Who to see.....?

[Sooos]

So, I’ve decided it’s time to pay to see an asthma specialist to finally confirm or deny that I have asthma.

Spiro says not...

most doctors say no . 1 says yes and I have to avoid seeing her when I’m ill as she refuses anti b’s snd insists it’s asthma, even though I’ve ended up in a&e with pneumonia twice !!

1 respiratory consultant says I have it... and one says I don’t.

So before I pull my hair out, I’m looking for the best one in the Bucks area- or surrounding area including London.

Any advice gratefully received.

Xx

[Hidden]

Don't think you can do any more than you are doing Sooos..good luck

[Ern007]

Maybe another doctor in your practice would be better first rather than paying.. Have you got Asthma medication such as inhalers, steroid inhalers - Unless you have a chest infection, Asthma or not, a doctor won't prescribe Antibiotics... I had a COPD flare up in March and I got steroids because of Asthma symptoms, but no Antibiotics as I did not have a chest infection.. I was unsure myself, that's why I did not use my rescue pack...

[Sooos in reply to Ern007]

Both times she has said it’s asthma and refused anti b’s ... I have ended up in A&E next day with pneumonia and or pleurisy,... I know when I have chest infections.

Other docs say not asthma...

s

As I said,spiro says not asthma or copd.

Yes I have been prescribed inhalers but never had to use reliever.

As an asthma nurse said... “ how can they prescribe you meds, without positive diagnosis,

Am back under respiratory dept to find out what’s been going on for last four years. Possible bronchiectasis but I want the asthma question sorted one way or another.... so happy to pay

[Ern007 in reply to Sooos]

Maybe you would be better with private care to get this sorted. You say "Yes I have been prescribed inhalers but never had to use reliever." - Normally reliever inhalers are used more for pure Asthma than say Asthma caused by COPD... I have COPD and find Ipratropium bromide works better than Salbutamol (reliever) - Different ailments can cause asthma, on my medical record I am recorded as COPD and Asthma as a separate entity.........I am not saying you don't know when you have a chest infection, I said in my post "Maybe another doctor in your practice would be better first rather than paying" doctors can differ quite a lot within a practice.. I would see another doctor or as you seem to want to try, go private for a diagnosis, I would be annoyed also if I was told I had a clear chest and then end up in hospital with an infection.. Maybe you have another lung condition and not just asthma, this is what you need to know.....Best of luck..I hope you get sorted soon.

[Sooos in reply to Ern007]

Thanks Ern...

Sorry if that sounded snappy about the chest infection bit.

After 4/5 a year for the last 4 years it’s getting waring.

I have seen other docs at the practice... only 1says asthma.

I’m just trying to unravel it all....

1 consultant said I didn’t have bronchiectasis 4 years ago... another 4 weeks ago said I do and she can see it on the 4 year old scan.... when I said the 1st consultant wrote it wasn’t bronchX she just said “ oh well he probably just missed it”

Oh dnd the doctor who thinks I have asthma told me bronchX can get better 🙄

[Ern007 in reply to Sooos]

Oh I know how you feel. I was diagnosed with Polycythemia vera but it's not on my medical record.. I know I have had chest infections coughing not very nice mucus up, but at times I have been told my chest is clear. yes well it was not... Anyway hope you get sorted, not knowing does your head in... never thought you was snappy ;-}

[Hidden]

Hi Sooos, there are distinct differences between asthma and copd for instance have you checked the BLF pages on the different lung conditions (including asthma)? Under 'lung conditions' in support for you, click on show all and you will see Asthma included.

I would check with BLF helpline too, explain your symptoms to them and get advice from the respiratory nurses about your situation, see what they suggest re questions to ask the specialist doctors etc, tests that should be done which can determine what may be going on.

The thing is it might not be asthma but one of the many other lung related conditions. Asthma is quite distinctive, asthma attacks for instance. People with other lung issues don't get these unless they have asthma in addition to another lung issue.

Hope you get to the bottom of what ails you. Always take good care of your lungs.

Best wishes BKin

[Sooos]

Hi,

It’s after speaking to an asthma nurse, who suggested that I needed a formal diagnosis or not, rather than being put on inhalers “willynilly” by some doctor and being told to stop taking inhalers by the asthma lady who did my 1st spirometery. She told me, after spiro and checking with other doctors that I don’t have asthma or COPD.

I’m willing to go privately with this and again when my ct results are back if I need to see specialists who may not be available at my hospital in any particular area if I cannot get referred.

Ty

[MoyB]

You must do what feels right for you. I think I would go private in your case. Sorry I can't help with a consultant's name - wrong part of the country! Good luck! xx Moy

[Sooos in reply to MoyB]

Ty 😊

[Marguerite2013]

My partner has asthma, and that is why I don't have it (because he has a really bad time choking and trying to get his breath) and I don't have; he also has an extremely dry cough - and mine is anything but dry! And despite my mentioning this to the Respiratory Consultant I see, she continues to advise my GPs to prescribe the anti-asthma drug, so I stopped taking it myself and feel all the better for this - a year ago)... I am awaiting the results of a scan, which the Respiratory Consultant could not explain to me, and my GP said that she had not requested the scan so it was not her job to explain the results to me?! Also - she did not see the films, so her explanation is only from the reports which raise more questions than answers. The Resp Doc said she was going to take the scan to the next Case Conference where they discuss problemmatic results from scans. Let's hope that something here will shed some light on matters.

So Soos - sorry about the tangent, but from what I have said I think you would know whether or not you have asthma, i.e. do you have episodes of coughing when you feel you cannot breathe? I do not wish to advise, but perhaps you should change your GP - or as you are planning to do, see somebody privately. All the best.