Asthma copd diagnosis

[Pingpong_1]

Hi all

Firstly can I say thank-you to you all for your support on this forum 🙏🏼 Its so lovely to know there are others out there living with lung conditions who can share their experiences. I appreciate all the advice and support received on here.

Just a question for anyone with asthma/copd, what symptoms did you have that showed a progression/led to diagnosis? I have asthma with ongoing crackles (barely audible my gp but noisy for me) and when breathing in deeply it hurts. It can improve slightly but this has been ongoing for months. I’ve booked into the specialist end of Feb and am on the cancellation list as I’m desperate for a diagnosis. I also use ventolin for attacks and it relieves the hurt a little bit.

Many thanks in advance 💓

Rose x

[Fleurbaby]

I think I have known personally for years,10 at least, that is why I believe I show symptoms from all stages. The doctors do not know!

One thing getting bell's palsy taught me!

Whenever medical professionals call something a "virus " it is pretty certain that they can't solve it,& bosses make them move on ,& worry more about the "popular " stuff like cancer, heart etc. The money is NOT THERE.

[Pingpong_1 in reply to Fleurbaby]

Thanks Fleurbaby. I feel exactly the same! The gp keeps telling me there’s nothing to worry about but I have told him about the crackles and breathing which he puts down to just asthma. I’ve had asthma my whole life and this feels different. I’m frustrated I have a long wait for further investigation. I guess everyone else in line for a specialist appointment is in the same boat. Thanks for sharing xxx

[O2Trees]

Hi Rose,

Ive also had long term asthma since my 20s. Then in my mid fifties I was diagnosed with mid-moderate copd. I had been aware of a change in breathing but knew nothing about copd and just upped my asthma medication, until finally I noticed when I was walking uphill my ventolin did nothing, zilch, nada. I had my first spirometry shortly after then the diagnosis. So what Im saying is that asthma symptoms can mask the onset of copd.

The lungs have no nerve cells so the pain you feel may come from the lining of the lungs (pleura) and be mild pleuracy, or it could be your intercostal muscles which can cause a lot of pain. Take a list of questions and symptoms when you see the specialist and make sure you get referred for a full spirometry test.

Your doctors may not have been helpful but it's good that they've referred you to a consultant. Good luck!

[Hidden]

See if you can be given a CT scan. I was treated for late onset Asthma for 3 years. A CT scan revealed I had Bronchiectasis.