Do I have asthma?

[ahughes76]

Hi All,

I'm new here and am looking for some advise if at all possible...

Back in September 2016 (at the age of 39) I had a severe chest infection (my doctor mentioned that it was borderline pneumonia) which made me rather unwell. Since the illness I have had difficulty breathing with my chest always feeling tight even when resting. Other issues have included my breathing feeling worse in the evening and when I'm stressed and a dry cough which is triggered when exhaling heavily. I go to the gym 3 times per week and interestingly my chest feels tight to start but afterwards feels better than ever. The air conditioning at work seems to trigger the breathing issues. I have had 1 instance of what I think was an asthma attack when I was stressed and became increasingly out of breath and became light headed. Before I was taken ill I never had any issues with my breathing.

After months of going back to my doctor with breathing difficulty I was sent to the Asthma nurse, I took 2 weeks worth of peak flow readings (I had a 19% variance in readings) and trialled some inhalers and finally found an inhaler combination that made me symptom-less; 4x puffs of the brown preventer inhaler per day (800 micrograms) & 4x puffs of the green extended reliever inhaler per day (400 micrograms). The nurse asked me to drop the brown inhaler dose as this is a little high but as soon as I did this the symptoms returned. The issue is that now, even after returning to the previously successful dose of inhalers, I can't stop the symptoms. The nurse put me on new Fostair inhaler last week and mentioned that if this doesn't work then we might need to look at other issues rather than asthma.; the Fostair inhaler hasn't made a difference.

I'm basically feeling rather confused now and was wondering whether anyone else has been through similar episodes? Do I have asthma, don't I, are my symptoms typical of being asthmatic? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Andrew,

[risabel59]

Hi there, welcome to the Forum, it's very difficult to tell what's going on from your post.

However, there are some tests that can be done that will give you a more definitive answer. If you have not had full spirometry done, I suggest this would be a starting point. Some GP surgeries now offer this. But if yours does not then I would ask for a referral to a consultant. There are also other tests that can be done including blood tests for IGe levels and FeNo testing. As well as a Metacholine / histamine challenge test

The problem with bad chest infections, such as you had in 2016 is that they can cause long term damage. Or damage that can take a long time to heal.

So sorry not to be able to give more advice. But I think you have to go back to the doctor for an absolute diagnosis.

Best

R

[ahughes76 in reply to risabel59]

Hi R,

Thanks for the response. The nurse did mention that I should have a lung function test if the Fostair inhaler doesn't work so hopefully this will help diagnose what's going on. I should have added that I have had a chest X Ray which was clear.

Thanks,

Andrew

[risabel59 in reply to ahughes76]

Hi Andrew, whilst it's much easier to get a chest X-ray, some lung problems only show on a Ct scan, but I would see what the other tests say, and then if you are still having problems, and no definitive answers I would try and get one, but you will have to wait on the NHS.

R

[Hidden]

Hi ahughes76

Welcome to the forum. Here's a link to information on the tests already mentioned on the thread. bit.ly/2sm3ro1

Hope that helps,

Dita

[ahughes76]

Thanks Dita, that's really helpful. Hopefully I'll get some of the tests done soon.

Regards,

Andrew

[JGreen42]

Hi, yes I can relate. My chest infection was 2014 lasted 6 months and like you was very close to pneumonia. My x-ray was clear and I was several antibiotics etc. During the recovery (which does take a long time) I was given the blue ventolin "to help", this is common apparently. Because my peak flow appeared to respond to inhalers (I've tried a few different ones due to throats problems) the GP & nurse told me I'm asthmatic. I don't know if I always was or it's down to the infection. (Give yourself over a year for recovery btw).

Because I have days where chronic fatigue kicks in, my GP has heard a heart murmur and an echo cardiogram has shown faulty heart valves.

I'm waiting to see a cardiologist and I hope to find out whether it's my heart, my asthma or perhaps both causing my breathlessness and fatigue.

I would be persistent, keep a health diary to involve pollen count, weather, environment, peak flow, exercise and symptoms. This gives GP more info. In a short GP appt they are trying to pick up on what you say to hear anything that might give them a clue. And we all can sometimes forget to mention something relevant.

I hope you get better soon.

[Hasan84]

I have found an article on this topic. It could helpfull for forum member! bit.ly/2s2H9eV