Asthma isn’t pleasant. I’ve had it since I was 14 years old and it frequently goes hand-in-hand with eczema, and over the past couple of days I’ve been reflecting on how it’s changed my life.
I don’t usually think about it, it’s just something that’s just there, but the past few days I’ve had pretty severe asthma attacks and am now on steroid tablets to help my poor lungs. I was on the train thinking of the shitty ways asthma has effected my life, and thought I’d just round them all up and see if anyone else with asthma agrees/disagrees!
It Determines The Bags You Can Buy
I’m talking abut clutches. I am SO sick of always having to carry a decent-sized clutch to carry my bulky AF inhaler, instead of being able to carry those super cute little bags that can only fit your phone, keys, and cards. Srsly. I long to be able to buy any clutch/handbag I want and not have to worry about whether I need to sacrifice my life for fashion.
It’s Embarrassing Telling Your Boss You’re Gonna Be Slow
It doesn’t happen often, but whenever I have an attack or my asthma is throwing a fit, I find it HUMILIATING having to take my boss aside and be like ‘just an FYI, I’m gonna be a bit slow today coz I had to use my inhaler to save my life but the side effect is it makes me shaky and exhausted’. It makes me feel weak.
You’re Not Allowed To Go Diving
I always thought I never wanted to learn how to dive, but when I recently went to the Great Barrier Reef I decided I wanted to try it out! When I was researching which company to do a day trip with ALL of them mentioned on the website that asthmatics aren’t allowed to dive.
Erm, whut? I went with the company that I thought would fit my style best (small group etc), and asked them why asthmatics couldn’t dive.
They explained that it was too dangerous because the air is cold and very dry which can irritate the lungs, and obviously being so far down in the ocean it’s far too dangerous to risk an asthma attack mid-dive. Fair enough. But now I feel like I’m missing out 🙁
You Can Literally Die From It
A lot of people don’t actually know how dangerous asthma is, but thousands of people die from it every year. I didn’t even know you could die from it until I was 17 years old and a high school friend of mine died from an asthma attack. Knowing this makes me panic every time I have an asthma attack, which then obviously makes things worse and I have to deep breathe to calm myself down.
You Have To Be *That* Person Who Always Carries An Inhaler
Again, it just makes me feel weak. Carrying your inhaler around the gym – check. Having an inhaler in every handbag you own – check. Carrying your inhaler when out walking – check. Having to shove your inhaler in your bra when you go for a run – check.
It Increases Your Travel Insurance Costs
Having asthma (even mild asthma) literally increases my annual travel insurance cost by about £25. It’s not much, but it’s still really annoying, especially when you’ve never been hospitalized for it!
It Effects Your Body After Surgery
Every time I have surgery on my throat and wake up from the anesthetic, not only do I feel shitty from, ya know, the surgery and anesthetic…but I always immediately have an asthma attack, which then raises my heart rate, which then makes me end up on oxygen. Lovely.
The Awkwardness Of A Public Asthma Attack
I’ve only had a public asthma attack a few times over the past twelve years, but each time is just plain awkward. No one knows what to do or how to help, while you’re desperately trying to do the simple act of breathing and giving your body oxygen. I’ve written before for the Huffington Post what it feels like to have an asthma attack in public.
Some People Can’t Take Ibuprofen and NSAIDs
This doesn’t tend to effect me, but a lot of asthmatics can’t take ibuprofen or NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory painkillers that work really well on headaches, migraines, and period pain) because it flares the asthma up.
It Effects What Exercise You Do
Diving aside, depending on the severity of asthma it might effect what exercise you do. I sometimes find intense exercise (especially during an intense spinning session) makes me gasp for air (not because I’m super unfit, lolz) and I just can’t get a full breath in, which annoys me so much because I just want to push my body but my body won’t let me.
