DD was diagnosed with cough variant asthma around age 12. She's now 17. Inhalers don't seem to do anything and she's been on various. She finally made an appointment to see the nurse to ask 'is it really asthma?' Nurse gave her peak flow chart to track a month. She said she'd refer her if peak flow okay. Tracking proves peak flow does not dip, even when she's having a coughing attack. The nurse then mentions trying another inhaler and mentions montelukast again - which were not happy with her trying. She agrees it might not be asthma and will speak to the GP. DD then gets an appointment through - with the other asthma nurse!
I don't know how pushy to be here. I feel she's being fobbed off. She didn't want to be on medication (inhalers) that do not help. How likely is a differential diagnosis? Is there testing that can be done to rule out/confirm asthma? Does she have any hope of being referred if she refuses to try montelukast which is clearly part of the pathway of things to try with each patient. Going to see the asthma nurse again seems pointless as all they can do is follow that pathway.