COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
About 6 months ago I was diagnosed with acute bronchitis. Pulmonary doc placed me on Z-pack & prednisone. He also ordered oxygen 24/7. He allowed me to cease the portable oxygen -- only sleeping with the oxygen at night. I made good recovery (though still on the p.m. oxygen.)
Two days ago I saw my pulmonary doc with the complaint of extreme shortness of breath. He advised he heard some crackling in my lower right lobe. He ordered chest xray, CT of chest, and labs. Im to have PFT on 6/6/16 (earliest appt. I could get.) The CXR, per his nurse, came back clear. Ive not heard the results of the CT or labs yet. Since seeing my doc my SOB has increased. When I rise from a sitting position it feels like that notorious elephant is sitting on my chest and my lungs are DRAGGING THE FLOOR! Can any of you shine a light on this symptom? Im taking my nebulizer treatment 3 times a day. It helps some but not completely. Is it strange that a cup of coffee seemed to help me? I know that sounds odd but it does. It also provides a little relief it I bend at the waist while sitting. Weird, huh?
Added note: My Rheumy within the last 10 days discontinued Methotrexate and started me on Arava a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARDs). Rarely, this drug may cause lung problems such as cough, shortness of breath or lung injury. - See more at: http://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Treatments/Leflunomide-Arava#sthash.HBRN1pFD.dpuf. I did make my Pulmonary doc aware of this side effect. He had no comment at the time.
Thank you for any advice you can offer.
Two days ago I saw my pulmonary doc with the complaint of extreme shortness of breath. He advised he heard some crackling in my lower right lobe. He ordered chest xray, CT of chest, and labs. Im to have PFT on 6/6/16 (earliest appt. I could get.) The CXR, per his nurse, came back clear. Ive not heard the results of the CT or labs yet. Since seeing my doc my SOB has increased. When I rise from a sitting position it feels like that notorious elephant is sitting on my chest and my lungs are DRAGGING THE FLOOR! Can any of you shine a light on this symptom? Im taking my nebulizer treatment 3 times a day. It helps some but not completely. Is it strange that a cup of coffee seemed to help me? I know that sounds odd but it does. It also provides a little relief it I bend at the waist while sitting. Weird, huh?
Added note: My Rheumy within the last 10 days discontinued Methotrexate and started me on Arava a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARDs). Rarely, this drug may cause lung problems such as cough, shortness of breath or lung injury. - See more at: http://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Treatments/Leflunomide-Arava#sthash.HBRN1pFD.dpuf. I did make my Pulmonary doc aware of this side effect. He had no comment at the time.
Thank you for any advice you can offer.
i went thru a month of being sick & finally my dr had me come in & get injections for 2 days & I took another round of pills before it cleared up.
it sounds to me like you may have an infection again & I hope you have seen your dr about it.
I thought crackling in lungs was due to my pulmonary fibrosis, but i just googled it & i guess it can have many causes;
"Crackles can be heard in patients with pneumonia, atelectasis, pulmonary fibrosis, acute bronchitis, bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease or post thoracotomy or metastasis ablation. Pulmonary edema secondary to left-sided congestive heart failure can also cause rales.
Crackles - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CracklesWikipedia"
learn something new all the time ;)
It sounds like the pulmonologist you went to is being very thorough & you should get some answers from the tests you are having.
Did you do a 6 minute walk test? that simple test is what has shown me how much 02 I need during the day.
BTW; I often miss seeing advice posts, so i have gotten in the habit of just using the discussion column for questions also.
if you don't get much response to this post you might try asking in the discussion area :)
BTW/no inhaler meds prior to PFT...bring inhaler meds w/you.
Bending over compresses the lungs making it harder to get air in and out. That's why you feel discomfort and shortness of breath when you bend over.