I can get a PF (Peak flow) reading of about 400. My average PF is about 250-300. TO THE DRUG COMPANIES THAT MAY READ THIS - & TO THE DOCTORS WHO THINK THEY KNOW HOW TO TREAT US - Please, please think about the contents of each medication i.e. if its constituents will cause further inflammation or damage to epithelia or cause vascular damage. Is there another way of medicating an asthmatic without using powder to be inhaled? Is there any reason why I am getting a chest infection whenever I start a new Seretide inhaler. When can I come off the corticosteriods as they are causing me long term damage? I totally agree with Mike McCourt who says "Time to move on" Maybe Traditional Chinese Medicines or Herbalistic medicines are the way forward as they do not have side effects!!!

Please click here to leave a comment

Sue G | 02/05/2007 19:16:00

I was diagnosed in my fourties after suffering for years with night cough. I have got to say that my inhalers have worked wonders, and I rarely cough at night. It also helps the occational shortness of breath. I have always been a non smoker and wonder if passive smoking caused my problem, also exhaust fumes probably contributed.

Michelle | 02/05/2007 20:10:00

I was diagnosed with asthma when i was about 8 years old. Anything would start it off- hayfever, dust, pet hair etc. The doctors gave me different types of inhaler. The powder capsule ones tasted terrible and didn't help. The foil blister pack ones were just as bad. When I was given the common spray type, it relieved my symptoms alomst instantly. When I started smoking as a teenager, my asthma dissapeared for a few years. But in the last 4 yers or so, it has become more common for me to need my inhaler. Even though I should use the brown preventer everyday (which I don't as I don't think it does any thing) I am becoming more dependant on my blue reliever. This time of year I need it everyday.

Donald Saunders | 02/05/2007 20:17:00

Since being prescribed Symbicort turbohaler I have never had to use my Ventolin as back up.

carol91 | 02/05/2007 21:06:00

i developed asthma around 1990,iworked in an office and sat across the desk from a heavy smoker,i was prescribed becotide and ventolin which both helped,i have regular checks at my gp asthma clinic and have now been changed to flixotide and shown how to use them properly and given a peak flow meter .the best help for me was the banning of smoking in enclosed spaces i steer clear of smokers as i always end up coughing and my mouth and eyes itch. i hope this is of some help to your research

Chris7 | 02/05/2007 23:25:00

I was diagnosed with Asthma at 14 as I was gasping for breath on walking uphill. I was given inhalers and shown how to use them and also a peak flow meter. The problem is, I often get oral thrush from using steroid inhalers.

Alison Gibson | 03/05/2007 20:14:00

I was diagnosed at the age of three and vaguelly remember some kind of medicine. My parents make a big deal of it and I was sure that I was worse than I really was. These days I don't use any inhalers as I am on steroids for a completely unrelated illness.

SUE from Sussex | 03/05/2007 23:44:00

I was diagnosed at the same time i was given the news that i was expecting my first child, having been off work with breathing difficulties. Having been very fit, training for sport at international level it became impossible to walk down the road without stopping to catch my breath. Told if i had a second child i might get rid of Asthma my second was born 2 years after my first. I still have Asthma, which is brought on by allergies, allergic to antibiotics this problely caused my first attack. as well as all the common allergens lik pets, smoke, dust etc Now carry Epipen as had a few real nasty reactions. Allergic to propelent in gas inhalers so can't use spacer, use serevent morning and night best way to relax if having attack is my steam shower room, breath steam is easier than air and i reccomend all asthmatic to invest in one, i carry a small battery powered nebuliser away from home. Have regular check ups with practice nurse every three months if i havent been in to see doctor. Record peak flow everyday and write down what has effected flutulation. To stop oral thush eat a spoonfull of live natural yogurt after inhalers and wash it all down with glass of water. Hope this helps someone

Helen | 04/05/2007 11:26:00

I have always had chesty problems as a child it was always thought to be bronchitis then at about age 14 I was told it was asthma and since then have been taking inhalers. I have a supply of oral steroids at home but thankfully don't need to use very often. I do find if I put on weight then my breathing is affected so do try to keep my weight in check but this is not always easy.I find if I clean my teeth immediately after taking my Mometasone inhaler that I don't get problems with oral thrush, although when I first started this inhaler I did notice a change in my voice but this has now all settled. I see the practice nurse every 6 months and I have never used a spacer.

Please click here to leave a comment

Ian | 05/05/2007 17:09:00

I have had Asthma from age 7. I am on 2 inhalers and other medication to control my Asthma, which as a consequence has made my weight yo-yo. I have used a spaacer in the past, however, i find these to be of little use and prefer to take the inhaler in the usual method, it does take getting used to, however, I have had a marked improvemnet. My Asthma effects me especially when I have a cold or infection, dusty atmospheres and if I am stressed. I attend the Asthma clinic twice a year.

kim | 05/05/2007 17:33:00

I was diagnosed with asthma when i was pregnant with my first son at the age of 25. I had always suffred with coughing, shortness of breath and tight chest from very early age. I was born with a cleft palate, so I was always told the problems i was having was due to restricted airways. I now take powdered inhalers and singulair tablet, which keeps it under control. The aerosol inhalers are no good for me as i had constant thrush in my mouth, but after using the powder turbo halers for 5 years i havnt had thrush since. I can now lead a life that is like everyone elses thanks to my medication

Jenny | 05/05/2007 23:39:00

I was diagnosed with asthma as a teenager which appeared when my ezcema improved. I come from an asthmatic family and have multiple allergies including food. I was only ever once shown how to use an inhaler, until recently using becotide and salbutamol. Have now been changed on seretide and things have improved. As I also suffer from sleep apnoea and fibromlyalgia I take phenergan to help sleep. This could also be a reason why my asthma has improved. I have never used a spacer and consider training in taking inhalers could be better.

Aileen | 07/05/2007 22:26:00

Was diagnosed with asthma 1 year ago - late onset asthma. Stopped smoking about 25yrs ago. Never shown how to use inhaler but was given a spacer and recently advised to rinse my mouth after use. Use Becotide x2 daily and have not had a chest infection or bronchitis since

Ellen | 24/05/2007 17:25:00

I was diagnosed at the age of 26 by my doctor when I get having bouts of being unable to breathe. I could go into what the doctor said was an asthma attack whilst just sat there watching tv. I was told to read the instructions that came with the inhaler and go back a week later to make sure that I was using it properly. I have yearly revues for my asthma and have been advised that if I have a cold or chest infection I can use my Becotide inhaler up to 4 times a day and my Ventolin as and when required. The doctor recently changed me to the powder inhalers but they made me worse so I was returned back to the inhalers that I was used to. I have never been given a spacer to use but when a child was diagnosed as suffering with eczema.

Hilary | 25/06/2007 13:33:00

I used to have occasional attacks of wheezing when I was a child, mainly when on holiday in Scotland in an evening! I was never given anything for them - just taken for a walk by the sea/loch which always seems to help. Grew out of it until 21 when lived in central London and had severe attack and ended up in hospital on a nebuliser for a week. It was decided I was allergic to things in the air and was advised to move out of London. After this I never had a problem until 20 years later when I developed ME/CFS and the asthma came with it. I have treated it sucessfully for some time until recently with Ventolin & Becotide inhalers (2 puffs of each twice a day). Three weeks ago I changed to a CFC inhaler to replace the becotide and my asthma has become much worse and uncontrolled since. I have an annual asthma check with a nurse at my GPs. Over the years there have been lots of different instructions on how to use the inhalers. I have used a spacer until recently when I have been given a much smaller spacer which I struggle to use correctly (it makes a noise if you don't do it right) and I cannot take a long slow breath - have to gasp more to take it in!

Jen | 22/09/2008 15:18:00

I was diagnosed when I was 19 (I'm now 40) but I had, had the same symptoms since I was 8-9. I now use salmeterol (Serevent) twice a day, beclametasone (Becotide) twice a day, salbutamol (Ventolin) as needed (which generally isn't that often) and since early 2008 I have taken a montelukast tablet every night.I do check my peak flow but not as often as I should, and at bad times I use a spacer and have both the large spacer and the small more discreet spacer.At really bad times I do need to go to A&E and have nebulisers of salbutamol and Atrovent.

Please leave a comment below