DO YOU THINK THIS IS ASTHMA?? Please help-Urgent!!!!? (Ten ponts for best answer)?

Question

A few weeks ago I got this terrible cold that made my chest all congested and caused wheezing. When I went to the doctor my chest x-ray was clear and he gave me antibiotics. Now though my cold has gone away and most of the wheezing, I find myself still coughing (dry, almost like im choking sometimes), having chest tightness which doesnt make breathing easy. The doc did give me an inhalor to help my breathing (didnt tell me i have asthma just to breathe easier) but i'm scared to use it, because of a possible allergic reaction since i've never used one before. I do have bad anxiety too which doesnt make my chest tightness/breathing any easier and i'm not sure if thats adding to the problem. Do you think this is asthma, anxiety, or just the lasting affects of a cold??? I'm so scared im gonna have an asthma attack all of a sudden and not know what to do.

PS. My throat also feels tight a lot of the time especially when im nervous. Im going back to the doctor tuesday so im deff gonna bring this up.

Answer 1

I have asthma.

I'm 90% sure you don't have asthma.

and 50% sure you didn't have a normal cold...

If you also experienced headaches during your said cold I'm pretty sure it was brought on by allergies. You can get them at any time in your life as well. I just recently developed them. Heres an old remedy that works -

Boil half a cup of water.

Add a teaspoon of whiskey

two teaspoons of honey

Two teaspoons of lemon juice

Clears any congestion up and sooths sore throats from coughing.

Answer 2

Most likely lingering effects of your cold.  It can take a long time for a cough to clear up.  

Answer 3

Well it's pretty stupid if you don't use the inhaler the doctor prescribed to you.  EVERYTHING in the world has a chance of allergic reaction.  It doesn't mean we stop breathing or going outdoors or having pets because of that risk.  Nearly NO ONE has an allergic reaction to the medication in inhalers.  More than likely you had bronchitis and it can take a good month or more to really heal from it.  It's nasty, especially when neglected in the beginning.  You don't have asthma or else you would have noticed it for years before this.  You seriously need to get on some anxiety medications - it's not helping the situation at all.  Also get some therapy.  You're going to make yourself a hypochondriac, if you aren't already.

Answer 4

I have asmtha and I do have some of these symptoms. But I think in your case that you should use the inhaler. I f you have pets or you are maybe allergic to something in the air. That could cause wheezing and tightness of the throat.It might be because of the change of seasons and all of the pollen in the air. The best thing is to always have the inhaler with you and to tell your doctor all about these symptoms. And that you are afraid that you might get an asmtha attack at any moment. Since school is soon starting it could also be anxiety or stress.It could maybe be an affect of the antibiotics. Sometimes our bodies are not use to substances and have an allergic reaction to it. It could of been something you ate that caused the tightness in your throat. I really hope this helps you and do not be so nervous that could make it worst.

Answer 5

sounds like lasting affects of the cold and anxiety

Answer 6

I'm not a doctor but I DO NOT think you have Asthma. I think you are just too anxious and upset; please use the inhaler and see how much better you will feel.

Answer 7

Use the inhaler. I'm pretty sure you don't have asthma, and you also didn't have a normal cold. Sounds like you had bronchitis. I was wheezing pretty bad when I had it a few months ago, and the doctor prescribed me an inhaler. I coughed less (before I was coughing so hard that I threw up a few times) and was able to breathe much better. Once you use the inhaler the first few times it doesn't feel as scary anymore, you'll actually feel a lot better. Also, if you're afraid you're going to have an asthma attack (even though I don't think you have asthma), wouldn't it be much better to use the inhaler to prevent that from happening?

Answer 8

not being a dr, and not being able to see/do an exam, i would guess it's more anxiety and the lasting effects, since you were not specifically dx'd with asthma.    don't worry about the inhaler.  it will help.  use it.  i have never heard of an allergic reaction to albuterol before (though i'm sure it is possible, since all things are possible) and i've been in EMS for 5+ years.

my best recommendation: USE THE INHALER (your dr gave it to you for a reason) if it doesn't help then call your dr if you get worse.  

albuterol does have some side effects you may notice, including a shaky feeling, muscle tremors, weakness, tiredness, hyper-bouncy state, more rapid heart rate than before  you took it, etc.     for me, if i eat a handful of chips or pretzels with salt on them it helps the jittery feeling a lot so you may want to try that.      don't panic or get worked up because that will make everything worse.  relax, picture yourself someplace calming (empty beach, water lapping on the sand, warm sun overhead, you laying in a hammock just watching the birds, or try in a forest, picture yourself someplace where you feel relaxed.    if after you take the inhaler you have symptoms you are unsure about, call the on-call dr and ask them just say hey i took an inhaler for the first time, this is what i feel is it normal and they can relieve your fears.

best of luck!