Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Pat Report - Special Asthma Investigation Edition
Short version:
Who's got two thumbs and probably doesn't have asthma?
THIS GUY!
Long version:
Today was the methacholine challenge. This is the third (and hopefully final) test my new allergy and asthma doctor has ordered to see if I actually have exercise induced asthma (we've been operating under the assumption that I've had asthma for the last year).
You breath into a tube and they measure your lung capacity. Then you inhale a bunch of chemicals that taste like band-aids and swimming pool. It's supposed to make your lungs tighten up (your twenty-five cent word of the day is "bronchoconstriction"). Then you breath into the tube again.
For a guy my age, height and weight, I had roughly 150% of the lung capacity you would have expected for someone with asthma to start with (thanks, running!).
After inhaling the drugs... I was still at 150% (actually, slightly better).
So... I still have to have a follow-up with my new doctor, but this tests strongly indicates no asthma.
The moral of the story is that sometimes doctors can be dipshits, too.
The only question now is how to tell my old doctor allergy I'll be leaving. Do I just not make another appointment? Or do I write the "Dear Dr. Douchebag" letter? The temptation is strong.
And I no longer have to take the medication that lists "asthma related death" as a possible side effect. So there's that.
Short version:
Who's got two thumbs and probably doesn't have asthma?
THIS GUY!
Long version:
Today was the methacholine challenge. This is the third (and hopefully final) test my new allergy and asthma doctor has ordered to see if I actually have exercise induced asthma (we've been operating under the assumption that I've had asthma for the last year).
You breath into a tube and they measure your lung capacity. Then you inhale a bunch of chemicals that taste like band-aids and swimming pool. It's supposed to make your lungs tighten up (your twenty-five cent word of the day is "bronchoconstriction"). Then you breath into the tube again.
For a guy my age, height and weight, I had roughly 150% of the lung capacity you would have expected for someone with asthma to start with (thanks, running!).
After inhaling the drugs... I was still at 150% (actually, slightly better).
So... I still have to have a follow-up with my new doctor, but this tests strongly indicates no asthma.
The moral of the story is that sometimes doctors can be dipshits, too.
The only question now is how to tell my old doctor allergy I'll be leaving. Do I just not make another appointment? Or do I write the "Dear Dr. Douchebag" letter? The temptation is strong.
And I no longer have to take the medication that lists "asthma related death" as a possible side effect. So there's that.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Friday, December 03, 2010
I Say "Doctor, Ain't There Nothin' I Can Take..."
I spoke to a new asthma and allergy doctor this week. He listened to my questions. He asked follow up questions.
He didn't give me one word answers. He never asked me to "trust his 20 years experience".
He actually ordered up some tests instead of just guessing at the problem and handing me some pills.
It was a much much better experience.
The kicker - the new guy doesn't even think I have asthma.
He thinks it might be some kind of long running low grade sinus infection that I never got rid of.
Wednesday was the nebulizer test (asthma) and sinus CT scan.
Next week is a scratch test (allergies)... which means I have to give up my Benadryl habit for a few days.
The week after is a "methacholine challenge". Which I think is a segment from "Double Dare".
He also told me stop with the Symbicort. Which is good. Because every time the commercial comes on and mentions "asthma related death", I kinda shit my pants just a little bit.
So the big question is... Why does this feel like such a revelation to find a doctor who listens and tries to solve problems? Shouldn't they all be like that?
I spoke to a new asthma and allergy doctor this week. He listened to my questions. He asked follow up questions.
He didn't give me one word answers. He never asked me to "trust his 20 years experience".
He actually ordered up some tests instead of just guessing at the problem and handing me some pills.
It was a much much better experience.
The kicker - the new guy doesn't even think I have asthma.
He thinks it might be some kind of long running low grade sinus infection that I never got rid of.
Wednesday was the nebulizer test (asthma) and sinus CT scan.
Next week is a scratch test (allergies)... which means I have to give up my Benadryl habit for a few days.
The week after is a "methacholine challenge". Which I think is a segment from "Double Dare".
He also told me stop with the Symbicort. Which is good. Because every time the commercial comes on and mentions "asthma related death", I kinda shit my pants just a little bit.
So the big question is... Why does this feel like such a revelation to find a doctor who listens and tries to solve problems? Shouldn't they all be like that?
Thursday, December 02, 2010
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