Coronavirus and asthma - should I stop using my inhalers?

Hi all, 

Myself & my son aged 10 aren't high risk but if I talk a cold 50% of the time we end up with a chest infection on antibiotics & steroids. We have a blue & brown inhaler.

I am feeling anxious & off work with an asthma flare up. Due back to work soon. I work in the care industry & I'm worried about being put on the front line especially with my asthma. 

I feel like there's support for people at high risk but no support for people with Asthma at moderate risk! 

I want to protect my son. Any advice? Can anyone give advice, can I shield? Feeling anxious. 

Thanks Claire.

Hey I'm new here I have asthma since I was 11yrs old. I'm now 35yrs 

I Have got a cough sore throat and runny nose and migraine s and pain in my body abit tired n weak abit shortness of breath abit when I talk my eyes are swollen and over lapping my eyebrows over lapping my eye lids lids are swollen too n eyes are dry and sore skin is tight around my eyes it's horrible feeling they are watering too lol

Poppy47 

Thanks need advice I'm concerned about corona virus too 

I have asthma too and like the above when I get a cold it goes straight to my chest and I have antibotics and steroids. I have Seretide 500 and salamol 100. I also have other underline health issues like high blood pressure that's under review and fibromyalgia. I am also not classed currently as being on the high risk list, I have been self isolating for 3 weeks awaiting for some form of update as my gp has said they are waiting on the ccg to inform them. I have to return to work on Wednesday as I have no proof that I need to isolate. Advice needed please as I am terrified of catching it.  

My monthly prescription was due for collection on Sat, got my Mucodyne (to help with my Bronchiecctus), got my Fexofenadine for my Hayfever (I have to take them all year round), got my Montelukast and Ventolin I hale but there seems to be a mass shortage of my Clenil Modulite inhaler due to manufacturing issues - is there any recommendations of an alternative - any as advice would be great although I will call my GP after the Easter break!  Our entire household are in the sheilding category, all 5 adults, inc hubby who has Carers in 4 times a day in full PPE!

@Angela59 I am on Fostair but have not received any communication. Perhaps it is for another reason. 

Hi I have  a pituitary tumour and chronic allergy asthma and copd from poor managed asthma over the years.  I take spivina and symbicort and rarely ventolin. But I take montelukast and amonophyllim . I read that montelukast can suppress the immune system so am trying to decide whether to carry in taking it . I take an antihistamine daily to reduce allergies. Since shielding I have been doing yoga breathing and. Guided meditation which has helped me to start breathing correctly. I have sleep apnea and wear a c pap machine at night.  

I am doing an asthma study taking albuterol sulphate if and when needed which I have been told has a steroid in it

also take simbicort 400 - should I be in the shielded group as my peak flow is around 240 - 280

I’m taking Penoxal which is meant to be great in helping build the immune system ., I’m asthmatic also and end up on steroids n antibiotics when I get a cold ., I’m taking these every day to safe guard me , stay safe everyone xx

@sama76 I have asthma on fostair, ventilin and montelukast and also have a partial lung collapse. My work at first told me to go home for the 12wks cause asthma was on the list, wasn’t sure about pay at that point but thought would be sick pay. Then government announced furlough so company started looking into that, however the list changed to severe asthma by that point so because I hadn’t had steroids the last year or been in hospital I didn’t fall into this now. My GP however still advised I should stay home because of my lungs as well however they not giving sick notes out as too busy, though they emailed a copy from my Medical file with my details and conditions as proof. My HR department said can’t accept this need NHS shielding letter or sick note which I cannot get. I have explained my situation on top of the fact of having no car I have to get two buses to get to work which is roughly two hours travel each way and high risk still being vulnerable as well as working in Care. I also have a school aged child at home with no help, you can be put on furlough for this too it’s on all the guideline but companies are really trying not too and no idea why cause it’s not out of their pockets. I’m not going back to work and Ive explained this to my boss it’s to risky, though means no pay or sick pay however but my life means more than a job that doesn’t care for you anyway.

@Healthiswealth Hello Claire, I understand your worries, especially for your son and the fact that you're working on the front lines! I'm obviously not a doctor so I don't know if you can shield. Have you asked your employers for advice? If you do end up working, I'd say try to remove the clothes you wear to work before you enter the house when you get home and wash them straight away. And try to shower as soon as you can too. That may help avoid bringing it home with you. Wishing you the best, try to stay safe as best you can! xx

@Gill04  My goodness, I'm sorry you're going through all that. I hope your boss and employers will be more understanding!

I'm not sure this will help anyone, as there seems to just be a general lack of information for us with asthma out there, but Asthma UK has a helpline set up where you can speak with an asthma expert nurse: 0300 222 5800. And they've set up an information page here: https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/coronavirus-covid-19/

Stay safe everyone! xx