I was diagnosed with asthma about 15 years ago. I have been well (no need for asthma meds) for about 5 years. Ok, maybe a little in denial because I have always had frequent lingering colds, trouble doing exercise, out of breath a lot, sinus infections every 6 weeks, missing work... In the last ten years I have been unable to fly in a plane without having intense sinus pain during descent followed by an infection within 24 hours.
However I have been more ill than usual since September of this year. I have had a cough that just won't go away (getting worse every week), as well as a chronic sinus infection that won't go away at all with antibiotics (about 4-5 different prescriptions since september). I am back on my asthma medication, but even that doesn't seem to help. I am coughing to the point of vomitting 5-6 times a day. I have no appetite and have lost 10 pounds in about a month. Tightness in my chest. Coughing is worse at night. Pain in my sinus to the point of not being able to sleep on my side or tummy because the pressure in very strong (yup, I already know I have a sinus infection). I have a nasal spray and wash as well. I don't use them - I have an aversion to sticking anything up my nose. I know - no excuse. I want to be healthy again, so I know I have to get on top of this nose aversion quickly. I have had pneumonia once in the past 3 years, and I felt like I had pneumonia again just this past mid-January (basically, feeling like a 73 year old smoker). I am waiting for results on my X-Ray (hopefully ruling out pneumonia).
The doc is sending me to see an ENT specialist (Ear, nose, throat specialist- appointment scheduled for end of April), as well as for a CT scan of my sinus...as well as going for a spirometry test. What is she looking for? Just my asthma or something else? I admit I am a little nervous. Reassurance greatly appreciated. Please don't chastise me about the nose aversion. I am actively trying to use the nose meds.