I wish I knew

[Bobcat_44]

- original medicines work so much better than generics;

- you can be symptomatic even if your PF is good;

- some doctors judge their patients only by spirometry result. "You don't need your meds, your spirometry is normal."

- mild asthma can kill;

- you can have panic attacks after serious asthma exacerbations;

- spacers are so important.

[EmmaF91]

Oh yes! And CFC makes a big difference in the effectiveness of the inhaler (even if they say they don’t!). Generics rarely work as well!

[OldnWheezy]

Hi, Bobcat...I hope you're still around? I'm in that situation, now. Have asthma symptoms, but my peak- flow and last spirometry were OK, in doc's office (though I had to use extra albuterol to achieve that, both at home and in her office). My doc is confused, and so am I. Wants me to have further tests and to get other docs involved. I'm sick of the entire health-care system. However, I think it was an infection, because I later "brought stuff up". But I've also noticed that poor air quality and pollen give me asthma-- except that she says I'm no longer allergic to trees, re: skin test several years ago (but I think I am; and all the pollen around here surely is bothering me!) Maybe blood test... but not sure my insurance will cover it, and I don't think it'd supply any more info. No other decent asthma docs in my area. I will talk to my regular doc, and see what he has to say about all this. Health care has become entirely too complicated and fragmented. On one hand, she gave me extra strong inhaler (which made me jittery and unable to sleep); on the other hand, I think she's saying I'm not allergic, so do I even have asthma? (I used to be dx with allergic asthma by another doctor). Now, I'm just confused.