Wheezing?

[mmorgan1]

I have had this recurring problem for about 6 months. I relocated to the US from England just over a year ago. When I was in the UK I had severe Hayfever every summer, this cleared up when I moved here and I was really please.....However, I have had the following problems now for about 6 months. If I laughed it turned into a cough and I then spend the next hour with a bad cough. I am worse in the evenings. I also get short of breath and find it difficult to breath. I can get some relief from a Ventilin inhaler.
It has started to get worse now, I am wheezing and wake myself and my husband up at night. I cough and it is a wet Phlemy cough and I seem to be rattleing in my chest. I have NEVER smoked in my life, and only drink socially.
I know you are going to say visit a doctor...but I don't have a regulr GP yet as we are moving, and it costs and arm and a leg to visit the walk-in.
I am not in any pain...it is just keeping me awake and gets embarassing when I am coughing all the time.
I am only 38 and sometimes sound like 88 that smokes 60 a day....any ideas....

[National Jewish]

This sounds very much like asthma. All the symptoms you describe, along with a history of hay fever, make this the most likely cause. I understand your reluctance to seek help. However, this is the only way to get this problem under control. There are risks of having asthma that is uncontrolled. Waking up at night and wheezing regularly are signs of uncontrolled asthma.

[spicer]

You have asthma.  Asthma can have many symptoms that run from mild to coughing/wheezing to gasping for air.  The fact that you are coughing and wheezing and can get some relief from an inhaler point very strongly to it.  It is getting worse because it is not being controlled.  Once you get it under control and know the proper medications that work for you, you will feel better.  There is strong evidence that suggests people with asthma, hay fever, etc who move to a different climate because of their symptoms will usually find relief for a short period of time but more often than not, it will be replaced with a different type of allergy.  Example - if you are allergic to pollen and move out west where it's dry, you'll soon develop an allergy to dust; if you move south where it's more humid, you'll soon develop an allergy to mold, and so on.  
I know someone young like you who developed asthma and her main symptom was coughing, often brought on by laughter, which triggered the coughing.  She was diagnosed with asthma, uses two inhalers, and finds that sucking on hard candy throughout the day is what works for her.  
Please see someone who can start you on medication to help you and to keep your lungs from becoming damaged.  
Please let us know how you are and what you find.

[RTFLY]

I agree with concernedlady about seeing a physician SOON! Sooner than later. There are many great referal centers around the country for pulmonary diseases and conditions. You may aslo consider seeing an allergist. If you have had problems in the past, something may be rearing it's ugly head agian. But the bottom line is...see someone soon. You can't put a price tag on your life.
                             J.C.I., RCP RRT

[Concerned lady]

I hope you WILL see a good doctor very soon. It sounds like you may need a PULMONOLOGIST (LUNG DOCTOR) to help diagnose and treat you. There can be many things causing your breathing problems, and you need a good doctor to help you sort them all out.

Some causes could be one or more of these (or other causes, too!):

--pneumonia or bronchitis
--other lung problem(s) (conditions/diseases/infections/damage)
--asthma
--toxicity/poisoning from pesticides, etc.
--building related illness (like mold spores, chemical inhalation, etc.)
--gastric reflux causing damage to lungs, throat, vocal cords, etc.
--allergies
--etc.

It may be less "expensive" to go to a good doctor NOW, before your health might get worse!

You can also telephone the LUNG LINE nurses, at 1-800-222-LUNG(5864) to get ideas and advice from them. They can possibly recommend some good docs in your area, who had training at National Jewish Hospital, and who are very experienced with respiratory problems.

If you are near Denver, Colorado, you could go to National Jewish Hospital, and get wonderful help!

Sincerely, Concerned lady
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

[cooperins]

Hi,

It may just be post nasal drip.  But it also may  be some sort of allergy.  Allergic reactions can change I understand -- you may lose the hay fever but then something else can take its place.

If you live in an apartment are there cats nearby or where there any in it with last tenants? It could be the dust, etc. I am 54 years old and just found out that I am  highly allergic to cats. I had been around cats before and no problem, but at 54 I am now allergic to them. I guess I'd consider going to an allergist to see what's up.

Good luck,

Cooperins