Wheezy, coughing but not breathless for over 6 months!

[LJMD]

Peak flow consistently over 400!

Do I have asthma ?

[twinkly29]

That's something that you'd need to speak to a GP or asthma nurse about. They'll look at symptoms plus do some other tests, perhaps try medication to see if it helps and/or makes a difference to peak flow or other tests. There are other conditions that can produce similar symptoms to asthma too. Peak flow itself, as standalone data, is not useful - it's a very personal thing. 400 might actually be low for you (yet outstanding for someone else), or it might be really good for you but you might be someone who has better-than- expected peak flows anyway. Sorry that's probably not very helpful but no-one on here can say whether or not you have asthma.

[LJMD in reply to twinkly29]

Thankyou for your detailed reply and unfortunately my follow up appointment for the asthma clinic was cancelled due to Covid 19 !

Maybe when this nightmare is over I shall be able to get another appointment and shall have to put up with it for another 3 months until then. Kind Regards

[twinkly29 in reply to LJMD]

Ugh that's not helpful. You'd think instead of cancelling AN appointments, a phone call could be done. Ok not for everything but at least some of it could be done over the phone. If things are difficult would it be worth phoning surgery and asking for a phone consultation? Or phone the Asthma UK nurses?

[Poobah in reply to LJMD]

If you do find you're struggling because of your wheeze etc then definitely follow up with your GP, in spite of the virus embargo on normality, as you may need treatment. It's not good to leave some things untreated.

All the best.

[peege]

I would be requesting a consultation with gp either phone or video call as a priority. If you should have asthma or any other lung disease it makes you more vulnerable re corvid 19.

[poohbear59]

Hi, I hade a high peak flow. Much higher than expected for my body size. So when I am having breathing difficulties my peak flow can still be higher than average.

Funnily enough my brother who lives in Italy was recently diagnosed with asthma after very extensive tests, the like I haven't ever had here, and he has exceptionally large lung capacity too. My daughter does too.

It is difficult when our asthma nurse at GP surgery only goes by our lung capacity. Luckily I found a doctor willing to listen to me this week.

[Superzob]

I believe you can buy salbutamol over the counter, which the standard rescue inhaler for asthmatics. It is pretty safe and might help in the meantime until you can get a doctor's appointment.

[LJMD]

Thankyou so much for all your replies and advise! I really appreciate you all being so caring!

Kind Regards and Stay Safe X