There really is no difinitive test to diagnose asthma. However, the methacholine challenge is a pretty significant indicator. If you have a negative methacholine challenge chances are you don't have asthma. The reason I can say this is because if you have asthma the challenge will make you short of breath, and a bronchodilator breathing treatment will make you feel better. If none of these happen, chances are you don't have asthma. A second opinion is always a good idea, however.
I have had moderate ashma since I was a kid. My mom, who is a doctor, took me to multiple doctors who could not find the answer for my shortness of breath. A well known pulmonologist looked at my test results and laughed because he said that I had huge lungs and that I actually had moderate ashma but it was hard to diagnose by regular measurements because you needed to compare my test results with those of a 180lb male. At 18 years old I decided on my own to stop using my daily ashma chord and I felt ok. I still used ventolin as needed (which was mostly when I was sick etc.) At 22 I took the stress test, by a different doctor. The results were on the border but not enough to warrent an ashma diagnosis. It is very frusturating because I still use my ventoline inhaler and i really believe that I couldn't manage without it sometimes. Sometimes its hard to breath and the inhalor works!
I have had moderate ashma since I was a kid. My mom, who is a doctor, took me to multiple doctors who could not find the answer for my shortness of breath. A well known pulmonologist looked at my test results and laughed because he said that I had huge lungs and that I actually had moderate ashma but it was hard to diagnose by regular measurements because you needed to compare my test results with those of a 180lb male. At 18 years old I decided on my own to stop using my daily ashma chord and I felt ok. I still used ventolin as needed (which was mostly when I was sick etc.) At 22 I took the stress test, by a different doctor. The results were on the border but not enough to warrent an ashma diagnosis. It is very frusturating because I still use my ventoline inhaler and i really believe that I couldn't manage without it sometimes. Sometimes its hard to breath and the inhalor works!
Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of Remedy Health Media. Remedy Health Media does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.