New to asthma

[BornWorried]

I was diagnosed with asthma in 2015 after several pneumonia infections and swine flu. I was told I was also borderline COPD 😟 I'm 29!

I also have numerous other health problems i.e. Arthritis and degenerate disk decease aswell as depression and anxiety. What will it mean for me if I have copd ? I have another test on Thursday.

Thanks

[Hidden]

Hi you are very young to be diagnosed with borderline copd and you need to ask for a blood test to see if you have a genetic disposition. Probably not as it is rare but your doctor/nurse should give you on so ask.

There is a very good lung site on here called The British Lung Foundation. Most of them have copd as it is the most common, but there is also every lung disease under the sun. You will get a lot of help and advice there as well as here.

[BornWorried in reply to Hidden]

I've had the blood test and no genetic dispositions. I had a severe asthma attack a couple of weeks ago which landed me in hospital for 6 days on oxygen also pneumonia I was given a new inhaler the spiromax duoresp I take 8 doses of it a day and it leaves me shaking my peak flow was 300 and it's only slightly improved but I still get breathless when I move!

Jo x

[Hidden in reply to BornWorried]

Were you told to take 8 doses a day as it seems quite a lot. No wonder you have the shakes.

[BornWorried in reply to Hidden]

Yes I'm on what they call the MART plan I'm back at th hospital on Thursday but I'm worried as I haven't had any improvements?? I think/hope they are goin to test me again so hopefully I'll have a better idea 💡 I'm just awfully young to hav copd I think

Jo x

[Hidden in reply to BornWorried]

Well it isn't yet copd but only background. It might not develop for years yet as long as you lead a healthy a lifestyle and look after yourself. Even then if caught at a very early stage, while it is a progressive illness, it usually doesn't progress quickly so you will have many years yet of healthy life so don't panic and think you are going to die in a few years coz you are not. You can hold it at an early stage for many years.

It is important you deal with any lung problems ie chest infections or just exacerbations straight away to limit any damage.

[BornWorried]

Hiya thanks I have thought about one ☝️ but I had an allergy test at the hospital and I'm not allergic to anything 🤷‍♀️my main trigger I believe is infection?

Jo 🙂

[Matman]

COPD and Eosinophilic Asthma often have similar symptoms and each can be diagnosed when, in fact, the patient had the other. You may therefore want to ask for blood tests and a FeNO Test to help evaluate whether you might have Eosinophilic Asthma. With Eosinophilic Asthma there is a higher Eosinophil Count whereas, with COPD it's the Neurophil Count that tends to be high.