We are enormously grateful for this contribution from Wendy especially as she is particularly unwell at the moment. You can follow her progress at her blog address.
Life with Brittle Asthma
If anyone had said at 23 years old, I would be battling lung disease and reliant on a cocktail of medications just to stay stable, I probably would have laughed at them. Maybe looking back, I could have done more with my life while I could, but as a university student who had just moved out and started on a new track, I was all about enjoying myself and partying like a rock star.
Although I have had asthma for most of my life, things really started to kick off and get worse when I was around 21 years old. I had been unwell with a cold at the time and was noticing that I was getting more breathless and wheezing more than I ever had. By the March, I was so poorly with pneumonia in both of my lungs and was told that I was lucky to be alive. This triggered a long string of hospital admissions, some requiring some lengthy stays, long term prednisolone and becoming a regular visitor to my GP surgery.
I began treatment at the Heart of England NHS Trust, in their specialist Chest Clinics and Severe Brittle Asthma Unit. I was started on a home nebuliser. My nebuliser is such a lifesaver and has meant that I have been spending more time at home rather than in hospital. I have my Freeway which sits by my bed, and it is so reliable and has helped me in so many ways. I carry with me my Omron Micro-air which has become my best friend. I really am able to have an active and enjoyable quality of life.
One piece of advice I would offer to anyone else who is struggling and feels as though they need extra help, I would really say be persistent. Don’t let anyone beat you down or tell you not to try, or ignore the symptoms of worsening asthma, it nearly cost me my life by being so flippant about it.
Thanks Wendy, hope you feel better soon.
If you have a similar experience I'm sure Wendy would love to hear from any of you through her blog and for anyone wishing to find out more why not contact Asthma UK
If you have a similar experience I'm sure Wendy would love to hear from any of you through her blog and for anyone wishing to find out more why not contact Asthma UK
Hiya Wendy hope your feeling better. I'm 21 a student and an asthmatic so your story rang a few bells with me. Thanks for sharing.
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