How long does it take to recover after methacholine challenge test?

[joefu]

Hello, I have suspected asthma, and now have an appointment for a methacholine challenge test to hopefully get more clarity on what is going on with me.

I'm just wondering if anyone who's had one of these tests before (or one of the similar histamine or mannitol challenge tests) can say how long it took for them to recover and feel normal again afterwards. I'm just worried that as they are trying to induce some degree of an asthma attack, I'll take a while to recover. Also, did the test worsen symptoms in the days/weeks after or did it not seem to affect anything?

Thanks

[Homely2 Administrator]

With me, they succeeded in inducing an asthma attack, however it was not a long lasting attack. I was grateful to have my wife drive me home, after 3 or 4 hours I was OK. It had no long term effects.

In theory most hospitals are meant to make sure you are OK before releasing you. But it is good to take someone with you if your hospital, like mine, does not offer this support.

[joefu in reply to Homely2]

Thanks for the advice, I'll probably have to go alone but I'll make sure to take it easy that day. The only worry is that the test is scheduled a week before upcoming exams, so if I'm fine within a day it's not so much of an issue, but I don't want my studies to be too interrupted! I don't know whether I should ask to reschedule to after exams, I don't want to be a pain to the NHS...

[Chip_y2kuk]

I didn't react to either (metthacoline and mannitol) so I didn't really need any time to recover I just had to restart my medication.

[risabel59]

I felt so unwell afterwards. But it seriously proved that I have asthma. I had to have several nebs of Ventolin afterwards in the hospital. It took me a couple of days to completely recover, my lungs felt so abused.

[joefu in reply to risabel59]

Gosh that sounds awful! Thanks for sharing your experience through. The appointment for the test is a week before my upcoming exams 🫠 so wondering if it would be better to ask to reschedule...

[risabel59 in reply to joefu]

Despite it not being the nicest test... I would definitely go ahead with it. Lots of people have different experiences and once you've done it, it does clarify the situation. If I was asked to do it again, to get a medication or something I would.

[risabel59]

I also want to add. It was worth doing as it removed all doubt about having asthma, as I am high functioning when I am well, so in the past people would say, "Oh your numbers are normal for size age height etc". when I was practically dying. However I still have to produce all the numbers of what I am like when well if I see doctors I don't know when sick.