10 Years on from an Asthma Diagnosis

Well, I have recently been thinking a lot about the last 10 years since an asthma diagnosis was confirmed.

So many mountains to climb, so much change to adapt to, so much grief to accept and finally an acceptance.

My asthma diagnosis

In 2014, I acquired asthma as a result of a rhino virus infection. It was pretty severe and left me constantly coughing month after month. The virus damaged my lungs. It took 9 months to be finally diagnosed with asthma. Then, it took another 5 years to figure out the type of asthma that I had and from then on a few more years to get my medication right.

Finding the right care team

My journey involved some great experiences with the team of doctors that I now have. But getting here wasn't easy. Not all doctors listen; not all doctors will spend time answering your questions; not all doctors even believed that I had asthma; some doctors were just downright nasty. And, one thought it was my head that was the problem and wanted me to be admitted for psychiatric care. My lesson from this... doctors aren't demigods and I don't have to tolerate being belittled or diminished in any way.

Finding the right treatment

I have used so many different puffers. At one stage, there were 5 in daily use. Now, it's just 2: Ventolin and a preventer (i.e. Symbicort Rapihaler).

At first I was using up to 12 puffs of Ventolin reliever during an attack, as a dose. Then, I tried using a nebuliser. I stopped this after the pulmonologist told me it could mask the severity of an attack (and could therefore result in death because I didn't get medical attention).

Now, I probably only use Ventolin before exercise and maybe 3 to 4 times a week. That's what "good control" looks like for me. My asthma is severe and mostly non-allergic. I have high neutrophil levels.

Identifying and avoiding my triggers

Over time, I have identified most of my triggers. I avoid them as much as possible. I experience asthma symptoms every single day. But in the last two years, allergic asthma has happened too. I now have to take antihistamines every day! Not great. Despite their claims, I get so sleepy. So, I knew a lot of adjustments had to come into my life. After COVID, I have developed MCAS which makes managing everything even harder.

The emotional toll of multiple health conditions

Recently, I have lost motivation and am finding it really hard. I spend so much emotional energy just managing these conditions, plus Type 2 Diabetes from steroid use and Hashimoto's disease. I counted up 13 medications that I am managing and that didn't include asthma puffers.

I am now back on azithromycin in the hope that this winter (I'm in Australia) that I won't end up in the hospital with another rhino virus (common cold) like I did last year.

Learning how to avoid hospital visits

I don't often end up in hospital any more, unlike 10 years ago. I think that's because of a combination of:

• Avoidance of triggers
• Monitoring air quality
• Moving to a warmer climate
• Adaptations to my home
• Strict adherence to medication regimes
• Adapting my activities to my daily asthma status
• Never hesitating to start using a reliever (better to act than end up in an ambulance)
• Prepared to go to the Emergency Room whenever I feel scared or in trouble
• Not caring about any judgement by medical professionals
• Putting my health needs first (e.g. cancelling a proposed outing)
• Never trying to "push through" a flare up (an asthma attack)
• If uncertain about an asthma attack, I err on the side of caution and seek help (once you've been intubated you have a great deal of respect for how devastating an attack can become)
• Taking the necessary time after an asthma attack to get back to "normal"
• Looking after myself... what I eat, getting psychological support when I need it, exercising, eating well, having a social life etc.

Reflecting on my asthma journey

I am in a far better place than I was when I first acquired asthma. The hardest was having to move 1200 km from my family and friends and being chronically ill without them being nearby. It is still very hard.

But, I wish I could get out of the doldrums that I am feeling at the moment.