lung capacity and spirometry tests

I had a spirometry test done at an allergy clinic about 2 yrs ago, but never had the results as I did not return to that doctor in that country. However, I have since been haunted by this test. I had to repeat the test several times as the results did not seem to be registering on the machine. The Bronchodilators did not make any difference. She seemed shocked/worried.
After trying to forget about this event since then, things have come to a head and I have an appointment in about 3 weeks at an asthma clinic. I am on anti-anxiety meds now since I have worked myself up into such a state over what this might be that I was completely unable to function normally or even eat. Basically I'm scared.
I'm 25, I smoked for around 7/8 yrs, but was never a heavy smoker. I gave up over a year ago. I have severe allergies to almost everything; cats, grasses, trees, flowers, dust etc. A year ago I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis.
I am convinced something is really wrong with my lung capacity and the wait and the test is going to be extremely hard for me.
Since around the time of the first test, I have felt an occassional tight chest and discomfort. I haven't really noticed being short of breath but when I get worked up about it I imagine I can't get enough air. I am fairly fit and active otherwise and swim regularly.
I asked my GP how bad this could be if indeed my results didn't register on the machine and he said they're not always that accurate?!
Is it likely I have severe emphesyma? Is it possible it could be asthma? any thoughts to get me through the agonising wait?

[National Jewish]

It is clear that the wait for you is very frightening.  At your age and having the symptoms you describe, it does not seem like you have either severe emphysema or severe asthma.  It could be that you have asthma or mild changes in your lungs from the smoking.  However it doesn

[jo43]

Dear Josiee,it would be most unlikely you had emphysema at your age, let alone severe. If you have severe multiple allergies, perhaps there are asthmatic tendencies, but there are excellent medications and management plans to deal with this. By your own admission, you become extremely anxious and stressed - the body does react to that by tightening up and, indeed a classic stress response is to experience shortness of breath and  chest tightness. I think a 3 week wait is too long for the state you are in, can you possibly hasten your appointmnet. And i would also check in with my GP about other possible causes for the tight chest, just to make sure. Try to find ways to deal with your stress levels in the meantime because it certainly wont be helping your UC. All the best

[Josiee]

Dear Jo43,
Thankyou so much for replying - it's good to hear someone else's perspective on it at least. The wait and the stress are really not good for my UC and I may be going into a flare after only just finishing a long course of steroids, which will have serious consequences for my future treatment for this condition-this only adds to my stress.
Since having to cope with this horrible chronic disease,I feel now that anything is possible, even at my age and cannot rule out that I have done myself serious damage already.
Unfortunately at my doctor's they only do the asthma clinic one day a week and that was the 1st appointment she could give me even though I was crying and practically begging for an earlier one! It's not their fault. I plan to phone each week to check for cancellations but that's rather unlikely...
The internet is fantastic for finding out about such things but it can also be very scary-when you match your symptoms to various conditions.
Since I've never experienced what could be described as an asthma attack and in that 1st test the bronchdilator thing didn't seem to work - I don't think it could be asthma?..
Thankyou again for taking the time to give me your opinion,
All the best...x

[myproblem]

If the breathing treatment didn't help, then is is not asthma. However you can sk for an exercise/stress test, and do the pulmonary function tests with that. It may be due to anxiety, but could also be physoilogical. Be persistent until you feel comfortable with the answers you get.

[PhysBrit]

Any damage done to your lungs through smoking won't be serious for someone of your age so don't worry about that. With all your allergies you probably have a bit of asthma which is very common so nothing to get upset about. Your biggest concern right now should be how stressed out you are letting yourself get!