When should I see doctor..?

[Pete114]

Hi... I'm new! I have been experiencing wheezing, crackling and shortness of breath (worse at night and sometimes very distressing after exercise) for over a year now. I am currently experiencing a remission (is that the correct word?) of symptoms which occasionally occurs for a week or two just as my diary has freed up to book in at the doctors (sod's law)... question - is it better I wait until symptoms come back before seeing the doctor so that he/she has something to work with?

[Breathagain]

Go to the doctors asap, asthma kills people !!!!

[Hidden]

Call tomorrow and make an urgent appointment. You are entitled to time out of work to go to the doctor. Make a note of when you've had symptoms and what you did and particularly the after exercise issue. Carry your ventolin all the time and use it.

Pete114 I just ignored my symptoms for too long and I've ended up feeling rubbish, not able to do stuff, and only stayed out of hospital because I'm a singer. I used every bloody trained singing muscle I had to keep breathing. 

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Oh, and the asthma nurse I saw today marched me to the doc who gave me more steroids. Breath again is right, asthma kills and frighteningly quickly. 

[Pete114 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the advice, I'm currently undiagnosed so don't have ventolin. The doctor prescribed me an inhaler about 15 months ago, but he had diagnosed it for a chest infection following a cold. I guess I've been putting it off because I don't want to hear it. I will ring in the morning.

[Happychicken]

Hi Pete,

You need a diagnosis. Even if you feel well you need to.go.

See your GP and let them know all of your symptoms. They can organise any further tests and get a proper diagnosis. 

I went to my GP when I was feeling well.....but obviously wasn't.... My spirometry showed some obstruction....chest xray was abnormal and sputum grew bacteria!!

The danger with not being treated properly is that.you can cause more.damage....which is what happened with me due to the chronic inflammation.

I hope you get sorted....let us.know the.outcome of.your visit,

HC

[flossiew]

Hi Pete, please don't delay seeing your GP as I did for which I'm now paying the consequences, as my asthma still isn't under control. Like you I didn't want to hear I had asthma but believe me, you're doing yourself no favours by putting it off and not getting the treatment you need. I hope to see a further update saying you've been to your GP!! All the best

[Karjade]

Please let us know how you get on at the doctors.

[Pete114]

OK, so been to docs today, referred for x-ray ?COPD on it. Have an appointment with nurse in 3 weeks for spirometry test.