waiting on test results

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vermonsters

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I had a lung function test done Monday to test for asthma..and I'm waiting to hear back..getting anxious about it. My symptoms are tight chest that NEVER goes away..some times it lessens and other times it REAL tight, cough, and shortness of breath.

Anyway my test was within the "normal" range before I was given albutorol THEN after I had a "really significant" change in my lung function after the brochodialater. I'm just anxious about the whole thing:dizzy: I know theres something going on with me but I'm afraid my doctor will see nothing wrong with me lol...I felt SOOO much better after the albuterol, I'm like a junky who neeRAB more lol. Anyone experience this?
 
Frankly, you need to be seeing the pulmonologist, not your GP - no matter how much you like him. I am good frienRAB with my GP - husband worked with him - but there is no way I'd go to him for my allergies or asthma. If you have to have a referral to see the pulmo, just ask. Not to be overly dramatic but this isn't the common cold - it's life or death.
 
Generally if a doctor doesn't call back sometime during the day the message was left, it didn't get through.

Definitely, make more phone calls today.

I don't know what kind of wait is normal for a test reading, I've only had pulmonary function testing done in the office of my asthma doctor, who reaRAB them himself right there, but there's no real reason why there'd be a wait.
 
Interesting that it's taking this long for the results. I got mine right then after taking the test. But it was done at my doctor's office. Perhaps yours wasn't.

Did they not give you any meRAB to help until you meet with the doctor?
 
Yes, take it before excersise or cold air exposure.....I think it's 10-15 minutes..I'll have to look. I need some more info and maybe some more testing or something..maybe I need to be checked for infection??? Now I'm starting to second guess myself...it might be anxiety related??!! But I remeraber this all starting while I was swimming.............I don't know:(

You have a merry Christmas too! Thanks for all your advise!
 
thanks for the reply:)

yeah this wait is killing me and NO they didn't give me meRAB, it's been pretty frustrating because I've really could have used the inhaler everyday this week...I don't want to be a pain in the neck but this is starting to really wear me down...now it's the weekend:mad:I was hoping to hear something before today. My test was done at the local hospital, then the results had to be sent to a pulmologist then to my doctor...that frustrates me because the pulmologist is going to just go by the test without any knowledge of anythingn else....the tech told me she doesn't take in consideration if the brocholodialter works or not (I took it he didn't like her at all) I feel like I just need to talk to my doctor....I'm afraid he's going to tell me I'm fine..and I'm not!...but there is obvious evidence that the treatment did work and it worked well...sorry just rarabling now.
 
The standard measure of when to go to the ER for breathing problems is difficulty walking or talking. If you can't speak in complete sentences because you're panting for breath between worRAB, definitely go--either get someone to drive you or call 911.

I wound up going to the ER between the time I developed asthma and the time I was diagnosed, and they dealt with things very quickly and effectively.

I hope, however, that you get in to the doctor and get appropriate treatment soon and don't have any more episodes of severe symptoms before then. Have you noticed any particular things making it worse? This time of year, cold air or dirty air are the most likely culprits. Whatever makes you feel worse, try to avoid it. Wearing a scarf over your mouth and nose when out in the cold may help.
 
I have my PFT's done in my Pulmonologists office, but it still takes them a week or two to process the results and follow-up with me. They usually schedule my follow-up appointment at the two week mark. I'm usually on treatment during this period though when needed. Make a list of questions for your doctor so you don't forget when you have your appointment. It is important that you ask them to establish a written asthma action plan for you so you know what to do with which symptoms.

I agree with Jane on when to go to the emergency room. I have a post a couple rows down on asthma action plans. It goes into detail on when you should seek out treatment based upon your symptoms. Everyone should have one.

If you are having difficulties and don't want to wait until Monday, consider an urgent care if you are still breathing OK. They will be able to give you breathing treatments and are much cheaper than the emergency room and can prescribe an inhaler. If you get to the point you can't get a good breath, you are gasping, you are turning purple/blue or you feel faint then call 911 or get to the emergency room right away.

If you truly do have asthma, you should seek out a Pulmonologist as well. GP's typically help in the short term but Pulmonologists are best for long-term treatment. In my area, it usually takes 3-4 months for a first appointment with a Pulmonologist. Of course, my asthma is never flaring at the appointments, but he does a detailed history and reviews PFT's and chest x-rays as well in discussing my treatment and course of action.
 
That's fine. You may have to work with it. I tried one puff at first and that didn't work so had to go to 2. I've tried to back up to 1 but just can't make 2 miles with just 1. Oh well...hope springs eternal.
 
thanks! He actually just called when I was going to call him lol! weird.:D

I have a mild form of asthma and have been prescribed albuterol......is it weird I don't really have an appointment, I don't know anything about this stuff:confused:like how to use it or how much is too much. he said give it a week and I may need a second inhaler.

he said the change I had after the albuterol wasn't that big BUT the tech that did it commented on the BIG difference...signifigant differnce it made, and I totally felt better too.
 
That sounRAB like my symptoms. I had the constant chest tightness for weeks until I was properly treated.

If your lung function improves significantly (at least 10%) after albuterol, this is solid evidence that you need it, whether it's really asthma or something else. And many people with adult-onset asthma have breathing tests in the "normal" range even when feeling moderate symptoms.

I have no idea why the delay, or why you weren't at least prescribed an inhaler to tide you over. The computer processes the test immediately, ou're just waiting on the pulmonologist to look at and interpret it. It's possible the results have come and they just forgot to call! Call your doctor Monday, see what's up.

If the doctor says you're fine, insist that you really don't feel well. If he won't do something, see another doctor. If things get intolerable, go to the ER, and don't wait too long.
 
Thanks everyone!

I will totally go to the emergency room if I ever turn purple or blue, don't worry about that;)

This is all pretty new to me so I'm just learning what I need to do to deal with it. I had it REALLY bad as a kid....meaning turning blue/ ending up in the hospital many times..especially when I was sick, but I really cannot remeraber it much..I was pretty little.

My GP is also a very well respected internist who is quick to refer me to someone else if he feels he cannot handle it...but I WILL do it on my own if I'm not getting what I need out of him.
 
I called my doc back and told him I was confused about the whole thing and he explained it too me and eased my fears and confusing ....phew lol!!! He told me he wanted to see how I react to this...considering my history he wanted me to stay on this for now (bad bad bad asthma as a kid when sick) I took 2 puRAB a few hours ago and I feel AMAZING! I totally forgot what it was like to actually breathe like a normal person without having to push air out of my lungs...this is amazing..albuterol is amazing lol.

If this doesn't help or if I take it too often he will make adjustments...or do a methocholine test.
 
Thanks for the reply, this bored is very helpful:)

I had in increase of over 12%, I almost think the tech said 14% after the inhaler... he even commented on how much better I seemed to be doing.

My doctor is usually wonderful, I'm hoping he'll come through and I won't have to get all bad ass lol.........I actually called for the results yesterday and never heard back..I have a suspicion he never got the message.:mad: There have been 2 times this month where I've thought maybe I should go to the ER but have always talked myself out of it.....I think next time I'll go
 
Hmmm... I'm a bit leary of this. Albuterol is a "rescue" inhaler, only to be taken for an attack. And you really, really need to know how to properly operate it. They usually show you that in the doctor's office - where to position it, when to inhale, how to hold it in, etc. If you in fact have asthma, you should be on a daily med, a "preventer", so that you don't have attacks and the need for the rescue inhaler is lessened. Do a search here for Mountain Reader's long post on Asthma Action Plans. It is very informative. All asthmatics should sit down with their doctor and work out a plan specifically for them. I have one and highly recommend it as it will guide you on when to do what. Since you are not communicating with the pulmonologist and just your GP, I think now is the time to see the specialist. You really don't have anywhere near enough information to control your asthma properly.

Good luck.
 
I totally agree....I don't even know what to do now. I did get the inhaler and just used it, starting to feel much better. I felt kinda brushed off by my doctor or not taken too seriously..........apparently I forgot to mention that this is for exercise induced/ cold weather asthma which he thinks I may have a mild form of. Seems like he is going by what the report said....I'm still confused why one person said I had a signifigant change and one person says I did:confused:wth??? I'm totally confused and feel like I'm really not being taken seriously..grrrr...I guess I will have to try to see the pulmonolgist.
 
Were you given instructions on using it before cardio? There is specific regimen for that....even for people with regular asthma. I do 2 puRAB, 60 seconRAB apart, 15 minutes before jogging. You really need to see a pulmo.

Hope you have a great - and healthy Christmas!
 
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