What does it mean if my nitrous oxide was 18 and max is 16?

Posted by LPRSOB @jdbarr1, Feb 22 2:31am

I have been suffering from silent reflux for the past few years. It makes breathing a bit harder at times. Swallowing as well.

I was sent to a pulmonologist and they performed a PFT. They didn’t find much but my nitrous oxide was at 18 and the upper limit is supposedly 16 according to the doctor. I had been tried on albuterol before, and it did nothing. I had my lung scan as well, and nothing showed up.

I was also informed that the PFT could be inconclusive, particularly when it showed such light asthma like in my case. They even told me anxiety could skew the test and when I took the test I believe I was breath holding involuntarily.

Does it seem like this is asthma or is it possible my main issue breathing revolves around reflux? I’ve been having trouble separating out all my diagnoses and would like to rule out asthma if I could. This would allow me to focus on vocal cord dysfunction, LPR, and potentially any allergy issues.

Any experiences people have had with asthma testing would be greatly appreciated, as well as any knowledge of how asthma interacts with LPR, vocal cord dysfunction, allergies or any other related condition.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Asthma & Allergy Support Group.

Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Feb 27 5:46pm

In reply to @squire123 "Had clindamycin right when she did the implant. It still got infected. Then azithromycin. It was..." + (show)

@squire123 I'm sorry you are going through this. I know it is tough. FYI, Cipro can weaken tendons like the Achilles tendon, so just be careful not to stress your ankles. Take it easy and rest.
Thinking of you,
Jennifer

LPRSOB | @jdbarr1 | Mar 3 12:38am

In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @jdbarr1, did you have fractional exhaled nitric oxide test (called a FeNO test)? It measures..." + (show)

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.

LPRSOB | @jdbarr1 | Mar 3 12:41am

In reply to @363 "I have had neither tests..I had a simple blood test which than gave the diagnois of..." + (show)

Hi there!

Do you know how someone might go about doing the blood test? What is e-asthma?

Thank you!

Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Mar 3 12:50am

In reply to @jdbarr1 "Hi there! Do you know how someone might go about doing the blood test? What is..." + (show)

@jdbarr1 e-asthma means eosinophilic asthma or "allergic asthma". Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell involved with allergies, and allergies cause phlegm and swelling of the lining of the airways. This is what I have, and controlling the allergies helps control the asthma. I also react to inhaling cold air.

Jennifer

363 | @363 | Mar 3 11:32am

In reply to @jdbarr1 "Hi there! Do you know how someone might go about doing the blood test? What is..." + (show)

Hello..Just ask your GP or Respertologist for a blood test for eosinophilic asthma...just like they check your cholesterol levels this checks your eosinophilic levels...they can also do a sputum test where you spit in a sample jar....It is referred to e-asthma and you can google it but it is when the eosinophilics attack your airways and cause them to swell so you cannot breathe. Most puffers do not help this type of asthma and you need what is called a biologic. I am on once called Fascenra and it is by self injection every 2 months.. many people do not use puffers at all once they know and just use the biologic..hope this helps..It has made a world of difference for me by increasing my lung function by 20%..unfortunately the airways are permanently damaged due to being diagnosed for years with COPD which I never ever smoked but of course non smokers can get it too.

LPRSOB | @jdbarr1 | Mar 7 12:59am

In reply to @jenniferhunter "@jdbarr1 e-asthma means eosinophilic asthma or "allergic asthma". Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell..." + (show)

Thank you for your response! I am going to have to check with my provider about this.

I wonder if my diagnosis of LPR and VCD is wrong and I have something like this instead. Or maybe it is just all of them.

Nonetheless, thanks again!

LPRSOB | @jdbarr1 | Mar 7 1:00am

In reply to @363 "Hello..Just ask your GP or Respertologist for a blood test for eosinophilic asthma...just like they check..." + (show)

I am so sorry to hear about the COPD! I hope it is as manageable as possible for you!

I will ask my doctor about this. Thank you for informing me on this.

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