Adult onset Asthma?

@cwal Asthma and Bronchiectasis often go together.
I was diagnosed with asthma at the age of forty, but realize I probably have had it since about the age of 11 or 12, around the same time I regularly began suffering from pneumonia and sinus infections. Silly me - I had two asthmatic kids and two nieces, and I never connected my symptoms with theirs because my "triggers" were different.
I learned that asthma and pneumonia (either one severe case or a number of infections) can often be predictive of developing bronchiectasis.
Others are like you, suggestion comes during treatment for MAC and or Bronchiectasis.

Here was a game-changer for me -my pulmonologist decided my Asthma was primary - chest tightness, shortness of breath - and Bronchiectasis secondary. Since I did not have any active MAC or other infection, she started me on a med originally for COPD, Symbicort. It contains formoterol, a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) that opens airways like albuterol or levalbuterol, but is effective for 10-12 hours instead of 2-3. Yes, it contains a corticosteroid, but there is a formulation with a very low dose, and so far has not caused me any problem.

What treatment has been suggested to you?
Sue

No treatment suggested yet. I was Dx with MAC & Bronchiectasis first. Chest tightness (which happens sporadically and without defined triggers) came later.
It came along insidiously without me realizing what it was if that makes sense. No other asthma symptoms now or before. That's why I wondered if it's the inflammatory nature of the MAC itself that could be the cause of the airways / chest tightness?
I do have an "abnormal" spirometry. Spirometry is the only test I know of that is done for asthma. Which that seems odd to me since abnormal could indicate other obstructive disease also.

I don’t have MAC, but do have mild adult onset asthma and mild bronchiectasis. My only symptom is a cough and I had it for a few years before I had the abnormal CT and subsequent pulmonary work-up. At Mayo for second opinion, they changed my inhaler to Advair and it was like miracle drug…that little nagging cough disappeared.
Did they do a methacholine challenge test during your PFT? That’s how mine was diagnosed and pulmonary doc said other docs had missed it before because they didn’t do that.

I'm at Jewish National Hospital in Denver, at age 80, dx of mild asthma and obstructive airway disease, the sputum test was negative. Copiously amounts of mucus, fatigue, sob, chronic cough. Repeat sputum as 1st one negative. Mycrobacterium lentiflavin was present a yr ago. No meds prescibed, yet. Will see a pulmonologist while here.

No testing done yet. One doc expressed this opinion and I've been trying to figure out if I do have adult onset asthma or if my infrequent chest tightness is due to the inflammation of the airways with the MAC. It's a confusing picture for me since that is my only symptom.

Wow, I thought my diagnosis was late at age 40! You sure have me beat.
What was the final decision about treatment of either your asthma or infection at NJH?
Did they set you up for airway clearance to help move the mucus?
Sue

I sometimes get a feeling of chest tightness in the afternoons (this would be well after airway clearance). It was happening almost daily over the summer but not now. My bronchiectasis is neutrophil driven and not eosinophil if that is an indicator? I do not have MAC diagnosed but suspect it. I do have chronic Pseudo. I think the tightness is an inflammatory response. But I do not know for sure. My PFT was not normal.

Escinophilic asthma can be treated with biologics, ie Dupixant. I now have a smart vest, nebulizer with aerobika/saline cup. Apt with local allergist on February 7th. The adventure continues!

$450 for Trilogy and unknown cost for Dupixant. Who can afford to be sick.

@squire123 I also have eosinophilic asthma and that developed when I was an adult. I do my best to treat the allergies and avoid the triggers. I use HEPA filters in my house and I've done allergy shots, but I'm not fond of that and usually take antihistamines. I do have Xopenex as a rescue inhaler and Qvar as the preventative, but I tend not to use these when I feel good. I also avoid fragrances and cleaning or personal products with strong scents. I do have 3 cats, but found out I was allergic to cats after I promised them a home, and I'm doing OK with air filtration and housekeeping.

Jennifer