Your stories

An image of Karen wearing work out clothes and holding dumbbells
Your stories

Pulmonary rehabilitation has really helped me feel like me again

Karen was diagnosed with hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), a type of pulmonary fibrosis, four years ago. Here she tells us about the impact it's had on her life and how pulmonary rehabilitation has helped her feel more like herself again.
A close up image of Beth lying in a hospital bed with oxygen tubes
Your stories

I really underestimated how bad my asthma was until I was hospitalised

Beth is a primary school teacher, who lived in Hong Kong but has recently moved back to UK. Here she shares how she was hospitalised after an asthma attack and how it impacted her life.
An image of Annie in bed holding a teddy bear
Your stories

I often get told that I look well even though I am critically ill

Annie was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension when she was 15 years old. Pulmonary hypertension is when you have high blood pressure in the blood vessels that carry blood to your lungs. She went into heart failure in 2022 and is now on the list for a heart and lung transplant.
An image of Paige wearing a hospital gown and a surgical mask
Your stories

I was hospitalised over 40 times in one year as my asthma was not well controlled

Paige was diagnosed with asthma when she was 8. Her asthma was well controlled and would flare up when she overexerted herself playing sports. This changed when she was around 24. Here she tells us about it.
An image of Lorraine wearing an oxygen mask
Your stories

I can’t work or look after myself properly. It has been a very big change to adjust to

Lorraine has a condition called Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD). It increases the risk of lung diseases like COPD. Lorraine has emphysema, one of the lung conditions that makes up COPD. Here she shares how our support groups have helped her connect with a supportive community.
An image of Ann in her e-trike in front of Land's End
Your stories

The kindness of strangers was the most humbling thing

In 2024, Ann completed a long-distance cycling challenge for Asthma + Lung UK. Here she shares why the charity is close to her heart and how she completed the 50-day challenge.
An image of Rae smiling to camera
Your stories

I recommend anyone with bronchiectasis to get their own self-management plan

Good self management of your bronchiectasis is really important for staying well. Our supporters Sophie and Rae share how their Asthma + Lung UK bronchiectasis self-management plans help them stay on top of their condition and live well.
An image of Claire wearing an oxygen tube and looking at camera
Your stories

I’ve gone from being a nurse working in A+E to using home oxygen at 40 years old

Claire spent the first three years of her life in and out of hospital with bronchitis, pneumonia and then meningitis. Her health improved and she was able to pursue a career as an A&E nurse. But after a chest infection and COVID, she was put on home oxygen. Here she tells us how it affected her life.
An image of Steph sat in a chair and smiling to camera
Your stories

I’m starting to live life on my terms now that I’m taking biologics

Steph was diagnosed with severe asthma as a teenager and would have at least 4 hospital admissions a year. Now, after being advised by our helpline team, she's been put on biologics which has helped her get it under control. Read how this has given her hope for her future.
An image of Cat looking directly to camera
Your stories

If I hadn’t called the helpline, I think I’d have ended up back in hospital

Cat was diagnosed with asthma as a child. In December 2022, she was admitted to hospital with pneumonia. She still felt unwell when she returned to work but couldn't get to speak to her GP so she called the Asthma + Lung UK helpline for support. Here she tells us her story.
An image of Malcolm and standing in front of the sea
Your stories

People don’t seem to understand how fatal asthma can be

Malcom was diagnosed with adult-onset asthma at the start of 2020 after experiencing asthma symptoms. He has been hospitalised twice and even ended up in intensive care. Since getting the right treatment and support, he's been doing much better. Here he tell us about it.
An image of a hand putting wood into a wood burning stove
Your stories

I end up in hospital every year because of wood burning stoves

Our supporter Julie has severe asthma and looks forward to going out in her wheelchair with her carers for some fresh air each day. But she's often forced to stay inside during the autumn due to a toxic cocktail of air pollution, partially caused by wood burning stoves. Here she tells us about it.