Asthma seems to run in my family, my sister’s got it. So it was not a major surprise when I was diagnosed with it, too. My doctor has a lousy bed side manner and is not very open to my questions. Hence, I’m here to ask for help. Let me give you a brief insight into my medical history. My problems started off with me feeling breathless about 3 months ago. A chest X-ray showed hyperventilated lungs and a flat diaphragm. I am not a smoker; still my doctor said my lungs looked like that of a chain smoker’s! He said Emphysema was usually the reason for this. A PFT and Methacholine tests were done which confirmed Asthma. I was put on Foradil and Pulmicort and asked to come for a review after 3 months. He never showed the patience to listen to my queries and just sent me away. I hardly know anything about my disease; all I’ve heard is that asthmatic’s have ‘attacks’. I seemed to have an irritable throat throughout. Does someone know anything about asthma that bothers you all the time? The doctor says that my asthma has affected a very small portion of my lungs and could be reversible. It could be allergy induced also. Dust, dander, pollen and etc. could cause all this. He never mentioned how long I should continue the medication.
I’m also keen on seeing an allergist. I can’t help wondering if I should treat the cause of my disease rather than suppress it with drugs when symptoms occur. Doctor says to wait but I can’t help object to his opinion. My sister’s been on allergy shots for years.
Another question that always crops up is, why is my lungs hyperventilated all the time? I thought this happened only when an asthmatic attack occurs. Is mine an exceptional case or is it common, folks, do respond.
