Does this sound like asthma? I really need some insight!
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hey, I'm 19 years old, female, non smoker or drinker. Generally active and trying to eat healthy.
So, since I was a kid, I had issues with bronchitis, I would get bronchitis almost every year until the age of 13-14. The doctor said that if I don't treat it right, it could turn out to asthma. However, since then I haven't got bronchitis. I have a chronic cough though especially when the seasons change.
In the past 3 months I've had 3 episodes where I couldn't catch my breath. where I would get tired easily. I was scared in each episode. I had my heart checked out and nothing wrong. The doctor also said my lungs are clean. My question is, could an ultrasound detect asthma?
The past week I've been getting chest pain and a tight feeling. Last time I got chest pain was on Tuesday. However since yesterday I can't seem to catch my breath. I was playing basketball yesterday and I suddenly lost my breath and had to stop. Today, I didn't do much and while climbing up stairs, it took me so long to fully catch my breath afterwards. I've been like that the whole day. Do you think it could be allergic asthma? Or just the heat? (it's pretty hot over here too). Thanks for any replies, I would really appreciate it!
2 likes, 18 replies
nigel28138 Needhelp_asap
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Needhelp_asap nigel28138
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nigel28138 Needhelp_asap
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Needhelp_asap nigel28138
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nigel28138 Needhelp_asap
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I'm in uk spring weather has just arrived loads of pollen in air herei have asthma the warm air and pollen makes me short of breath despite useing my inhalers you may have asthma if you see your doctor he may be able to do test to find out if it asthma . I have a history of chest infections and bronchitis,and to an extent some chest pain and tightness. Your need to get your doctor to check you out. All the best get well soon
Needhelp_asap nigel28138
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So we have similar symptoms. Maybe it's an allergic asthma but if your inhalers aren't working for you, I don't think it will work for me either.
sianO Needhelp_asap
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Hi, really sorry to hear about your difficulties and I do understand how scary it is. I've had asthma for 45 years, have had recent problems and still get frightened. If I were you, I would go back to your Dr ASAP. I don't think an ultrasound detects asthma but there are a number of respiritory tests that they can use to decide. Asthma can be triggered by any number of things such as temperature, climate, allergies (to many different things), stress, physical exertion, no matter how fit and healthy you are otherwise. Get it checked, don't wait and don't panic! It can be controlled and dealt with really well and life can carry on as normal. Inhalers can be prescribed to control and relieve but sometimes need to be changed until the right one is found. If your Dr is good, they will help you very soon. Good luck.
Needhelp_asap sianO
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Thank you very much for your reply! For me, I think temperature and spring triggered it. I get so tired because of the heat, and out of breath which causes me to feel weak and it is scary indeed. I'll have it checked out!
Aschm32186 Needhelp_asap
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green881 Aschm32186
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Needhelp_asap Aschm32186
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Thanks for replying, yeah I'll need to check it out and sort out what it is. It might only be like this in spring. Who knows
Vee2 Needhelp_asap
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You may want to familiarise yourself with this information:
https://patient.info/health/asthma-leaflet
But for the usual procedure in your own country visit the lung association, federation, organisation in the country you are currently residing.
Always best to get a doctor to check you out. Mention this to your basketball coach, or Mom and dad.
Needhelp_asap Vee2
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I will have an appointment with a doctor soon enough in hopes of finding a solution. I was just playing basketball at uni , hah.
green881 Needhelp_asap
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You should look into EIA (Exercised Induced Asthma). It's quite common, many well known olympic medal swimmers have it. It's caused by dry and/or cold air but can be aggravated by allergies. For me it is more likely during allergy season, but it is not a direct 1-1 relationship. I got it once in the desert at 90 degree with 0 pollen count. I say this because you had a visit where they said the lungs were clean, and EIA is more likely to completely resolve in 15 minutes where allergies can persist for days or weeks. If they still don't believe you get a cheap peak flow meter at the pharmacy and stick it in your sports bag, next time it happens do the test and write down your results. My personal experience is that many GPs don't know about it (for reasons unknwon). Good news is that it is completely manageable - if you want to know some solutions just ask.
Needhelp_asap green881
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The thing is. that I would go to the gym before that and it wouldn't happen. I think it's a combination of the heat and allergies. It's always worse when I get up in the morning. I don't cough a lot but I lose my breath, I feel like I can't breath properly, I get chest pain and tightness and it's scary. I have an inhaler from when I was down with the flu. The doctor gave it to me. It's fostair. Do you know it? Maybe I could start using it?
green881 Needhelp_asap
Posted
Sure, EIA is sporadic. I run/elliptical or other cardio 4 times a week, if I get EIA 2 or 3 times in a month it's a lot. I've read it's very individual but for me it is more likely in allergy season (now) than not, but it is not certain. I can also get it in fall or early winter when I run at night as it gets dark early. At that time the pollen count is very low and the air gets dry and cold. I had it one time running in the desert very hot (90-100F) but super dry and no pollen ... due to complete lack of trees. Maybe a cactus or two.
Read up on it. They don't know exactly what causes but it is thought to be the moist lining of your bronchi gets a sudden high velocity burst of cold/dry air it triggers the spasm (wheezing aka asthma). That is why a slow warmup usually avoids and much more likely at the start of exercise, or if you hit a sudden sprint. Like sitting on the bench and then suddenly going in the game and sprinting full court 4 or 5 times should do it.
If you are also wheezing in the morning (classic allergy asthma) then you probably have both allergy asthma with some EIA. Just like me
I know it is scary, I just went through a fun day last Friday and I'm 50 and had this 45 years. You need to visit a doctor and get prescribed albuterol (brand name Ventolin or many other varients). Your Fostair is not for an immediate attack or EIAor the morning asthma, it contains beclomethasone and another drug. I take beclamethasone in the form of Qvar now for a few weeks until pollen blows over, but you take it very day for many weeks before it works fully.
Because you had Fostair I suspect you were diagnosed with asthma in the past, but perhaps you did not exhibit a lot until you were 19. You may have acquired the allergy (they say it often takes 3 years of exposure). See if your college has a clinic or nurse line you can call - talking to a nurse or someone with a lot of asthma experience can really help. Often doctors don't have time to explain because it's complicated, but you need to get educated.
FYI sports and fitness are really good for asthma but you need to be educated. Asthma can be dangerous if not well controlled and if you do not understand it. Honestly weight loss or quitting smoking are bigger deals than controlling your asthma. Best of luck.