Asthma or not???

[Bertyboy]

I have been so appreciative of help from you all. My dilemma now is am I a true asthmatic or victim of allergy. I have had side effects from Fostair and Budesomide . Last night I stayed off my inhaler to test my reaction. This morning my peak flow was usual 550 and SP02 97. Am I being foolish to wonder about this. Obviously I will speak to Gp.

[AirIsUnderrated]

As a newbie to all this, I've wondered the same myself. When I've tried to work through and not take the blue inhaler, the tightness sometimes gets better by itself, and it has occurred to me that it might be rebound. I haven't been diagnosed with asthma and am also an allergic person. What have your sats been with the inhalers?

[Bertyboy in reply to AirIsUnderrated]

Hi Airls.....my sats are virtually the same. I'm convinced this is all allergy responses. Will chat to Gp tomorrow.

[twinkly29 in reply to Bertyboy]

Many asthmatics don't find their sats drop, even in acute attacks, so it's probably not a good measure to use routinely.

[Bertyboy in reply to Bertyboy]

Hi...had a long chat with GP and asthma UK nurses who are brilliant. Both concluded breathing pattern disorder most likely my problem. I live tested peak flow ...it was 570.Recommended to web site Physiotherapy for bpd.org.uk. It gives great advice. Outcome with GP to use ventolin only if needed. Jeep on antihistamines and omeprazole for reflux. Keeping in touch with gp and monitoring very closely. You take care.

[Js706 in reply to Bertyboy]

This is another really good site for breathing exercises that asthma UK recommend:

lifeguidehealth.org/player/...

They're good to do for asthma control generally and can help some people a lot with daily symptoms

[Bertyboy in reply to Js706]

Hi and thank you. Already been on and doing exercises

[Kamran42 in reply to AirIsUnderrated]

Hi I was just wandering why you use an inhaler if you havent been diagnosed with asthma, and also does it help and any side effects to the usage. I myself am struggling with these symptoms for about a year now. And just as I was going to doctor to have tests done the covid 19 happened. What are your symptoms. Mine include shortness of breath, tight chest, sometimes slight wheezing. I also suffer heart burn. Thanks.

[AirIsUnderrated in reply to Kamran42]

Hi! I had Covid symptoms back in March, including low-grade fever and breathlessness, tight chest, wheezing, fatigue. No cough. I was prescribed a salbutamol inhaler after 3 weeks of being exhausted just trying to breathe. I had a little bit of heartburn. The breathlessness was much worse after my evening meal - there wasn't space inside me after eating for air and food at the same time. I presumed my diaphragm was working so hard pulling down to draw air in that it was squashing my stomach. The heartburn didn't last long.

Acid reflux can also cause coughing and breathlessness. I'm considering it for myself too, although I think for me it is the breathlessness causing the heartburn, not the other way around. I've been told that acid reflux makes breathing worse at night or when lying down, and for me lying down (front or back) is the only time I get relief. But I could be wrong.

[Kamran42 in reply to AirIsUnderrated]

Did you get tested for covid 19. And also did the inhaler help. Hope your doing better now.

[AirIsUnderrated in reply to Kamran42]

Yes, Covid antigen test at week 10 = negative. Of course it was. But I had a chest infection with new cough so that triggered the test. Covid antibody test at week 11 also negative.

When the salbutamol inhaler helps, it helps. But it doesn't always help for the full 4 hours, then I feel worse until I can take more. If it gets to the feeling worse stage, the next dose doesn't always help. That's why I was thinking it might be rebound. I'm trying to do without it. The permanent mild itchiness and chest tightness is more manageable than feeling great for a couple of hours then much worse.

Thank you. Do you find that you're OK for a few days then it gets worse again, repeatedly?

[Kamran42 in reply to AirIsUnderrated]

Absolutely, I can manage it for a while, then suddenly it becomes harder to manage for few days then calms down. But it's always there. Really frustrating most of the time. Its dominating every decision I make about my day to day living. I'm just worried that doing nothing about it will become worse.

[Kamran42 in reply to AirIsUnderrated]

Hi, you mentioned you suffer from acid reflux. Have managed to control it with anything? I have this issue and I think it causes my breathlessness.

[AirIsUnderrated in reply to Kamran42]

I had heartburn briefly when my breathing was at its worst, but I don't really know about acid reflux. I got myself some Peptac and then immediately afterwards was given antibiotics for a chest infection, and you couldn't take the two together so I didn't use the Peptac. The chest infection went and so did the burning in my chest so I put that down to the infection. 3 weeks later the burning came back again with a cough this time, and I tried the Peptac and it didn't help, and was given different antibiotics for another chest infection. Same thing, the burning went. So I'm not really sure.

Did you ever get seen? Did the GP consider GERD?

[Kamran42 in reply to AirIsUnderrated]

Im not really sure if The GP considered it. He just said i think its acid reflux. I had xray done which came back clear. I wasnt able to go for follow ups because of the pandemic.

[AirIsUnderrated in reply to Kamran42]

I also had a clear chest x-ray. I think you should call back and say that it's not improving. It sounds as if you might benefit from omeprazole or a similar PPI. Let us know how you get on?

[Kamran42 in reply to AirIsUnderrated]

I hope your right. If its acid reflux or gerd, then hopefully I can control it with meds. I appreciate the support.

[Bertyboy in reply to Kamran42]

Hi, telephone conversations with Gp 8 weeks ago resulted in inhalers prescribed. I had post viral cough, reflux and nasal drip. No other symptoms. Negative Covid test. Prescribed Fostair which stopped the cough together with Fenofexadine anti histamine and omeprazole. Really not sure if they were asthma or asthma like symptoms. It presents in many ways. After discussions with Gp and asthma UK nurse, stopped the preventor inhalers a week ago but salbutamol on hand if needed. Suggestion being my post virus cough was clear and tree pollen season had finished. I have had no symptoms night or day. My peak flow remains constant 550. I'm closely monitoring for any changes and Gp is on hand. I'm hoping this remains.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Did you stay off the reliever inhaler (Ventolin) or off your preventer inhalers? Usually even if you are confirmed as asthmatic, it takes a bit of time to notice if you don't take preventer inhalers (I don't advise trying it) and you might feel ok for a bit until you aren't.

It is also possible sometimes for asthma symptoms to ease without needing the blue inhaler (100 years ago asthmatics didn't have that or anything like a modern preventer, and still had better and worse times).

I agree with Twinkly29 that sats are not the best way to measure - mine don't drop even in an attack. I wouldn't just stop your preventers, but it may be helpful to test your peak flow before and after you take Ventolin for symptoms and see if it goes up. If it does and it also helps your symptoms, that suggests it is asthma.

I hope this helps. As you say, speak to GP (and mention the throat irritation from your other post). The Asthma UK helpline nurses might also be able to advise.

[Gareth57 in reply to Lysistrata]

It was not even 100 years ago that we had no inhalers, in the late 50’s/early 60’s I had exercise induced asthma and had no inhalers to control it, minor attacks had to be managed by keeping still concentrating on something else/diverting the mind until it was over and major exacerbations were confined to bed with some sort of tablets which my poor mother had to give every 4 hours even through the night.

[mariyn in reply to Gareth57]

Yes the first inhalers were invented when I was 21 . Before then you just had to wing it or if very ill you might be given oral steroids .I am 73 and every day appreciate all the inhalers available All best Marilyn

[Junglechicken in reply to mariyn]

This is very true Mariyn. My mum (now early 70’s) told me about a time she had an attack aged 15 and lost consciousness. All she had treatment wise was a tablet she took when wheezing but it took about an hour to start working. My gran called for a doctor. Thankfully she came around just as he arrived. She is amazed now at the treatments available.

[Bertyboy in reply to Lysistrata]

Hi, appreciate your comments. I have spoken at length with my Gp and asthma UK nurse. The consensus is that my issues started with the tree pollen season approx 6-8 weeks ago. Preventor inhalers calmed everything down. I'm on antihistamines and omeprazole for reflux. I hated the steroid. We agreed to stop the inhalers. It's now 5 days and I have no symptoms. Peak flow is good and sats. The Gp and nurse said see how it goes but no hesitation to go on preventor if needed. I have not needed ventolin. The view is broncho spasm from pollen. I feel well and active. Daily 4 mile walks I am watching myself like a hawk. Hopefully this will continue. I really appreciate everyone's help and advice. I'm constantly in touch and guided by an amazing supportive Gp and nurse.

[Bertyboy in reply to Bertyboy]

I'm watching matters closely. Perhaps I'm in denial and struggling to accept ? My issues with throaty side effects of inhalers have not helped. Will soon know .

[mariyn in reply to Bertyboy]

Look at the University of Worcester website daily They indicate tree pollen outbreaks and I stay in on days they show high All best Marilyn