Adult asthma? Concerns dismissed by nurse

[SealSong]

Posting for advice. Long post, sorry.

Starting from the beginning....I have long standing chronic rhinitis and sinus problems, probably caused by allergy but GP has always refused allergy testing, somewhat controlled by prescribed steroid nasal spray, but flares up to acute sinus problems often particularly after a cold or virus. Often makes me feel ill and under the weather. Not offered any other treatment for this despite asking.
Chest, breathing and lungs has always previously been good however, despite the above and despite the occasional chest infection.

Approx three months ago I developed a severe chest infection which went on for some time and involved a lot of congestion, and wheezing popping crackling mostly at night, which I have never experienced before. Coincedentally (or not) at the same time I developed a skin abscess next to a lymph gland which required antibiotics. Chest infection gradually got better overall but I experienced left over symptoms of wheezing and crackling at night, cough, and a feeling that I could not get my breath properly at times. On one occasion I had a lengthy coughing fit and felt like I couldn't breathe, lungs felt very tight in a way I had not experienced before.
In the last three weeks I caught a further cold virus that went into my sinuses and chest with very congested (but not painful) sinus and nasal passages, bad wet cough which keeps me awake and night, tight chest, wheezing and crackling bad again at night, continued feeling that I can't breathe clearly or properly, feeling weak and tired, and generally unwell feeling. I have many nights where the wheezing and coughing is keeping me awake most of the night even when sleeping propped up. I have coughing fits that make me vomit and make me feel like I can't breathe.

I rang the GP for advice last week (who over the phone said it sounded like adult asthma) who got me to see the 'practice nurse' - I have no idea if this nurse was an 'asthma nurse'. This nurse checked my oxygen levels and listened to my chest with a stethoscope and said my chest was fine. I explained that most of the symptoms happen at night and that often my chest does feel clearer during the day (but not always) but she was not interested. She insisted it was a sinus infection and gave me a further course of anti-biotics which I finished a few days ago.
I still have all the symptoms, the anti-biotics did nothing. I spent most of last night coughing to the point of vomiting and wheezing again and today I feel dreadful.

I'm at a loss as to where to go from here. \i have felt ill with these issues for months now. Any advice gratefully received.

[Eva50]

Make an appointment to go in and see the Dr. Our asthma nurse is really good and would not have dismissed anyone without proper investigation.

[SealSong]

Thanks. I do plan to go back to the GP.

What would 'proper investigation' look like? Is there anything specific that I should ask for?

[Eva50]

Ds was given a peak flow meter and a salbutamol inhaler. He had to use the inhaler for two weeks when he needed it noting it down on a chart we were given and do peak flows once or twice a day marking the time and result on the chart. He was diagnosed from this. Apparently it was quite clear. He now has a preventer to use twice a day and we have completed another chart.

[wfrances]

the tests are hit and miss in my opinion
the first test a had i was not symptomatic and i blew off the graph so no diagnosis made
4 weeks later i was in a back of an ambulance on nebulisers then oxygen as my o2 dropped to 80% then referred to resp consultant who diagnosed asthma - this was a few months ago and im still not completely symptom free and trying to find best combination of drugs .

[FadedRed]

Reversibility test.

[FadedRed]

Sorry posted too soon
Reversibility and/or Spirometry.
Have a look at the Asthma.org website (sorry but iPad is refusing to do a link.

[SealSong]

Thank you.
I feel so grim this morning. I really don't know what's wrong with me. Starting to feel so desperate that I feel so ill much of the time. I feel achy and tired today.
Will go back to GP

[SealSong]

anyone else?

[PausingFlatly]

Maybe write down notes to take into doctor, to help you make sure you've told the full story. You could use what you've written in your OP.

And do make sure you tell doctor how long symptoms have been going on for.

Best of luck.

[SealSong]

Thank you.

[seoda24]

Poor you, sounds awful and enough to drain you.Have you had allergy tests? I know my inhaler helped when I had a persistent night cough for weeks which drove me to despair but it was all allergy related.I too suffer from rhinitis and when I get a headcold it leads to sinus just as you said.it knocks me for sure every winter
I hope you get sorted

[giraffesCantReachTheirToes]

Asthma UK are fab. Give them a call

[Bugsylugs]

Is the cough the worse ? Whooping cough

[SealSong]

Bugsy it's not whooping cough, I've seen that in action. There is no 'whoop'. Thanks though.

Seoda, GPs have consistently refused allergy tests saying ' you would know what you are allergic to by now by seeing when it flares up' ....er no, my allergic rhinitis is bad all the time... What are you allergic to?

The other thing I'm considering is whether I have a general histamine intolerance. I can't drink alcohol particularly wine without symptoms getting much worse.

[SealSong]

Giraffes, will look into Asthma uk, thanks

[seoda24]

Push for allergy tests and maybe take it from there.I didn't experience the chest tightness you are talking about my symptoms were diagnosed by a specialist after countless trips to a GP who hadn't a notion....My symptoms disappeared after correct treatment with prescribed medication at the time.inhaler (which I only require during allergy induced wheeze).Thankfully that has subsided.What are I allergic to you ask?? Everything!! The list is endless !!Hope it works out for you.I was lucky in being referred on to someone who knew there stuff and prior to that I was miserable.

[aspidistraah]

Yes definitely call asthma uk.

I developed adult onset asthma recently; it was finally diagnosed by the asthma nurse. My friend who is an asthma nurse told me to make an appt. two short courses of steroids were the only thing that had helped, and a blue inhaler at times. GP just said "maybe you just need a blue inhaler about you". No - a simple test is to do peak flow before and 10-15 mins after a blue inhaler. My peak flow was never that low but was a permanent 370 - 390. 350 when coughing. I had very mild wheezing but not all the time. Chest X-ray clear. After blue it got up to 410-420. My highest is 440, the correct number for my age. (This might be reversibility test? Not sure!)

It's not a big drop but they don't look for size, just any difference in peak flow.

Blue is just to manage symptoms, brown (steroid) treats it, when treated you shouldn't need the blue.

So do call asthma uk, book in with asthma nurse and ask to be checked out.

[SealSong]

Thanks. I don't think my GP practice has an 'asthma nurse', just the nurse practitioner who saw me last time and wrongly diagnosed me with a sinus infection. I think because I do have ongoing rhinitis/sinus issues they just assume it's that.

I don't know if it IS asthma, I just want my health issues taken seriously by someone....I can't go on like this.

[Returnofthemag]

@SealSong I know this is going back many years now but your situation is very similar to mine. Were you diagnosed with Asthma and did it help resolve your issues. I'm 6 weeks in and suffering as you were but not getting better. Thanks.