Does your asthma get worse while wearing a mask? How to cope with it?

@Sleto80 Hello Sleto80, thank you for starting this discussion. I've moved it to our "Living with asthma" group for more visibility. Let me tag some members who can share their thoughts on this with you!

Hello all, how are you today?  Does wearing a mask aggravate your asthma like Sleto80 describes? Have you had to change or increase your medications because of it? What are you doing to handle it? Do you have any advice or coping techniques to share? 
@Laurasunshine‍ @VERONICA86‍ @Cbschif‍ @Maryhomeseller‍ @MaryFrances‍ @Marshallgirl‍ @dprantil‍ @hallbar3‍ @jflaca‍ @will8401‍ @Tiaburks‍ @Amyann23‍ @Angelswithme5457‍ @juan19802005‍ @Sgyavuz12‍ @Gagnons‍ @dixied‍ 

Take care,
Courtney

Thank you. Any and all recommendations are greatly appreciated.

@Sleto80 Wow first of all, thank you for all you're doing working at the hospital through all of this! I definitely have a hard time with masks too. I find them really stifling and it makes it hard for me to breathe and eventually after a bit they make me have kind of a panic attack, which can push me into an asthma attack. I'm lucky where I can just take them off for a break, but in a hospital setting I don't know how you're getting through it!

@knsasmyhme Thank you and you're very welcome.  Yes it's been pretty tough. I do get relief when I am home. But then I'm right back at it again and my lungs don't have a chance to heal. 

@Sleto80 Ugh I feel really fortunate because I'm still working from home so I very rarely have to wear a mask since I don't go out much. The few times I tried have started an attack. Stay strong, hopefully this will all die down with time!

I am older and retired.my asthma symptoms are better wearing a light mask. Horrible in an N95. Overheating in a mask is horrible. I cannot imagine working outside in one.Several of my friends who have never had asthma now require inhalers.

When I am in a flare I have to wear a thinner mask.  When my breathing is under control I can wear something a little thicker.  I don't like wearing on and fortunately in my office I can take it off.  If I leave my office I have to wear a mask but I am thankful for the protection from the virus.  I usually carry 2-4 masks in my purse so if the one I want to wear doesn't feel right I have other choices.  But in this time I would rather wear one and struggle to breathe then to not and get the virus.  My mom had COPD and lives with me and my hubby.  She finds that the paper masks work best for her.  She doesn't go out and about very often but those feel best for her.  She is on oxygen at night.  But we would both rather struggle to breathe then get this and have to be in the hospital.  

I'm only wearing a mask because it's required. If it wasn't I wouldn't be wearing one. I am trying to prevent myself from getting COPD at all costs. Any mask I wear, whether it's a thinner surgical mask to an N95 does not help with my asthma attacks. 

@Letvelsal56 No, you're not alone. It's hard. For me it's easier to wear the blue disposable masks you see around. They're lighter and easier to breathe through that fabric masks or homemade ones. I'm usually ok wearing them for what I need to do in the day, but if I feel an attack coming on I make sure to get out away from people in an open space and I take it off. I'm usually ok, though. I know how important it is for us to protect ourselves and one another so I try to power through. :)