possible asthma after chest infection not treated

[Samapril26]

In feb I had a chest infection and sinusitis I had antibiotics for the sinusitis but not the chest infection anyway since then I’ve had this cough where I’m nearly sick I’ve pulled muscles the lot. It’s a non productive cough and sounds like I’m barking. I visited the doctor and they’ve prescribed a blue inhaler and said it’s possible asthma has anyone else had this?

[peege]

Perhaps you've had asthma a while and it wasn't until the infections that it was triggered. During my childhood asthma I had an incessant barking cough. I occasionally get the same non stop barking hacking cough . I once walked into my gp surgery barking away, she turned to her trainee doctor sitting in & said "listen well, this is a typical asthmatic cough". I was very relieved to know this awful cough was indeed asthma. Thus was during a time when I had repeated chest infections 2009 -2013. Now I understand it better, as soon as I bark I know it's time to adjust the inhalers.

The blue inhaler you've been prescribed is what's called a 'reliever to take as and when you need it to relieve symptoms. Most asthmatics (and other lung diseases) have them on repeat prescription as well as a preventer inhaler which we take regularly morning and evening.

I hope the doc also listened to your chest to check for infection? Generally antibiotics are prescribed for 5 days, unfortunately that's not enough for people with dodgy lungs. As a rule if you've got abs for 5, 7 or 14 days and you're still symptomatic you must see the gp ASAP to check the infection is still lurking. Some are very stubborn.

If I were you I'd be going back to gp to ask "have I officially got asthma ". If you have then perhaps you need a low dose preventer inhaler so its important to have a diagnosis. It's said that if we use the blue inhaler 10 or more times weekly then our asthma is not controlled.

There are only 120 puffs of medication to an inhaler (also a propellant is in it), it's important to get a new one before yours has finished.

[Samapril26 in reply to peege]

Hi they listened to my chest and couldn’t hear any wheeze. I asked if she thought I had asthma and she said she couldn’t say for definite so to try the blue inhaler for a month and if it doesn’t work to go back. So what happens if it works I then run out and get the cough back again do I just ring and get another one and that will be the diagnosis for it?

[peege in reply to Samapril26]

Exactly, and if it's Ventolin that you've got it's tricky to count how many puffs you've used unless you have a good memory. Try to keep track . If you've used it up in a month I'd say that's not good (but I'm no doctor)!When I went to gp with nighttime wheezing years ago she prescribed me a brown preventer inhaler and "take that, if it works then its asthma" 😳. Luckily it was confirmed later by a hospital consultant when I grew an add on lung disease after a Full Lung FunctionTest. I'd also had it as a young child.

There's a lot to learn about asthma. Learning what each of our own triggers are, why/how our airways inflame. A Learning curve and you're just at the beginning. There's lots of info on here.

Regarding a stethoscope, they can hear different sounds, wheezing, crackling, rasping, bellows sound which all mean different things to an expert.

[Poobah in reply to Samapril26]

If you find that the blue inhaler really helps with your cough, but you need it daily, make a follow up appointment with the Dr in order to discuss your treatment going forward and to secure another prescription. The Dr may consider a different inhaler or an additional one and follow up with tests and some monitoring to ensure that the treatment is addressing your symptoms. They can set up the medication on a repeat prescription basis once they know the treatment is doing its job.

One thing to get used to is follow up. You may have to take the lead and be proactive, which may sound odd if the Dr thinks it's asthma, but never hesitate to make follow up appointments to review progress and potentially better treatment.

At first you may find keeping a diary of symptoms and how may puffs of the inhaler you're taking helpful (that will help you know when to order another one). Just a simple note will do. If the Dr can see daily symptoms and how much you take the inhaler, it can inform their decisions.

All the best.

[Samapril26 in reply to Poobah]

Hi yes the blue inhaler I only started yesterday but has helped already I shall do a diary of how often etc I’m using it so I can report back to the doctor. Thank you for your reply

[Poobah in reply to Samapril26]

I know it's all new, so ask as many questions of the forum as you need. You can also use the Asthma UK helpline on 0300 222 5800 (office hours) to chat with the very helpful nurses. The helpline can also help you prepare for your Dr's appointment, just so you get the most out of the consultation. Hope you get control of the cough ASAP. Good luck!

[Samapril26 in reply to Poobah]

Ah thank you soo much that’s great help

[Patk1 in reply to Samapril26]

If it helps,don't let it run out,get another b4 it does - worth asking gp to put 2 on prescription.pls be awful ever it not coming out,the little dispenser hole can block - either clear with a pin if in urgent need of it or wash the blue plastic part

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Samapril26]

Hi, I agree with other points but just wanted to add, in case it comes up, that you do NOT need a wheeze to have asthma. Not even if you go to the doctor when you feel you have symptoms that may be asthma. I'm saying this because unfortunately it's still quite common for people to be told they can't possibly have asthma with no wheeze - but it isn't required for asthma, and shouldn't be used by itself for diagnosis. I'm glad your GP seems to know that and is still considering asthma as a possibility without one, but wanted to say this in case others you see are more fixated on needing a wheeze.

It's also possible to wheeze some of the time and not others - doesn't automatically mean your asthma is worse if you are wheezing.