I dont think it's asthma

[MissFaversham]

DS when small (he's 14 now) got a bit chesty once every year and was given an inhaler and told he had asthma. He hasn't had a chesty cough for years but is inclined to use the thing when he get a bit out of breath (I sort of think its a bit dumbo and his feather type of scenario now.

He's in the Sea Cadets and wants to progress to a career in the Navy. On their list of criteria they don't accept asthma sufferers.

Does anyone know how to get a proper diagnosis?

He does have slight eczema and a nut allergy (epi-pen) therefore doctors won't really give me an answer either way, it's usually a "well he may have"

A 'well he may have' isn't a diagnosis. Is there an asthma nurse at his GP surgery or health centre. you could make an appointment to see him/her to find out the best way forward.

He needs a vitalograph test - takes seconds and the shape of the trace will tell you if he is asmatic or not. Ask your GP to send you to the hospital for a test.

Thanks for replies Sinister/Mirry and Sashh

Son has never ever had an attack. I have been to the Asthma Doctor at the GP centre and he was the one to say "He may have".

It all started when son had a chesty cold as a little boy and they handed him the blue inhaler.

Excellent info sashh, will get that test done.

I have just popped into to my local chemist and discussed with him about son taking an antihistamine daily due to allergies. I will of course let son carry pump on him just in case until I get a firm diagnosis.

Once again, thanks to you all for replying.

he could have had viral asthma which is different.

Viral astham wfrances, what does that mean if you don't mind me asking. Is it a one off thing or something he would maybe get every now and again if he caught a cold etc?

ds13 had it last year- came home from school blue and wheezing -luckily dd has asthma and i have inhalers here.
straight to hospital who said it was viral asthma- asthma caused by a virus-
how they know the difference i dont know, he hasnt had it before or since(touch wood)

Given that you DS has a food allergy diagnosis, I would push for a firm diagnosis regarding the asthma. If he does turn out to have asthma, it is important to keep it as well controlled as possible where there is coexisting food allergy. Have you tried the Anaphylaxis Campaign helpline or Asthma UK helpline? Both should be able to help you get a proper diagnosis.

Just to add, I have never had an asthma attach - I knly ever get a mornig cough - but in hospital for an op last week and they had to put me on oxygen and I had to use my inhaler to get my O2 sats up.