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Asthma after having COVID
I was a healthy, active 78 year old female before I got a mild case of Covid in February 2023. I had well controlled asthma taking only Singulair and Advair inhaler once a day a never having to use a rescue inhaler. I had been a swimmer and avid traveler. I was fully vaccinated and boosted and took Paxlovid when I tested positive for Covid.
A week after the Paxlovid treatment, I became constantly short of breath and had exercise intolerance. My heart rhythm started to get irregular. It was a toss-up whether the SOB was cardiac or pulmonary related. In May, I was in complete heart block and had a pacemaker implanted. The SOB never resolved. One of the pacemaker leads was irritating my heart wall causing pericardial effusion and heart failure. They drained a liter of fluid from around my heart and replaced the pacemaker leads. I finally felt well again but SOB still continued. Now it seems the asthma has flared up and I’ve started wheezing with chest congestion. I’m on Breyna (Symbicort) and Albuterol by nebulizer for the wheezing.
Has anyone had a recurrence of asthma after Covid? Has your asthma become controlled without having to use a rescue inhaler? I’m afraid I’ll be asthmatic now forever. None of my doctors have committed to diagnosing me with long Covid as they all say there’s not enough data. But for myself, I lost a whole year of my life after getting Covid.
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My story is buried here somewhere, yet short answer in my view is “yes”. I had Covid really bad during the height of the lockdowns and as I got better I was diagnosed with adult onset asthma at 56. My pulmonologist tells me that it’s very likely that the Covid event “awakened” the asthma, and there is some limited data affirming that asthma can be long-Covid related, or even permanent.
To otter2154 - thank you for replying. I found your story and read through the feed. Although not very encouraging, I found it helpful. Seems like I just need to be patient and let the meds do their job. Sounds like your return to biking was very beneficial. I will try to get back to swimming again and hopefully I’ll see more improvement.
Since my original write-up, there has been tremendous improvement (so there is great hope). Now I mostly deal with an annoying mucus issue that ebbs and flows. Good quality sleep, healthy diet, exercise and limiting my cocktails helps greatly. I have no physical limitations for a 59 year old. It will get better.
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2 ReactionsHow long did it take to get your asthma under control? I have been taking Breyna (Symbicort), 2 puffs morning and night for a couple of weeks now. The effects seem to last longer than the other maintenance inhalers I was on - Advair and Trelegy. But I still have to use a rescue inhaler/nebulizer, Albuterol 2 - 3 times for chest congestion and coughing. It’s not so bad during the day, but the combination at night really disrupts my sleep. Have most of you been able to manage without using your rescue inhaler? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.
@britelite - Good 4 months for me. I didnt work for 3 month and 4th went to work for 4 hrs only. My o2 was dropping pretty bad, so i had supplm o2, bad sob just to walk around the house. I couldnt walk our dog down the street (i weightlift at baseline), i did nebulizer every 3-4 hrs to help with sob and still mostky sat on sofa just trying to breathe. I was also on two rounds of diff abx and two rounds of 2 diff steroids. ( these were alternated over few weeks) I was told due to asthma it would take few months. Was hard to believe at that time that it will ever get better, but looking back now, it indeed took some time. At some point, my md rxed tiotropium bromide (Spiriva in liquid) to nebulize together with albuterol.
Look into nebulizing/speak to md instead of using inhaler/puffer, it makes quite a difference. For a reference i picked Phylips Respironics InnoSpire Go (can only buy wity rx). Its quiet and fast then what i was given through insurance - noisy and very slow compressor plug in machine.
I read above that you also had cardiac issues, need to be vigillant, have mds exclude that sob and wheezing not carduac related as well.
All the best,
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1 ReactionLenchiksf - thank you for sharing your experience. I’m glad you finally got better. Sounds like I just need to be patient and give the Symbicort more time to work.
I dont really know Symbicort - but are there different stregngths? Can your pulm increase strength of med or try a diff one ? Few years ago i was on medium strength advair discus, then for short time, doctor put me on next one up because of flares up, then we changed advair hfa , these are puffs, i am on 230/21 which is highest strength 2puffs am and pm as baseeline drug. But when i feel ok, md lets me cut down to one puff in pm and if still ok to one puff in am. Though, when my breathing is off, i also have spiriva, it helps with small airways per md. In your case @britelite , If its been fews months of wheezing - something doesnt add up. No matter if its long covid or what not, your symptoms are not managed, from what i read. When was the last time you seen your pulm md? Pulm mds are pretty good at managing symptoms and/or rule in/out where wheezing comes from. If same pulm says "long covid", consider 2nd or 3 rd opinion.
They will /can redo lungs function tests (there are few diff kinds), 6 min walk test, etc.
Also has your pulm md tried (a steroids burst ) to help with wheezing and cough or put on abx short term or for maintenance.
They love to challenge our lungs , thats for sure !
My Best,
Well, this morning I had my first full blown asthma attack. I don’t know what triggered it. I have been diligent in using the Symbicort, but noticed an increased usage of the Albuterol. I do use a nebulizer and that plus the Symbicort gave me relief. My pulmonologist started me on a 5 day course of prednisone today. Have any of you gotten long term relief from symptoms after one course of prednisone? How long did it take? I’m so discouraged! My asthma had been dormant for years until my COVID episode a year ago. I’d like to read any of your stories and advice. Thanks.