Things that point to asthma:
- Short of breath
- SPO2 drops when involuntary gasping.
- Tight chest/back especially when lying flat.
- Night gasping
- Relieved by warmth and teas with bronchodilator effects such as Redbush.
- Had serious eczema and mild hayfever growing up.
- Ventolin relieves symptoms
- Some hyperinflation on lung function test.
Things that say it is not asthma:
- Preventers not helping (technique is correct)
- Peak flow never drops and is very high. (640+)
- Very rare cough. Only felt in throats when mouth breathing in unknown-specific conditions.
- No wheeze
- SPO2 drops even with Ventolin in effect.
- Hyperinflation may be because I'm tall and skinny.
- Can vanish with small posture changes (e.g. Sat somewhat forwards playing video games or turning in bed) but may come back a few seconds later.
- Minimal family history, only in grandmother.
- Contradictory symptoms such as a SLOW heart rate and difficulty INHALING. Sometimes I don't
inhale at all when yawning!
I am praying I do not have asthma as I have a phobia of chronic illness and it would end my dream career and independence, but I cannot deny the most important thing here - the blue inhaler helps me a lot. Also Vocal Chord Dysfunction is out of the question. My pharmacist suggests the Ventolin relaxed chest muscles tended up from anxiety but I can't find anything backing this up - hoping it's true though. I also have LPR Reflux but only at night.
What is wrong with my body?! Please help!!