Bethsheba, :)

thank you so much for your lengthy post packed with advice and insights. I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate it. After reading your post, I just sat here wondering how to proceed. You raised some issues I had not thought of. I have devised a plan which will enable me to have my diagnoses of asthma either confirmed or ruled out. It entails enlisting the help of my blood pressure doctor. My appointment with him is in the middle of September. I will ask for a referral to my specialist to discuss my breathing problems and perhaps run some non-pulmonary tests. I think he will be willing to help me after deciding I am sane and not completely out of my mind. :D I'll have my notes to refer to, be convincing and to the point.

[QUOTE]what meds you're taking

I am on Felodipine, HCTZ, Spironolactone and Ramipril right now (for blood pressure). That's likely to change after my appointment next month.
I intend to ask about the Hctz, its effects on heart rate (it shouldn't), and whether it's good for me even when combined with Spiro and Ramipril. (the potassium issue). I also want to ask about going back on the (cardioselective) beta blockers and off the CCBs. And about possibly trying the ARB Avapro (yeah, I am willing to give it another shot). Basically, what he says goes. I have a lot of trust in him. He's done a lot for me and has earned it.

[QUOTE]I suspect you are correct about the asthma meds not working if the breathing problems are a side effect of the meds

There is a post on the heart board by a lady who had been diagnosed with asthma a few years ago. (other medical problems as well) She was given her asthma meds and took them faithfully for two years. During this time, the meds did not alleviate her breathing difficulties at all. She was sent for pulmonary function tests again. The same technician (who had diagnosed her asthma two years prior) had another diagnosis for her: she did not have asthma. Daa......:confused:
She does not know what causes her breathlessness to this day.

[QUOTE]but that's 2 different breathing problems I had on meds that I don't have now

I am so glad to hear that! It goes to show that breathlessness is a fairly common side effect of our rx meds. Something we both know! As for being skeptical about the alleged cause of my shortness of breath - believe me, I am! :)

[QUOTE]they can test conclusively for asthma by exposing you to a certain chemical--I forget what it is--to see if you have a reaction.

I think this is a part of PFtesting. They have you inhale (for 2 minutes at a time) some chemical to irritate the lungs. Then you go on the machine. We had to do it ten times, I think. It went on forever. I was getting really tired. I had inhaled so much of that irritant, yuck! The tech kept saying I was not irritated enough. I did not believe her. I might not have been irritated, but I sure was irate! :D

I have so much to discuss with the BP doctor. I hope I won't walk away from that appointment dissapointed. I don't expect to get my way when it comes to the meds. I know the doctor will do what's best for me, regardless of what I might think or want. That's fine with me. As far as I know, I still have my job. One of the management told me she could not see what the big deal was - just some high blood pressure and asthma... I did not feel obliged to explain anything to her, so didn't. :(

Flowergirl

[QUOTE=flowergirl2day;3145067].... I have devised a plan which will enable me to have my diagnoses of asthma either confirmed or ruled out. It entails enlisting the help of my blood pressure doctor. My appointment with him is in the middle of September. I will ask for a referral to my specialist to discuss my breathing problems and perhaps run some non-pulmonary tests. I think he will be willing to help me after deciding I am sane and not completely out of my mind. :D I'll have my notes to refer to, be convincing and to the point.

Sounds good, Flowergirl...the notes will be REALLY helpful...my nurse friend suggested that I do that, too, and I have to admit it got the doctor's attention.

[QUOTE]I am on Felodipine, HCTZ, Spironolactone and Ramipril right now (for blood pressure). That's likely to change after my appointment next month.
I intend to ask about the Hctz, its effects on heart rate (it shouldn't), and whether it's good for me even when combined with Spiro and Ramipril. (the potassium issue). I also want to ask about going back on the (cardioselective) beta blockers and off the CCBs. And about possibly trying the ARB Avapro (yeah, I am willing to give it another shot). Basically, what he says goes. I have a lot of trust in him. He's done a lot for me and has earned it.

Thanks for the info on those meds...if I come across anything in my reading, I'll try to let you know. Those are good questions, FG! I hope you will get back with us to let us know how you make out. One thing that I just thought of though, is that hct depletes potassium and potassium is important in regulating heart rhythm...so do ask those questions...I just checked a site regarding potassium deficiency and it said that low potassium levels often lead to poor lung function,and even asthma in children....wow! maybe that is what is going on with us...I think ONE of many reasons I had problems with hct is that it messed with my electrolytes...my potassium level was somewhat low when the doc prescribed it for me...hmmm. Oh well, your questions are good ones so do ask them...or even put them on paper and send them into your doc before your visit.

[QUOTE] The same technician (who had diagnosed her asthma two years prior) had another diagnosis for her: she did not have asthma. Daa......:confused:
She does not know what causes her breathlessness to this day.

Why am i not surprised by this?

[QUOTE]As for being skeptical about the alleged cause of my shortness of breath - believe me, I am! :)

Good! That may mean you'll be thinking outside of the box---there are more answers outside a box than inside, ;) .

[QUOTE]I think this is a part of PFtesting. ... The tech kept saying I was not irritated enough. I did not believe her. I might not have been irritated, but I sure was irate! :D

Irate sounds like a very healthy response, :) .

[QUOTE]I have so much to discuss with the BP doctor. I hope I won't walk away from that appointment dissapointed. ...

You might want to give some thought as to what information you have to have before you walk away from your appointment! We both know how those visits go...stress, fear, anger, and time constraints can all play a role in what we ask for and what we get...you might want to prioritize your list so the most important stuff is at the top and you can at least get answers to things that are the most important to you.

[QUOTE]...One of the management told me she could not see what the big deal was - just some high blood pressure and asthma... I did not feel obliged to explain anything to her, so didn't. :(

Good for you!!! It's such a comfort to have this board where people understand without explanations, because they've been there!!! I don't think they have words for some of our experiences.....

Well, I was going to keep this short so I'm signing off. I'm kind of chuckling about how far the two of us have come in these last few months...

Take care.

Bethsheba