Hi there.
Just wondering if anyone can help. Doctor diagnosed asthma last Sept 17. Lung function test in hospital said no asthma! But doc says I show signs of copd! Generally I'm well these days but using inhaler am/pm.
Has anyone got any experience like this?? Thanks...
Did the hospital consultant say anything to you about the results of your spirometry? Your GP might have guessed asthma in the absence of tests, then decided COPD following them. My GP guessed COPD with me initially, but my spirometry found fixed small airways obstruction (which is COPD by any other name), but also an asthma component. There does seem to be a view that anything which restricts your airways should be treated at the earliest possible opportunity to prevent it getting worse; certainly, my condition seems stable over two years, though that might be too short a time to judge. For a definitive answer in your case, I would go back to the hospital consultant for clarification, just to make sure you're taking the appropriate medication.
I've never been seen by a consultant since the lung function was done. It was the nurse who did the test that said I didn't have asthma!! Then my local gp who said my results show signs of copd. Seems like the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing! A bit frustrating really...
If you have an inhaler with a corticosteroid in it, then you are being treated for asthma; if it has a beta-agonist, it is for COPD - if both, then you're being treated for both. Given the lack of clarity, the dual purpose inhaler would seem to be the best option.
You could also check for asthma with a fast acting bronchodilator like Ventolin (a slower corticosteroid that you get in the preventers might also work), and a peak flow meter. Get a peak flow reading before using the inhaler, then again 20 mins after the inhaler (best to take the average of 3 attempts to ensure a consistent blow). If the peak flow reading goes up after using the inhaler, then chances are you have some asthma, but you might also have a COPD component which I suspect would not be confirmed without a CT scan. But at least you might know whether your current treatment is appropriate and, if you're feeling well anyway (which, after all, is the object of any treatment), then I wouldn't worry about the lack of clarification.
Had asthma for most of my life wheeze cough the typical symptoms and have always had inhalers had investigations which said COPD as well as asthma in 2011 after a few bouts of pneumonia. Had further investigation in 2017 as I had no change in treatment since first diagnosed and was breathless more than normal. No one queried didn't have asthma until about 4 months ago when a consultant said blood tests didn't show asthma? So I have had COPD for nearly 40 years and have I never had asthma??? What a load of crap!! She didn't have an answer so changed consultants. If you are well carry on what you are doing it's working for you sometimes the worry of the diagnosis makes you worse. I despair at times at these professionals!!😊
Lung Function Test can mislead Docs into concluding COPD when the real culprit is eosinophillic Asthma. I’m not saying you don’t have COPD just that you might have eosinophillic Asthma. Best get a referral to a Respiratory Consultant if you have doubts over what is ailing you.
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