LoriO, I test normal but have been diagnosed with exercise induced asthma. For a while my doctor (primary care though she specialized in pulmonary medicine) would send me home with a ton of inhalers. I didn't like the way one made me feel (jittery) and never took the steroid one after reading the insert.

With me, I generally know what will set me off. If I'm not in shape and go out too hard (esp on a hill or something) and lose my breathe, it's gone. Same goes for swimming. Maybe I tend to take it easy too much but I haven't had problems in a long time. Smoky places, even the day after I've been there, will give me problems so I avoid them.

I take an allergy medication and also take benadryl if I'm feeling itchy or generally like there's something going on. Being overtired will increase allergies or reacting to the environment in some negative way.

Strange thing is sometimes baked goods or junior mints will do the same thing to me. Maybe it is the presence of a strong flavor? Also, oddly enough, sodas from a fountain (not a can or bottle) do the same thing.

It feels like there's a tickle in my throat that is so overwhelming my throat closes up. There are also times that it isn't THAT bad but I'll start coughing and coughing and all sorts of stuff comes out of my lungs.

I've also been told I'm allergic to cats. We have five of them Wouldn't give them up for anything.

I guess maybe have an inhaler "just in case". I've been ok with just relaxing and riding through the episode but I have wondered what would happen if it didn't get better. I haven't had an inhaler for years because I never used it.

I hope to hear how your doctors visit goes once he's back in the office