PFT Normal but why do meds work?

[crystalfresh]

In a nut shell I'm complaining of pretty severe asthma from allergy exposure. Dr says allergy can not cause asthma in someone who does not have asthma and that I do not have asthma based on my PFT test. After allergy exposure I have a feeling of inflammation pressure deep in my chest and or narrowing of my airway with flows reduced over 20% on my peak meter, but only to allergy exposure. I've tried inhaled steroids that reversed all feelings of inflammation and albuterol that quickly opens my airway. I had side effects to the inhaled steroid and stopped taking it, now off the steroid breathing problems are back strong. The thing is the doctors can't find asthma or inflammation with a PFT test and referred me to a phsyc doctor to deal with a mental disorder. What tests can I do to prove I'm not crazy in the head. By the time I get to the doctors office the allergy is gone and x-ray won't show the problems. Because the inhaler works so well, I'm assuming it has to be asthma but doctors say it's all in my head. I don't want to find another doctor I want some kind of proof what it is. Unless I drag a cat or dog in to the doctors office to let them see my allergy close up my airway they won't believe me because it didn't show up on the PFT so I don't have asthma. Help! How can I prove to them it's not in my head?

[allmymarbles]

Until you have a diagnosis, trial and error is a good way to go. But when trying out supplements or meds, it is best to add only one at a time to your regimen. Otherwise you won't know which one was helpful (or the opposite).

Someone I know was suffering from generalized inflammation. She ultimately found some very helpful supplements. It turned out she has a mild case of lupus. Now she can fine-tune a regimen that was helping. If she hadn't gone the trial and error route and waited for a diagnosis she would have been much worse off.

[crystalfresh]

I'm accepting that maybe I don't have asthma or maybe I don't understand the difference between asthma and allergies, but not accepting that I don't have inflammation. Clearly corticosteroids give me relief from all of it. I'm exploring other possibilities, but in my head, I see no evidence to support that. If it were in my head the meds wouldn't work. But I do so badly want to know why it's happening to treat properly. At least I know what triggers it even if they say that's not possible. I'm just guessing by trying different meds and using the meds that have the best results at treating an unknown condition related to allergies.

[allmymarbles]

Yes, and become more aggressive about making him listen. Son't forget that you are a paying customer. He works for you.

[babs369]

find a new doctor!!!

[allmymarbles]

"it's all in your head" is a diagnosis made by doctors who do not take their patients seriously. Because of such spurious diagnoses, people can go untreated for years, dismissed as neurotic or hypochondriacal. I have been that route, but finally got cured, unfortunately after decades.

Without knowing what is specifically wrong with you, it would not hurt to take natural anti-inflammatories. Vitamin B6, vitamin C, boswellia, mullein, and marshmallow are just a few you can try. Look on the internet for other suggestions. You say that when you get to the doctor's office your symptoms often disappear. This could be explained by your being upset, causing a rush of adrenalin which effectively cancels them out. X-rays, by the way, are not helpful in diagnosing asthma or allergies.

[crystalfresh]

Immune system disease called "Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis". I came across this disease searching Wikipedia. It's not asthma but asthma like symptoms. It sounds exactly like what I have. I'm taking something with me to my next doctors app that sets off my airway restriction when breathing in the smell. Lets see what the dr says. I'm learning there are many other conditions that mimic asthma symptoms, and are real but are unrelated to asthma. I'll update after my next dr visit.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypersensitivity_pneumonitis