Worried: Asthma and Allergies

[Muppity]

Hi Gargy

Depending on what your puffer is it may give almost instant relief. Is it Ventolin (or the generic - I can't remember what it is called) in a blue puffer with a darker blue cap? In this case it relaxes the bronchial muscles and provides almost immediate relief. Most other puffers that are prescribed are stimulants and work over a longer time.

Asthma Australia and the National Asthma Foundation both have good web sites with general information (gust google them). But if you have an a-typical form then it may not provide as much info as you would want. It is a little surprising that your GP didn't put you onto some sort of management plan where you take your peak flows ("huff" into a tube like apparatus) regularly to see how you react to the medications etc. This may be because you have a mild case and many people have asthma that is associated with allergies etc and once they are cleared up the asthma disappears.

Also, just remind your GP that you are having IVF (I know - they should remember but sometimes don't if they are focussing on other issues) and let your FS know as well because taking too much ventolin can have an effect on the uterine muscles as well - it is actually used to relax them sometimes. It shouldn't be a problem at all with the doses that you are taking if your asthma is mild but it is just something to keep in the back of your mind (Although don't worry - I think that from memory I was told that I would have to use a whole puffer in one go before they would be starting to think it was a bad idea!)

HTH and good luck with your appointments

ETA - I just checked mine - the main ingredient in ventolin is Salbutamol sulfate - so if you have a generic it would still contain that