Can an asthma nurse tell if I have asthma when I have emphysema

[Gazza01]

Hi all. Like many people with copd I have been treated with inhalers for asthma for the last 3years. Only recently was it found that I have some emphysema after a ct scan for a heart operation. Nobody even mentioned it. I found it in my medical notes a year later. My question is can an asthma nurse tell if I actually have any asthma at all. I realise you can have both. The reversibility test also works for some copd sufferers too so that would not be a way. Can anyone shed any light on this. I don't mean to be rude but I don't want a judgement made by a nurse who may not really know the answer herself and just has a best guess at it. If I don't have asthma I would like to come off the preventer as it can add to the risk of pneumonia. Thanks.

[Spikedog66]

If she knows her job she will be able to read your investigation e.g. Scans spirometry etc but ask about your concerns. They use some asthma medications for copd and emphysema I have seretide as a preventer and spriva for copd but this can be used for asthma too. If you are well and the medications help stay on them until you have questions answered by a consultant or your doctor. Ring the nurses on this site it's free and they are very knowledgeable and may help😊

[Superzob]

You would probably need a bronchodilator for both, so I would be inclined to continue with the preventer until someone can give you an authoritative diagnosis.

[Hidden]

Spirometry testing can tell the nurse that.