Symptoms.
Hey everyone. Wondering if you could tell me some of the things your experienced before being diagnosed.
The reason I ask is.. back in Jan 2023 I got covid. About a week after symptoms disappeared I stated this weird wheeze cough when I exhale. I have shortness of breath and chest tightness. My CT and xray came back as clear. So they are sending me to a pulmonologist for further testing. I am miserable and not sure what to do at this point because I have been waiting forever to get into the Dr and my appointment isn't till mid may.
Hi
, and welcome! I see you are a new member here, having joined today, just about five hours ago. We are glad to see you are already engaging with the community through this, your first post.
There are specific diagnostic tests that can be provided to help physicians come up with a definitive diagnosis. I thought this article, might provide you with some insight as to determining a diagnosis of asthma: https://asthma.net/diagnosis.
I understand how frustrating it must be to have to wait until May for an appointment with the specialist. Is there any way you might be able to get your appointment moved up? Might there be another pulmonologist in your area that can see you sooner?
Perhaps the physicians who are 'sending' you to this pulmonologist can intervene on your behalf. With the shortness of breath (SOB) and chest tightness that you've shared you are feeling, this may be reason enough to have your appointment bumped up.
What do you think?
Leon (site moderator asthma.net)thanks for the reply. I have called the specialist office mtiple times. They have no openings but said they'd keep ne in mind if they have one. There is another pulmonologist in my area but he won't see you unless he is your pcp. I was just gonna switch to him since I've been trying to find a new pcp but he has horrible reviews. I'm talking like 1.7/10 reviews.. but I sent a message out to my pcp today in hopes she will send me to the ENT to test for allergic asthma. So just waiting to see if she will do that. Hi again, Desi, and thanks for the response and further explanation - I appreciate it! Sounds like you have covered all your bases!
I had a similar situation trying to get an appointment with a podiatrist. As a 'new' patient, they did not have an opening (needing a 1/2 hour instead of the usual 15 minutes), for six whole weeks. Although this was by no means an emergency, I called the receptionist every other day (with her encouragement). Before I knew it, she somehow had an opening within the next week!!
Perhaps self advocating might get you in to see the pulmonologist you want to see a bit earlier. I would think it's worth a try! If it works, great - but if not, then maybe the allergist will work out.
Good luck and please check back and let us know how this works out for you!
All the best,
Leon (site moderator asthma.net)
Hii
, I am so sorry to hear about your problem. My mom has suffered from chronic asthma for the past 2 years. A few months back, She contracted COVID while working. The first thing she noticed was the loss of smell - but thought it was just an allergy. When the cough became so bad and intense, she consulted with her doctor through telehealth Ongo Care. After the evaluation, the doctor advised her to be hospitalized ASAP. We reached the hospital with proper masks and gloves. After that, They gave her oxygen, and after 1 day everything was okay. Although she was prescribed antibiotics, she didn't take them. She recovered soon and handled it like some ordinary flu. I think you should need to go with a pulmonologist, that will help you to get out of this situation. I hope you will be better from this. Hi feliza, and thanks for weighing in and sharing your own family experience (your mom), managing both asthma and COVID. We appreciate you lending your support and encouragement to the community.
Wishing you well,
Leon (site moderator asthma.net)
