How do you know if you are suffering from long Covid or from worsening asthma?

[Turfcare]

I have suffered from asthma and breathing difficulties for a number of years however in the past two years it has got progressively worse. A few years back I was wakening up 'dead' not being able to breath and literally that bad that my wife took a video of one of my episodes and when I showed it to my gp she asked me to turn it off as it was 'too distressing to watch'! After a bit that calmed down but in the last two years or so I have increasing problems of coughing bringing up phlem, which then causes problems of breathing especially trying to exhale leaving me gasping, so much so that I really do think that one of these days I won't cone out of it. Health clinic nurse and hospital nurse have both said that they did not think it was COPD but since March I've been waiting to a consultant. This might seem daft but my query is... I really started to feel worse after the flu jab in 2019 then early 2020 my son suffered from Covid (although not actually diagnosed) again since then my conditioned considerably worsened and now I'm thinking maybe I caught it as well but didn't realise due to my underlying conditions. So how can I tell if I did and if I am suffering from long Covid?

[CDPO16]

Hi, I'm not sure that anyone here is able to answer that question. I'm guessing that you have been referred to a specialist because of worsening problems and I hope that you don't have to wait too much longer to get an appointment.

[Badbessie]

Due to the lack of testing in the early days of covid there are many in similar situation to yourself. You could ask for an antibody test for covid but that would only tell you if you had covid not long covid. Your symptoms could relate to a number of issues both covid and asthma related or neither. I would talk it through with your GP and see if they can speed up your consultation.

[Turfcare in reply to Badbessie]

Sore point which I have raised it with hospital. Told by one doctor at the practice (Forth Medical) that I should contact the hospital to ask them to speed it up to which I was told to get the gp contact them to speed up. Spoke to another gp at the practice and was told they weren't allowed to try and chase up consultations. But that's what happens when a health centre is taken over for purely monetary goals! Complaint to Patient Relations at FVRH seems to having some effect.

[Dizzart]

It’s a bit like me after a 3week virus undiagnosed due to lockdown and no test kits in the early days so as the docs recorded “suspected covid “ it could have been . I was nearly as bad as you afterwards and stayed struggling until an asthma nurse rang and prescribed me a steroid inhaler and I also took strong antihistamines and Montelukas so it may work for you , do hope so as I’m nearly normal now 👍🏻👍🏻 But again on much more medication than I was . Good luck do hope you find a really good asthma nurse.

[JetJet]

My mother (92) had Covid in Jan and had similar problems afterwards of waking up fighting for breath and living alone it was terrifying for her. She has Bronchiectasis but GP thought may be long Covid. Found out she had chest infection and sputum sample enabled proper antibiotic course. She also started Fostair which I am sure is a god send for her...her oxygen levels are 98/99 and her breathlessness and fighting for air has gone. Is it the steroid element in Fostair ?? You can request an antibody test on the Government site. ZOE the Covid Study amongst others are looking for antibody results for research so maybe you could get one done. Then you have a better idea if you could have long covid. Either way sounds like you need a course of action re dealing with it. Good Luck and hope you get sorted.

[Superzob]

Biobank is currently surveying members to see if they have had COVID using a blood test which distinguishes between the antibodies due to vaccination and those due to the virus. If you have problems getting tested for a previous infection, you might try Biobank (0800 0 276 276).

[Turfcare in reply to Superzob]

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind.