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COPD or Asthma + Alergic Rhinitis

Posted , 6 users are following.

Guest
Guest

Hi everybody,

I started being short of breath around 3 years ago (when I was 25). It seemed to happen at random times - I didn't exercise at all back then. After that I started doing sports and it was all fine - was running 20km + and doing very intense workouts without any problems.

I saw a doctor who did a spirometry and chest x-ray. X-ray was clear, values for FVC1 were around 97% and after bronchodilators it was 104%. The doctor said it was asthma and I started mokasta & ventolin & alvesco. The symptoms improved in around 2 weeks but then I got back to being SOB. There were weeks when I didn't have any SOB but most of the times I have it. 

I went back to my doctor and he did the spirometry test again. Without ventolin (but on asthma treatment) my values were improved - around 102-105% for all predicted values and he said that it is asthma since I have good reversibility and that my simptoms are triggered by my rhinitis and that's why my treatment isn't working. I am aware of having allergic/persistent rhinitis for around 2 years now and can barely breath on my nose. I started asking all sort of questions and he didn't answer all of them and wrote on my diagnosis that I had a mental problem for being too preoccupied with my illness. I don't cough, nor have I in the past 2 years, except when having the flu. Whenever I am SOB I have this white phlegm in the back of my throat which I can't clear out. Doctor said it's from my nose.

I need a second oppinion but there are no good pulmonary doctors here. What should I do? Could it be COPD?

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • jay7196
    jay7196 Guest

    Posted

    Hi. Good idea to buy insurance, then you can get to a pulmonary specialist. I have asthma but I dont have your SOB symptoms. You really need a second opinion -- and more research on the net,  good luck -
  • sandy58386
    sandy58386 Guest

    Posted

    See if your doctor will schedule a CT scan for you.  I had been mis-diagnosed with asthma 2 years ago, simply on the spirometry results.  When the SOB started and my blood oxy tanked, my NEW doctor sent me for CT scan.  Actually, I have COPD; therefore, I feel that 2 years was wasted through the mis-diagnosis.  
    • Guest
      Guest sandy58386

      Posted

      Thanks for the advice. I just had my CT scan today and nothing seems wrong. I'll see a ENT doctor tomorrow for my rhinitis...
  • hanna60167
    hanna60167 Guest

    Posted

    Sorry to hear your experiencing SOB.

    Can I ask, do you work in a place with alot of dust or smoke? or are a current or former smoker? A persons medical history also helps in making an accurate diagnosis. 

    I am really shocked to read the doctor wrote on your diagnosis that you had a mental problem, because you were worried about your health!! Was it a male doctor? and did you feel it was because you were a young women, (I am making an assumption you are female, but please correct me if wrong) like they did not believe you?

    Has there been any progress finding a good pulmonary doctor? Good luck and keep us updated 

     

    • immi
      immi hanna60167

      Posted

      hi hanna doctor also asked me same questions like do you have any kind of tension or stress, so there could be any relation of nervous with SOB
  • immi
    immi Guest

    Posted

    Hi, Robbie believe me i also have same problem like you and still not diagnosed by my consultant i had all kinds of possible tests like blood tests ,lipid profile, sugar test, and LFT cleared includes chest X ray and ecg. every thing was cleared, however i still don't have spriometery till now, doc said your lungs are clear and their is no cardiac problem either, he also asked me about taking any kind of stress, however i also feel SOB at daily bases specially at night but i use an inhaler(Salbo) and able to get instant relief and secondly i am also not able to bring mucus out of my lungs as mentioned i also have no cough and whenever i tried to cough harder tightness and pain started in lungs. please keep us informing about your condition and diagnosis.
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