How long should I wait?
I'm currently experiencing an asthma exacerbation, for about 3 weeks now. I have been advised by my doctor to increase to a higher dose of preventer. I was denied oral steroids because my stats were fine and I wasn't wheezing, but I never wheeze. How long should I wait to see if the increased dose is going to help? Or should go back to my doctor? I'm using my reliever every day at least once, my peak flow is around 400 (usually 570)
Hi marmite and thanks for your inquiry. Although we cannot provide medical advice or diagnostics over the internet (for your own safety), your concern certainly warrants a reply. To me, three weeks seems to be a bit too long waiting to get relief. If your doctor has increased your medication dosages, and you're not getting relief, you may want to contact him again for a reassessment. However, how one is feeling can be extremely subjective. Using your rescue inhaler (once a day) combined with the flow rates you described may not be as compromised as you think. Both you and your physician can determine together how you're doing. Please do check back and keep us posted.
All the best,
Leon (site moderator)
Hi Marmite,,,, you should never leave be it very long, for me 10 days its my limit..if that
I can blow 400 and 2 hours later be at 150...
Never become complacement with asthma,, to check and be assured is smart, it's just dangerous to wait...
I have an action plan i follow...
Apart from my peak flows,
I increase my meds as needed via peak flow readings,,, i will add in my nebulizer,,, if nothing changes, i then add a high dosage of steroids,, within 24 hours after the steroids, in in hospital if nothing gets better.
Action plans are a must for any asthmatic..
Everyone is different in how their asthma is and changes and at the rate it changes....Hi again, skyserene, and thanks for sharing what works so well with you in this thread that marmite began. We appreciate your input! Wishing you well, Leon (site moderator)
