I get by just fine and forget I have this thing called asthma, and then I get a virus or allergies, and I am reminded that I have asthma and that it is a severe life-threatening chronic disease.
So what is asthma? It’s a condition where the airways become inflamed, narrow, swell, and can produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult. Asthma triggers are cold/flu, dust mites, smoke, pollen and exercise.
I am self-employed and only take sick days when I need (contagious, not physically up to it) because it can be hard to reschedule appointments. I have worked in the clinic and with sports teams during an asthma flare; it doesn’t affect my ability to work. I cough a bit more while doing it, and I have to say I learnt the art of coughing into my shoulder or elbow long before the pandemic hit. I remember an occasion after working for a team, and my airways were in a bad way; the asthma cough often sounds more like a bark. It’s quite loud, and I am embarrassed about it. I received a text from the head therapist, who advised me to please not come to work and share my germs with the team in the future. My reply? Asthma is not contagious, and I’m sorry that I made others feel uncomfortable. I have had a handful of clients who have requested to have their entire treatment face down so that I don’t spread any germs to them. I found myself saying you can’t catch asthma more over the last 2 years, yet people are often sceptical.
1 in 9 Australians have asthma.
1 in 2 people do not think or are unsure if their workplace views asthma as a valid reason to take sick leave.
90% of people with asthma do not use their inhalers correctly.
Stigma is a barrier to a person managing their asthma, particularly in youth asthma is not cool.
I am currently having an asthma flare, so it seemed like a good time to write about it. Breathing is more complex, and coughing is exhausting; I cut back on the gym to give my body the recovery it needs to have the energy to work. I also decrease cardiovascular stress where possible to allow myself maximum recovery. I need to make a conscious effort to take my preventors every day because these will reduce the risk and incidence of a flare-up. I guess what I’m saying is I have unknowing been affected by stigma because I don’t want to be that person taking medications daily regardless of how I feel; I have avoided social situations because I’m embarrassed about my frequent bark and want to prevent the stares from people or people distancing themselves away from you because they don’t want to catch your disease.
I am pledging to make more of an effort to take my preventers daily; it’s tough because these inhalers cost money, and if I can not use them for one day, then that’s money I get to save. Spiriva costs me $42.50 for 30 capsules, and I take 1 a day, Seretide is $42 for 120 doses, and I’m supposed to inhale 2 puffs twice a day; then there is the Ventolin which is inhaled as required and is cheaper at $15 for 200 doses. Add in the need to go to the GP to get new scripts, and if an asthma flare is quite severe, a course of prednisone to get it back to “normal”.
I didn’t ask for this chronic disease; it’s just something I’ve been ”blessed” with.
I want to finish today’s post simply by asking you to be more compassionate and less judgemental when in the presence of someone coughing. Changing the attitude of non-asthma sufferers will help improve the health outcomes of those with asthma. Maybe they have a contagious virus, but perhaps they were given the gift of asthma and are doing their best to stay on top of it.
Pretty sure I’ve spoken to you about how much I spend on meds/psychs. It’s bloody ridiculous. I’ve legitimately thought about taking less of my meds to save money. Or seeing my psych less often. It’s bloody wrong.