Change in symptoms

[KaraMay]

I wonder if anyone here has had a similar experience - I've had asthma since I was 9 and really knew my asthma but about 4 years ago I had a bad chest infection and since then I get totally different symptoms. I've searched the internet and asked the asthma nurse but cannot find anything about having such a change to symptoms. Thanks.

[MMBJI]

Hi,

I can’t think of a specific time or event when the change happened, but my asthma is very different now to when I was young. I was described as a chesty baby, first full attack when I was 4, leading to hospitalisation. I am now 44.

As a child I would get wheezy and rattly with lots of mucous, leading to chest infections. This would require anti-biotics and steroids to recover from it.

Since being a teenager I hardly ever wheeze, just get dry and tight instead. I can be very uncomfortable (tight chest) and feel as though I am on the edge of an attack but present with very little signs or symptoms.

Don’t know if that’s of any use or interest to you?!

Good luck with your asthma.

[KaraMay in reply to MMBJI]

Thank you, it is interesting to hear that you also had such a change. Thanks for your reply.

[Hidden]

What are the changed symptoms?

[KaraMay in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I should have mentioned that! I used to get a tight chest, struggling to get breath in and out, low peak flow reading. Now, I get a very dry cough at the top of my chest and sometimes shortness of breath, as though I've run to the end of the road! My peak flow doesn't go down anymore.

[Hidden in reply to KaraMay]

I have very similar symptoms as you.

I have had asthma my whole life then in april this year I had, tree pollen, hay-fever (which doesnt affect my asthma) but I had shortness of breath.

I started on the max dose of clenil and was using my ventolin but it didnt help much.

Like you my PF was always good. then eventually my GP thought it wasnt asthma.

The best fit for my symptoms is silent reflux, called laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) or Extraesophageal Reflux

There are many symptoms which if you check out online you may find you have.

Another possibility is vocal chord dysfunction, VCD, which can present with a cough.

[KaraMay in reply to Hidden]

That is really helpful, thank you. My ventolin isn't really doing anything either so that gives me another avenue to explore. Many thanks!