Is this allergy or asthma?

I have this problem for last 8-9 years and Now i am 24. When I was in pakistan, it used to be worst and more often but since I came to US, its usually 2-5 times a year. What happens is I have difficulty in breathing. This time it started with flue and i had flue for about one month on and off. And for the last 2 days, i have difficulty in breathing. I always take steam with vicks and it works. Sometimes i need to take steam more than once. I can not sleep due to this. I have stuffy nose and cough. In pakistan, the doctor said it is asthma and he asked us to get vaccines from another city which we cudnt afford. But in US, the doc said it seems like allergy but she didnt do much about it. can someone please tell me what is it? and recommend me something  which i could do at home to cure it.
Thank You.

[Pakigirl]

I would like to add that there is a whistling sound when I breathe, chest tightness(not this time but other time i do feel this), shortness of breath, and coughing. Also the place under my shoulders but above my back is heavy/painful.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms chances are more likely that it is asthma. It is usually exaggerated or precipitated during cold season or timing. A diagnosis of asthma usually is based on the patient's symptoms, medical history, a physical examination, and laboratory tests that measure pulmonary (lung) function.The various diagnostic tests of asthma include spirometry( a test that measures the amount of air entering and leaving the lungs) , peak expiratory flow (PEF) rate monitoring , bronchial provocation  and other tests like x-rays and allergy testing to exclude other lung pathologies.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.