Re: Misdiagnosis or really Asthma??

[Guest guest]

Hi I'm pretty new to asthma too but can tell you that there is an

adult onset asthma - it's what I've been diagnosed with. I'm 47

btw.

My best advice to you is read, read, read, and then ask your doctor

questions. Online, you can do a search on asthma. One of the

sources I've found is the American Lung Association at www.lungusa.org

The Mayo Clinic and other sources are online too. Just make sure you

check the credentials of sites giving advice or information. Perhaps

others more experienced than I can reply to your other concerns.

Best of luck

> Hi Im really new and have a question here or actually several! I

was

> recently told I have asthma and Im 30 years old. Do people really

> develop asthma later in life, I thought people were born with it.

> Another question is I dont have coughing or wheezing or even

allergys-

> they did an allergy test and no allergys. I didn't pass the

bresthing

> test so they gave me a breathing treatment and then tested again

and

> it was now normal after the treatment. The only symptom I do have

is

> chest tightness hard to breath and I seem to get that when Im

> stressed or tired. I did have a cold when they did the test so

could

> it be a misdiagnosis? They did give me meds to take Quvar 80 mcg

and

> Albuterol inhalers I haven't taken them yet. ONe they want me to

> take 2 times a day and the other as needed. I haven't ever needed

> them so far I seem to get uncomfortalbe with the chest tightness

but

> it does go away after a bit on its own. I dont want to take meds

if

> it could be a misdiagnosis-should I retest or just have meds here

> just in case?? I dont really know anyone with asthma or much of

> anything about it so any info would really help me here!!

> Thanks

> Kris

[Guest guest]

Hi I'm pretty new to asthma too but can tell you that there is an

adult onset asthma - it's what I've been diagnosed with. I'm 47

btw.

My best advice to you is read, read, read, and then ask your doctor

questions. Online, you can do a search on asthma. One of the

sources I've found is the American Lung Association at www.lungusa.org

The Mayo Clinic and other sources are online too. Just make sure you

check the credentials of sites giving advice or information. Perhaps

others more experienced than I can reply to your other concerns.

Best of luck

> Hi Im really new and have a question here or actually several! I

was

> recently told I have asthma and Im 30 years old. Do people really

> develop asthma later in life, I thought people were born with it.

> Another question is I dont have coughing or wheezing or even

allergys-

> they did an allergy test and no allergys. I didn't pass the

bresthing

> test so they gave me a breathing treatment and then tested again

and

> it was now normal after the treatment. The only symptom I do have

is

> chest tightness hard to breath and I seem to get that when Im

> stressed or tired. I did have a cold when they did the test so

could

> it be a misdiagnosis? They did give me meds to take Quvar 80 mcg

and

> Albuterol inhalers I haven't taken them yet. ONe they want me to

> take 2 times a day and the other as needed. I haven't ever needed

> them so far I seem to get uncomfortalbe with the chest tightness

but

> it does go away after a bit on its own. I dont want to take meds

if

> it could be a misdiagnosis-should I retest or just have meds here

> just in case?? I dont really know anyone with asthma or much of

> anything about it so any info would really help me here!!

> Thanks

> Kris

[Guest guest]

Hi Kris,

Yes there is adult onset asthma I was diagnosed with it at 33 years

old. I always knew I would get diagnosed with it sooner or later. My

Dad had it through most of our childhood. He is very sick with it. When

I was first diagnosed I was like you. Just tightness in my chest and no

wheezing unless I had a cold. I felt so good that when I couldn't

afford my medicine I would think oh well I don't really need it and not

get my meds as ordered. That was a bad mistake because now I certainly

know what full blown asthma is like. Now I wouldn't dare go without my

meds so if the doctor's say you have asthma and gave you meds. You

really should take them.

The as needed was always a big problem for me. I always thought as

needed meant when I have such problems that I couldn't breath at all.

It took me 9 years to learn if I use the as needed meds when I am a

little short of breath then it doesn't get as bad. My asthma is alot

more under control now that I use my as needed meds quicker than I use

to. The way I use to think I was so sick before I would use those meds

that they didn't even help. I would then end up at the doctor's and put

on prednisone which is an antiinflammatory drug and given alot for

asthma, not a good drug in other ways one of the bad side affects is

unbelievable hunger while on it. I gained so much weight because I was

on every month when I got sick. Now I'm struggling to lose weight.

I have moved to Arizona where my asthma got alot better, I'm in college

and starting a new career. I haven't worked for 5 years due to my

asthma and am looking forward to reentering the working world.

I know this letter is long and hope I didn't bore anyone with my sad

story. I just wanted to share it with those wondering about asthma like

Kris.

momto1plus3@... wrote:

Hi Im really new and have a question here or actually several! I was

recently told I have asthma and Im 30 years old. Do people really

develop asthma later in life, I thought people were born with it.

Another question is I dont have coughing or wheezing or even allergys-

they did an allergy test and no allergys. I didn't pass the bresthing

test so they gave me a breathing treatment and then tested again and

it was now normal after the treatment. The only symptom I do have is

chest tightness hard to breath and I seem to get that when Im

stressed or tired. I did have a cold when they did the test so could

it be a misdiagnosis? They did give me meds to take Quvar 80 mcg and

Albuterol inhalers I haven't taken them yet. ONe they want me to

take 2 times a day and the other as needed. I haven't ever needed

them so far I seem to get uncomfortalbe with the chest tightness but

it does go away after a bit on its own. I dont want to take meds if

it could be a misdiagnosis-should I retest or just have meds here

just in case?? I dont really know anyone with asthma or much of

anything about it so any info would really help me here!!

Thanks

Kris

[Guest guest]

Hi Kris,

Yes there is adult onset asthma I was diagnosed with it at 33 years

old. I always knew I would get diagnosed with it sooner or later. My

Dad had it through most of our childhood. He is very sick with it. When

I was first diagnosed I was like you. Just tightness in my chest and no

wheezing unless I had a cold. I felt so good that when I couldn't

afford my medicine I would think oh well I don't really need it and not

get my meds as ordered. That was a bad mistake because now I certainly

know what full blown asthma is like. Now I wouldn't dare go without my

meds so if the doctor's say you have asthma and gave you meds. You

really should take them.

The as needed was always a big problem for me. I always thought as

needed meant when I have such problems that I couldn't breath at all.

It took me 9 years to learn if I use the as needed meds when I am a

little short of breath then it doesn't get as bad. My asthma is alot

more under control now that I use my as needed meds quicker than I use

to. The way I use to think I was so sick before I would use those meds

that they didn't even help. I would then end up at the doctor's and put

on prednisone which is an antiinflammatory drug and given alot for

asthma, not a good drug in other ways one of the bad side affects is

unbelievable hunger while on it. I gained so much weight because I was

on every month when I got sick. Now I'm struggling to lose weight.

I have moved to Arizona where my asthma got alot better, I'm in college

and starting a new career. I haven't worked for 5 years due to my

asthma and am looking forward to reentering the working world.

I know this letter is long and hope I didn't bore anyone with my sad

story. I just wanted to share it with those wondering about asthma like

Kris.

momto1plus3@... wrote:

Hi Im really new and have a question here or actually several! I was

recently told I have asthma and Im 30 years old. Do people really

develop asthma later in life, I thought people were born with it.

Another question is I dont have coughing or wheezing or even allergys-

they did an allergy test and no allergys. I didn't pass the bresthing

test so they gave me a breathing treatment and then tested again and

it was now normal after the treatment. The only symptom I do have is

chest tightness hard to breath and I seem to get that when Im

stressed or tired. I did have a cold when they did the test so could

it be a misdiagnosis? They did give me meds to take Quvar 80 mcg and

Albuterol inhalers I haven't taken them yet. ONe they want me to

take 2 times a day and the other as needed. I haven't ever needed

them so far I seem to get uncomfortalbe with the chest tightness but

it does go away after a bit on its own. I dont want to take meds if

it could be a misdiagnosis-should I retest or just have meds here

just in case?? I dont really know anyone with asthma or much of

anything about it so any info would really help me here!!

Thanks

Kris

[Guest guest]

,

I really appreciate your story.

I was diagnozed with asthma as an adult last year and

had had little warning ( a few weeks of struggling to

breathe at night and coughing) nor can I get any idea

why I am suddenly asthmatic.

I feel good normally so was starting to miss my 2x

daily puffing as I was scared I might become dependent

on it. But I see from your comments that is a mistake.

My only downside: I love going to the gym but can't do

the workout I used to without feeling tired and short

of breath. Anyone else have this? It's so frustrating

as I am putting on weight!

Kind regards to all,

Mike

[Guest guest]

,

I really appreciate your story.

I was diagnozed with asthma as an adult last year and

had had little warning ( a few weeks of struggling to

breathe at night and coughing) nor can I get any idea

why I am suddenly asthmatic.

I feel good normally so was starting to miss my 2x

daily puffing as I was scared I might become dependent

on it. But I see from your comments that is a mistake.

My only downside: I love going to the gym but can't do

the workout I used to without feeling tired and short

of breath. Anyone else have this? It's so frustrating

as I am putting on weight!

Kind regards to all,

Mike

[Guest guest]

Mike,

If you desire to go to the gym and work out that is great. You can use

your albuterol inhaler if you have one before you excercise and that

should help you excercise. Alot of athletes do this and can excercise

fine. Give it a try.

scissornz@... wrote:

,

I really appreciate your story.

I was diagnozed with asthma as an adult last year and

had had little warning ( a few weeks of struggling to

breathe at night and coughing) nor can I get any idea

why I am suddenly asthmatic.

I feel good normally so was starting to miss my 2x

daily puffing as I was scared I might become dependent

on it. But I see from your comments that is a mistake.

My only downside: I love going to the gym but can't do

the workout I used to without feeling tired and short

of breath. Anyone else have this? It's so frustrating

as I am putting on weight!

Kind regards to all,

Mike

[Guest guest]

Mike,

If you desire to go to the gym and work out that is great. You can use

your albuterol inhaler if you have one before you excercise and that

should help you excercise. Alot of athletes do this and can excercise

fine. Give it a try.

scissornz@... wrote:

,

I really appreciate your story.

I was diagnozed with asthma as an adult last year and

had had little warning ( a few weeks of struggling to

breathe at night and coughing) nor can I get any idea

why I am suddenly asthmatic.

I feel good normally so was starting to miss my 2x

daily puffing as I was scared I might become dependent

on it. But I see from your comments that is a mistake.

My only downside: I love going to the gym but can't do

the workout I used to without feeling tired and short

of breath. Anyone else have this? It's so frustrating

as I am putting on weight!

Kind regards to all,

Mike

[Guest guest]

Kris

I'm fairly new to Asthma as well

>Hi Im really new and have a question here or actually several! I was

>recently told I have asthma and Im 30 years old. Do people really

>develop asthma later in life, I thought people were born with it.

I'm Adult Onset Asthma as well and yes you do get it later in life - I'm in

my 50s

>Another question is I dont have coughing or wheezing or even allergys-

>they did an allergy test and no allergys.

I didn't know I was wheezing but my doctor could hear and so could

others......you don't have to have an allergy to have asthma. But often

your trigger for an attack can be something that one is allergic to. I have

no idea yet what my triggers are as I said above I'm very new ;-)

> I didn't pass the bresthing

>test so they gave me a breathing treatment and then tested again and

>it was now normal after the treatment. The only symptom I do have is

>chest tightness hard to breath and I seem to get that when Im

>stressed or tired.

chest tightness is one of the signs.......and yes you can have an attack

from stress or tiredness but it sounds like you need to keep a diary of

sorts because an attack doesn't always happen within a few minutes/hours

but could have been something you were in contact with yesterday. Or it

might be something almost invisible in your home/your workplace/wherever

you go/use regularly

> I did have a cold when they did the test so could

>it be a misdiagnosis?

often a cold will be the start up as such.......what is your peak flow

readings like now?

> They did give me meds to take Quvar 80 mcg and

>Albuterol inhalers I haven't taken them yet. ONe they want me to

>take 2 times a day and the other as needed. I haven't ever needed

>them so far I seem to get uncomfortalbe with the chest tightness but

>it does go away after a bit on its own. I dont want to take meds if

>it could be a misdiagnosis-should I retest or just have meds here

>just in case?? I dont really know anyone with asthma or much of

>anything about it so any info would really help me here!!

I was put on 2 weeks of oral steroids and then returned to my doctor who

was expecting a dramatic improvement and there had been little.......so I'm

now on steroid preventative inhaler twice daily with Peak Flow meter

reading as well. Next week I will have been one month on the plan.......and

yes I've risen in the PF reading but I know it's still uncontrolled as it's

swinging around. My PF is currently between a child/3' high and

teenager/16yrs/4' high - as you can see above I'm a titch older and I'm

about 5'8 " soooooooo peak flow is not soooooo good! But as I didn't know I

even had Asthma 2mths ago I don't really know how long I have compensating

for whatever :-)

Whenever I get chest tightness I stop whatever it is I'm doing - go rest

and if after xyz mins I still have chest tigthness I use my reliever - 2

puffs and then rest. I did that this afternoon & I think it was some moving

dust around this morning that did it :-)

in New Zealand where Asthma is in one the highest % per populace