Hi all,
I was diagnosed with asthma during the first lockdown and I've queried the diagnosis since the blue inhaler never gave me much relief from my symptoms. I've never had an asthma attack as such but what prompted the diagnosis was the fact that I had an episode in which I was bent over my kitchen sink unable to take a breath which was terrifying.
I was diagnosed over the phone after a peak flow monitor for 2 weeks. No additional tests were done. Respiratory nurse said any result over 20% confirms asthma and mine was 43%. (I've since had much, much more stable peak low measures.) I stopped taking the inhalers after about a month because I didn't feel any improvement.
I've had an ongoing health issue which was diagnosed around the same time; one of the symptoms of which is shortness-of-breath. I was also deficient in ferritin, which causes SOB. Anyway; I'm now appropriately medicated and have since had an iron infusion which crosses those two causes off the list.
I believe now that I have allergic rhinitis which is triggered by perfumes and fragrances.
So eventually, I get to my question; my husband has started wearing aftershave again after a 12 month hiatus and I've found I can't breathe again and tried taking my blue inhaler.
Peak flow before inhaler was 370 and after the inhaler was 430. I don't know if that's significant or not?
I guess, I'm just hoping for some advice and opinions really!
Thank you.