Hardening of the Lungs?

[Verve]

I have pulmonary hypertension and recently had seen my specialist for a follow-up twice a year. I become very short on air some days while climbing a short flight of stairs or playing ball with my dogs in the backyard. This is very worrisome to me as the PH seems to be getting worse over time. He casually mentioned shortness of breath is expected with hardening of the lungs, which took me by surprise. Over the past 30 years I've survived pneumonia (3) different times, bronchiectasis, collapsed lung, pseudomonas and aspergillosis. The hardening of the lungs sounds like it's not something I can recover from and wondering if anyone else has this diagnosis too??

[irene75359]

Verve, unless you have atrial fibrillation, I think the forum which may help you most is the British Lung Foundation; just type it in the 'Search Health Unlocked' box in the top right part of the heading bar. I had a quick look on there and they seem to deal with all sorts of lung problems. Best of luck.

[Offcut in reply to irene75359]

PH is a very grey area that both lung and heart specialist have a mixed opinion and knowledge. My local consultants are happy with the PH centre taking more or less control of my many conditions. They have remarked how the information they get back from my PH centre helps them better understand the condition. There are 7000 people being treated with PH in the UK.

It took 2 years for my PH to be diagnosed by agreeing a meeting with my lung and heart Consultants to look a bit deeper into my lack of O2 on exercise.

Be Well

[Verve in reply to irene75359]

Thanks will check it out. I also have heart disease as well, a mix of things with heart/lung issues.

[Offcut]

I have AF and IPAH I would suggest that it is not so much the hardening of the lungs but the Pulmonary Artery being restrictive which is the main reason for the shortness of breath. I also have had pneumonia many times and had a number of stays in hospital one of which included 32 days in ICU.

I do go to a Specialist PH Centre in Sheffield who are treating me very well (There are 7 in the UK) If you do not go to one I would suggest you ask to be referred.

Be Well

[Verve in reply to Offcut]

I have a pulmonary specialist I see twice a year for a follow-up plus an echo and I reside in Canada.

[Ianc2]

Have you been taking amiodarone?

[Verve in reply to Ianc2]

No

[Offcut in reply to Ianc2]

Not now I am on 7.5mg Bisoprolol, 50mg Sildenafil x3 a day, Abrestatein (misspelt) plus noac's

Be well