asthma?

[unknownmouse]

I've been to the hospital but based on a blood test (something about no allergic reaction?), they didn't diagnose me with asthma. My regular doctor has listened to my lung sounds and also doesn't think I have asthma.

However, I have bronchospasms when exposed to cigarette smoke, perfume, laundry detergent, and other strong smells. I ocassionally have chest pain in my ribs. Every day, I cannot seem to be able to take a deep breath, like I've already inhaled to full lung capacity. When I exercise, it's like I'm out of shape and get short of breath quickly, and for a while afterwards, I can only take shallow breaths. There also seems to be mucus production in my throat after exercise, which leads to mild whistling/wheezing noises. After a while, it'll revert to 'normal' breathing, where I still cannot take a deep breath, but is not as shallow.

To me, it seems like asthma based on symptoms I've found online, but my doctor doesn't seem very concerned about it. Am I just being overly anxious?

[unknownmouse]

Thank you all.

I've never been suggested to take a lung function test. The only reason I know about them is through the internet. I've had continuous problems for about five months now, but it doesn't interfere significantly with my daily life. I've had a reaction to perfume so I couldn't get enough air to cough, yet I haven't really felt panicked about it, because otherwise, I feel fine (no feelings of suffocation, coldness, lightheadness, etc). And all my episodes revert to 'normal' eventually, although in 'normal', I still can't take a full breath.

I forgot to mention, I also have a history of eczema, although I've pretty much outgrown it, seasonal allergies, and mild food allergies (itchy throat). I've read that this puts me at a predisposition for asthma, but I have no known family member that has asthma (and I have a big extended family, more than 50 members).

It does seem I react more towards irritants, but sneezing can trigger a mild bronchospasm. I rarely wheeze, and only occassionally cough, though that does also trigger bronchospasms until I can't cough, but then after awhile, I guess the muscles relax, and then I can cough again. o.O

Should I take any action? Although it's inconveniencing, it doesn't seem life-threatening. I'm a bit reluctant to see my doctor because I'm doubtful that she'll do anything about it.

[Tammy2009]

Or you could be like me and be a combo of both.  I have allergies (cats and dust mites) but no wheezing at all.  Being stressed out and mad also trigger the maddening cough (that, excess muscous and chest tightness are my only symptoms).  

[thp636]

Some forms of breathing difficulties aren't due to allergies. It seems as if you tend to react irritants as opposed to allergies. I have cough variant asthma which was confirmed only after seeing both a pulmonologist and an asthma specialist at the lung center. They had me do a PFT test which was normal but still suspected asthma, so they had me do a methacholine challenge test which indicated asthma.
If you do have cough variant asthma, some other things to look out for are being overactive in very hot or cold weather. Other things are talking too much, stress, and laughing of all things. Also monitor the air quality in your area. If there is an air quality alert advising folks with health issues to stay in, they are talking to us.
Good luck,
Tom
p.s.
I was tested by an allergist for allergies and had none. I mentioned this to the big shot asthma specialist and he said that I probably had one that they haven't found  yet.
Good luck.

[Victoireh]

I agree that you are questioning your doctor. I have asthma, but I have strange lungs in that they don't make wheezing sounds till my peak flows are close to 50% of my personal best. Have you had a pulmonary function test? Every time I've had one, I've gotten better and so they haven't seen my asthma then. If it weren't for the fact that I get bad asthma exacerbations, my doctor would still be questioning whether I have asthma or not. There are two things you can do, one try a trial period of asthma inhalers and see if they make a difference. Or two, try tracking your peak flow readings for two weeks (every morning and evening) and take the numbers to your doctor.

Also you never mentioned if you've ever had a lung function test. If you experience breathing problems regularly, then you might show reduced lung function on the test.
Also if you are finding the the breathing problems are interfering with every day living, then you really should follow it through with your doctor to get to the root cause of the problem.