Help getting teenage DS an asthma diagnosis

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DS is fine, I need to say first, sleeping peacefully now. There is no near-future danger.

He woke me 90 minutes ago with breathing problems. We talked thru making each breath bigger, he drank some water & blew his nose a lot, and settled after 20 minutes. He's had occasional spells with symptoms like this for yrs. Last year he easily passed a Lung Function test -- I'm sure his lungs are above average volume when working fine. He's often got great running stamina, but on Friday said he struggled with running at school PE with slight breathing problems. He was wiped out tired Saturday, moaning that every muscle was sore.

I think he has long had "mild intermittant asthma." I suspect that may be hard to diagnose -- lung function test unlikely to catch it. I want to avoid over-diagnosis, too, but I'm fed up on DS's behalf. This is just getting too annoying, we need a treatment in case one incident is suddenly worse than previous. And there are meds that could make his life more comfortable.

I'm thinking to keep a 6-13 week diary of incidents for DS that might convince the GP, but can we do anything to get DS diagnosed faster, do you think? If I keep a diary what other info do I need to include -- I wouldn't have said DS had a cold right now, for instance, but he was able to blow his nose, so maybe he does have a cold? Argh.

I have no persuasive powers so just talking to GP won't work.

Thanks in advance.

oh... and ps: I wondered if "mild intermittent asthma" is even diagnosed on NHS. I didn't find anything central about it, only guidelines on individual NHS trusts. Makes me wonder if there are local policies about when it gets diagnosed or how it's treated, that i need to be aware of.

Theres no test as such for asthma, its more a pattern of symptoms so keepibg a diary mighy be a good idea. When you say breathing difficulties what do you mean? Did he sound wheezy? Coughing? If his breathibgs noisy maybe record the sound to show the gp.

Not really sure that being wheezy/tight chested would make his muscles sore the next day? Unless you meab because hes not getting a good sleep?

Ta, I was expecting to get yelled at, tbh.
Seems diary is the way to go.

No coughing, I struggle to even see wheezing but I think there's some of that. DS insisted on going to school today but agreed to emergency GP appt tomorrow if he has another bad night. Seeing GP is difficult unless an emergency.

I think he was wiped out Saturday b/c he had to work so hard to do the 12minute run in school PE; he's used to being able to dig deep and go furthest in his class, but lungs not up to it, so rest of his body was tired out by the effort.

Could it be allergies if he's having to blow his nose etc? Maybe try a daily antihistamine and see if that helps?

Has your GP practice got an Asthma Specialist Nurse?
Has he had Spirometry and/or Reversibility test?

Allergies: no idea, but antihistamine is good suggestion. Don't think it will hurt. Can buy today, but what do I tell pharmacist or are antiH pills OTC / don't need to pass an interview?

Nurse asthma specialist: I'm googling but don't see one listed... Would still need referral by GP, though, I reckon?

Spirometry/Reversibility: DH took DS so I can't say for certain, but I think DS would have passed these with flying colours on a good day, anyway.

You can buy antihistamine over the counter.

Keeping a peak flow diary is a good way of seeing if someone is asthmatic. You can ask the GP for a prescription for a Peak flow meter and then keep the diary for a few weeks. If he does have asthma his lung capacity will be affected during bouts/triggers.

What are his other symptoms? You said no cough or wheezing?

I'd also recommend calling the asthma UK helpline which is staffed by nurses - they are very helpful.

Most GP practices have an asthma nurse but you would usually only be able to see them on diagnosis by a GP. Nurses don't diagnose

Reversibility test would demonstrate whether a salbutamol inhaler would be effective or not.
Many Specialist nurses do diagnose and prescribe, as well as follow up effectiveness of treatment. Many are more knowledgable about asthma than the GP's they work with. Varies from practice to practice though.