copd diagnosis

I have had a cough for about a year, my GP tried antibiotics, nasal spray for post nasal drip, nothing helped. I have never smoked. One night I found breathing very laboured, next morning I went to the hospital and they gave me prednisone and an inhaler. I changed my GP and he put me on Doxycycline antibiotic which I am still on. 2 days ago I had a Asthma test with the nurse, she said I have copd! she said stop the Asthma inhaler and gave me Incruse Ellipta inhaler. Should I have taken the test when still on antibiotics, could she be wrong as I am on antibiotics?

[Kristicats]

I would certainly ask for a spirometry test and the reason why you are on such strong , if any long term antibiotics!?

[Hidden in reply to Kristicats]

Sorry when I said Asthma test I meant Spirometry, I was tested 2 days ago and the nurse said it wasn't Asthma but COPD, the antibiotics are for the cough and phlegm that I couldn't expel. I just wondered whether I should have been tested when I was on antibiotics but I suppose that is a question for the dr. Im still trying to let it sink in what I was told I guess and hoping the result was wrong

[Piperava in reply to Hidden]

Hello I am not a Dr but don't think you should have been tested while on antibiotics as the results wouldn't be accurate. I know when my husband goes for breathing tests the letter states if you have an infection or on antibiotics it is recommended to change your appointment. Keep well.

[Hidden in reply to Piperava]

Hello, thanks for he reply

That is what I was thinking but when the GP didn't say to cancel test and I told the nurse also. The antibiotics are not making any difference.

[Caspiana]

Hello Jay, I'm sorry to ask but what is an asthma test please?

[Hidden in reply to Caspiana]

Spirometry test, you breathe into a vessel and it takes a reading, from this they can tell if you have Asthma or copd

[Caspiana in reply to Hidden]

Ah, I see. It's hard to say if she was wrong or right. None of us have seen the results, and none of us are medical professionals. I am guessing you will have a follow up consultation with your doctor, I would bring this up with him/ her and ask to go through the results of your spirometry test then.

Try not to panic.

Best wishes,

Cas xx 🙋

[Hidden]

Have the test. Could it be silent reflux? (That can make you cough). Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Im not sure what silent reflux is, I get puffed when I walk far or even doing housework.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

When stomach acid leaks back it can damage your breathing tubes. In some people it causes coughing. I’m sure there are people who can explain it better than I can!

[Spacecat1 in reply to Hidden]

My sister in law went through same thing breathing problems coughing put on to antibiotics which didn't help. She was told had COPD given inhalers etc. Went back to doctors who referee her for x rays. And saw a consultant and after more tests they said didn't have copd it was reflux. She was over the moon. Wanted me to go have more tests just in case but my symptoms were different . Go back and ask for a referral to put your mind at rest

[Hidden in reply to Spacecat1]

Thankyou I will do.

[katieoxo60]

The breathing test usually can define the difference but it should be a doctor or nurse practitioner deciding on changed inhalers. Its usual to have other tests done at hospital for this type of diagnosis, but many surgeries do it now.Hope the changed inhaler helps many inhalers are used for more than one type of lung condition. Your symptoms sound more like COPD but as you have not smoked I would be thinking other lung conditions. My daughter has asthma and she gets like you just from a cold & it generally drags on for some time, does need specialist investigation I would think as it is not improving in your case.

[soulsaver]

How long have you been on the antibiotic? How long since you finished the prednisolone?

How long ago since you went to the hospital?

Are you in England?

What was the inhaler they took you off?

The asthma/copd differentiation test is the measured reaction of your lungs to a reliever inhaler;

So - you do measured blows - then c. four puffs of ,say, Ventolin (blue inhaler) & wait for 15 mins - and then another set of measured blows.

Big improvement = asthma. Little to no improvement = COPD.

[Hidden]

There was very little improvement so she said it was COPD. Im quite puffed when doing housework or walking a little distance. Still have the cough. Feel like there is phlegm but it won't come up. Wheezy.

Thanks for your help, I will ask lots of questions when I see my GP and get as much info as I can. As another member said maybe I shouldn't have taken the test while on antibiotics but they are the professionals,