Possible asthma?

For the past couple of years I have been having many upper respiratory infections..  I first had bronchitis, almost turned into walking pneumonia, then H1N1.  And then from there repeated about every 3-5 months another resp. virus.  Doctors initially thought I was never getting over this repeated cold.  But I think its something more.  I have had inhalers off and on for the last 2 years, just ventair basically, been prescribed albuteral nebulizer treatments to do at home as needed.  I had chest x-rays done showing I had infiltrate in my lungs, been prescribed antibiotics, cough syrup, prentisone.  I think the prentisone has worked the best to clear my lungs.  Along with this I have some wheezing, when I try to work out I get extremely shortness in breath where it becomes difficult to take deep breaths, and cough and wheeze.  I don't want to have to do a breathing treatment after every workout or use a inhaler.  Or if I do have to use a inhaler, I want to know why...if its asthma, etc.  I keep going to the same clinic, but different doctors and it is always the same.  It clears up for awhile then comes back.....  Recently I have been having night cough attacks where I can't stop coughing, where it sometimes makes me puke.  That has also caused my chest to be very sore...  Would you recommend staying at the same clinic, getting a different clinics opinion, demanding a asthma test?  Any input is helpful!  Thanks!

[tschock]

Night time coughing leads me to believe that perhaps you also have, among other things, postnasal drip, or acid reflux.

Not saying you don't have COPD/asthma, just saying that it's possible to have more than one problem.

I suffer from chronic sinus infections due to allergies. I also suffer from asthma due to allergies. Every time my sinuses act up and get badly infected so do my lungs.
During "allergy season" which is most of the time...I suffer from postnasal drip ( PND ). It causes me to cough as long as I'm laying down.
Of course the GERD/acid reflux doesn't help either. lol

Try propping yourself up on a few pillows at night...or sleep on a couch propped up...see if that helps things a bit.
Try adding a humidifier to your bedroom as well.
If sleeping in a near upright position helps then tell your doctor about that.
If nothing seems to make a difference then demand further testing/change clinics at that time.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Asthma is detected by spirometry test,  it is a test where you will be asked to blow into a hand held machine and it records your values. This tests the lung functions. The commonly measured values are FEV1 and FVC, which are forced expiratory volumes. The normal spirometry values are FVC-80-120% and FEV-80-120%. If your values are low it indicates you have bronchospasm and need bronchodilators. Please discuss this with your doctor am sure he will provide further assistance.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.