I have a question - cold/start pred? - Asthma Message Board

dolphins · 07-24-2004, 03:43 AM

Hi guys,
I know, I've had so many questions lately. Anyway, I've been coming down with a cold all day, part of last night - have needed 2 puffs of ventolin (salbutamol) last night, and 10 puffs today (I do X2 puffs) so needed to use my ventolin twice in the am today, and 3 times since approx. 6pm (is 7:40pm now).
Thing is colds are a HUGE trigger for my asthma, not once have a gone through a cold and avoided either being admitted to hospital or A&E (emerg.). Well the thing is, a) I don't drive (learner/L plates) and b) I live on campus at university and have to go back tomorrow with my parents.
Problem, if my asthma were to get significantly worse there is nothing I can do about it - now I know my asthma hasn't reached 'pred stage' yet (and I do intend on called my dr tomorrow) but would you think start pred now, maybe my asthma wont get bad then, or hold off?
Thanks.

reader1 · 07-24-2004, 10:39 AM

It's a tough call...I've been in that position any number of times. Usually I start pred in an effort to prevent ending up in the ER with my asthma. The problem with that is, pred can mask infection, so I'll feel better for 2-3 days when in fact an upper respiratory infection is setting in so I just end up being sick for longer, but not as sick. Does that make any sense?

When you do follow up with your doctor, ask him/her what to do in those situations. Also, be sure to say how hard it is for you to get to a medical practioner at school. My specialist and I made a number of adjustments in my treatment plan when I was in college and a 30 minute bus ride and walk to student health. While it didn't mean that I never needed to go to student health, it meant I didn't have to go every time I had an episode. If you are using the ventolin that much when you have an attack, you might want to talk to your doc about getting a nebulizer.

Take care, good luck in school....

dolphins · 07-24-2004, 06:56 PM

Thankyou for your reply.
I've called my dr this mornng to ask if I should start, just got to wait for the call.
It makes sense about the pred, have been told it actually weakens the immune system.
Had an average night last night, woke up at 3am had to use ventolin 4 times (8 puffs) which didn't do much, then ventolin/atrovent neb (had my neb for 3yrs), all over 1 hr period. Peak flow is hovering around 290/300. Was thinking maybe I could stay back for 1 more night, go back to uni tomorrow. Anyway, will see what happens. Hopefully the pred works.

quincy · 07-25-2004, 01:46 AM

I'm confused...are you not using a preventative inhaler such as pulmicort or flovent...etc???

If you're on a steady dosage of your preventative, when you get a cold, you should double it immediately and once you're better start decreasing it slowly.

I can see needing the rescue inhaler, makes sense because you have a cold.....it's excessive, but understandable.

I can't understand the sudden need to take pred if you're not even using an inhaled preventative consistently.

Has your doctor not suggested it at all???

quincy

dolphins · 07-31-2004, 01:33 AM

Yes, I use Seretide (same as Advair, called seretide in Aust). I usually only take 1 puff twice a day, when I get a cold increase to 2 puffs twice a day. Most of the time I don't pick up on the cold in time since I get really sick VERY fast.
Anyway, I ended up in hosp, only 2 days, but am a lot better and have my peak flows up to 340/350.