I am hoping someone can help me here. Back in October I started having this weird feeling in my lungs... like that feeling you get when a chest cold is coming on. No congestion or anything, just kind of a wet feeling. It never really went away. Then in February, my lungs started feeling itchy (or rather my trachea). Thought it was allergies caused by Alder (the tree) as they tend to pollinate in February in Vancouver (in particular this year when it was unseasonably warm). Anyway, it only happened after I exercised really hard (playing roller hockey for example). Went to the Dr. and he gave me a rescue inhaler and said it is probably exercise induced asthma. The inhaler didn't really work and I had pain sensations in the center of my chest (had all the heart work up done as I was experiencing palpitations... ECG, holter, Echo.. came back with a benign condition... structurally normal heart). Anyway, the feeling in the lungs was still present, so my doc gave me a steroid inhaler. After a few weeks, the feeling went away. I thought this was working well. However, I started playing roller hockey again and my lungs were on fire (well, really, the trachea). I have always had a little burning in my lungs if I haven't run for a few weeks, but it usually goes away after five to ten minutes. Now however, it burns really bad during exercise. Then, just the other day I was late for a game and didn't get to warm up. My lungs were killing me... not just burning, but actually aching. Now, after that experience I have congestion and a productive cough (which I have never had unless I had a chest cold).
So, my question is, does this really sound like asthma? Is it possible that my asthma has actually gotten worse that quickly? Is it possible I have actually had a mild infection that the steroid inhaler made worse? I am really confused. I am seeing the doctor tomorrow, but I would like to know if any asthma suffers have had a similar experience. Would love any feedback.
Thanks in advance