Hi there... You certainly are exhibiting some of the symptoms of asthma. For instance, a night cough, especially when lying down, is a hallmark symptom, as is wheezing. Shortness of breath and chest tightness (not throat) are also common symptoms of asthma.
Unfortunately none of those symptoms are unique ONLY to asthma, and with the mucus you were bringing up, it's not surprising that your doctor decided to treat you for a respiratory infection. The prednisolone is a steroid and could be why you started to feel better for a while, though, if you did indeed have asthma too. (You could have had both asthma and an infection, as asthma can make respiratory infections more common.)
You may be having less wheezing now precisely because you are taking the preventer inhaler. That is, after all, what it is designed to do. When you do cough, you might try using the reliever medicine. I find that it will quickly relieve coughing spells I have as a result of my asthma.
There is nothing wrong with you requesting a consult with a pulmonary specialist to evaluate you further. A specialist will be more well-versed than a family doctor in the ins and outs of respiratory conditions.
Hope you are feeling better soon!
Kathi
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Hi kathi
Thanks for such a full response, it explains a lot.
However i have been to have my lung function tests done today and its convinced the nurse i do not have asthma.
I did lung capacity, FEV, peak flow etc, and she showed me the results, which were all within 105% and 120% of expected values.
She basically said i dont have asthma and it wasnt even worth testing with a reliever.
I explained i only really have problems breathing at night, but she didnt seem to think that mattered?
I still have a chronic cough, still have occasional breathlessness at night but im unsure what to do next.
Thanks for taking the time to respond.
Trev