Hi! I was "diagnosed" with asthma last year. Reason I put the quotation by diagnosed, was because the PFT results, it said "likely asthma". Since last November, I have had 5 bouts of pneumonia and bronchitis. Always starts as a minor head cold, moves down after 2 days into my chest. I currently have bronchitis right now, on prednisone and Levequin. Last time I had bronchitis (seems to be every other month) I was on prednisone and zpack. 5 days later it turned into pneumonia even with the antibio… read more
Be sure that when you go to the specialist, you take the results of the PFT so they can review it. You may need to have another one done if that one is more than a year old. You might want to discuss the possibility of trying daliresp or azithromycin three times a week to try to reduce those exacerbations. Good luck!
Were you ever given any meds for your "likely asthma"? With your history of bronchitis, I certainly agree with your doc that a referral to a specialist is in order. You should ask for a spirometry or a pulmonary function test to determine whether you really do have asthma or if it's COPD or something else. You really need a good diagnostic workup and a major league treatment plan once the diagnosis is confirmed. Give your doc credit for making the referral; many wouldn't have picked up the signs. Let us know what happens.......
I try to stay as active as possible, usually moving all day long. I am also short of breath as I eat, which is very annoying lol
@A MyCOPDTeam Member, I am on many sites and yes it is normal to be this sick. Many are. I hope you have quit smoking. You need to be moving not sitting around. I do exercises in one group and also there are many on You-tube that I do. I also have on that I walk to .. I can't do the whole 15 min. Get SOB. Your PFT is what they use to determine what medicines you need etc. It is also important to take you meds. at the same time each day. Try to stay away from cig. smoke and other irritants as they can affect your breathing.
It sounds to me that they are treating you correctly. COPD is an umbrella that cover many lung diseases. Chronic bronchitis, emphasema, and refactory asthma being the main ones. I have asthma but I have always had it. the COPD was diagnosed in 2014 because It can no longer be controlled. Hope this helps some.