Asthma? GERD? Or something else?

[HelenFS]

Hello,

Be prepared for a long read!

I’ve had a long term cough, which I think got worse after having Covid last July, but does predate it - especially waking up coughing at night.

In the Autumn, like everyone, I had lots of bugs and viruses. At that point, I realised that my morning cough had become productive with white sputum. Not loads but definitely enough to notice it. During one of the bugs, I lost my voice for a full week. I then was hoarse on recovery.

In October, I had a spell of dizziness, which the GP felt could be related to Eustachian tube dysfunction - I’ve had a blocked feeling in one ear for many months, popping sensation etc. The dizziness passed after several weeks. I still have the blocked ear.

In November, I felt short of breath and was getting chest pain. The cough continued. I had 2 x chest x-rays and a CTPA with contrast following a very slightly elevated clotting factor. All other bloods fine. Imaging came back saying my lungs are clear.

In December I got pneumonia, which is highly unusual, as I don’t remember ever having had a chest infection before. I know it was doing the rounds, though. I had one episode of blood streaked sputum.

So, here I am. I’ve had another chest x-ray which was clear. The hospital told me they think it could be GERD, as I have previously struggled with this but had more burning heartburn type pain, they’re saying it could be more silent reflux now.

My GP is saying asthma. I have had mild asthma as a child with allergies and wheezing on exertion. As an adult, I’ve wheezed at bedtime for a long time. They tried me on a steroid inhaler and it gave me oral thrush and I was taking it just before I got pneumonia and my mind has made the connection that maybe I was immunosuppressed and that’s why I got pneumonia so I stopped it.

As it stands, I still have a productive cough on a morning, coughing on an evening & at night, a heavy tickly chest feeling, a frequent need to clear my throat due to being slightly hoarse at times (feels like I’m removing phlegm), feeling like I can’t take a satisfying breath, some chest pain, burping.

I’m now taking my reliever inhaler, popping gaviscon and nexium and feel that I’m not really any further forward. I’m on a waiting list for spirometry.

For context, I’m 47 year old woman and I’ve never smoked.

[Suzie42]

From what your saying you could well have silent reflux. Ask your gp to refer you to gastroenterology for investigation. I'm currently waiting for a gastroscopy to see what's causing my reflux.

[kev60]

hi, sorry your having so many issues. In 2017 I lost my voice for just over a week went to see the gp and he put me on a2ww by the time of the appointment I could talk after bloods and imaging they found no cancer but they did find 4 holes in the top off the lungs (emphysema). I lost my voice the following year and the gp sent me to gastroenterology turned out I have very bad reflux and before medication I was bringing up lots of acid which caused my top teeth to be badly damaged (lost six in 2 weeks) the rest were pulled but they did find gastrointestinal team said it was the acid gas catching my vocal cords that stopped me talking. So as Suzie42 said ask for a referral to gastroenterology also to respiratory/chest clinic. At the moment I have emphysema (COPD), GORD, FND new one for me long sleep syndrome. Hope you get the help you need/want. Kevin

[Superfly1975]

ask your GP for a FeNo breath test which will show if there is inflammation in the lungs, I have mild COPD which was asymptomatic and developed a constant cough after a bout of Covid, my GP kept telling me it was silent reflux but after. 6 months the respiratory nurse at mt GP practice gave me a FeNo breath test which showed a reading of 145ppb meaning my lungs were very inflamed, after course of Predisilone my reading was down to mid 70’s and I was diagnosed with underlying Asthma, have been on a Trimbow inhaler for 6 months and haven’t coughed once and reading is now down to 40ppb.

[Dorris59]

you need tests to determine what’s wrong but it is possible to have a genetic form of COPD even if you’ve never smoked.

[HelenFS]

Thank you to everyone who has replied. I really appreciate it.

I definitely think there is some reflux going on again, as I have brought up an acid tasting liquid/sick into my mouth on a few occasions recently, especially when laying down. I've also felt like I was going to regurgitate food several times.

I've spoken with the GP and they've put me back on lansoprazole in the interim and they're also referring me to gastroenterology.

Also, I'm wondering if the potential GERD has caused a worsening of asthma symptoms. I've been doing my peak flow, as advised by the GP and I can't get it above 350. I'm 47 and 5'7" so this appears to be below average.