Any improvements in Asthma - eczema
 

Hi Everyone
Just out of interest I am asking if any of you have had any experience with Asthma or eczema before moving to New Zealand. If so, How Is It Now?

Both myself & my two children suffer with Asthma &/or eczema. Just wondered if we could expect any improvement when we finally move to NZ.

Thanks
Mandy

Re: Any improvements in Asthma - eczema
 

Hey there,
Prior to our move to NZ, I was getting through a couple of inhalers every 3 mths-ish. Admittedly we had a couple of cats, but since coming to NZ I have not had to use an inhaler at all. We have no cats here, but i have been around them.
We will have been here 3yrs this coming Oct.

Lee

Re: Any improvements in Asthma - eczema
 

Hi Lee
Thanks for that. Thats good new for myself & my daughter. What about any alergies or hay feaver. I'm affraid I suffer with the lot, Asthma eczema & hay feaver, which is bad at the moment & I really like the out door life & good weather.
It's looking positive
Thanks
Mandy

Re: Any improvements in Asthma - eczema
 

I suffer on and off from eczema. Early days but noticed any difference yet, mine tends to be worse in the colder months.

Re: Any improvements in Asthma - eczema
 

Rates of asthma are high here... I work as a specialist nurse and deal in respiratory, cardiac and diabetes.

It really depends what your triggers are... my sons asthma has worsened but we had him allergy tested and his main trigger is the spores present in damp conditions. As we get a fair amount of condensation in our home that is potentially a trigger for him.

In spring you can physically see the pollens around the countryside. Treatment regimes are similar to UK, they tend to use flixotide as standard preventer and salbutamol as reliever.Serotide and Serovent are also available.

Pollution levels from vehicles are lower in the countryside but this is replaced by crop/ vine sprays and air pollens.

Asthma in children is on the increase internationally and New Zealand does have high rates. Do you know what your triggers are?

Re: Any improvements in Asthma - eczema
 

Hi Frenchy
My triggers as are my daughters, When we get a cold it goes straight to our chest. I also get very weezy with the hay feaver.
Thanks for your reply.
Mandy

Re: Any improvements in Asthma - eczema
 

Just bring a really good supply of inhallers to start you off and be prepared to increase your preventer use if you arrive here in the winter. Also as stress can exacerbate (and hey immigration is stressfull!!) be prepared for the potential need to increase preventer use. Take care :)

Re: Any improvements in Asthma - eczema
 

Mine has been generally fine, then moved into my new house 2 weeks back and have used my inhaler most mornings as it is much damper than my old place, be carefull on where you move into would be my advice! Have just forked out on a dehumidifier so will see how that helps....

Re: Any improvements in Asthma - eczema
 

My Asthma was the same as the UK. NZ and Aus have widespread asthma issues.

Re: Any improvements in Asthma - eczema
 

Hi there,

I have asthma and Psorosis. My Asthma has improved since we have been here, It is mildly worse in winter (in the mornings - however I think this is related to a plant outside our bedroom window - good when window closed bad when its open) I very very rarely use my inhaler now.

My Psorosis which was very bad when I got to NZ and was always quite acute in UK has improved greatly, I had a bad relaspe recently when my dad broke his hip whilst holidaying here, stress related me thinks. But it is going away quite nicly now - even though I am wearing more layers in winter it is still improving.

Hope this helps

Adie

Re: Any improvements in Asthma - eczema
 

Hi balmand2 my asthma was controlled well in the uk but since arriving here 7 weeks ago all my ailments have worsened asthma, hayfever & allergies. have been using ventolin twice as much, now brought tablets a nasal spray to see if that helps, i figure if my sneezing improves and allergies are controlled my asthma might improve , being so close to the sea i thought it would be better (auckland)hope this helps

Re: Any improvements in Asthma - eczema
 

I know it is a fairly old thread but might still be interesting to some people.

We were worried about our son's eczema and asthma before coming to Auckland.
Our panel doctor said not to worry because in some cases it can improve the condition.
We are here now for 2 months and our son hasn't used his inhaler for 7 weeks.
He only needed it the first week when he had a cold and we were living in a holiday flat.
We chose a damp free house (you can smell damp quite easily) and it has got a HRV (heat recovery ventilation) sytem installed. You can read a bit more about it here http://www.hrv.co.nz/how_endorsements.aspx

His eczema hasn't come back either but then he almost grow out of it anyway.

Re: Any improvements in Asthma - eczema
 

Can I suggest that if you are using Symbicort (never mind the better drugs) that you completely stock up on supplies in the UK?

It is available in NZ, and things have recently changed making it easier/cheaper to access but afaik it is still the case that you must 'trial' the brown inhaler with oxis before being able to go on to Symbicort.

And no, a letter from your doctor saying you were using symbicort in the Uk isn't enough to get you it. Although, pestering your doctor will convince him/her that you were on it and want to 'trial' the two inhalers.

It drove me completely and utterly mad.