Expert: Kevin Smith - 10/16/2009

Question
i dont know the sort of disease i sign, anytime im through with a hard job i find it hard to breath after four hours. i'm 27, it all started when i was about 12. The only drug that reliefs me is theophylin and when situation gets critical, i'll be infused gradually with aminophylin injection. Some doctors say its asthma, some say brochitis but my lung dont trigger on cold, dust, fried oil, perfume as it does friends victims. Instead they aid it when it start. Hard jobs comes first, then four hours of rest, congestion comes. i realise that when ever i cough to discongest in the onset, it worsens. so i figured out a manual way of exhaling through my mouth with pressure to discongest gradually. it works only if congestion is few due to the little amount of hard jobs succeeded. Anyway when i get relieved, i spit mucur.

Answer
Hello Asishana,

While I can't say I know exactly what condition you are suffering from, I can say it doesn't sound like PURE asthma at least.

From what you've stated, you've obviously been visiting drs. in order to get answers, but are getting mixed results. You said you aren't triggered by things like cold, dust and scents such as perfumes and such, but you do produce mucous near the end of your attack.

What type of work do you do? Are there environmental factors where you work ( something you might be breathing in? ) Do you have, or have you be prescribed any type of 'rescue' inhaler like salbutamol ( Ventolin )- even though you say you only get relief from theophyllin ?

Unfortunately, I don't have any good answers for you. Let me know about those questions, but I would strongly urge you to go back to the drs. again and try to get a concrete diagnosis. It can be very frustrating dealing with various drs. who don't seem to be able to track down what is wrong, but please keep trying so that you can get into a life-position that won't make you suffer like you are.

Look forward to hearing from you soon.