Possible Asthma (Early in the Process but nervous)

I have no idea as to where to post this but this forum has shed a lot of light for me already and I am hoping that I can get some thoughts from some users on my plight. I have been in the Air Force 17 years, I was a flyer (enlisted) left for a special duty now have completed retraining into a completely desk job related career field. I was recently given an assignment to Kunsan, during my overseas clearance medical appt the doc noticed the "wheezing/whistling" sound in my lungs. I have never had any true diagnosis for asthma, have had many years of chest discomfort after PT but never went to the doc other than alergies. I have been scheduled for a spirometry appt next week, I have an assignment on the books can anyone please explain to me what may happen if I infact am diagnosed with "exercise induced asthma"?

I have already learned so much from the folks on this forum but am hoping someone can help me out rather quickly
 
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Basically, if I do get diagnosed with excersize induced asthma and its controlled what is the probability of retention and can I still go to Korea in July. Thoughts greatly appreciated......
 
I have asthma also and it kept me from PCSing to everywhere except Alaska, Hawaii & Puerto Rico. Coded C-2. There's 3 C codes and it all depends on the level of severity of your asthma, if in fact you're diagnosed with it. Everything's hinging on that PFT test. Most do request the PFT test with a methacholine challenge. Basically causing you to have an asthma attack (if you have it).
 
I have a PFT scheduled for this Thursday (day after tomorrow) very nervous aobut what will be the results, I have heard so many stories about people being seperated and am not very informed about how this may affect me and my career. As I stated above been in 17 years and want to stay in as long as I can. If I am C coded then does that mean no Korea for me? Anyone with any situations close to this, having an assignment at the time of diagnosis? Appreciate any feedback.
 
FrustratedFrank said:
I have a PFT scheduled for this Thursday (day after tomorrow) very nervous aobut what will be the results, I have heard so many stories about people being seperated and am not very informed about how this may affect me and my career. As I stated above been in 17 years and want to stay in as long as I can. If I am C coded then does that mean no Korea for me? Anyone with any situations close to this, having an assignment at the time of diagnosis? Appreciate any feedback.
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I was diagnosed with it at 13 years. The base said to separate, but AFPC said return to duty. With you being in for 17 years, you'll most likely be returned to duty. And as for assignments, if you're coded C1 - you can pretty much go almost anywhere. C2 - only what I stated previously. C3 - is a bit more stringent, not sure exactly what the limitations on it are. Not to break down your hopes but my assignment I had at the time to Europe was completely cancelled and now I can't even PCS over there ever, unless I retire and move there on my own.
 
Appreciate the information, sucks I may loose the assignment but as long as I get to stay in that is what is important. When you were diagnosed what were some of your symptoms?
 
FrustratedFrank said:
Appreciate the information, sucks I may loose the assignment but as long as I get to stay in that is what is important. When you were diagnosed what were some of your symptoms?
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I had wheezing and a lot of coughing. Always thought it was mainly allergies b/c I've always had allergies and being in ND surrounded by fields didn't help. The initial PFT with the challenge is what diagnosed me with it, all because I was taking so many different allergy meds so often that it wasn't helping.
 
dragon....thank you very much for the responses, I guess my last question is how long did it take for you, I see on this site the process taking from 2 weeks to 1 year, how long did you have to wait from diagnosis till you where coded (knew you could stay in)
 
Initial started in Oct 2006 (I believe). But it wasn't finished until around May 2007.
 
Yes I have. But the MEB and the RILO have ONLY been for the asthma. Nothing else, even though I have other health issues since.
 
I had my PFT with challenge done yesterday, they wouldnt tell me any of my numbers until after the doc reviews them. Driving me nuts right now cause I dont know if I should be worried about loosing my assignment to Korea.
 
How did you feel during and after? Could you still breath? Was your chest tight? Coughing alot? Made it hard to breathe? It doesn't take long for them to get the results. It's the hurry up and wait that's irritating. I just got called yesterday saying we need you to do the PFT again. And I was like I did it on the last day of Feb. it was painful enough the first time I don't want to do it again all because the drs aren't taking to each other. Just have to have some patience. Hopefully yours comes out that you don't have it. One of my assignments was cancelled the day before the movers came! LOL.
 
I could still breath but was difficult at some points, yes my chest was tight at one point during the fast deep breathing I thought I was done and was going to pass out cause I was so light headed, after my throat was hurting and still sore after about 24 hours. The only thing I took away from the test was one of the techs that were administering the test told another that I was only able to use about 53% of my lung capacity based on my demographic (age, height & weight) at one point. When I asked about it she was like "oh its okay, the doctor will review that" I was like "tell me something!!!" What are your thoughts?
 
Yes, the challenge does that to people, even to people that don't have asthma (ie - my dad had to do the PFT b/c he has other health issues - no asthma or lung problems though). I was the same way after I had to do the test. Although I had no clue how the test went until after I had my followup with my PCM (within a week). Even this last PFT (w/o the challenge) was hard on me, I always end up coughing and coughing the rest of the day and chest hurts. How soon do you get to see your PCM to find out your results? If it's more than a week, I'd say get the appointment bumped up to within a week of the test.
 
PFT test was completed 11 days ago and havent heard anything from the doc. Since then I have had three telephone consults put in but havent received a phone call or anything to set up an appt to get the results for the PFT. I am reaching out for some advice.......I have an impending assignment coming up to Korea (Kunsan).
 
Ok just made an appt for next Monday, it will have been almost three weeks before they talk to me since my PFT test, has anyone else run into this waiting for results? This is bothering the heck out of me because I am also trying to get everything done to go to Kunsan for a year. But I am also being told that if I have any resperatory (sp) issues I probably wont be going to Korea. Any advice?
 
UPDATE (sort of) I just received a call from my doc (finally) and via the telephone he told me that I have a mild obstructive disorder and need to come see him Monday. The only other thing that he said was that during the bronchilator treatment my improvement was 12%, when I asked him to explain a little more he said that we would discuss it at the next appointment. Can anyone tell me what a mild obstructive disorder is or can do? When I look online everything refers me to COPD. Of course he had to add that although he sees a mild obstructive disorder with an improvement of 12% on the bronchilator everything else seems normal with the test. I know this isnt a diagnosis forum but can anyone explain (past experience maybe) what he may be telling me?
 
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