Feeling frustrated

[Treed12]

I just received a condescending letter from my consultant. I had a blood allergy test come back as normal. Already had one so was expecting this. But i know i have allergies, the sneezing, coughing and watery eyes tells me so! I also had lung function tests. Which came back as normal. This confuses me a bit as i was struggling without my meds. I've had the reversabilty test before and that diagnosed asthma. But i have a good peak flow which made me look normal until i did the reversabilty bit. My normal is about 400 and after meds 590. I feel all uncertain now and feel like stopping all my meds. I hate taking them anyway. Just needed to vent!

[Lotti_321-]

I’ve had similar experience, so you aren’t alone. In the past three weeks I’ve gone from receiving a letter saying it’s all in my head and that I have breathing pattern disorder. A physio telling me I do have asthma & don’t have breathing pattern disorder. An X-ray showing asthma. To now back to testing for vcd which they’ve already ruled out and have symptoms in my chest area and not in my throat.

After 9 courses of steroids in the past 12monthis, and after going round in circles I’d had enough and went back to my gp.

Thankfully I have a good gp practice on my side who thinks it’s all ridiculous and have wrote constantly to my consultant. And have finally got an appointment with my consultant.

Can you ring your consultant secretary and try to be seen to give you some clearer answers

I’ve found on here via other people it is common to suffer from allergies symptoms but bloods etc to be fine. I hope you get some answers.

[Treed12 in reply to Lotti_321-]

Thank you for your reply. Its still pretty new to me, diagnosed a year ago. Had a terrible summer, ive probably had about 9 lots of pred too. I wish there was a definitive test, it all seems so speculative. I know i have asthma as ventolin relieves my symptoms but sometimes doctors make me feel like a fraud. Its just rubbish!

[Snowdrop27 in reply to Treed12]

Try taking to asthma uk helpline on Monday. I sure they can help too. It sounds like you have a really good GP fighting your corner. 0300 222 5800

Whatever your concern, speak to our team of expert asthma nurses by calling our confidential Helpline on 0300 222 5800 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

[robert1957]

hello

please research magnesium deficiency and symptoms of magnesium deficiency also research benefits of vitamin d3 and k2 Mk 7 goodluck

[clareasthma]

Not yet had these tests as waiting for appointments, but my clinic is also big on seasonal allergies triggers, (so I now take antihistamine), and localised (I.e. my list is 20 long so I avoid /change cleaning products, no no wood fires, nail bars that are too toxic etc), as these are triggers for local throat sensitivity which can build up, & increase wheezing over taking and I don't often realise it.

Previous to the clinic (referred this year), I felt bit isolated medically for years and had to push myself to use regular preventers as my asthma got worse, mainly due to colds, winter chest infections etc..

Please keep going with your meds. I've learnt the hard way that I must keep taking my daily meds and not give up. I'm also learning to have a voice, so I now do my research so I can ask informed and challenging questions, and where I get negativity I'm learning to get mentally stronger and not put up with crap responses.

Stay strong and keep at it

[Joolstom]

Hi

Having similar thing at the moment.

21 years Asthma suffer, very well managed until 18 months ago when one infection and struggle after another. After 12 months in Chest Clinic Consultant isn't convinced I have asthma as I don't wheeze, my lung function results don't change even when have tightness and I'm not 'typical'. He's even ordered a lung scan to check if it is something else.

Why don't medical practitioners admit that not everyone will have the same symptoms.

[strongmouse]

With regards to allergy tests they are not 100% correct so there can be false negatives. It also depends what they tested you for. It is impossible to test for all allergens so they do a best guess. I suggest that you ask for a copy of the allergy test results. You can phone the consultant's secretary to ask for one.

Make a note of exactly where and when you are allergy type reactions occur. Are they all the time? Does taking an antihistamine over a period of time help? It is possible to get reactions to chemicals and pollutants which are not allergens. Many doctors unfortunately tend to disregard this even thought it is known that there are many chemicals which cause irritation. Petrol , wood smoke and pesticides can effect me and strong perfumes, but they won't show up under any allergy tests. They are known as environmental triggers. Occupational Health often comes across this in some work places.

At home a good hepa air filter would help with this cutting down your exposure to irritants.

[Jjude1003]

I share your frustration, especially the part about being told you have no problem so it must be 'all in your head' when the test results don't show anything. I also have allergy tests that don't show anything but I put on a wool sweater and immediately can't breathe. Nuts also seem to be a problem for me and I suspect a few other things. Hang in there.