Diagnosis - asthma

[AirIsUnderrated]

I just got back from my first face-to-face appointment with a respiratory nurse. After 4 months of is-it-isn't-it I'm now a fully paid-up member of the club. Go me!

Typically she saw me on a good day, too early for the evening chest tightness to kick in, but at least she gave me time to talk, was sympathetic and believed me. Rather than trying to wean myself OFF the Qvar, I've had my dose increased for a couple of weeks before reviewing. Fingers crossed that this is the answer.

[twinkly29]

I'm glad you've seen someone. Have they done, or will they be doing, tests like spirometry? Just thinking that it might be useful as the higher dose of Qvar wasn't the solution before you started to reduce it - so hopefully they'll find something better for you!

[AirIsUnderrated in reply to twinkly29]

Apparently spirometry is no longer being done because of the aerosols produced. The nurse said she doubted whether it would be brought back in. It’s all done on history, response to ICS & bronchodilators now, and my pretty saw-toothed peak flow chart helped too.

I was on Qvar 50 2 puffs twice a day and she’s increased it to 3 puffs twice a day. She was talking about changing me to a combi inhaler but as I already have a new Qvar she said to try that first. I hate waste!