Awaiting diagnosis for asthma...peak flow 350...36 yr old female

[emmajayneuk]

Hi all,

So I am awaiting my spirometry referral. I am 36 and have had symptoms for years but just thought I was someone quite unfit despite walking a lot or my anxiety was causing my breathlessness sometimes.

I decided to go to the GP after recent allergy tests (I do not have any allergies but suspected maybe an oat one which was proven to be OK) the nurse said my peak flow was really low and I never gave it a second thought. I have always for as long as I can remember been someone who did not have a lot of puff when blowing out candles etc and assumed it was normal for me. Anyway…since the change in cold weather this year I noticed when walking I was getting a bit more breathless this year and one night when washing up I asked to use my husbands inhaler (blue Ventolin which was naughty I know but was interested)….well after 15 mins of coughing up bits of rubbish I felt I could take bigger breaths. Went to GP today and I am now awaiting my referral. I have a peak flow meter and I do not get higher than 350.

My symptoms for years and I mean years has been….a tightness in my throat when running….always feeling I cannot get a full breath especially after rushing around or running about and a little cough which I only really get in the morning when I have got out the shower. I do not cough in the day apart from this really.

I am nervous incase it is COPD but hoping to be sorted soon.

[Fuzzymooch]

Wow, I can't help much buuttt, I'm 38 and female. Like you I had the odd tiny symptom I always dismissed. Mostly it was a 'nervouse' cough and feeling I occasionally had to take a massively deep breath. This year had a chest infection that just wouldn't come right. Coughing and wheeze just wouldn't go. Eventually was sent for spirometry, chest x-ray and now doing peak flow. My peak flow readings were not totally clear and I'm on a trail of inhalers now. I totally overthink everything and am always worried it's something else. I found it helpful to keep my own asthma diary and see if I could find potential triggers. Having focus helps. I'm still in my trial phase so I have no other help, just sympathy from a similar position. Hugs.

[emmajayneuk in reply to Fuzzymooch]

Awww it is scary isnt it. What readings are you getting on your peak flow? X

[Fuzzymooch in reply to emmajayneuk]

Yep and frustrating. I started out around 350 to 450 depending on the day. Blue inhaler works sometimes, but there have been times theres I get no change (though usually when my peak flow isn't too bad but I'm still wheezy). After getting my brown inhaler (had it two weeks now) I'm between 430 (usually am) and 450/60 (pm). Feeling less wheezy the past two days too but I can only hope that last, I keep expecting it to all go wrong and start wheezing again. Hope you get some resolution.

[Hidden]

It is quite possible you have asthma as you get noticeable relief from the blue inhaler but will have to be patient and wait for the referral.

You can take your peak flow (best of 3) before taking your husbands inhaler and then again 15 mins after the inhaler (again best of 3) and see how they compare.

It is very very unlikely you have COPD unless you have been a heavy smoker and even then it is unlikely at such a young age.

[emmajayneuk in reply to Hidden]

Hi Simon

The inhaler helped a little last night and I got it up to 380-400at one point but this morning after the inhaler I saw no difference which is worrying me now