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Wrongly diagnosed asthma

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Posted 2/8/2007 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

My wife has been recently diagnosed with asthma. The peak flow test proved typical. But we are getting increasingly sceptical of the diagnosis.

Symptoms started after she stopped breat-feeding. For about six months, she would develop a mild cough in the week leading up to her period. Then the problem escalated. Over the next four or five months, the cough got stronger. It led to gagging and ocassional vomiting. The duration also increased. At first it would happen a few times a day and last for about four days. Now it can last up to ten days and it can happen up to twenty times. It used to be a really bad cough. Now it is largely gagging and vomiting. At the beginning of January, she ended up in A&E because she was in so much pain from coughing (her back and stomach muscles were all bruised). In the last few days, she has coughed and gagged up to every half hour and has vomited at least three times each day. She has noticed that after she eats, she will feel thirsty, she shall drink some water, and then she will vomit.

This does not sound much like asthma to us because she is never short of breath, has never experienced any wheezing, and can gag or vomit without even coughing lately. At first we joked that it was very much like morning sickness (and still is in a way), but it is far far worse.

She has been using Becometasone for three weeks now and it has had *no* effect. If she tries using the Salbutamol Sulphate inhaler she chokes even more (she can't breath it in usually because she is too busy coughing), but when she does manage it just aggravates things.

She has had an x-ray and CT scan. The x-ray showed very slightly enlarged lungs. The CT scan showed nothing more. The doctors have said asthma, but there seems to be an element of "let's try it and see" involved.

Can anyone say if they think this could be asthma or not? It would be even better if someone here had an idea of what else it might be.

With thanks,

Dom
Posted 2/8/2007 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
Could it be acid reflux? When I was pregnant I had awful reflux that was not painful but it usually led to vomiting. I couldn't drink water either. I took Prilosec OTC from about 12 weeks pregnant on. If I forgot, I threw up. As long as I took it I was fine. Good luck and I hope you find an answer soon for her.

mom2jjk

Posted 2/8/2007 9:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mom2jjk,

Thank you for your reply.

My wife does not have a burning sensation at any time, so I would doubt it. The only time she had a ything like acid reflux was about 2-4 weeks after she gave birth. She has had it once since then several months ago.

Do you think ti could be asthma or, from your experience, would you be sceptical too?

With thanks,

Dom
Posted 2/8/2007 9:16 AM (GMT 0)
Did she see a pulmonologist? I would see one to confirm the asthma diagnosis. It doesn't sound like my asthma symptoms but maybe everyone is different. Keep looking for the answer. Good luck:)
Posted 2/8/2007 9:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

No, she hasn't. I shall look into it. I don't know if it is relevant - I mention it because this all started after she stopped breast-feeding - but she had a Caesarian. I did wonder if this could trigger Sarcoid or something similar...

Thanks,

Dom
Posted 2/8/2007 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Dom.......sounds like your wife has been going thru an ordeal for sure. I'm just curious, has your wife ever been tested for TB (tuberculosis)? If not, maybe she should get tested for that to be on the safe side. To me, this doesn't quite sound like asthma but like ceebee said, everyone is different. It definately sounds like maybe she has more going on than asthma.
Posted 2/8/2007 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Red_34,

Yes, she was tested for TB and the result was negative. As you say, it sounds like it is something more going on.

We noticed yesterday that while her peak flow chart was consistantly about 410-420 in the morning and 440-450 in the evening while the cough was at its best, just before her period starts (when it is at its worst) it suddenly dropped to an average of 400 where it remained morning and evening. Does this cound consistant with asthma?

Thanks,

Dom
Posted 2/8/2007 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
Dom, a couple more questions......how old is your wife and is she taking birth control pills?
Posted 2/8/2007 6:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

She is 28 and she isn't taking birth control pills. She hasn't since before she was pregnant. She stopped breat feeding Dec 2005. The cough started a month or so later.

When she was in severe pain earlier this month, she took co-dydramol which seemed to suppress the cough. She took it for a week then stopped because she had reached the end of the 'cough cycle'.

Thanks,

Dom
Posted 2/8/2007 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
The reason I asked her age and about birth control is that I tried researching the possibility that her coughing is hormone related. The only thing I could find is that menopause and/or birth control pills and maybe the possibility of other female issues can have coughing as a side effect. The main thing that I found with the coughing and vomiting was due to when a woman's cycles are disrupted due to fibroids or other bleeding disorders of the female organs. Which I don't think is the case with your wife yes? All I can suggest is if you are not happy with your wife's diagnoses, maybe go to another doc for a second opinion if you are able.
Posted 2/8/2007 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I did think of hormones because she had had a Caesarian. The doctors did some hormone tests and found nothing.

I'm looking into her getting a second opinion now.

Please let me know if you have any more ideas as to what else it might be.

With thanks,

Dom
Posted 2/9/2007 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
DDD2012,

 Your wife, should see a specialist like a Allergist/ASthma doctor. I would suggest that your wife have some Allergy Testing Done by a specialist. If your wife hasn't been through this already Have all the necessary breathing test there are, Spirometery, Peak fLOW, there are several other ones. Acid Reflex could be a possiblity. Does your wife experience frequent Sinus Infections? they can cause Post Nasal Drip that has a terrible cough with it. Coughing to the point of vomitting. As far as Asthma Goes not all people with Asthma Wheeze. There are several different syptoms of Asthma, every Asthmatic is different they don't always have the same syptoms.

 Asthma Symptoms: Coughing,Wheezing, Chest Tightness, Rapid Breathing, Shortness of Breath. Actually, sometimes Coughing is the only syptom of ASTHMA. Your wife, may have to experience with many different types of Asthma medication before there is an improvement. I strongly recommend a Asthma Controller Medication called Advair Diskus.

I currently take that medication, and It has saved my life not kidding. Nebulizer at home might just benefit your wife. Coughing constantly and vomitting like your saying your wife does has to do with inflammation in your wife's lungs. Whether it be an viral infection or A bacterial infection. Things that you were explaining does sound like Asthma. I also have Asthma. I would definetly see a Specialist. Hope, this helps some for you. Let us know your wife progress. Have a nice day!

Posted 6/9/2007 12:54 AM (GMT 0)

Dom

I agree.  It doesn't sound like asthma.  Those doctors don't know what they're talking about.  You need help for your wife so you need to take her to different doctors.  Shes really suffering.   Remember that you're more conserned about this than those doctors.  I don't know what the problem is  but I know thats a wrong diagnosis.  I hope you find real help soon.

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