Misdiagnosed With Asthma

[Sparklingsunshine]

I recently had a cull of some of my long term medications, ones I found either ineffective or I wasnt using anymore. I supposedly had asthma as a child, then along with hayfever seemed to grow out of it during adolescence and adulthood.

In 1994, not long after my son was born I got the flu, then developed pleurisy and was very unwell. After this cleared up I had a spirometry test and was diagnosed with asthma again and put on blue inhalers. Over the years my inhalers have changed, sometimes I've used a preventer, sometimes a reliever.

Modern asthma inhalers now often combine preventers and relievers. I've struggled to find one I could tolerate. I found the new environmentally friendly dry powder ones utterly useless, my GP decided to change my Fostair to the cheaper Lufobec. Which was pretty rubbish as well. In the end I decided to come off the inhaler altogether.

Its been about 5 months or so. I've not noticed any problems, not asthma at all. I havent even needed the blue reliever at all. I've read several reports that as many as 1 in 3 adults have been misdiagnosed with asthma in the UK. Which translates to between 750 000 to 1 million people who are on inhalers they probably dont need.

Partly due to delays in lung testing, partly because there is no gold standard asthma test and because asthma can mimic other conditions including GERD. Its quite a sobering thought that people are being prescribed steroid based meds without any real proof that they are actually asthmatic. I think I was one of them.

[Regenallotment Ambassador]

I agree, a few examples of this in our family. My asthma clears up when my reflux is better. Son’s if he keeps allergens down.

Amazing how much could be saved with an audit.

[TiggerMe Ambassador]

Certainly a friend had been put on an inhaler, which did nothing for her, I told her to try cutting out dairy and hey presto no more wheezing... like you say too quick to hand over the strong stuff 🫤but until they understand that food groups can be the issue...🤷‍♀️

[Wwwdot]

Hi Sparklingsunshine

So love your name! It makes me smile!

I was diagnosed with adult asthma in my 30s.

Since being diagnosed with PA in my early 60s and taking B12 injections I have not used any inhalers at all.

However the last two annual visits to the asthma clinic I may have been talking to a brick wall as still not noted in my notes that I no longer take asthma medication.

Very interesting post.

🤗🤗🤗

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Wwwdot]

Thank you for your kind words 😁, I suspect ( but maybe I'm cynical) that if in the UK GP surgeries are reluctant to let patients declare themselves, asthma, diabetes, BP or cholesterol free. They get extra funding from the government for diagnosing, treating and monitoring these conditions. Known as the Quality of Outcomes Framework.

If I were you I'd just refuse to go, its a waste of time attending asthma clinics if you dont use inhalers. Mine have booked me in for a review next April and if I havent used or ordered any inhalers by then then I'm going to ask that I be removed from the asthma register and they desist from inviting me for reviews.

They aren't mandatory although you might think from the way they are worded that they are.

[Wwwdot in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Hi Sparklingsunshine

Good point. I am definitely not going to the 2025 one!

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