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Original poster

Asthma - can you just be diagnosed just like that?

26 replies

essbeeavenue · 05/11/2007 23:25

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OP posts:
LadyVictoriaOfCake · 05/11/2007 23:26

allergy induced asthma,

stay away from cats

dd1 asthma is cat allergy induced (as well as exercise and loads of other stuff, but cats always set her off)

KerryMumKABOOM · 05/11/2007 23:30

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Original poster
essbeeavenue · 05/11/2007 23:31

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OP posts:
fireflyfairy2 · 05/11/2007 23:32

Go to my doc then Kerry. He will look at you, not ask any questions & issue with an inhaler. Whether you like it or not (as the case my be!)

I have a thread in health about my dd getting inhalers... she has a freakin cough!! Not asthma!

Original poster
essbeeavenue · 05/11/2007 23:33

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LadyVictoriaOfCake · 05/11/2007 23:33

its too late for me to explain in details, but yes some allergies can set off asthma symptons.

dd1 had to avoid smokey places (i welcomes the new smoking laws as dd1 can now go into clubhouses on holidaye sites), catsw, running too much (has to have inhaler before exercise) and especially running in the cold air.

KerryMumKABOOM · 05/11/2007 23:37

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LadyVictoriaOfCake · 05/11/2007 23:45

kerry, please get seen. too many people brush off asthma as not serious, and you know it can be serious.

my dd1 was hospitalised several times with asthma attacks as the gp didnt take us seriously.

KerryMumKABOOM · 05/11/2007 23:48

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LadyVictoriaOfCake · 05/11/2007 23:50

if the inhaler is working kerry, then you know probably is asthma and not the other stuff you mentioned.

my ded's are cough-y asthm,atics, makes it harder t get them treated at times.

KerryMumKABOOM · 05/11/2007 23:50

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LadyVictoriaOfCake · 05/11/2007 23:52

yes they can. well soemtimes.

dd's cough a lot at night, cough after exercise, dd1 gets a tight chest, dd2 gets crackling chest as well.

neither really wheeze till the fianl stages of asthma attacks needing nebs.

KerryMumKABOOM · 05/11/2007 23:55

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LadyVictoriaOfCake · 05/11/2007 23:58

i'll keep nagging you this week untill you do!

pointydog · 06/11/2007 00:00

yes you can be diagnosed just like that.

Asthma is to do with the swelling and constricting of yoiur airways and there are different triggers which set that off.

mummylinfawkesoff · 06/11/2007 00:08

kerry ,i urge you to go to the doctor asap.My sister passed away from a severe asthma attack at the age of 26yrs She developed the disease at around the age of 14yrs.Please get the correct diagnosis and treatment.

KerryMumKABOOM · 06/11/2007 00:20

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DynamiteDaisy · 06/11/2007 00:39

OP..my DH's asthma is set off by cats.

fff2....asthma often presents as a cough in children. I think the chest wheeze from asthma is quite distinctive from that of a cough/infection as well, hence the diagnosis.

Or so sayeth my DSs asthma nurse anyway!

verylittlecarrot · 06/11/2007 00:56

Hi Esbee
I posted on your thread yesterday. You're right, it is an allergy, but the wheezing and tightness is causes is technically asthma! Don't get hung up on the label "asthma", it covers a wide spectrum of breathing difficulties which can be triggered by different causes. I felt like you when I got my first inhaler, but I don't really consider myself "asthmatic". I just tick the boxes on medical forms about allergies and sometimes write allergy-related asthma. And as I mentioned, I have an inhaler in my overnight bag when I go away, or if I visit someone with cats.

The important thing is that you have a ventolin inhaler which fixes the wheeziness when you need it. (and it's pretty cool how fast they work isn't it?!)

Try not to worry!

ScienceTeacher · 06/11/2007 06:28

I don't think it really matters what you call it - the key thing is you get the right treatment at the right time!

My DD has had a condition that no one will call asthma - they call it WAVE - wheeze associated with viral episodes. The treatment is the same as asthma (steroids, salbutamol, oxygen), and it can be life-threatening. To the lay person, it is asthma.

Fortunately, she seems to have grown out of it (it's a year since she was last hospitalised).

Budabang · 06/11/2007 06:43

Esbee - I was a hayfever sufferer as a child but would get very wheezy if I ran - my Dad used to tell me it was cos I was unfit. At age 30 something I had an asthma episode at MILs - she had 3 cats. Sat up in bed all night as I couldn't breathe. Thought I had pneomonia. Went to pharmacy and they asked if cough was chesty or wheezy. I said both so they said it sounded like asthma. Went to doc and he confirmed it. Has happened again a few times if I am near cats. But not all cats funnily enough.

Also got very wheezy this summer from hayfever and ended up back on ventolin.

It may not be the same as what you imagine classic asthma to be like but it is asthma.

And FFF2 - I would feel much better with the asthma diagnosis if I were you as if your DD has any breathing probs (and they can come out of the blue) you have the inhaler and can manage it quickly. Lots of children get diagnosed with asthma due to coughs.

And KerryMum - get thee to the doc! At least if you do your smear at the same time you will get your money's worth! (Make sure you go at right time of cycle for smear!)

NotQuiteCockney · 06/11/2007 07:41

I was diagnosed with asthma in my early 30s. It's mostly exercise-induced, but cold weather, and colds, make it worse.

NotQuiteCockney · 06/11/2007 07:42

(And yeah, if the asthma meds fix the problem, then it was asthma, unless it's something really odd like what ScienceTeacher's DD has.)

Original poster
essbeeavenue · 06/11/2007 20:59

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nannyL · 06/11/2007 21:06

Had my 1st asthma attack in 10 years last night

BUT lots of my friends are asthmatic so i just borrowed their ventolin...

went into work today still a bit tight chested and short of breath.... just a little...

My bosses are both Drs....

Dr Mummyboss said , yes really you ought to go to GP... but just help yourself to one of my charges (many) ventolin inhalers, and given that i know what it was that set it off (firework smoke, which DID irritate me last year but not as bad) she agreed it may be a little pointless going to GP about it cause inhaler will probably be out of date next year, which fingers crossed will be the next time (if) i need it...

I did think of myself as asthma free, but as of last night have had to think again!

I was very surprsied again just how quickly ventolin works its magic!