Asthma or something more sinister?

[Emilylemon727]

So I'm mid asthma diagnosis at the moment, I'm on a steroid inhaler twice a day after having, what I assume was an asthma attack whilst on holiday in Rome. Long story short I tried a dodgy vape pen whilst out there that immediately gave me an allergic reaction (very smart I know)Ever since that ill advised puff it's been an absolute nightmare. This was almost two months ago and I'm yet to be able to go longer than three days without having to use my emergency inhaler.

I went to my GP as soon as I got back and they put me on steriods, but I'm getting slightly concerned now as it's been such a long time and it doesn't seem to be having any affect at all? If anything I feel worse.

I've not been officially diagnosed with asthma yet and the earliest they could book a test in for me is the end is December

I'm starting to worry that it's not asthma that's the problem here, I'm worried that leaving it for that long is going to do some serious damage to my lungs

Has anyone experienced anything similar?

[-Butterfly-]

Sorry to hear this. I'm afraid I don't really have any advice, but didn't want to read and leave. Have you been back to your GP to tell them the steroids don't seem to be helping? Does the emergency inhaler help when you have symptoms?

[Emilylemon727 in reply to -Butterfly-]

Thank you I really appreciate it Not yet but I will be booking another appointment with them next week

[Homely2 Administrator]

I would ring the asthma UK helpline and have a chat through with one of the nurses. It will help you know what you are asking the gp for.

[Mandevilla]

Sometimes it can take a long time to find the right medication for asthma, so don't assume that it's not asthma just because the treatment you are on isn't working well - it took me nearly a year to get treatment that meant I wasn't needing Ventolin several times a week. However, I know how worrying it can be while you are waiting for diagnosis.

I would suggest calling the Asthma UK helpline - they are so helpful, and no question is too 'daft' to ask them! They will be able to advise on the best action to take while you are in this time of waiting for diagnosis. I've run them several times, both before and after diagnosis, and each time they have been so helpful. They are especially good at giving you the right phrases to say to your GP to get the right response. Without their help, I'd never have got the right medication from my surgery!

[Emilylemon727 in reply to Mandevilla]

Thank you that sounds perfect, I will give them a call

[Tugun]

Hi,

A different story but hopefully something in it may help. I'm an asthmatic since childhood. I once mowed the lawn with a very old lawn mower. Afterwards I developed what I thought was a chest infection. It took ages before a doctor diagnosed asthma not an infection. The nebulised ventolin really helped but it took awhile before the damage to my lungs settled and I got back to just "normal" asthma - my normal.

If you have never had asthma before, and it's an allergic reaction to one of the ingredients in the Vape, then I would be hopeful that eventually you would get back to normal. It took many months for me.

The cortisone is to reduce the inflammation so you need to check your diet and take food etc that also reduces inflammation. Take the emergency medication whenever you need it as that will clear up your lungs so that you are able to breathe more deeply. I use ventolin everyday.

I would suggest that you see a good naturopath who would give you ideas on how to build up your immune system.

Wishing you the best,

Tugun