Misdiagnosed with asthma
I took allergy immunotherapy shots for 4 weeks got really sick. Had some wheezing. Was put on flovent 44 mcg 1 puff twice a day and albuterol. I had pft and methacoline challenge test done and both were negative. The pulmonologists and ENT doctors said I don't have asthma and pulmonologists said to stop the meds. I stopped them but felt so sick had chest discomfort and nausea,and sometimes peak flow was lower and tight chest but I was always in the green zone. Pulmonologists said just breath through it but its the nausea feeling that is so bad.I panicked so I broke down and took albuterol a couple of times and flovent once and doctor let me go back on the meds. It was the nausea that was so bad. I wasn't told to taper off the meds,so I wonder if that's why I felt so bad after quit taking them. But how do you taper off when you only take 1 puff of 44mcg twice a day? I don't want to be on the meds if I don't have asthma. Also I was told from ENT doctor that if blood test is negative you don't have allergies even if your skin test is positive. Anyone else ever told that?
Thanks for sharing insight into your life with this frustrating experience,
. I certainly hope others chime in and offer up some information that may help. If you're still experiencing symptoms and discomfort, even after discontinuing your medication as advised by the pulmonologists, I strongly recommend seeking a second opinion from another healthcare provider.
My question to you is ... did you find the albuterol inhaler and Flovent had a positive effect on your breathing, wheezing, and discomfort?
It's possible that your symptoms are related to asthma, even if your previous doctors have ruled it out. Different individuals can have unique presentations of asthma, and it may not always fit into a standard diagnosis. Another healthcare professional might have a different perspective or suggest alternative treatments to help manage your symptoms and alleviate the discomfort you're experiencing.
Your health and well-being are of utmost importance, so don't hesitate to seek a second opinion and express your concerns about the nausea and discomfort you've been feeling. I hope you find answers to your questions. Tapering off medications can and should be explained by the treating physician. I anticipate other replies. Thoughtfully, Rebecca (community moderator)Yes I feel like the meds helped. I don't know if I get put back on asthma meds if I should try allergy immunotherpy shots as they made me sick the whole month of July. If I tried them again they would start out slower doing just one shot and at a lower starting dose. if I knew if they would help and not make things worse. 
I hear you,
- that can be a very real concern especially, given what you have been through already. I thought your idea of starting a new forum on this very issue, was a good one.
For those interested, centralsteriletech, is looking for the community's input. You can access the conversation she started here: https://asthma.net/forums/allergy-shots-for-asthma.
Good luck!
Leon L (author/moderator asthma.net)
Hi, I have had muscle problems for 18 months and weakness before that, so weak dressing was a problem, many blood tests were carried out and all came back green, then the breathing problems began with whizzing , shortness of breath, hospitalised for 4 days on oxygen and nebuliser, more tests with more green results, blood oxygen 97 when I went in and 93 when discharged, all the symptoms of asthma and COPD but no positive tests, so they are treating the symptoms now with Butesonide which helps. Any thoughts?
I am curious ... and assume it was done while in the hospital, but ... did they check your heart? What about your metabolic health? These symptoms could also be a respiratory illness other than asthma or COPD. There are so many viruses and colds going around. Are you feeling any better since getting out of the hospital? I am glad they are treating the symptoms and hope you find answers soon to help sort out a good medication regimen. With regard, Rebecca (community moderator) Hi again,
- While looking over this entire conversation, I noticed that I did not provide you with the right link for the material which focuses on diagnosing COPD. I am sorry if this was confusing.
In order to make it right, here is the correct link to the article about diagnosing COPD: https://copd.net/diagnosis.
I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Warmly,
Leon L (author/moderator asthma.net)
Thanks for the link Leon, interesting stuff, I'm still coughing and whizzing but getting better on Budesonide, blood oxygen is still low at 87 to 92, when admitted to hospital it was 87 not 97 as I indicated before, brain is a bit slow.
I'm going for more tests in a couple of weeks, lung function tests, I do the 6 minute walk test most days to check progress or not, it's steady at 450m , but slopes make me really breathless. Will keep you posted.Hi again,
, and thank you for acknowledging my response(s) to you. All of this material is interesting (to us) when it comes to reading about our diseases. From my perspective, the more one knows/understands about their medical diagnoses, the better able they will be to manage them in concert with their physician(s).
I hear you about the oxygen saturation level. A hospitalization admission with an oxygen saturation level of 87% is of clinical significance. If your saturation levels currently are below 90% on a regular basis, I wonder how you are feeling during those periods of time? If, as you shared, your 'brain is a bit slow', it could very well be related to a low oxygen saturation/ oxygen blood level. If this is persistent and, you are still feeling sluggish, you may want to keep your physician apprised of that. If further treatment is in order, the doctor will be able to guide you through this.
I appreciate that you plan to keep us posted as to how you're doing. We have a genuine concern for your good health!
Warm regards,
Leon L (author/moderator asthma.net)
