Lung crackles - and endless frustration

[mjrminor]

For the past few months I've been getting a crackling in my lungs when I breathe in, which mostly happens while I'm lying down at night. My asthma nurse didn't think this was an asthma thing and referred me to my rheumatologist - I also have rheumatoid arthritis. The rheumatologist didn't think it was an RA thing but ordered a chest XRay just in case, which came back clear - and then said she definitely thought it was an asthma thing and referred me back to my GP.

My asthma nurse took me off Fostair a few weeks ago and put me onto a higher dose of Combisal because my asthma has been somewhat uncontrolled for a while now - but I haven't been getting on with Combisal and have been using my reliever inhaler even more.

Today my GP told me he thinks the crackles must surely be an asthma thing and just told me to go back onto Fostair - even though I was on Fostair BEFORE the crackles even started, and the whole reason the nurse wanted to try a different inhaler was because I was still having asthma issues ON Fostair.

I know GPs etc are under tremendous strain right now, but bloody hell - why can't I get a straight answer about these lung crackles???

I have a phone appointment with my asthma nurse tomorrow - if she says it's not an asthma thing again I may have to swear.

Any advice before I speak to her would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[twinkly29]

Frustrating! I think I'd try (and fail in my case 😆) to be direct/succinct and say "Rheum and GP say linked to asthma, GP says go back to Fostair but I stopped that due to previous issues asthma wise so is there a different one I can try?"

Changing to the combisal though may well have resulted in more need for reliever because, while it's kicking in (which can take up to 8 weeks) the body feels like it's got no inhaled steroids, or not enough, as it's still building up. So increased symptoms and needing more ventolin are very common. Maybe the crackling is also one of those symptoms?

[mjrminor in reply to twinkly29]

Thanks twinkly29. Honestly I feel like I'm banging my head against a brick wall right now. That's a fair point about the change to combisal still kicking in - but again, I asked the asthma nurse should I expect any issues with changing over, and she said no it will all be fine... As for the crackling, it's been going on for a few months now, whereas I've only been on the combisal for about 3 weeks.

If crackling can be an asthma symptom, I'm beginning to suspect that my asthma nurse may not be as clued up as she should be. It's a worry.

[twinkly29 in reply to mjrminor]

Hmmm. Yes does sound like the crackling might not be linked to the combisal then. I suspect the ventolin need is and hopefully that would subside in a few more weeks....but that doesn't help the crackling thing. And 🤦‍♀️ to the nurse saying no issues with a changeover. Ok not guaranteed but highly likely. What about speaking to the nurses at Asthma UK? They might be able to advise? They're also helpful with dealing with nurses who don't seem quite so on the ball. They're helpline is 0300 2225800, Mon-Fri, 9-5.

[mjrminor in reply to twinkly29]

Thanks, that's really helpful. I'll give the Asthma UK's nurses a call before my appointment tomorrow.

[willmichelle5 in reply to mjrminor]

Are you taking Montelukast sounds like mucus issues

[Uppy]

Hello there.

I too have lung crackles in my right lung. They started about 7 years ago. My lung issues/asthma started after my second pneumothorax in 9 years ago on my left lung. I had to have lung surgery in November after I had a further two lung collapse in September and October.

The crackling in my right lung has worsened now - I’ve noticed it starts when the weather is very cold or I’ve picked up a virus or unwell. I’ve spoken to the surgeon but he doesn’t comment much on the crackling and nor does my GP. I’ve always assumed it’s to do with asthma. I hope your health improves. Wishing you all the best.

Uppy

[mjrminor in reply to Uppy]

Thanks Uppy, and sorry to hear about your lung issues.

[Hidden]

Hello. I have this too. I'm 95% sure this lung crackles came from the mucus that build up in the lungs. After you lying down on a surface the first or second deep breath that you take tend to generate these sounds. Yea they can be very annoying. Xray is usually ok but they often indicate an inflammation regarding your lower airways. If you hear these crackles form an extended period of time you may have asthma or a condition called chronic bronchitis. Infact i have both

[mjrminor in reply to Hidden]

What you describe is exactly what I've been experiencing. My breathing is fine for a minute when I first lie down, then the crackling begins. I was wondering if it's a mucus thing because I can always feel it in the back of my throat, moreso when lying down. As well as changing my preventer inhaler the nurse has had me on a steroid nasal spray the last couple of weeks but so far hasn't made much of a difference.

[Hidden in reply to mjrminor]

As you can feel (like me) when you stand up or take a deep breath after this event your cilias bring up the all mucus to your throat and you are ready to expel it. The core problem are the narrowed airways. They are inflamed so they swell and so they produce more mucus than normal. Because of that i was put on Uncadep. A medication that helps the whole clearing process. Inhaled steroids should also help.

[mjrminor in reply to Hidden]

This is really helpful. Thank you. I shall be mentioning it all to my asthma nurse tomorrow.

[Hidden in reply to mjrminor]

Good luck to us

[mjrminor in reply to Hidden]

Yes. I hope the Uncadep is helping.

[MELNEL]

Have to agree that it is frustrating to get not an direct answer to the symptoms 😃 and I he doctor just thinking (don't worry be happy LOL) I actually had this crackling noise quite often, it happen as a result of fluid accumulation in the little lungs sacks, they inflammed. It's actually stopped when I started using Fostair. It will take a while as twinkly mentioned, some inhalers needs time to kick in. I still have it sometimes but then I also know that I have probably an infection coming and Fostair needs time to minimise that fluids building up. If that's not helping only steroids pills to get the inflammation under control. Best if luck and hope you getting well again soon 😊👍🍀🍀🍀

[mjrminor in reply to MELNEL]

Thanks MELNEL, that's really useful information. This is definitely a new asthma symptom for me, so it's good to hear it's treatable.

[MELNEL]

You very welcome 😊☺️ glad I could help a bit. I am just surprised that the Doctor's don't recognize it, very strange. I remember that I couldn't sleep because of the noise coming from myself. And I had to change position that I couldn't lie on my back during those times, always on side and not flat, I slept on my sofa on those times.vstill do when having breathing troubles or extremely wheezy, that's the only position I can sleep. You take care 😃😃😃

[deaD3ath in reply to MELNEL]

Did you also had pain? I have the same problem. Cannot lie flat on my back. If i do, i get crackles and pain on the right lung.

[MELNEL in reply to deaD3ath]

Something I do have pain when breathing in my lungs, when the infection is quite bad. But I don't have pain often. With Fostair it's gone quickly. Hope you are well, take care and stay safe 👍😃

[deaD3ath in reply to MELNEL]

I'm on fostair too! (From 2 days, 200/6) i think i have inflammation in the air sacs or bronchioles. Fostair is extrafine so is able to reach the deep parts of the lungs unlike others ics.

[MELNEL in reply to deaD3ath]

I only use the 100 one on Fostair, the 200 is to strong for me. Yes, Fostair can be a great inhaler helpful of course LOL 😋 see you GP if you not sure if it's inflammation, that you can take antibiotics and steroids, not that it get worse. You take care and stay safe and warm 🍀🍀🍀

[deaD3ath in reply to MELNEL]

Thank you beautiful girl

[MELNEL in reply to deaD3ath]

LOL 😂 don't make me blush 😜 but thank you 😉

[Mont05]

Ive been having the same problem! I’m a brittle asthmatic and been on prednisolone since November 2019, many hospital admissions and inhaler changes. This last 6 weeks I have had hig temperature and a real flare up of my asthma. I’ve had negative covid test (but have been shielding since March so would be surprised). Anyway my Gp yesterday gave me a medication called Carbocisteine yesterday to try and help bring up the mucus which is causing the crackling and me to have so many asthma attacks which I’m needing to double dose on my nebuliser for to keep me out of hospital. Maybe worth asking about that medication? Hope you feel better soon and get some joy with your surgery!

[mjrminor in reply to Mont05]

Sounds like you've had a difficult time lately Mont05. I hope the Carbocisteine helps!

[Diavol20004]

Hi Mj, I too have had this crackle, is yours as mine, when you leave your mouth open, can you hear it go in sync with your heart beat? If this is the case, I found that mine was in fact mucus in my throat and not my asthma or my heart as I'd at first feared. Hope this takes a bit of worry away 👍🏾

[mjrminor in reply to Diavol20004]

Hi Diavol, my crackles happen whether my mouth is open or closed. But I've just talked to my asthma nurse and she's putting me on Fostair 200/6 to see if a stronger dose of steroid will help. If it doesn't we're going to investigate whether it's acid reflux causing the issue. Hopefully we'll get to the bottom of it soon.

[KnPoa]

I had crackles in chest a couple of years ago, mostly when lying down, chest infection after chest infection, numerous changes of inhalers, nothing helped. Turns out, I had silent acid reflux and the acid was getting into my lungs causing the crackling. Now on medication for that, I occasionally still have a problem but generally it’s okay.

[mjrminor in reply to KnPoa]

Hi KnPoa, I'm glad you've managed to find help with the acid reflux. Having just spoken to my asthma nurse again, and the subject of acid reflux was brought up and it sounds like it's a possibility for what's going on with me. She's first trying me on Fostair 200/6 first to see if increased steroids help, then if not, I'm going to try an elimination diet to see if that changes anything. I'm already on Omeprazole and have been for a couple of years to protect my stomach from the amount of pills I have to take, but maybe it's not enough. We'll see...

[Maya_227]

Hi, I am having problems with "crackles" breathing in like you. I believe for me it is definitely phlegm/fluid, it annoys me immensely and makes me cough so much. I've just been put on Fostair 200/6, I was given carbocisteine by a duty GP but my own GP has said don't take it as she doesn't think it will help! My crackling goes in cycles of severity with never more than 2 consecutive days of feeling "oh it's a little better today". This has been going on for 4 years now and I just want it to stop. My asthma nurse isn't much help, an Asthma UK nurse has said I should be seen by a consultant and have further investigations. Told my GP this and she has agreed to refer if the Fostair doesn't help. I'm fit and healthy apart from this and find the lack of knowledge in GP's and the nurses so frustrating 🤬.

[mjrminor in reply to Maya_227]

Sorry to hear you've been having long term problems with the crackling and coughing Maya. Hopefully the referral will bring you the answers you need if the Fostair doesn't help.

[PyrieMama]

This is so interesting, I just got diagnosed with asthma this week, and so far dr has only given me a blue inhaler, and a peak flow to record my own readings as they can't do it in the surgery due to covid. I need to do this for a couple weeks then get a callback with the asthma nurse. It was the crackling noise that made me go to the dr's in the first place (I'd previously had a negative covid test, and antibiotics as they thought it might be a chest infection, now finally been told asthma). The blue inhaler has done nothing at all for the crackling, but has been helping with the shortness of breath, but the dr did say if things haven't improved by the time I have the phone appointment with the nurse, that I may need a steroid inhaler. I'm new to all this, so I'm not up on all the lingo, but reading this thread has made me understand what may be causing this crackling.