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Is this asthma?

Posted , 5 users are following.

pammied
pammied

Hi

About 2 years ago, I picked up a viral cold. After 3 or 4 days, I developed a nuisance cough that became almost constant for about 16 weeks.

Nothing seemed to improve it and believe me, I tried everything!

Saw GP at least 4 times because I also had wheezing on many occasions (both breathing in and out) but no chest tightness or difficulty breathing. It was best described as a constant annoying wheezy cough.

Had chest xray and blood tests - all normal. GP tried nasal spray - no help.

Ventolin inhaler - no help. Eventually just had to accept his view that it will go when it is ready!

Since then I have had another similar episode last winter but it did not last as long - maybe 6 weeks.

Now I have the same again - summer cold virus this time.

The coughing and wheezing are really getting me down. It's been 3 weeks.

Could this be asthma?

I have never smoked and asthma is not a family issue.

Any suggestions

Thanks.

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • nigel28138
    nigel28138 pammied

    Posted

    Hi it could be,you should ask your doctor to do an asthma test this could give you a result

    If it is asthma you may need a control medicine hop you find out.

    • pammied
      pammied nigel28138

      Posted

      Hi

      Saw gp on Friday, did some tests in the surgery and the outcome was that my tests were not at all bad for my age etc. He sent me for chest x-Ray to be on the safe side but since I had one last year, I don't expect there to be any problems.

      If it is a viral cough, I may just have to accept that it will eventually go. The internet says that it is quite normal for these the take months to ease. Certainly last year, my cough took 16 weeks or 4 months.

      Thanks.

  • Aschm32186
    Aschm32186 pammied

    Posted

    I use to get colds like this every time seasons changed like fall or early spring. Usually caused by allergies so I am not taking allergy medicine. See if that helps but if you been tested for asthma and the doctor says you don't have it then I would say its seasonal.

    • pammied
      pammied Aschm32186

      Posted

      Hi

      Had some checks for asthma - gp is not convinced.

      Stopped inhaler as it was not helping - I think I was making my throat hoarse, despite drinking water afterwards.

      I cannot understand why I have started to get this awful cough post a cold.

      Normally if I got a cough it would go within a couple of weeks and it was possible to ease it with something.

      Unfortunately the coughs I have got in the last couple of years.

      I must admit, I had not considered allergies but on thinking about, I cannot think of anything. I don't have pets, I don't smoke or anybody in my family.

      I have not noticed any household products making the cough worse when using. Last year when my doctor was at her wits-end she prescribed me a nasal spray as she mentioned allergies as a possibility. It did not make a difference then but might be worth trying them for a couple of days to see if they help?

      Thanks

  • green881
    green881 pammied

    Posted

    So you say the ventolin inhaler has no effect? One or two puffs?  Are you doing it right - have you tried to use a spacer?

    For those new to asthma the first time a doctor/nurse should observe you using the inhaler to check.

    I'm assuming you have not been prescribed any asthma preventer medication that you take every day - like Qvar, Flovent etc.  

    • pammied
      pammied green881

      Posted

      Hi

      Like lots of people I discovered quite quickly that there is a knack to using the inhaler so I bought a spacer - that made it easier. My doctor prescribed 1 - 2 puffs four times a day.

      He has not prescribed any prevented medication.

      As the cough is still bad, I saw my gp again on Friday and he did sum tests. The first one was spirometer where despite the cough my reading was 300. The other test involved blowing into a hand held device for as long as possible. Can't remember the score on this but he said it was only very slightly down on what would be expected for somebody my age.

      I don't think he believes it is asthma but he did decide to send me for a chest x-Ray. I had one last year when I had the same thing but it was normal.

      I used the inhaler for a few days but it is not making any difference and if anything, despite drinking afterwards, my throat felt sore afterwards.

      I think it may be viral cough but it is a real nuisance. Makes you feel pretty unwell.

      Thanks.

    • green881
      green881 pammied

      Posted

      If you are using Ventolin properly and it makes absolutely no difference to either cough or breathing and if your spirometry is negative and chest x ray is clear, then I don't know what it is.  If it persists for many many weeks the only other idea is silent reflux.

      Usually with spirometry you should not take any inhaler 4 hours or more before it and you will blow and then they will give you some ventolin and you will take another blow.  If they did all that and nothing then to answer the original question it doesn't sound like asthma to Dr Google.

  • priya456
    priya456 pammied

    Posted

    Asthma is characterized by inflammation of the bronchial tubes with increased production of sticky secretions inside the tubes. People with asthma experience symptoms when the airways tighten, inflame, or fill with mucus. Common asthma symptomsinclude:

    1.Coughing, especially at night

    2.Wheezing

    3.Shortness of breath

    4.Chest tightness, pain, or pressure

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