Health Why sex could kill me at any moment
you can still enjoy your love life. It’s important to take your medicines as prescribed as this will reduce the sensitivity of your airways.
“You should also go for regular asthma reviews with your GP.”
For people with severe asthma, the resulting fatigue, low self-esteem and physical changes due to their medications and inactivity can take a heavy toll on relationships.
Callie, from Basingstoke, says: “For a year, Lee and I barely touched each other. I would go to bed early and watch telly while he was downstairs playing on his computer.” She said Lee, 40, was more her carer than lover.
“One day I broke down in tears and blurted out how upset I was.
“Lee told me he still loved and desired me but avoided sex because he was afraid of pushing me into something I was scared to do.”
The couple made a pact to work at Lee and Callie focus on romance their relationship. Callie started seeing a psychologist to improve her selfimage and learned how to manage her anxiety, and Lee spoke to a carers’ organisation. They also contacted Asthma UK, which has a nurse-staffed helpline, for advice.
Three years on, they have rebuilt their marriage and their sex life, although they have had to make changes. “It’s different and more gentle, but we spend romantic evenings in front of a DVD and make love slowly,” says Callie, now 32.
“Lee isn’t offended if I turn him down or have to stop – and I don’t feel pressured to do it.
“Safe sex for us is making sure I have an inhaler handy and pausing to use it. We even make jokes about how hot I look with a nebuliser mask on!
“We’ve found our spark again and, while my health is a struggle, our marriage is as strong as it’s ever been.”