New here, 35yo Male, diagnosed with Adult onset Asthma, but concerned it could be something more serious.

[HenreyB]

Roughly two years ago I noticed bouts of severe shortness of breath, frequently coming while at rest and after eating, lasting for hours. The house I was living in at the time had a bad damp and mold problem, which I suspect was the cause of whatever now plagues me, as I'd never suffered from shortness of breath or the other symptoms previously.

(I also started getting colds that go straight to my chest and I can't shake them, currently weathering a mild chesty cough for over a month and same happened last winter, can't tell if colds are aggravating my asthma or GERD causing phlegm, or if it is mild recurring bronchitis.)

Have had two spirometry tests with confusing results — FEV1 85% with 16% reversibility and 56% reversibility of FEF 25-75 and FEC 91.4%. With unexplained low exhaled Carbon Dioxide of 3.8.

After these tests I was diagnosed with Adult onset Asthma and put on Fostair 200/6, which seemed appropriate and I go months without any SOB and barley need my inhalers, but for over a month now my shortness of breath has become very difficult to control, just talking or holding my new born son can result in me being out of breath, and with all this phlegm I'm coughing up week after week, it's very concerning.

Also, when I get one of these chest infections or lingering coughs, I seem to get pleurisy like symptoms — mild pain in my chest when I laugh hard or jump up and down for instance, which doesn't seem like asthma at all.

Worried it could be Chronic Bronchitis, but honestly I've no idea and would appreciate hearing from anyone who has experienced similar symptoms or has any idea what is going on.

Thanks, happy new year.

[sassy59]

Welcome to you HenreyB. Have you sent a sputum sample to your GP? If not that might be an idea as it could be tested to see what type of infection you have. It’s awful to be short of breath and struggling and I hope you get the help you need.

Stay in touch and let us know how you get on. Xx

[MoyB]

Good morning. If I were you I would take a sputum sample for testing and make an appointment to see your GP. Ask them to listen to your chest as it may be you are having infections that are treatable.

You could also ask to be referred to a consultant. You are very young so better to try and nip this in the bud as soon as you can. Don't put up with being fobbed off.

I was diagnosed with chronic asthma in my 50s. It has progressed and I have fixed Airways disease and bronchiectasis now. I think if I had received the right treatment earlier, things may have been different.

The other thing is, get any reflux issues sorted and treated as it will undoubtedly affect your asthma. My consultant is of the opinion that silent reflux has caused my bronchiectasis.

Don't delay asking for help and support. You have a young family and you want to enjoy life. Do something now and you can have a good future.

The things you mentioned are all possible factors. Best ask for a bit of help from the medics to unravel it all.

Let us know how you get on. Xx Moy

[peege]

hi and welcome. I strongly advise that you take your inhaler Fostair regularly. It was prescribed for a reason and that was to control your asthma.

Several years ago I was similar to you with incessant coughs colds and chest infections then 5 × pneumonia in less than 2 years. Basically it was all due to uncontrolled asthma unbeknown to anyone my asthma had taken a downturn ensuring my airways weren't open fully. Like Moy if I'd been looked after properly I wouldn't have got so poorly and develop small airways disease and CFS. My immune system was shot to pieces so the fist thing I did was to rebuild over a couple of years and still have several vitamins each day - that helps enormously with fighting common bugs & keeping me well.

On final referral to a consultant I was found to have a strong allergy to mould and mild allergy to aspergillus (mould spores). All the time I was also thinking I had something awful like you are. Damp homes are dreadful so I sincerely hope you've now got something warm and dry.

PLEASE TAKE YOUR INHALERS REGULARLY with a spacer - I take Fostair too, I find it brilliant - get at the very least some effervescent Vitamin C 1000mg and drink two daily for a while , they boost the immune system and help fight infection.

Hearty congratulations on the birth of you baby boy , what a joy. P

[watergazer]

hi and welcome henreyB. The members of this forum are very empathetic, will give support and offer suggestions. Congratulations on the birth of your baby boy x

[Alberta56]

Welcome. See your doctor and ask him to refer you to a consultant, so you can find out what is really going on. Then you will be able to manage your symptoms much better. Meanwhile see if the GP will prescribe an AeroBika or similar device. I found mine very helpful in shifting sputum. You can buy them on the internet if the GP is not sympathetic.

[PW_R]

how have you been henrey? Your post resonated with me and I said I’d drop you a line