I haven't had that problem , specifically but when I told my mom that I was seeing a pulmonologist because I thought I might have asthma her response was " You don't have asthma." Just because neither of my parents had asthma she thinks that I can't have it... I don't see why not, I've had allergies for as long as I can remember and I don't think it's such a stretch to think that it could develop into allergic asthma. No one with asthma ever fakes an attack and yes, you're right people who think that we can "fake" an attack to get attention or to get out of work are idiots. I can no more fake an asthma attack than they can fake a diabetic coma... it just doesn't happen like that.

I've had a dr. tell me there was nothing wrong with me and I was having panic attacks. another, b/c they couldn't measure my breathing below normal, suggested prozac. it got really bad and unless prednisone is a new anti-depresent... people can be idiots. most people who see me have an asthma attack are usually very caring and want to help...sometimes to the extreme that it can get embarassing. sorry you had this experience.

Now my pulmologist has given me ativan and antianxiety med when I have been admitted into the hospital for asthma to call me down because I get very scared and panic when I cant breathe

My mother is a nurse with severe allergy-induced asthma, and her supervisor used to tell her "you can't call out right before your shift, you have to give us proper notice..." What BS. How are you going to give someone notice that you're having an attack???? 2 years after she made that comment, the supervisor was diagnosed with asthma and came to my mom looking for sympathy(oh my god, my asthma is terrible, etc), well my mom was like "Now you know you can't give NOTICE that you're having an attack,you're not getting ANY sympathy from me!" LOL.
My son's attacks are few and far between, and he's only 2 1/2, so we haven't had anyone suggest he was faking asthma yet, although I know schools are leary about letting them carry meds because they think the kids are going to use asthma as an excuse to get out of class.

No, I haven't had that problem of people thinking I m faking an attack. Even if people did think that I was faking an asthma attack then that is there problem not mine. I guess I worry about my own health first. Don't let others bother you. If your having an attack then you are end of story. Have a great day. From Brandi.

I have asthma and there is no damn way you can fake an attack!Whoever said that might better take it back,because what comes around goes around.I would say someting really mean but i wouldn't wish that on anyone.Oh yeah i'm getting disability for my faking an asthma attack.

It wasn't so much the people thought I was faking as it was them not recognizing how serious it was. Yep, it's aggravating when people dismiss something they don't really know about. I'm having a similar problem explaining to my family that these nutritional supplements I'm on are the reason I can breathe now. Since they'd never heard of them, they thought, "nah, couldn't be."

*sigh*

I feel your pain.:)

I had asthma as a child, and my father, a chain smoker always accused me of faking it.

My ten year old son has not formally been diagnoised with Asthma as it's very rare he has an attack. When he goes to his Grandma's house (and the weather condition is right) I send along an inhaler.

His Aunt saw him use it and jumped down his throat, then my husband's which was directed at me for giving him the meds.

I have asthma and have loooong before my ten year old. I know an attach when I see one and told my husband if I saw fit to let him use the inhaler I would.

Some people just don't get it.

Pal...

I can say I used to fake attacks as a child to get out of going to school or to get to come home from school, but now beinf 34 and my asthma has actually gotten much worse, i cannot believe I ever did that. I hate feeling taht way, it scares you to peces adn then I watch my kids go through it adnf I know they are not faking it, and it kills me inside I ahte it for them, sometimes I think I should have never had kids because then they would not have to live with this as bad as they have it.

I was born with asthma and and still live with it. And I must say as a child I use to fake asthma attacks all the time to get out of class lol.

when i was 16 years old i was repeatedly told that i was only having panic attacks it wasn't until i had a severe attack and had to see my gp during the while i couldn't breathe that the gp diagnosed asthma. i had an attack during one of my gcse exams and the teacher accused me of faking to get more time to complete the questions.

It's a bit of a different situation but when my beautiful step daughter was 8 years old she started having difficulty breathing during sports, she had told her teacher and her mum but as my beautiful stepdaughter hated exercise they refused to believe her. after taking her to the doctor 6 months later Her mum even refused to give her salbutamol syrup which is used as a preventative for chilhood asthma, to her because she felt that it was uneccesary! since living with me and her dad she has been back to the doc, who was very concerned as her pfr which was very low and now she is on a steroid based inhaler as a preventative as well as a reliever, she also sometimes has problems with her asthma just walking short distances. i can't help wondering if her condition has been made worse by the ignorance of her teacher and mum!

Dear th636,
Idiots have upset me too, even when I worked in a professional job. This was also a professional helping career.
I decided if people have enough nerve to speak to or about me this way...they "I" have enough nerve to tell them how I am experiencing them talking or behaving toward me inappropriately. Before I had disabilites, I helped people with them. I have respect and empathy. Now, that I am retired/disabled at 52...This type of attack on anyone disabled is still unacceptable to me. It's not your fault...do not cut cruel people any slack. Expect empathy and respect! The is no excuse for anyone to treat you this way. No excuse for abuse.
ChronicOwie

Yeah - I've had that many times because even 5 minutes with someone who is a smoker even if they're not smoking will put me in the emergency room - and it really upsets me - they don't realize how real and how scary it is. I'm sorry it's happening to you too - I feel for ya