Suffice it to say, I wasn’t exactly a happy camper when I wrote that last post about my little prison stint. I apologize for that. At the time, I was roided out of my mind and was still very sick. Dr W helped me get through this awful time by reassuring me that what anguish I was experiencing was a normal response after suffering such a severe flare up, and that my complaints were not really unique.
But what a difference a few extra days can make. I think it was Thursday that I finally “Turned the corner”. As happens so many times when I think I’ll never recover from a severe attack, I just woke up one morning and all of sudden…Wham! I was breathing better and feeling better. It’s as if whatever was causing my lungs to act up in the first place, just burned itself out and left my body.
It’s astonishing how fast the transformation can happen too. One minute you’re feeling crappy, the next you’re feeling fine. This probably sounds strange, but for a while there it actually felt kinda weird to be breathing easy. All day yesterday I caught myself conscientiously trying to analyze my own breathing to see if indeed I was breathing normal…or I was imagining it. No wheeze, no difficulty exhaling, no discomfort…just normal breathing! So weird, but so appreciated. Id give anything to be able to breath like this all the time. Healthy people take their breathing for granted.
So with this most recent revelation, and after having survived literally dozens of these types of exacerbations, I put all my observations together and made a list. Ive been able to identify 6 distinct phases that I go through during the recovery phase of a severe asthma exacerbation that required a hospital admission.
Just for fun I call it ” The Recuperative phases of a severe asthma exacerbation” . The word hospitalization is important here, because the recovery phase from a severe exacerbation that did not require hospitalization, doesn’t seem to follow the same pattern.
Here’s the list in the order of occurrence. Can anyone else relate or add to this?
1)The Honeymoon phase: This is usually the period immediately following discharge from the hospital and usually lasts 24-36 hours. During this period you’re basically in a daze trying to adjust to familiar surroundings again. You’re breathing remarkably well and it seems like you’re getting better.
2)The Rebound phase: This phase usually starts on the 2nd or 3rd day out of the hospital and is characterized by a general worsening of all asthma symptoms. (So much for feeling better..huh). Now all of a sudden you actually feel like you are re-flaring and might need to go back into the hospital ( many do end up going back in). I think this phase is brought on primarily by the body trying to adjust to the lower levels of circulating systemic steroids (steroid withdrawals), and by other drugs and treatments that your body was used to getting while in the hospital.( ie cont or frequent nebs, bipap, oxygen etc.) There’s also the possibility that you were discharged from the hospital too soon.
3)The Zombie phase: Most of us know this phase well. Sleep deprived,unable to breath and body physically and mentally mangled, the steroids make you temporarily insane. Feelings of despair, guilt, blame and depression rear their ugly heads.
You’re riding an emotional roller coaster. You can’t turn your brain off. You’re body is rebelling too; You feel bloated, your muscles are cramping and you want to eat everything in sight. The intensity of these symptoms are usually steroid dose dependent and can last from a couple of days to a couple of weeks.
4)The Turning the corner phase: This phase mercifully begins usually around the 7-10th day out of the hospital, and can occur subtly without your awareness, or if you’re lucky, can happen with an abrupt onset, literally overnight. In either case, this is a welcome phase that signals you are finally getting better.
5)The Fatigue phase: Pretty self explanatory. You’re body is exhausted from working so hard, and now that you’re breathing easier and have less steroids in your system, you feel weak and sleepy. You’re coming down hard from a not so pleasant high.
6)The Amnesia phase: I’m not sure this happens to everyone, but certainly if you’ve been hospitalized multiple times, you’ve experienced this phenomena. This phase usually begins 1-2 weeks after the “Turning the corner”phase, or about 5-6 weeks after the initial exacerbation began. All of a sudden, it’s as if you were never sick, never hospitalized and never went through the living hell of a severe asthma exacerbation or recovery. I think it’s the brains way of blanking out the bad stuff, so that you can cope better with future attacks.
So that’s my asthma recovery theory/ check list. I think every physician and/or RT or Nurse who takes care of severe asthmatic patients should familiarize themselves with this list to get a better insight as to what we actually go through AFTER we get out of the hospital.
If you have severe or persistent asthma and can relate to this topic, join me on my Google community
Hi Stephen: though I've only had two hospitalizations, I've had numerous exacerbations and have been on large amounts of prednisone many, many times. One thing you noted was the "amnesia" phase. I have that too after recovering from a flare…in fact I stay in that very optimistic mind frame almost thinking I'll never have another flare-up again…..until the next time my lungs decide to crap out. Of course, I have daily limitations from my lungs, but I am used to those and still forget how downhill my lungs can go.
Anyhow, glad you are in the recovering phase and continue to be on the mend.
GayleMyrna
Yea Gayle, Isn’t it weird how that happens. I guess it’s good in a way. If I remembered everything that happened to me while in the hospital, I don’t think Id ever go back.
Crikes…..down to 20mg of Pred that quickly-is totally epic! Well Done!
The amnesia stage is terrible. As a stupid dumb blonde female, I cry buckets during this time. I also experience radical deja-vu's. I just cannot believe that I was ever THAT sick.
It is a stage where I never fail to terrify myself, truthfully. I have often contemplated therapy to get me through this stage. It helps to talk, and my poor J always has to be the ears.
Sheesh. What we put these partners of ours through!
Hugs, great post!
xx
Hey you.
. Yay!!
Glad you've turned the corner on this one
And this time, I'm sending ya hugs from the other side of Obamaland!
–Kerri
fatigue i can relate to this cuz the first 3 letters discribe ME FAT and i can believe cuz i see it in the mirror every day ???? it's kind of like disfunctional there's FUN in there too thanks for lettin me vent?????? i hate this asthma???? glad your doing good!!!!!! keep it up love ya marsh
I'm super excited about your latest walk. Rock ON!!!!
Hi,
Although I've never actually been hospitalized (plenty of ER visits though), I can relate to all of these phases. Ug. My personal favorites being the zombie phase (I feel nuts and want to eat everything in sight…and when is it going to end anyways?), the turning the corner phase (which usually happens when I've given up on it happening), the fatigue phase (majorly have this one…I love the I'm finally better…why the heck am I so tired???), and the amnesia phase (I look at this as nature's kindness), this phase lets me enjoy the good times while I have them.
Sorry you have to go through this but it's sure nice to know I'm not the only one!
Melissa
Thank you so much for the information. I just spent 3 days in hospital with an acute exacerbation asthma attack. I thought all of the “after symptoms” was me being overly paranoid. It’s comforting to know it’s normal and that it will eventually pass. Thank you for sharing your exoeriences for us ” rookies”!
My pleasure. Sorry that you\’re dealing with the post acute phase. It really sucks, but it does get better. Just know that thousands of people go through it everyday.
Feel free to join my SARP page on Facebook. ( especially if you\’re wired on the roids) Or better yet, when you\’re better, consider becoming a study subject for SARP.
Get well soon!
I agree- scouring the net for somwthing, anything about "how long is this going to last this time? Why am I not bouncing back from the hospital very fast this time" " etc. and I found nothing until this blog. Well written and exactly what I ned- I am following this course to the letter , now 8 days out from emergency room and a full day in a hospital bed! WELL DONE! and so glad you're on FB
Very interesting. I'm in stage 4 now. People thing when the asthma attack is gone that you are recovered – I'm glad I found your site. I can relate. Breathe better!
Wow, does this describe me. I have been an asthmatic since childhood, but I have only had a 2 episodes in the last 30 years. We have moved to London last July. This is my first spring here. I have been wheezing more since I’ve been here, but I didn’t take it seriously. Then I had a bad episode that put me in the ICU for 5 days and a total hospitalization of 12 days. I hit phase 1 &2 almost exactly as you described it. I did have to go back to the hospital which is where I am at now (4 days). I am hoping to be discharged tomorrow. I am searching the internet for information and found your site. I need to get a handle on all of this. Thanks
Hi Lori, Sorry to hear that youre in the slammer. I hope you feel better and get released soon. Yes, asthma can be dormant for many years and then all of a sudden…wham!
I haven't been in hospital but have been seriously contemplating it for the last few days. I'm having the rebound phase after a nasty chest infection &asthma. I was really worried tonight because it's all gone a bit south again after the initial benefit of the prednisolone. I just want to get back to normal and it's hard to be so compromised. Thank you for writing this up as I feel reassured that it's kind of normal. I'll have to be more patient …
Maria. Glasgow, Scotland.
Hi Maria, Sorry to hear to youre having problems. Hope youll join my asthma forums
Hi Stephen
So nice to read it described so well : ) I'm at stage 5 and it SUCKS! Okay so not so much as any of the other stages *lol* but being on the front desk I'm expected to be chipper and happy and I'm just knackered. I didn't get to the hospitalisation stage this time, just the really bad almost there stage ;p I really hate feeling this weak.. can't wait to get back to running but we had a fire alarm yesterday and the climb down 21 flights of stairs has left my already oxygen starved muscles screaming.. everytime I stand up my thighs turn to jelly. So nice to have a site about this! I usually run around happy as larry with no issues but the turn to winter (in NZ) always catches me out..
So anyhoo great to meet you
Nic
Hi Nicole,Sorry to hear that. Well, if youre at stage 5, hopefully you\’ll be well again soon:-)
Brilliant article! I recently (1 week ago) had my first asthma attack and ended up in A&E, pumped up with steroids and antibiotics, and ended up in A&E again, 3 days later. Its has felt like an excruciatingly slow recovery and worrying me as to why I am not getting better. Finally on day 7 I am feeling so much better, still not 100's but i can breathe easily. Going out is still a bit of a struggle but indoors I'm fine. Hopefully the next couple of days I'll be able to feel like a normal person again.
Thanks for the article it has definitely made me feel better, and can understand the process. I was under the impression that you get better a lot quicker and this was worrying me.
Saved as a favorite, I really like your web site!
I thought I was going insane. I spent 6 days in hospital and I’ve now been home for 3…. I thought I had lost the plot. My body feels like its giving up and I feel like I am living in a dream. I keep crying and cant control my emotions. What a God send to read your 6 stage list. I’m not going mad after all….!! Thank you so so much
I can’t believe I have found this. I actually feel normal now! My asthma is normally well controlled until recently I have had an allergic reaction and apparently wind on the beach triggered the recent exacerbation?? However I thought I was going crazy!! I can’t stop crying. I can’t sleep. I feel like I will never get better! I ml now understand that this is all perfectly normal and the steroids aren’t helping towards these feelings.
It makes such a difference to hear others are experiencing the same things and that it will get better
I am showing this to my husband it might help home to also understand what is happening.
Thank you xx
Sounds like you’re experiencing the nasty side effects of prednisone , it really messes with your emotions. You’re definitely not alone. As you wean off the drug you will gradually feel better. The important thing is that you now understand what’s going on in your body. Unfortunately, most physicians don’t educate or worn their patients about the side effects of these powerful drug.