@squire123 I think I did have the nitric oxide test when I saw a pulmonologist at Mayo. I don't remember much about it as it was just a reading and it didn't cause issues. I did have a methylcholine challenge test (not at Mayo) years ago and that was awful. They keep increasing the amount you inhale of it until they take away lung function and are supposed to stop at a 20% loss. I was very close to that, and they had me inhale another dose and it put me in the emergency room taking away 30% of my lung function and oxygen absorption. All the emergency room did was monitor me and have me use my inhaler with extra doses for a few hours until things started improving. I was so weak from lack of oxygen I could hardly stand and I couldn't exert myself to walk. Even holding my purse was too much. I don't really think a methylcholine test is necessary because asthma can be diagnosed with symptoms and this test has the risk of a bad reaction.

I do tend to get sinus infections that move into my lungs and I treat that if it happens. I learned a good way to do that at Mayo when I was asked to proactively treat with antibiotic ointment in my nose for a few days before spine surgery. That works great, clears the infection and then I can get the phlegm out, and I can breathe again. My clue that it's not just asthma is when my resting heart rate goes up around 100 beats per minute. I have used allergy shots and antihistamines to control the allergies that drive the asthma and that seems to be enough most of the time.

Jennifer

It's not. Dealing with dupixant rep as they want $1,109.01 a month for the drug. Trilogy was $450 a month, had to move over to Breo, with a zero dollar copay. Trying to get rid of the mucus flow with antihistamines. Pon top of all, my tooth implant is infected and despite antibiotics, will probably fail and be removed tomorrow. 2nd opinion from different Dr in the practice at noon today. Don't need the infection to go into my sinus or brain. Shit keeps happening.

I have had neither tests..I had a simple blood test which than gave the diagnois of e-asthma.
I take Enerzair breezhaler, and once every 2 months I take by self injection Fasenra by AstraZeneca.My breathing has improved tremendously. Now I just have this small 9mm noducle to worry about..which has nothing to do with the medicine.

I am so sorry for the late reply, Colleen. Thank you for your response!

I am unsure of which test I had, I was told it was simply a Pulmonary Function Test. However, after reading your links, it sounds like I had a methacholine challenge test. All I remember was them saying I had light asthma with my NO being 18 and anything over 16 being a positive test result. I requested my medical records but they tried to charge me $25!

They tried me on a maintenance inhaler and then an inhaler when I was symptomatic but nothing worked. So they ended up saying I might have non-allergic rhinitis and I am already confirmed to have LPR. I discontinued the inhalers so I am technically not on any treatment for asthma at the moment.

I am just hoping I can find a conclusive answer on if it's truly asthma related or if my issues breathing have more to do with other diagnoses.