Asthma? A cold?

[Dez]

I've had asthma for all my life which makes me stupid not to tell what this is but...

I've had a cold for like three weeks now. Now it's broken up to the point where I only show symptoms (runny nose, phlegm, etc) soon after waking up except for a cough. My nose is still runny, but BARELY. Like once every couple of hours, which is why I think this might be a cold thing. I cough off and on all day, sometimes harder at times than others, coupled with chest pain and getting winded easily, which points to the asthma. But since my cold's mostly cleared up after three weeks do you think there's a greater chance of it being asthma? I've had to take my asthma meds for it more often in these three weeks but I don't have a fast acting inhaler anymore because I haven't had a serious attack since the third grade. I know you're not doctors or anything but does it seem more like asthma or just the cold? My mom's threatening to take me to the doctor and I really don't want to go there just for her to tell me it's a cold. I'd feel ridiculous. -_-

Sorry if that made me seem reaally stupid, but like I said I haven't had an overly serious attack since the third grade so I almost forgot what it felt like.

[Lottie]

It sounds like a cold. However, if the cold is causing a lot of 'breathlessness' then you'll need to get some extra support for your body. Possibly a new inhaler, steroids or some antibiotics- only in severe cases do they give antibiotics though.

If you feel you can't carry out every day tasks then I'd suggest going to the doctor.

[escape_thereal_world]

It could be your asthma is acting up due to the cold you had. Once you start getting rid of a cold and you are now having the coughing and runny nose, it means you were congested and it's breaking up. So now all that is running down your throat, which in turn can sometimes cause you to feel breathless.

I'd say just take some otc meds and keep taking your asthma meds. If it gets worse in a week, go to a doctor.

[Chris.]

I personally do reccommend you go to the doctor.

My whole family has had a past of asthma. My sister has it real bad and when she gets a cold it even acts of more (expecally when she is coughing). In most cases, she goes to the hospital because she isnt able to break.

I also high reccommend trying to get some of the flem and the nasty stuff out of your nose, this will clear alot of your passages up and you will feel alot better.

Hope you feel better.
Best wishes,
Chris

[xx little miss clumsy xx]

I have asthma too. I had the flu a few weeks ago and once the flu started to clear up, I developed a cough, became quite breathless and was bringing up some phlegm. It was always worse first thing in the morning and last thing at night. I let it sit for about a week to see if it would clear up. It didnt.

So I went to the doctors and she gave me antibiotics and told me to up my inhaler intake which cleared it up completely. She also told me I should have came to them sooner...

Its probably the back end of the cold that you had which is starting to clear up, go to the doctor if you are having to take your meds more than usual, it may be that you need something additional to help or a change of medication.

[gracehasaname]

Hey,

Firstly regardless of weather you have had an attack recently, or not for years you should really have a reliever inhaler - especially if you are still taking other medications for asthma. It is a life saving drug and its really important that you have one to hand if you need it.

It does sound to me, more like asthma than anything else, but cold viruses can last weeks and weeks in some people, especially the immunodeficient. The best thing you can do is to pop along to the doctors and ask for a reliever inhaler, they should give you one without any questions. Once you have that, take it as prescribed when you feel like you described, if it helps - its asthma, if it doesn't - its a cold!

Either way you have won, because all asthmatics should have an inhaler anyway! It would not, in any way, be a wasted visit.

Good luck!

Kirsty.

[Chasers]

Hey!

Ive had the same problem allll fall. I had bronchitis, then a cold and then just something.

Get on some antibiotics and take your inhaler with you everywhere. you will feel soo much better.

[escape_thereal_world]

Since it has been two weeks since the OP posted and her question has been answered, I am going to close this thread now. OP, feel free to post again or PM to have this reopened with your reasoning why

Hope you're feeling better now!