is this severe asthma?is this leading to an attack??

[!Sandy12345]

Thankyou so very much for your last reponse just one more question if thats ok? my doctor recently diagnosing me with asthma gave me a weeks trial of ventolin and peak flow monitoring. My pef ranged from 500 to 350 with symptoms at all readings. I am having a few sleepless nights and daytime symptoms of chest tightness and troble breathing seem to be increasing in frequency ( I do get quite agitated when it's\bad, but very little wheezing, only slightly at night). my doctor has prescribed a short course of prdnisolone(40mg per day)7 days and has said that if this doesnt work I will need to try a steroiid nebuliser. this does seem a little bit drastic as i do not perceive my symptoms to anything like a full blown asthma attack?? also when the asthma has been really bad my peak flow has been around 400 (even though i am dosed up on ventolin) does not seem to be particiularly low?internet sources seem to suggest he is treating for severe asthma? do you think this is the case and could it be leading to a serious asthma attack? thankyou in advance.

[myproblem]

Did you get a full Pulmonary function test done? Did they do the albuterol nebulizer treatment, and then repeat a couple of tests? Can you get a copy of the results? Is the prednisone helping? What other meds are you on?

[!Sandy12345]

thankyou for your feedback

[National Jewish]

The daily use of inhaled steroids is a very standard therapy for adults with asthma symptoms that occur more than once in a while.  Usually, people who have any symptoms more than twice a week are good candidates for inhaled steroids.  They are fairly safe in recommended doses.  It is interesting to note, however, that they usually work best in people who have a GOOD response to prednisone.

The key to this problem, however, is making the diagnosis.  It is clear that BEFORE you go onto such a chronic therapy that the diagnosis needs to be made by the spirometry that was recommend in the last response from National Jewish Medical and Research Center.  This is a simple and safe test.  If you do NOT have asthma, the inhaled steroids will have little effect.

[myproblem]

I don't have time for a long post tonight, but scroll down and read posts:
"Q: Excessive Mucus, Shortness of Breath - MarloLC: 03/16/2006"
"Q: Can't breathe and sore chest - auzziunit: 03/11/2006"
There is a lot of asthma info that may be helpful to you. I will try to post more tomorrow.