Do I have asthma or something else?
Hi everyone!
I went to my GP maybe 3 weeks ago because I was having some problems and thought it might be nice to check a few others’ thoughts.
Mid January I had COVID. I tested positive for about a week and had symptoms for about 2.5 weeks. I was feeling completely better so went back to playing hockey. I had a few runs which all went well (about 4 times).
During hockey (this was a sprinting session) I had to stop as I was wheezing and having difficulty breathing (much more than I typically would) and after sitting down for about 15 minutes it was gone and I could go about as usual and finished the session. Later that week’s session went as normal. The following week during summer hockey I also started wheezing and getting very out of breath. I walked for the remainder of the session and about 10 minutes after it finished was better again.
After that I went to see my GP as I was worried about this issue and his first thoughts were that it was excercise induced asthma. He gave me a ventolin and spacer and I did blood tests.
That week I did go for a few runs. I did use ventolin before running and it did help (i had to use again for a longer run I did). I did get out of breath from a cough one time too and had to use it.
After that I went back to dr and blood test showed low iron so I got some supplements (mentioning just in case it helps with anything!).
That following week (last week) was a bit worse than previous - I had no problems during excercise (dr did say to take the releiver before my workouts), but the air con, random things, and sometimes at night I would have to use it for my cough, wheeze and shortness of breath (my chest often felt kinda tight too).
Today I did the spirometry (before and after the ventolin) and it came as completely normal. Dr did say to keep a diary of when I am having symptoms etc to keep a bit of a log to check back in a months time.
Is it likely still asthma or is it something else? I was wondering if it could be from the effects of having covid but not very sure. Would it be worthwhile going to a lung specialist?
Any advice and ideas would be appreciated! Thank you!
Hi Hockeygal, and welcome! I see you are a new member here, having joined earlier today,
in the early morning. We are glad to see you are already engaging with the community through this, your first
post.
Thanks so much for sharing your recent health history with the community. You may be aware we cannot provide medical
advice or diagnostics over the internet (for your own safety), but your concern certainly warrants a reply.
There are any number reasons which can trigger an asthma attack. Your internist appears to be trying to determine if
you have asthma and what type of asthma it is. To get a definitive diagnosis, there are several established diagnostic studies
that can be performed when ordered by a physician. Perhaps your private doctor can do this. You'll want to talk with him/her to determine
the best approach in your particular case. If you feel you can rely on him/her, then stick with your doctor. If what you need exceeds
his/her capability, you may want to seek out a specialist/pulmonologist.
What do you think?
Leon (site moderator asthma.net)
