Product Review – Health Storylines, Asthma

“This is a sponsored post for Health Storylines. I have been compensated through the Chronic Illness Bloggers network. All opinions remain my own and I was in no way influenced by the company.”

I was diagnosed with asthma when I was in my mid to late 20’s. I was told that I didn’t have it as a child, it started due to a combination of my “accident” in 1992 where I collapsed a lung and got pneumonia, and the fact that I have had environmental allergies all my life.

I started out needing inhalers only when I had an attack. I was given Salbutamol and Flovent. As the symptoms became worse, the Flovent was traded for Advair and I was to take both inhalers regularly with extra doses during attacks.

I didn’t get any better so when I had an attack I would have to take prednisone, which played havoc with my moods and anxiety disorder. I could breathe, but I was a mess of nerves and depression. It got so bad that I refused to take the prednisone.

Then my new respirologist started me on Singular (Montelukast) 10 mg once a day. This has been great at keeping my asthma in check.

I give all of this as background from before I was given the chance to review The Health Storylines app for Asthma.

The video at the top of this post shows what Health Storylines™ is all about. They have partnered with different groups to provide both a community and a safe haven for people suffering various chronic illnesses. The Asthma Storylines is provided by the Allergy & Asthma Network, through Health Storylines™.

The Asthma Storylines app is free from the IStore, Google Play or as a web app for your PC or laptop. Once installed you set up a username and password. From there you have access to a wealth of information and ways to monitor your own health. This is becoming so important these days with everyone living such hectic lives and can’t always get to the doctor for every little thing. Some of the app features include:

• Tracking symptoms, vitals, moods, and daily asthma control
•  Items to discuss with your doctor, physiotherapist, etc.
• Managing appointments and medications
• Keeping a record of your asthma and relevant information
• Watching see your health story unfold
• finding a community who will encourage and support you along the way
• Providing interesting information such as the “Asthma Control Test”, “Sync a Device”, a To-Do List and Info & Resources, to name a few

I recently got a system for tracking all my medication so I don’t feel that is something I would use here; however, all the rest is something I have been looking for for a very long time.

I belong to groups for my fibromyalgia, Chronic Illness (in general), mental health and others. One area I have kind of just gone along on my own is my asthma. The irony of taking for granted the most important condition of all – the one that has control over my breathing. Without breath we don’t have life!

The symptom tracker is probably feature of the app I will use most. With several chronic conditions (and symptoms that haven’t been identified yet), it is good to have a place to record them all as they happen. Having it all on my phone eliminates trying to find a pen and paper when out and then trying to find the paper again to write it down.

The journal just might get me back to journaling. It gives you hint questions on what to right, like the one below:

Will I continue to use Health Storylines  for Asthma? Yes, of course. Even though I have apps I am comfortable with for my calendar and medications, there is so much peace of mind and control over my illness.

For more information go to Health Storylines Asthma

Lydia;