Asthma and self protection

[hash tag]

Interesting but not sure it is for me. My chest is still suffering from a bout of covid at the beginning of the month. I have been out for my first gentle run for a while today which I'm sure will help. Also, swimming is supposed to be very good exercise for asthmatics.

 

[BCBlues]

Anyone use an Oscillating Positive Expiratory Pressure (OPEP) device? Apparently been used in hospitals for quite a while but now available generally. It works by vibrating your lungs to loosen the mucus.

Most complete writeup I've seen for a device including warnings on when not suitable: https://drburtonhpi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/530_PocketPEP_IFU_PN_372rev02.pdf

First one I saw advertised was £50, I got one for £20 but I'm not sure whether it's actually as good. It does seem to work well and I've been breathing more easily, although I've started walking the dog too, so am not sure how much is down to that. Am going to start using it daily.

Not heard of these but will be looking into them. Thanks for the link @twosheds.

Like hash tag I've been struggling a bit since a bout of Covid. I just dont think these little blue inhalers are doing me any good anymore.

 

[two sheds]

Might be worth checking with the doctor (see warnings in that link I gave - don't know whether they could be covid related). They're no use for a neighbour who just can't breathe out like that, she starts choking . Seems to work for me though - seems very unobtrusive.

 

[two sheds]

Not heard of these but will be looking into them. Thanks for the link @twosheds.

Like hash tag I've been struggling a bit since a bout of Covid. I just dont think these little blue inhalers are doing me any good anymore.

Yes I'm not sure the blue inhalers do me much good any more either. The steroid ones I'm sure do though.

 

[two sheds]

I posted this on a coronavirus thread but this is promising:

Asthma drug can block crucial SARS-CoV-2 protein

Montelukast, an FDA-approved drug, can bind strongly to and block the activity of a SARS-CoV-2 protein called Nsp1

www.eurekalert.org

I've also found montelukast really helpful for shifting mucus - again though this is for asthma, don't know how useful for coronavirus related.

 

[BCBlues]

Yes I'm not sure the blue inhalers do me much good any more either. The steroid ones I'm sure do though.

I just cant break the habit of blasting 2 or 3 puffs in one go. It empties those little ones in a fortnight then I'm begging for spare ones off me mates like some sort of junkie

 

[two sheds]

I've got spare ones if you need them. My practice now does an automatic repeat prescription and what with the dog walking and things my asthma is fairly well controlled and I've hardly used it for a couple of months.

I'd tell them but I've heard if you don't use the prescription for a while they stop giving it to you.

 

[hash tag]

I just cant break the habit of blasting 2 or 3 puffs in one go. It empties those little ones in a fortnight then I'm begging for spare ones off me mates like some sort of junkie

Perhaps go for an asthma review.

 

[two sheds]

Yes good point.

I'll swear I've seen marathon runners taking several puffs at a time which I've always thought was I've always taken two puffs though I'll swear that was prescribed. I do use the spacer for my steroid inhaler to increase takeup but that would be a pain for carrying round with the blue one.

 

[Agent Sparrow]

Not heard of these but will be looking into them. Thanks for the link @twosheds.

Like hash tag I've been struggling a bit since a bout of Covid. I just dont think these little blue inhalers are doing me any good anymore.

Firstly, overuse of blue inhalers can lessen their effectiveness. Rinsing a blue inhaler in a fortnight is a lot. Secondly, sometimes asthmatics are also prone to certain breathing patterns that can feel a bit like asthma symptoms but aren’t - the blue inhalers won’t help in those cases. Either way, worth discussing with doctor to see if there’s a better treatment. For example there’s an inhaler called symbicort which is a steroid as well as a reliever, which can be taken up to x times a day when symptomatic.

I’m currently needing my blue inhaler more though only once or twice a day. My preventative is Relvar now, which means I can’t up it in response. As long as it doesn’t get worse I might see whether it passes with the spring hay fever season.

 

[Agent Sparrow]

Actually please go for an asthma review soon BCBlues , I’m quite worried just reading your post.

 

[two sheds]

Yes I sometimes think I need the blue inhaler when actually I just need to rest for a couple of minutes and things clear.

 

[BCBlues]

Actually please go for an asthma review soon BCBlues , I’m quite worried just reading your post.

I will be up there soon, I'm due a review anyway but I've had asthma all my life , I'm early 60s now, it's hard to break old habits especially when you were told bank in the day totally conflicting advice. In fact for my first 19 yrs I was told it was "bronchitis" and told to put my head over a bowl of hot water with vicks sinex in.

Honestly thanks for the concern though

 

[ska invita]

Anyone use an Oscillating Positive Expiratory Pressure (OPEP) device? Apparently been used in hospitals for quite a while but now available generally. It works by vibrating your lungs to loosen the mucus.

Most complete writeup I've seen for a device including warnings on when not suitable: https://drburtonhpi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/530_PocketPEP_IFU_PN_372rev02.pdf

First one I saw advertised was £50, I got one for £20 but I'm not sure whether it's actually as good. It does seem to work well and I've been breathing more easily, although I've started walking the dog too, so am not sure how much is down to that. Am going to start using it daily.

where did you buy it from?
should it be prescribed?
im 16 months post covid and am still having breathing difficulties from it - getting desperate

 

[two sheds]

I got it off ebay, mine is similar to this

Mucus Clearance Device | Natural Lung Exerciser Positive Expiratory Breath Aids | eBay

Are you suffering from diseases such as pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis, or cystic fibrosis?Are you tired of breathing aids that are difficult to understand, clean, and maintain?. Drug-Free & Independent Therapy Mucus Remover- Applied OPEP, globally trusted therapy.

www.ebay.co.uk

As I say, I don't know whether any make is better than any other, mine does seem to work though. The ball flutters against the membrane which is I presume what makes it work.

Don't know about it being prescribed, sorry. Am tempted to tell my GP that I'm using it just for information. She's really good and I've not been in contact for a while.

Eta: do you feel the breathing difficulties are because your airways are blocked?

 

[hash tag]

Not heard of these but will be looking into them. Thanks for the link @twosheds.

Like hash tag I've been struggling a bit since a bout of Covid. I just dont think these little blue inhalers are doing me any good anymore.

It's not really an asthma thing, it's different and occasional choking.

 

[two sheds]

A quick search for covid yields:

https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2021.203.1_MeetingAbstracts.A4477

RESULTS: For patients with a pre-existing respiratory condition, if they were pre-infection and had presence of excess mucus, evidence exists to support use of OPEP therapy to manage their chronic condition and therefore reduce likelihood of needing to seek medical attention with consequent risk of exposure to Covid-19. Similarly, for post infection recovery, use of OPEP to manage excess mucus associated with the pre-existing respiratory condition may reduce risk of early re-entry to hospital system.

but

When assessing Covid-19 pathway for patients with no underlying chronic respiratory condition, there is no evidence to support use of OPEP pre-infection. Post-infection, there is limited evidence. For example, if the patient has been ventilated or immobile for an extended period of time there is some adjacent evidence associated with reduced post-operative complications when using OPEP. As a treatment for Covid-19, OPEP therapy is not proven, and the infection is not typically associated with excess mucus, however a couple of references advocate the use of OPEP as required in those instances where airway clearance may be beneficial. CONCLUSIONS: Management of Covid-19 is a complex and not fully understood area. Patients with a pre-existing chronic respiratory condition exhibiting excess mucus will likely benefit from use of an appropriate OPEP device. The evidence is less clear for those patients without pre-existing respiratory conditions, with further evidence beneficial to support OPEP in treatment and post infection rehabilitation.

 

[BCBlues]

It's not really an asthma thing, it's different and occasional choking.

A good friend of mine has been the same since a bout of (Delta we presume because of timing). Shes had an incessant chokey cough since and ironically her Dr is treating her for Asthma.

 

[two sheds]

It's not really an asthma thing, it's different and occasional choking.

Asthma is one of the conditions it's recommended for, and certainly my asthma is often accompanied by blocked airways.

 

[ska invita]

Eta: do you feel the breathing difficulties are because your airways are blocked?

thanks
hard to say how it feels - it feels like asthma basically
im just up for trying anything basically, so long as theres no danger in doing so

 

[two sheds]

As I say may be worth checking with your doctor - my neighbour chokes anyway so couldn't use it.

 

[ska invita]

Asthma is one of the conditions it's recommended for, and certainly my asthma is often accompanied by blocked airways.

yeah ive been prescribed (asthma) steroids and a blue inhaler but not really any difference

 

[two sheds]

Must admit longer term I'm hoping for a development in this research

New type of cell hidden in human lungs may lead to novel treatments

Respiratory airway secretory cells line tiny airway branches, deep in lungs, near alveoli air sacs where oxygen is exchanged for carbon dioxide

www.independent.co.uk

 

[two sheds]

where did you buy it from?
should it be prescribed?
im 16 months post covid and am still having breathing difficulties from it - getting desperate

Have you checked with doctor whether montelukast might help by the way? As I say it's really helped me with easing my breathing.

 

[ska invita]

Have you checked with doctor whether montelukast might help by the way? As I say it's really helped me with easing my breathing.

no, but will go to GP with a shopping list!!

 

[Agent Sparrow]

Montelukast can cause nightmares and anxiety in kids btw, no idea if the same applies for adults.

 

[two sheds]

Yes good point, in adults too. Montelukast (Singulair): reminder of the risk of neuropsychiatric reactions

I got some vivid dreams rather than nightmares when I started but they did pass over, I've not noticed any other effects.

 

[Agent Sparrow]

I am just a shining ray of positivity on this thread

 

[two sheds]

hehe needs to be said though

 

[pinkmonkey]

My asthma is slightly worse since I moved out of London, but I’m now never more than a mile from the M62 here, either that or we’re travelling on it. I seldom used my inhaler in London, now a handful of times a week. I do my peak flow every month, it’s not as good as it was, but isn’t in the ’call the gp’ zone by a long way.