My first PFT - Asthma Message Board

atpeace · 07-20-2009, 11:30 AM

I just had a PFT done today and had some questions. I am 38 years old and have had asthma all of my life. My Primary Doctor wants me to see a pumologist because he says my asthma is not controlled. I use my rescue inhaler one or two times a day instead of one or two times a week, which is considered controlled asthma. I did well on all of the tests excepts the test where you have to breath in really deeply and then exhale hard and for as long as you can. I took the test before and after the use of a bronchodilator and got the same results. The RPT told me I should have improved after using the inhaler. My appt. with the pumologist is not until Sept. 1st. I know that noone can give me a diagnosis but I am just looking for some personal experiences with the PFT. I am concerned that my asthma has turned into COPD. The RPT told me that I would probably be given new asthma medication to try and open up the smaller airways and have to come back in a few months for another PFT. I think it was the FVC test that I had the abnormal result in. Do you think I may have irreversible lung damage or maybe that medication can help open up those small airways. Thanks in advance for any input you can give me. I am currently on Albuterol (when needed), Serevent (once daily), and Azmacort (up to 16 puffs daily, when asthma is worse).

Titchou · 07-20-2009, 11:49 AM

Asthma is irreversable so no medication will "cure" it nor COPD. It may be that you need your meds changed. Or the dosage changed. That's pretty common. I wouldn't worry about it but it's a good thing you've gone to see a pulmonologist instead of relying on your GP for your asthma treatment.

atpeace · 07-20-2009, 12:53 PM

Yes, I know that there is no cure for asthma. But that with proper medication it can be controlled and not turn into something worse like COPD. That is my fear is that I have lung damage and will have to be on oxygen or something when I am older. Thank you so much for your response. I wish I had seen a specialist years earlier but better late then never I suppose.

MountainReader · 07-20-2009, 07:44 PM

I have severe asthma and I have had some PFT's come back "normal". My Pulmonologist does thorough histories and checks to verify my asthma.

If your current meds don't have your asthma fully under control, it may just take an adjustment to your medications to help you get things back to normal. I had to adjust after about 3 years of being in control. It took a while, but eventually my doc and I hit the right combination.

Good luck,
MountainReader

Howitt44 · 07-22-2009, 09:39 PM

My story is just like yours. Only I didn't develope asthma until I was 42. I think I had asthma before that, but that's when I was diagnosed. My small airways were severely restricted. Albuteral did not help me either. I have been on Advair 250/50 for about 7 years and it has made a significant difference. I know longer get sick twice a year as I did before. I don't cough in the mornings. But when I do get sick with a cough or cold, (once every couple of years or so) I have to treat it aggressively. I was sick this last April. I had been gardening - a big mistake that time of year for me because I'm allergic to trees. I had to be on 2 rounds of steroids to get over it. My goal is not to get sick. Other than that, I'm pretty normal. I hardly remember I have asthma. I think I do have some irreversability - but not severe. I intend to stay on my meds and be as healthy otherwise as possible. Don't worry too much about it. Sometimes it takes a couple of months to see a difference.