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What to do with different diagnoses from different doctors?
In December of 2020, I was diagnosed with Covid-19 and double lung pneumonia. Upon release from the hospital after 5 days in isolation, my release instructions were to use Oxygen 24/7 for the remainder of my life. The day I got back home from the hospital, I forced myself to exercise by walking every day and within 2 months I was walking 2.5 miles a day and was able to take myself off oxygen. I have not needed to use it since. (My resting Oxygen levels remain around 95 both day and night.)
Shortly after stopped the use of oxygen, I started having "Wet coughing" spells which typically were in the morning. Periodically I get them in the afternoon. I've tried using Albuterol to treat the condition without any success.
Because the coughing continued, about 3 years ago, I decided to contact a pomologist to see if they could determine what was the cause of the coughing. After the breathing test, I was diagnosed with COPD. (I had quit smoking some 32 years earlier.) The doctor decided to treat the COPD with 2 puffs of Spiriva Respimat each day.
After a couple more years, I noticed my COPD was not getting any worse and got to thinking that this is not typical of COPD because it is a condition that gets progressively worse as time goes by. I called a different pulmonologist to get another breathing test, trying to determine what exactly what is really causing the wet coughing. Upon completing the second breathing test, the doctor told me I didn't have COPD. I was advised that I have Age Of onset Asthma. So, now they are treating my Asthma with 2 puffs of Spiriva Respimat in the morning and 1 puff of Mometasone in the morning and 1 puff 12 hours later in the evening.
I still am struggling with prolonged wet coughing spells daily. They are also treating me for Ipratropium nasal spray for a diagnosed Rhinitis issue. Has anyone experienced anything like this? I really need help and don't know where to turn.
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Hello,
I'm sorry, I've dealt with a wet cough, excessive phlegm as well. It's rough!
As a result a few years ago I was diagnosed with cough variant asthma. Cough was my only respiratory symptom, no wheezing or shortness of breath. I also had skin issues at the time. The allergist started me with 3 antihistamines daily, Flovent Diskus 250 twice daily. For me that got the cough under control and it remains controlled.
After a few months I moved to Advair 100/50 and am now at Advair 250/50. When I've gotten sick with seasonal things or even covid, the cough comes raring back and stays long after the virus has run it's course. In those cases a couple weeks of Trelegy does the trick. I also use Albuterol when I get sick at the direction of my Dr.
Hope you find a combination of treatments that works for you!
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3 ReactionsYes, I had a CT performed on 12/02/24 and another CT on 01/02/2025. Results did not indicate anything different from previous CT scans performed back thru the years which indicated I have something called bilateral calcification as a result of asbestos exposure which I've had since I was in my early 20's. I'm now 85.
Asthmatics are for lack of a better statement, "We are snotty people." Born with asthma and I have have been snotty and mucusey all my life. For me at least, this would be normal. Take Claritin D, ask your Dr. first. It dries up a lot of drainage and mucus.
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1 ReactionI have had asthma all my life. Around 2020 I had a mild case of COVID. Before this, I had experienced wet coughs and post nasal drip. I have used several inhaled steriods and albuterol for many years. My symptoms would wax and wane. Now for the past 2 years they are persistant. I use Arnuity, and albueterol and for the past 6 months added Fluticasone Propionate nose spray. I use my Albueterol several times a week, not every day.
My doctor said this is probably as good as it will get and referred me to allergist or pulminoligist. I am undecided about the referral. Maybe there is another combination that would help. Of course an allergist or pulminolgist may be an option I should tryl
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1 ReactionThere is a new protocol for chronic asthma that has helped me - Symbicort, which is a combination of budesonide and formoterol. It is also available as a generic. The budesonide is a corticosteroid considered safe for long term use. Formoterol is a long-term beta-agonist, it helps keep the airways open longer than albuterol.
Another is Subair - a combination of albuterol and budesonide.
So it is quite likely worth your time to visit the pulmonologist. And if you end up on one of the newer inhalers, you can share the experience with your primary so they can get an updated view of treatment.
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