Hi guys!
I just got home from my pulmonary functions tests and the follow-up with the pulmonologist. She said that judging from my symptoms and the test results, that I've had more severe asthma than I thought and that it's gone untreated all this time. She's starting me on Advair 2 x a day and I'm supposed to use my albuterol before exercising and not be so slow to use it if I become out of breath at other times. I've got a methylcholine (sp?) challenge test scheduled for April with another follow-up with the pulmonologist to see how the test turns out and if the meds have had any effect.
She was REALLY thorough; spent about 45 minutes with me, asked a lot of questions and answered all of mine. She also expressed how badly she felt that all this time I've been unable to do, or limited in how well I could do the things I enjoy for over 20 years all because of a misdiagnosis. She said she is very sure (but won't say definitively until the next test) that asthma has been the problem all along and that with the right medications I should be able to do all the hiking, biking, running and swimming that I want!
I never considered asthma, I guess because of my misconceptions. I thought that the only time my asthma was acting up was when I became wheezy and and coughing from either exerting myself in cold weather or going to a petstore with lots of rodents and bunnies. Apparently just regular shortness of breath can be asthma too, and I never knew that, so never considered it as a possible cause. After all, I only need my inhaler (or so I thought) maybe 3-5 times a year.
I guess I may be leaving you all once I reach the end of this "story" since I don't have a valve problem after all. I'll let you all know if the medications start working (she said it will take up to 2 weeks to feel a difference with the Advair) and what happens with the next test and visit. Then after that, well I guess there won't be a reason for me to be here at this forum. You have been wonderful support and encouragement for me, regardless of what my actual problem was. I didn't give up and it was because of all of you! You are a very special bunch of people and I have enjoyed getting to visit with you. Like I said though, I'll let you know what the next test/doctor visit says.
