It's not that unusual. I have a friend who was diagnosed at 17, and have heard of others been diagnosed in their 30's
Some of your sons symptoms could be asthma related some could be coincedence.
From my experiance, I have learnt that I can distinguish asthma between colour sputum and type of cough.
I have also met someone diagnosed with only asthma, in a much worse situation than myself in terms of breathing abilities. Younger than me-she is wheelchair bound and in hospital a lot more often than me. It shocked me that she didn't have CF actually, because she had all the background knowledge of hospitals that I've only actually ever come across in CF patients.
Also about
2 years back, I was on inhalors for my asthma, I remember a doctor telling me, that actually my asthma symptoms weren't that bad, and I could do without the steroid part to my inhalor. He could tell because my lungs function tests had remained very level and stable regardless of how many infections and apparent big asthma attacks I had had. This was after an argument with them, over how many times they disregarded my symptoms as asthma rather than infection, when it was quite obviously opposite.
In me alone, asthma sputum is white and infection sputum is green, and very occasionally I'll confuse everything and start coughing yellow. Apparently though from what I've read. CF normal sputum should be yellow. But, I've never followed rules like that normally.
There is also Bronchitis, which I believe can give some similar symptoms to CF.
Well, in all that babble, I was trying to ease your worries, and at this stage there could be any number of things wrong with your son. I hope they find out the cause for your sons health quickly and that it is something easily fixable for him.
Sorry this response hasn't been written that well, and I've babbled on a bit. Just woke up, so still got morning head and I'm gonna be out all day, so wanted to respond to you now.
If you have any questions please ask!
Gemma
Moderator of the Cystic Fibrosis Forums
Diagnosed with: Cystic Fibrosis, Asthma, ABPA, Clinical Depression, Mild Liver Cirrohsis, Mild Osteopenia, Erythema Nodosum. Waiting for final diagnosis on Muscular Dystrophy type symptoms.
Medication: Creon 10,000, Vitamins A,D+E, Serevent, Salbutamol, Paracetamol, Ondansetron, Nefopam, Ursodeoxycholic Acid, Lofepramine, Slow-Sodium, Azithromycin, Ciprofloxacin, Omeprazole, Tobi Ineb, Fresubin Liquid Feed, Skandishakes. I use PEP device as my physio.
Had a Port-a-cath fitted on chest wall since Nov 05
Sometimes, I feel that I should go and play with the thunder - then I get scared and run away.