Silent Asthma. NO wheeze but very tight chest and bad coughing.
How does anyone convince doctors that they have asthma? I don't wheeze, but have severe chest tightness, cough and mucus
They have stopped my prednisilone tablets but that was the only thing that helped me. Steroid inhalers do not work. No wonder I am anxious. Nobody's listening. Suffering for eight years.
Hi
- and thanks for sharing your present situation managing this disease (asthma), with the community.
You may find that some physicians are more well versed in the diagnosis, management and treatment of asthma than others. If you feel the doctor(s) who provide your medical care are not doing the right thing by you, would you consider seeking out another physician?
To your point about about wheezing, you are, no doubt, aware that asthma affects everyone differently. As well, not all asthmatics experience wheezing.
I thought you might gain some additional insight from these two articles:
First, this one, which speaks to the different types of asthma: https://asthma.net/living/asthma-not-one-size-fits-disease.
And next, this material which addresses asthma and wheezing: https://asthma.net/living/wheezing.
I do hope you find the information is helpful in a practical way.
Wishing you well,
Leon L (author/moderator asthma.net)There’s nothing silent about this. It may well be cough variant asthma, and a tightening chest would be a significant escalation of the attack.
Unless your doctor has a VERY good reason for not looking at asthma (diagnosis of COPD or heart failure, for instance), you need a different doctor. At least get a second opinion
See this link: https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-procedures-and-tests/methacholine-challenge-test
This test can absolutely confirm or rule out a diagnosis of asthma.I had similar difficulties getting my asthma diagnosed because I didn’t wheeze. I saw 6 allergists in my hometown before going to Mayo in Rochester, MN. The methacholine challenge was the first test they did and it confirmed my asthma. I have no trouble now getting the medication and treatment I need. Hope you are able to go to a similar health care center and receive appropriate tests!
hello! Thank you for sharing the link to the ALA's information on lung function testing. Everyone should have this diagnostic testing to not only rule out/in asthma, but to gauge the severity of your disease. Second opinions are always a good idea.
Here's one of the articles on our site that explains silent asthma a little better. https://asthma.net/living/atypical-symptoms
~ Lorene, site moderator
Same symptoms, was dx by methacholine challenge test. The only difference, i had and have good pulm md who urged me to get tested after cough wasnt getting better a year post fungal pna. My lung funcrion test was bordeline. I was resistant at 1st not wanting another diagnosis, but now see why md was advocating for me to get tested.
. I hope you find md who advocates for you. thank you. Yes!
She took care of fungal pna nodule in may 2019- 2020, now its deemed to be dormant.
She dx asthma Sept 2020, she has been managing symtpms since then, have my meds regimen and she helps when i have flare ups.
She is open to try new things, ie from Gina annual reports, etc.
I have also been following this conversation. So glad to hear you are feeling better. It sounds like you have found yourself a good/thorough doctor working with you. Wishing you all the best. John. community moderator
