Hi there, after misery of a cough that wouldn’t shift for 18 months despite taking all the asthma drugs I finallly had a ct scan which revealed scarring on the lungs.
This being the NHS I got a letter that said ‘no significant abnormality but some scarring and I hope you are keeping well’. I would like to assume that’s fine but can I take less asthma meds? What does scarring mean?
I am a lot better as I have made some big changes to my lifestyle and am also training for a marathon(!) so I’m not mega worried. I just want to know more. I don’t even know if o should see my gp or asthma nurse. I do t know if the consultant wants to see me again.
Has anyone got experience of this?
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gamba
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Please ring Asthma U.K. gamba I think they are really helpful as they are so knowledgeable, you could also request a copy of your CT scan report. You could also ring your consultants secretary for clarification on whether he is seeing you again.
I have recently finally been diagnosed with mild asthma with a cough, following ongoing illness & chest infection, phlegm, thick yellow mucus from nose since November 2017.
Since using the brown inhaler daily the cough has at last mostly gone and only rarely bring up phlegm now. However I still suffer from heavy head cold all the time.
My test results were same as yours. Scarring on one lung.
Like you I have had no real information or help about the continuous bunged up nose etc.
I have listened to friends and relatives and researched loads online.
I am taking local raw honey every day, various supplements, including probiotics with L. Casei in them. I read probiotics better than antibiotics but take them ongoing. I take anti histamine tablets daily as asthma is often caused by allergies and cold and flu tabs with guinafesen in. Guinefesen helps as decongestant.
These help but do not cure. Lots of people including me take high dose garlic or black garlic tablets or capsules. These help with immune system.
It is re-assuring that it isn't just me with similar symptoms.
Thanks Gardner - I’m glad to hear these things are helping. I’m taking lots of probiotics and also high strength vitamin d. I’ve definitely felt better since doing this! I’ll try the honey etc too.
I take high strength aged garlic and some other things. I find it really helps. Horseradish helps clear the nose as well. I would never stop any of my conventional medical treatments but I take some natural stuff as well. Got nothing to lose. I check everything I take with my doctors first which is really important.
I forgot to mention I take high strength vitamin D too as I was told it helps with autoimmune disease. I don't know how true that is. My GP had no problem with me taking it though. Turmeric is also supposed to be good for the lungs.
I really think that healthcare professionals especially nurse specialists and consultants need to gauge firstly the knowledge base such as the level of understanding of the patient and secondly ascertain how much patient wants to know. I am fed up of professional people refusing to treat people as individuals and this obsession with wheeze and vital observations is dangerous. No one can expert patients to self manage their asthma or health condition then not listen or accurately document their consultations. Have you any problems with PND at all? That causes coughing a lot as well. Have a look at the leaflet about bronchietasis on the British Lung Foundation page as well. I saw it recently and found it very informative.
Post Nasal Drip. It’s often associated with Asthma and if not treated it makes your asthma worse as the phlegm is dripping down your throat. People who have it are regularly clearing their throat.
Douching your nose with sterimer congestion relief I think there is Sterimer Hayfever relief as well (or a solution you make up yourself) helps ease the nasal congestion and has no medication in so even safe for children and adults I buy it from Boots and sleeping a little upright helps. Only became aware of douching first because Asthma U.K. mentioned it they said it helped the nasal spray work better. A lot of people don’t think of the impact on asthma if things like that and acid reflux. During Hayfever season I also put Vaseline at the entrance to my nose.
British Lung Foundation also have a helpline with respiratory nurses. To be honest I don't know where I would be without them in the past and more recently Asthma Uk they are fantastic
Have a look on British Lung Foundation fb Page they are talking about breathing tests and within that a young man posted about the obsession with breathing tests needs to stop. He mentioned his page “bronchiectasis must go” Check it out he’s brilliant
I use Neil Med for my nose. It's a sinus rinse. If my post nasal drip is bad I use dymista spray for my nose. You need to get a prescription for the dymista.
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