Possible Asthma/COPD no diagnosis

[Madriver]

Hi I am 39 year old asthmatic since a child = but not serious or so I thought! and facing a year long battle with respiratory symptoms though if I think about it I have noticed a deterioration for at least 3 years whilst still smoking - no cigarettes but Cannabis joints with my girlfriend. I gave all of this up 9 months ago -eating very healthy - walking ...my wheezing preventing me from running. I have a consultant who did a CT Scan which revealed infection/inflammation lower right lobe with ground glass and noduralties… consultant wasn't too concerned he said the rest of the lungs were clear with no fibrosis ..he didn't mention emphysema either!

Hi I have a FVC of 122 predicted and an FEV of 107 predicted , yet my symptoms are relentless - wheezing coughing - what feels like permanent burning in my throat area . My FEV1/FVC Is 70 post inhaler. I had the throat pain which forced me to gove up smoking 9 moths ago, all of the symptoms have since got worst - but due to the high spirometry figures - my consultant will not diagnose me with Copd , even though at 39 years of age the ratio of 70 appears low to me and indictive of an obstruction there!

Point being - I really struggle despite having a decent FEV and high FVC

I am very depressed as I cant really do anything without either being in breathing distress or throat pain, my consultant has put me on a months worth of steroids - I am 3 weeks in to these and there is no change ...I started on 40mg and now down to 25mg....I greatly fear for my future despite these supposedly good results and the fact that I appear resistant to inhalers (Altovent, Fostair 100/6,ventolin.

My consultant confuses me so much ...I really feel he is not treating me properly... he said the problem wasn't asthma as I only reversed by 3percent FEV after inhaler, even though I have had allergic asthma my entire life. My IGE levels were through the roof however from the blood tests...dust mites and grass pollen, so he said these problems could be allergy related. Due to struggling so much this last 9 months I am desperate for at least a diagnosis or some treatments that could possibily help me. So far nothing has worked...my consultant said on the phone I would get better buit it will just take time, but I really don't see how as the symptoms have just got worst and worst...oh and my FEF 25/75 was 53 pre inhaler and 67 post inhaler - maybe a small airways problem.

Thanks for listening, I have been driving my girlfriend and family wild with complaining,,,,the throat inflammation thing is really painful and life changing for me!

One last question can you have COPD without it appearing yet on a CT scan?

[Chezz123]

Hi there

My names Phil I used to have similar symptoms despite being treated with trimbow and Ventolin.

I made an appointment to see my GP Asthma /COPD/Respiratory nurse after being admitted to hospital via emergency ambulance on an all too often frequency. eg 6 times in 3 weeks with breathing difficulty.

My nurse spoke to me for about 5 or 10 mins asked me what I was experiencing what have I got ( mine is emphysema and asthma).

She prescribed meds more relevant to my Asthma and asked me to try them for a month( proviso if no good to contact her asap)........And here I am 9 months on and never visited A&E for my breathing since.

She prescribed and I am still on (pacifier salamol MDI inhaler) and daily am dose of Revlar and Incruise dry powder inhalers. My quality of life so much improved now.

Keep pestering your respiratory nurse and consultant,

All the best Phil.

[Madriver in reply to Chezz123]

Thank you for the swift reply Phil. I shall follow up on your recommendations with my doctor and consultant.

Thanks again

Owen

[Chezz123 in reply to Madriver]

You are most welcome Owen all the best Phil

[Azcowboy]

Well I have a question also. What is a consultant. Apparently NOT a doctor. One of those " natural healers"? YOU needed a MD and Pulmonologist a very long time ago.

[Madriver in reply to Azcowboy]

I was of the belief that the hospital respiratory consultant who ordered my CT scan would help me but he seems to have left me high and dry with breathing problems. He hasn't changed my meds just prescribed ,me a course of Pred for the wheezing which, so far in 3 4 weeks is ineffective.

I am getting desperate now, surely these problems have to warrant a diagnosis at least. It doesn't feel like asthma.

Thanks for replying to me

Owen

[Madriver in reply to Madriver]

When the consultant last spoke to me via telephone call because of Corona, all he could say is what is happening to me and the results of my scan were "not life threatening"

I am just desperate for some treatment that could help me,

Regards

Owen

[R2B_John Moderator in reply to Azcowboy]

In the United Kingdom, Ireland, and parts of the Commonwealth, consultant is the title of a senior hospital-based physician or surgeon who has completed all of his or her specialist training and been placed on the specialist register in their chosen speciality.

[Madriver in reply to R2B_John]

I really thought once refered to this so called specialist I would receive the help I need. Unfortunately he appears either confused or disinterested!

I have very alarming symptoms and yet he cant really bothered. I think I shall ask for a further referral to the Royal Brompton

Thanks

Owen