Does this sound like asthma?

[aspensugar13]

I am currently suffering from an unknown possibly autoimmune disease but i dont know if my breathing issue is a symptom or a separate condition.  I have trouble breathing all the time.  I live in a split foyer and have a horrible time breathing just going down the stairs.  When talking i get short of breath and i have to pause just so i can breathe.  I sometimes will just say 2 sentences and im short of breath.  I feel no closing in my throat or anything like that.  I just cant breathe 24/7.  I have had several breathing tests which i fail everytime.  I also had some of the tests done with an inhaler just to see if it helped and there was no improvement.  I have never had an attack or anything like that i just cant breathe.  My friend has asthma and smokes and can pass a breathing test just fine.  Does this sound like asthma?  I am going to make an appointment with my doctor within the next couple of months to get tests done.  I was suppose to have a cat scan done a long time ago but the doctor didnt do it and just said i had asthma and wrote me a prescription for an inhaler and sent me on my way.  My primary doctor was mad they didnt do the scan but never sent me for more tests.  Does this sound like asthma?  And what type of tests should i have done?

[aspensugar13]

I actually have been seeing a rheumatologist for awhile now.  My ana did come up positive.   But my rheumatologist just doesnt seem to be helping me find out whats going on.   He seems overwhelmed with patients.  I am going to be finding a new doctor soon just havent had the time.  The disease is affecting my joints and skin.  Who knows what it is though.  My skin just feels so tight and looks so shiny.  Kinda like i bathed in pam.  The texture is also weird looking.  Very scaly like with lots of lines going through it.  Hopefully my next doctor will help me find the answers i need.  I just dont want them to say "I wish we would have known earlier".  Alot of them you can slow down the affects by certain medicines.  I just want to find out so i can decide about having a baby before its too late.  I also have endometriosis which could have already ruined my chances but i want to at least try.  Im already 27 and my husbands 31 so we really need to find out.  Some diseases can cause you to miscarry so i just want to know whats going on to be prepared for everything.  

Thanks for everyones input.  You helped me out alot.

[Allisonc78]

I understand your concerns. But I wouldn't jump to any conclusions, especially since the shortness of breath and even the skin changes can have many explanations. The skin changes could be from allergies as well. When I started getting symptoms initially from asthma, it was just shortness of breath. I had major trouble breathing alot like you, but then I got on a maintenance inhaler and used it everyday and it has gotten ALOT better. I can exercise although I still get winded easily I don't feel that suffacation at all. An inhaler, especially just a bronchodilator won't ease your symptoms entirely and you need an inhaled steroid to reduce inflammation. This can take weeks to see a full benefit, it took me about a month to get it. I would get some blood work done to ease your mind, I think there is something where they can check your ANAs and usually it can show whether or not you may have something autoimmune.

[aspensugar13]

Yes i am pretty sure it is going to be an autoimmune disorder.  But what im concerned about is possibly having scleroderma.  My symptoms match and my skin is showing changes rapidly.  My rheumatologist wouldnt test me a year ago so i am looking for a new one.  Didnt worry too much about him not testing until my skin really started to show changes.  I am just concerned because it does effect your lungs and can lead to death sometimes very early in the disease.  

I havent experienced any tightness.  Just cant breath at any time of the day.

[Allisonc78]

It could still be asthma. Is this autoimmune disease a definate diagnosis? There are forms of asthma, which cause you to have symptoms on a more continual basis. The only thing that would really get down to it would be a pft where they can measure your breathing, a CT scan can show hyperinflation which is also common in asthma. Do you experience any chest tightness?