I've had asthma symptoms my whole life, but they haven't gotten really bad until the last year. I recently began to write down my symptoms. Wheezing and coughing and excessive mucus after being outside, or when I cook. No allergies to animals. Only after being outside for a few hours. My son uses Albuterol with a nebulizer for lung issues (not asthma), so I began to use some of his medicine when I had an attack.
No health insurance ... decided to go to a doctor and pay cash.
I tell him all my sypmtoms and he tells me he will give me antibiotics, it can't possibly be astham, because i would have been diagnosed as a child, or would have had trouble in P.E. in school. I insist that these symptoms are like my Grandmother had (she had asthma). He says, it could be a lung infection. I said, for this long? He said, yes, that happens, and it could also be tuberculosis. He takes an X-ray and a Pulminary Function test. Everything was normal. I had to insist for a puffer. What do you think?
2007-09-08 16:19:19 · 9 answers · asked by Hicktown girl66 6 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
In order to properly diagnose a lung infection, chest x-ray (CXR) is needed as well as Sputum for Culture and Sensitivity( Sputum for C&S) or even Gm Stain. Pulmonary function test is used to diagnose certain type of lung disease esp asthma, bronchitis and emphysema even COPD. It test the lung capacity on taking in and putting out air and bringing oxygen to other parts of the body.
From the symptoms you describe; in most likelihood you have asthma. Just because you were not diagnosed since childhood, it doesn't mean you didn't have it then. It's just that your symptoms exacerbated as you get older. Did you know that technically, asthma is a form of allergy? So it could also be due to allergies to certain fumes, pollen or even food ( while cooking).
Bear in mind that you do have the genetic predisposition for asthma. I developed asthma as an adult. But thru out my wholel life, I have been saddled with allergies and upper repiratory infections. I have chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. I always relied on a Vick Inhaler and nose drops to enable me to breathe.
My asthma got so bad to the point I had to use a nebuliZing treatment. I also had to use two kinds of puffers. as well as have a humidifier in my room. At times, i resorted to using a vaporizer and even an electric fan just to be able to breathe.
But my symptoms abated since i quit smoking. I also strip the house off all dust, cobwebs, area rugs, and carpets. I had a tonsillectomy and a sinus surgery for nasal polyps.
Now, all I use are my oral antiasthmatic Singulair and antihistaminics medications. like Allegra. or OTC Claritin or low doses of chlortimetron.
If I were you, I would stay away from this quack doctor. On your own, you can solve your problem. Take vitamins esp Vit C and minerals sup[plements to boost up your immune system. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.
Avoid any allergens and contaminants that trigger these asthmatic -like symptoms.
Patients with tuberculosis have acidfast bacilli in their sputum. They also have hemoptysis or cough up blood. They have consumption or are so skinny or emaciated; as the disease ravages you. They have low-grade fevers esp in the evening. Main reason why i'm familiar with this: I had the past experience of taking care of tuberculous patients in the sanitarium with active TB.
No, I don't think you have some lung infection and esp not Tuberculosis. . .
2007-09-08 23:38:58 · answer #1 · answered by rosieC 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Did you take the antibiotics? Did they help?
It does sound like allergic asthma to me. And albuterol is not going to take care of the problem. Albuterol is not supposed to be used for more than twice a week--you start steroids or Advair and singulair.
These drs. are very expensive, so I don't know what to tell you. An albuterol inhaler is not enough (it did work, though, when you borrowed your son's?). You need a preventative. Singulair is a medication that reduces swelling in the tissues of the lungs and that helps a lot to keep an airway clear.
What kind of dr. did you see? You need an allergist or a pulmonologist.
This is all based on my experience. Until he got out of grade school, my son had asthma problems out the wazoo. My daughter nearly died of an asthma attack (the EMTs saved her). They both had ear problems, too.
Why don't you e-mail me, and I'll put you in touch with a friend of mine who is a nurse. She seems well-versed in medications, and I think she at least can help you make the decision whether to see another dr.
Debbie
2007-09-08 16:35:40 · answer #2 · answered by TX Mom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like it would be best for you to have a second opinion..if the cough is getting worse and you're feeling quite poorly, perhaps a visit to the ER would be more beneficial for you.
Did he listen to your chest?? If you have a lung infection..you definately need the antibiotics.....could be several different things, from asthma, to copd, (bronchial infection) could be pluresy, phnuemonia, allergy.....
I'm glad the xray showed to be normal and the pulminary function test to be normal.....but obviously somethings not right from the symptoms you're experiencing. If you're feeling worse or not getting better, definately go to the ER to get checked out~ Best to be safe than sorry*
2007-09-08 18:30:46 · answer #3 · answered by friskymisty01 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would get a second opinion. These Dr's today just don't seem to wanna face when they are wrong. and even with xrays and all test, they aren't even read right half the time. Get another opinion and be sure to take test results with you so other Dr. can opinionate on them. If your gonna waist the money for two Dr's Why not just go see a Natural Dr. Good Luk. Hope you find out soon wot the prob. is .
2007-09-08 16:52:59 · answer #4 · answered by Froggy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hate that you are going through this....
Unfortunately, you are going to have to PUSH.
I have had to go through the same thing, and with health insurance....
If you are still uncomfortable Instead of going to a private physician, go to the ER....the good thing about them is that they will not release you until they get to the bottom of what is going on.
You may also want to ask for an ultrasound of your chest...
The other side of all of this is....be careful to not become a self fulfiling prophecy and worry about it so much that you bring on more symptoms...something that I've done in the past.
Lastly...
Because of your health situation, I want to encourage you to explore getting health insurance....search online to see what you can get..I know it's expensive, but it is more expensive when you do not have any, and have to go to the doctor and/or buy meds frequently.
I pray for your body to be completely restored....good luck!
2007-09-08 16:38:57 · answer #5 · answered by parabelz 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We discuss patients with each other all of the time. It's part of the education process and ensures that a patient is receiving the best possible care. I can discuss all aspects of a patients case without ever disclosing WHO I am talking about. Therefore no confidentiality has been broken.
2016-04-03 22:04:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
1
2017-02-16 02:33:33 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I would first want to know if you are taking the
medicine that he prescribed and if it is helping or not.
I would give the medicine some time to see if it will
help you or not, if it helps you then he is on his game,
if it does not help then I would consider a second
doctor or another phone call back to him to let him know
the meds he gave you is not working.
2007-09-08 16:32:25 · answer #8 · answered by Cynthia W 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it never hurts to get a second opinion. sounds like either asthma or croup. but im not a dr. so what do i know.
2007-09-08 16:29:05 · answer #9 · answered by Fran J 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋