Type 2 Type 2 and asthma.

[lucylocket61]

I have been diagnosed with asthma today. Out of the blue.

I have had breathlessness for a long time, and a persistent cough for months. The GP blamed my weight. I put my foot down a couple of months ago,and asked for further investigation.

My chest x-ray came back clear, so I was told to see a nurse for tests. I didn't know what tests.

So, after a 30 minute appointment I have a peak flow monitor, various things to puff, and a chart to fill in for a month before I see her again.

The ventolin made a difference within 20 Mons. This should help my energy levels too.

I feel cross and tearful. Another health condition!!! And one which could have been treated years ago.

I despair at the fat mantra for all health issues.

Anyway, will this affect my blood sugar levels? The asthma nurse didn't know.

 

[DCUKMod]

I have been diagnosed with asthma today. Out of the blue.

I have had breathlessness for a long time, and a persistent cough for months. The GP blamed my weight. I put my foot down a couple of months ago,and asked for further investigation.

My chest x-ray came back clear, so I was told to see a nurse for tests. I didn't know what tests.

So, after a 30 minute appointment I have a peak flow monitor, various things to puff, and a chart to fill in for a month before I see her again.

The ventolin made a difference within 20 Mons. This should help my energy levels too.

I feel cross and tearful. Another health condition!!! And one which could have been treated years ago.

I despair at the fat mantra for all health issues.

Anyway, will this affect my blood sugar levels? The asthma nurse didn't know.

Hi LucyLocket - Very frustrating for you.

I don't have asthma, but I know @Rachox does, and uses inhalers.

I know when I was having various investigations for temperature regulation issue, there was a question mark over my adrenal function. There is a doctor who treats some of her folks with certain adrenal issues with asthma inhalers, because of the ability to micro-dose steroids, and on that basis, minimise any additional issues steroid use might cause.

My GP was happy for me to trial an inhaler if I wanted it, but I preferred to grind it out to get to the root cause.

Good luck with that. Please don't let the additional condition get you down. It sounds like you've been living with it for a long time, so giving it a name is just finesse, and let's face it, if the inhalers help, your quality of life is likely to take a bit of an upturn.

Good for you for insisting on getting to the bottom of it.

Hopefully Rachox can pop in when she has a minute.

As it

 

[Rachox]

Hi Lucy

Thanks for the tag DCUKMod. Yes I was diagnosed with atypical asthma (sometimes called cough variant asthma) a few months before my type 2 diagnosis, I too had had a chronic cough for some years and it was only when I insisted on thorough investigation that I got diagnosed properly. I take a steroid inhaler twice a day and have Ventolin as a reliever inhaler. I take the steroid one religiously and very rarely need the Ventolin these days. On Metformin and low carb diet I maintain non diabetic HbA1cs despite the inhaled steroids, I was told that you don’t absorb significant enough amounts of the steroid to affect blood sugars and that seems to be the case. Hope that helps

 

[VashtiB]

Hi LucyLocket,

That sounds very frustrating. The good news is that hopefully this will make you feel a lot better.

Like you I'm sick of doctors scribing all problems to someone being fat.

 

[jjraak]

I have been diagnosed with asthma today. Out of the blue.

I have had breathlessness for a long time, and a persistent cough for months. The GP blamed my weight. I put my foot down a couple of months ago,and asked for further investigation.

My chest x-ray came back clear, so I was told to see a nurse for tests. I didn't know what tests.

So, after a 30 minute appointment I have a peak flow monitor, various things to puff, and a chart to fill in for a month before I see her again.

The ventolin made a difference within 20 Mons. This should help my energy levels too.

I feel cross and tearful. Another health condition!!! And one which could have been treated years ago.

I despair at the fat mantra for all health issues.

Anyway, will this affect my blood sugar levels? The asthma nurse didn't know.

Hi @lucylocket61

sorry to hear the shock Dx.
but i suppose if you have been breathless for a bit, other thoughts may have entered your head,

so as @DCUKMod says ay least it's got a name,
and from one who has had it since age 11, it's not the most difficult to look after, given certain important aspects.

( And i do wonder if that low mood feeling could be related to feeling a little poorly, even if it is the broken window syndrome at work, as in we don't really notice the drop off in performance over time ? )

Personally i'm on beclamethasone, and salbutomol
brown for a puff or two each morning as preventive.
the Blue as and when when chest is tight or i'm a but more breathless then usual.
i had ventolin for many years no worries, then one issue of it, made me so VERY shakey, i declined to use it,
so docs switched me over and all good since.so be aware there are alternaives if one doesn't really suit,

Most asthma has a trigger or two, did they say what yours was ?
Mine is Dust Mite..(the Micro bits of skin we shed as humans )....and lately cats, i fear

As you know i'm T2 and i haven't found or felt that asthma has increased my BG,
(but i suppose realistically, how would i really know the difference,)
it doesn't FEEL like it does, by meter reading etc,
But what i do know is that since Low Carbing MINE has very much reduced...so i hope that you low carbing and once trigger found and eliminated, that will be of the same help for you.

i do still take one brown spray each day, but blue is almost unneeded.

I hope that whatever triggers you, can be easily spotted and eliminated and/or reduced considerably.

back in the day when i got DX it was a scratch test like noughts and crosses on my arm, a drop or this a drop of that, and Dust Mites was BINGO...not sure how they test for it these days.

finally as an aside, without meaning to worry you, asthma can be serious,
stay on top of med replenishment, and always have a spare with you, for re-assurance and good measure.
and if your that breathless, 999, NOT try heading to doctors like i did.

It's been my only real bout since age 30+ ( when my asthma returned, with a vengeance)
it was a few years back., and knocked me for 6, for weeks after
.
Once over it, the worry made me search online, and Web side i found Ginger tea, and began making it.

look it up, it has bronchial benefits, but as always due diligence is required.

I however found it useful and where once i got a heavy cold every single year,
since that time i've been very lucky and at worst had only sniffles...
https://www.thewhistlingkettle.com/a/info/wellness/asthma-support

best wishes, @lucylocket61
just like T2, it is manageable, many have it and live happy lives.
some are even sportsmen + sportswomen.

EDIT: Two links to help. One with information IF your at all worried in the future
the other is an action plan, so your ahead of the game.
https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/manage-your-asthma/when-to-go-to-hospital/.
https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/manage-your-asthma/action-plan/

 

[shelley262]

I have been diagnosed with asthma today. Out of the blue.

I have had breathlessness for a long time, and a persistent cough for months. The GP blamed my weight. I put my foot down a couple of months ago,and asked for further investigation.

My chest x-ray came back clear, so I was told to see a nurse for tests. I didn't know what tests.

So, after a 30 minute appointment I have a peak flow monitor, various things to puff, and a chart to fill in for a month before I see her again.

The ventolin made a difference within 20 Mons. This should help my energy levels too.

I feel cross and tearful. Another health condition!!! And one which could have been treated years ago.

I despair at the fat mantra for all health issues.

Anyway, will this affect my blood sugar levels? The asthma nurse didn't know.

Hi lucylocket sorry to hear about this diagnosis but you may find that being diagnosed and treated correctly will improve your life. My mum now nearly 89 had about 15 years from her 70th birthday with chest infections often one after the other and seemed to be on antibiotics permanently to the extent that she spent three weeks in hospital with c difficle they said prob because of overuse of antibiotics. They put it down to passive smoking as OH chain smoked indoors. After her OH died it carried on and they eventually agreed to refer to chest specialist who immediately said it was asthma gave her right treatment and a miracle happened no more symptoms just the daily steroid puffer plus ventolin when neededwhich four years after her diagnosis is hardly ever. Mum is type 2 diabetic and before diagnosis with asthma her hbaca1 was 55 - now eating medium carb and using a daily steroid inhaler her hbaca1 is 33. The right diagnosis and treatment can make a huge difference and to reassure you that mum’s inhaler dosent seem to have impact on her bgs. Good luck Lucy and really hope it works well for you. We do have to keep going and keep an eye on our own health

 

[lucylocket61]

THANK YOU ALL!!!

You are wonderful xxx

 

[Deleted member 308541]

The ventolin made a difference within 20 Mons. This should help my energy levels too.

Anyway, will this affect my blood sugar levels? The asthma nurse didn't know.

I have found that with the three inhalers that I use for my COPD, namely Airomir, Symbicort 400 and Spiriva Respimat they have not raised my bgls up, the Airomir can give me a energy boost though.

They do help my blood SPO2 levels raising them up to safer level.

 

[lucylocket61]

Has anyone found that their asthma improved with low carbing?

 

[bulkbiker]

https://meatrx.com/category/success-stories/respiratory/

 

[Rachox]

Has anyone found that their asthma improved with low carbing?

Yes me! My asthma diagnosis preceded my type 2 diagnosis by 4 months and I used to use my Ventolin frequently but not anymore, I just keep taking the steroid one regularly.

 

[jjraak]

https://meatrx.com/category/success-stories/respiratory/

Thank you.

Fascinating read so far.
the iraqi war vet/kidney donor..amazing stuff.

Much more to read up on, but many thanks for the post, @bulkbiker

 

[DCUKMod]

@lucylocket61 - My guess, and I stress the word guess, would be that it would depend on the root cause of the asthma. For instance, exercise induced asthma might not be helped by low carbing, but wheezing asthma caused by a food intolerance (depending on the specifics of that) might.

Have you been tracking your CRP levels for a general overview of inflammation in your body? That might give you an insight into things generally.

I know you have a balancing act with IBS (if I recall correctly), but if you have had digestive,... erm,........ "instability", have you ever considered trying a gluten-free lifestyle?

The Endo I see for my thyroid issues suggests anyone living with auto-immune conditions should give it a go, and certainly many with thyroid issues are advised gluten and dairy-free. I'm resisting dairy-free for now, although I do sort of revisit that decision from time to time.

I just don't have my mind in the right space to go dairy free,............................ yet (maybe ever!)

How's it going with your inhalers? Are you noticing any changes? Still early days I guess.

 

[DCUKMod]

@lucylocket61 - Thinking about my previous post and your recent issues around food, my post might have seemed all a bit much. Baby steps.

Just take it steady Lucy, and hopefully some relief from your asthma might make some of the other things a tiny bit easier to cope with.

 

[lucylocket61]

@lucylocket61 - My guess, and I stress the word guess, would be that it would depend on the root cause of the asthma. For instance, exercise induced asthma might not be helped by low carbing, but wheezing asthma caused by a food intolerance (depending on the specifics of that) might.

Have you been tracking your CRP levels for a general overview of inflammation in your body? That might give you an insight into things generally.

I know you have a balancing act with IBS (if I recall correctly), but if you have had digestive,... erm,........ "instability", have you ever considered trying a gluten-free lifestyle?

The Endo I see for my thyroid issues suggests anyone living with auto-immune conditions should give it a go, and certainly many with thyroid issues are advised gluten and dairy-free. I'm resisting dairy-free for now, although I do sort of revisit that decision from time to time.

I just don't have my mind in the right space to go dairy free,............................ yet (maybe ever!)

How's it going with your inhalers? Are you noticing any changes? Still early days I guess.

What's a CRP level? I haven't started an inhaler yet. This week I am using my peak flow meter to find my normal levels, inhaler starts next week.
I don't have IBS. I don't know the triggers for my wheezing and coughing and breathlessness, but asthma runs in my family.

 

[lucylocket61]

Yes me! My asthma diagnosis preceded my type 2 diagnosis by 4 months and I used to use my Ventolin frequently but not anymore, I just keep taking the steroid one regularly.

Thanks. I had no idea I could have asthma. I just have this cough for months. I have been feeling breathless for years. So the GP did an x-ray in case there was anything horrible (she didn't specify what) and, when that came back clear referred me for a spirometry test. My father died of lung cancer in September, so it's been a scary time. Asthma wasn't mentioned. COPD was.

The nurse doing the test said asthma is an inflammatory disease, which got me thinking about low carbs and inflammation.

Did I mention that I also had to put my cat to sleep 3 weeks ago? He was 19 years old. Strangely, my cough has lessened over the past fortnight, so maybe his fur was a factor

 

[TriciaWs]

I was finally diagnosed as asthmatic in my 50s. Referred to as 'late onset' although I believe I had symptoms in my teens - it just got worse later as I react very badly to diesel fumes.

Then as diabetic last year. I occasionally need steroid tablets as I react badly to colds, and people just don't take it seriously or warn me before hugging etc! I find a higher dose of steroids affects my blood sugar control a little, but the twice daily inhaler is fine.

And oh yes, everything including a 'sprain' that wouldn't heal but was really a cracked bone is because I am fat. Yet I had asthma symptoms when I weighed nine stone!

 

[Rachox]

Thanks. I had no idea I could have asthma. I just have this cough for months. I have been feeling breathless for years. So the GP did an x-ray in case there was anything horrible (she didn't specify what) and, when that came back clear referred me for a spirometry test. My father died of lung cancer in September, so it's been a scary time. Asthma wasn't mentioned. COPD was.

The nurse doing the test said asthma is an inflammatory disease, which got me thinking about low carbs and inflammation.

Did I mention that I also had to put my cat to sleep 3 weeks ago? He was 19 years old. Strangely, my cough has lessened over the past fortnight, so maybe his fur was a factor

I had had my cough for years, when it got to the point that I was retching with the coughing I insisted on proper testing. My triggers were chemicals sprays like air fresheners and going from warm house out into the cold or vice versa. No allergy testing done, just personal observation. On diagnosis I used the steroid inhaler and quite frequent Ventolin which helped but it wasn’t til I went low carb that it really started to improve to the point of just needing the steroid inhaler. I rarely cough now even when encountering my triggers.
CRP is an inflammatory marker in your blood, I just looked in my records but don’t seem to have had it done for years!

Edited for typo

 

[DCUKMod]

What's a CRP level? I haven't started an inhaler yet. This week I am using my peak flow meter to find my normal levels, inhaler starts next week.
I don't have IBS. I don't know the triggers for my wheezing and coughing and breathlessness, but asthma runs in my family.

By CRP, I meant c-reactive protein. It usually features, for me anyway, in the standard blood panel my GP runs from time to time.

Forgive me. I have no idea where I got the IBS from for you. Hey ho. I can be easily bewildered.

 

[JohnEGreen]

I was properly diagnosed with Asthma about fifteen years ago when I rather foolishly picked an argument with a respiratory consultant in Derriford hospital.

Which resulted with about a two rather exhausting hour session in the lung function lab.

Along time before diabetes was on the horizon.