Maybe asthma??

[brthezy]

..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! .

[brthezy]

Thank you for your response, it was helpful.  And I did go see a allergy/asthma specialist.  It turns out that I do have allergies, and lots of them....not what I was expecting at all.  I am allergic to cats (which I have 1) dust mites, mold, grass, trees, and things like that....  I was prescribed asthmanex inhaler and I also have to start weekly allergy shots soon.  I am glad I finally have answers and went to a specialist.  I was getting frustrated with family practice doctors just saying I have respiratory colds.
Thanks for you comments!

[David Tinkelman, M.D.]

What you describe is consistent with two types of lung disease; one infectious and the other non-infectious (allergy or hypersensitivity).  The infectious is actually the result of a process that changes the anatomical structure of the lung, called Bronchiectasis (a condition often associated with Cystic Fibrosis).  These changes make the lung more vulnerable to infection by a wide range of the more common bacteria and the development of the changes is often related to organisms called Atypical Mycobacteria (a bacterium that is related to the tuberculosis bacterium but is possessed of some significantly different characteristics.)

The non-infectious lung diseases are 1) asthma, complicated by another condition called Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA)  or more generically  caused by infestation with any one of a number of fungi that prompt an allergic reaction (ABPM).  Coincidently, this allergic reaction can also cause bronchiectasis (see preceding paragraph) of a qualitatively different type).  Both asthma and ABPA usually respond favorably to prednisone therapy.  The other non-infectious class of lung diseases is called Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HP).  This one is caused by an allergic response taking place in the lungs, precipitated by pneumonia-like lung diseases resulting from repeated inhalation of and sensitization to a wide variety of organic materials (for example bacteria, fungi and animal proteins)  and low-molecular-weight chemical antigens/sensitizers (examples include isocyanates and acid anhydrides, usually inhaled in industrial settings).  Both diseases in this category and Bronchiectasis is characterized by fluctuating shadows, on chest X-ray, that mimic standard types of infectious pneumonia.


Either of the two specialists mentioned in paragraph #1, above, would be able to sort out the diagnoses I have mentioned.  It is highly likely that yours is a very treatable disease.  The sooner it is diagnosed and treated, the less likely will you be to experience permanent damage to your lungs, so do not delay.  Please let us know how this works out for you.

Good luck

[AllergyPA]

I do think you should be seen by an asthma specialist, soon.  In the meantime, use the quick-acting inhaler before you exercise.