I have had asthma since a months old. It was severe as a child, but I suspect modern medication would have made it more manageable. Suitable medication kept it under control when I was older. As long as I took my inhalers, I was fine, rarely needing to use a reliever inhaler.
But since the menopause, my asthma has worsened. The reliever inhaler, salbutamol (Ventalin) no longer gives any relief. I’d like to know why! Hardly used it for years, so not a matter of getting used to it. That was distressing as I wasn’t listened to, until a doctor did listen and did an appropriate test. Yep, it made no difference, just the side effects of course! I’ve had to be hospitalised twice in the last few years, following infection. I take a stronger preventer inhaler, which can also be used as a reliever if necessary. Not fast acting though. The nature of my asthma has changed as well, which is frustrating as I don’t wheeze or cough. My breathing tubes feel as if they are being squeezed and that someone is standing on my chest. That makes it difficult for doctors to initially see how bad things are at times. I really don’t know what it is like not to have compromised breathing. It doesn’t spoil my life though!
