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RE: is it CF, asthm or what?
To I love trees,
I'm happy to see that i'm not the only who''s lungs function this way. I'm 39 years old, also with a life long history of asthma, sinus infections (3 sinus surgeries), lung infections. Lungs that have a tendency to fill up with mucous. My latest bacterial lung infection started out from excess mucous rattling in my lungs and has taken more then 7 weeks to just get back on top (with no mucous rattling in my lungs), thanks to 5 weeks of prednisone. I too take high does steroid inhalers and have trouble staying out of the yellow zone. My respirologist seems to think that simply adding more steroid is the answer. I also have had digestive issues for most of my life. My family doc I think is suspicious of my asthma diagnosis and keeps sending to different respirologists. The first one told me I had a very tiny amount of asthma, but I must stay on my high dose steroid inhaler, as the consequences were to great if I were to go off. So what do I have then? Saw a second one at the Pacific Lung Centre here in Vancouver, BC., and she decided I have asthma with no further tests. I do have some allergies, but I don't have the diurnal variations that many asthmatics have. Now she's sending me for more tests to try and figure out why I produce all that mucous. Like you, I have thought about adult onset cystic fibrosis as an alternate diagnosis. I'm not sure if I should suggest anything to the specialist, or just continue letting the doc do her thing...
This discussion is related to Is this CF, Asthma, or Who Knows What.
I'm happy to see that i'm not the only who''s lungs function this way. I'm 39 years old, also with a life long history of asthma, sinus infections (3 sinus surgeries), lung infections. Lungs that have a tendency to fill up with mucous. My latest bacterial lung infection started out from excess mucous rattling in my lungs and has taken more then 7 weeks to just get back on top (with no mucous rattling in my lungs), thanks to 5 weeks of prednisone. I too take high does steroid inhalers and have trouble staying out of the yellow zone. My respirologist seems to think that simply adding more steroid is the answer. I also have had digestive issues for most of my life. My family doc I think is suspicious of my asthma diagnosis and keeps sending to different respirologists. The first one told me I had a very tiny amount of asthma, but I must stay on my high dose steroid inhaler, as the consequences were to great if I were to go off. So what do I have then? Saw a second one at the Pacific Lung Centre here in Vancouver, BC., and she decided I have asthma with no further tests. I do have some allergies, but I don't have the diurnal variations that many asthmatics have. Now she's sending me for more tests to try and figure out why I produce all that mucous. Like you, I have thought about adult onset cystic fibrosis as an alternate diagnosis. I'm not sure if I should suggest anything to the specialist, or just continue letting the doc do her thing...
This discussion is related to Is this CF, Asthma, or Who Knows What.
Hi,
Just an update. I have been steadily under the care of my respirologist. She tested me for GERD and for any allergies that are not known. And I came out fine. But I was confused, because this last time I visited her, she asked how my "bronchitis" was doing? I thought you either have acute bronchitis, which I experienced about 4 months ago, or you have chronic bronchitis, which only smokers have. I agree that I still have problems with cough and excess mucous (though it doesn't rattle in my chest). However I have found that if I don't drink enough or have enough puffers I feel tight/congested in my chest. And I do find that I cough up more mucous when on a lower inhaler dose. She changed my inhalers to Pulmicort 400ug X 4puffs/day and Oxeze 12ug x 2 puffs/day plus an additional puff midday, because I was finding the effects of the inhaler was wearing off. Also my peak flow readings have still not fully recovered from before. My best peak flow was 500, and I could easily be over 450. Now I find that it sits around 380 to 430 most days and on very good days I can reach a maximum of 500. Will this improve eventually? I haven't asked about a CT scan yet. I'm really not how to approach her on that one. I get the feeling she is playing it by ear for now to see what my lungs do next. Actually the next time I see her in two months, I do another pulmonary function test.
Just an update. I have been steadily under the care of my respirologist. She tested me for GERD and for any allergies that are not known. And I came out fine. But I was confused, because this last time I visited her, she asked how my "bronchitis" was doing? I thought you either have acute bronchitis, which I experienced about 4 months ago, or you have chronic bronchitis, which only smokers have. I agree that I still have problems with cough and excess mucous (though it doesn't rattle in my chest). However I have found that if I don't drink enough or have enough puffers I feel tight/congested in my chest. And I do find that I cough up more mucous when on a lower inhaler dose. She changed my inhalers to Pulmicort 400ug X 4puffs/day and Oxeze 12ug x 2 puffs/day plus an additional puff midday, because I was finding the effects of the inhaler was wearing off. Also my peak flow readings have still not fully recovered from before. My best peak flow was 500, and I could easily be over 450. Now I find that it sits around 380 to 430 most days and on very good days I can reach a maximum of 500. Will this improve eventually? I haven't asked about a CT scan yet. I'm really not how to approach her on that one. I get the feeling she is playing it by ear for now to see what my lungs do next. Actually the next time I see her in two months, I do another pulmonary function test.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
Bronchiectasis too can be an alternate diagnosis along with cystic fibrosis. Along with all the tests of obstructive lung disease a CT scan of lungs should also be done.
Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!
Thanks for writing to the forum!
Bronchiectasis too can be an alternate diagnosis along with cystic fibrosis. Along with all the tests of obstructive lung disease a CT scan of lungs should also be done.
Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!
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