Hello everyone. I'm writing this post because I am deeply concerned about failing a pulmonary function test. A bit of history on my situation is as follows. I have had chest pain for many years, I just pretty much ignored it. That was until 2012 when I had a work related accident that caused me to have a massive DVT and a Large Saddle Pulmonary Embolism. It seems like after this incident, my health has been on a steady decline. I have been complaining about mostly left-sided and some right sided chest pain for the past three years. My doctor continued to tell me that lungs don't feel pain and that I should not be having these types of problems 3 years out from my blood clots. I did have substantial shortness of breath for the first two years following the lung clots, but this was due to the recovery process. I have been back to the ER a few times complaining of chest pain and nothing has been found.
Well, after complaining to my doc again, he sent me for a sleep study. The sleep doctor decided to send me for a Pulmonary Function test based on my complaints and medical history. As it turns out I have severe restrictive lung function. They said it is not COPD, but severe restrictive lung function. They also tested me again today in the office with that tree program. The one where you blow until all of the leaves on the tree disappear. I failed that one as well. Can these tests be wrong? I tried to inhale and exhale a huge amount of air several times at home, and I can't seem to do any better here than I did during the test. I actually get dizzy when I breathe in deep and then breathe out rapidly.
I have had two CT scans in the past four years and I'm scared to death to do another one for fear of cancer. The first CT scan showed the large blood clots, and the second one showed a mild dependent bibasilar something and 1 non-specific hilar lymph node. The mild whatever thingy is a tiny collapsed lung, and the other thing is just a 1.1 CM lymph node. Can a CT scan change that much in the past two years? Did they miss things because they were only looking for another blood clot? Both CT scans were in the ER to rule out blood clots, so maybe they were not looking in the right places? I happen to think this is CTEPH. which is a form of Pulmonary Hypertension that is caused by blood clots in the lungs. If this is the case, they need to do a VQ scan, because CT scans are not good at finding chronic non-occlusive blood clots in the lungs.
Any how, what do you guys think? Is it serious? Should I get the third CT scan? Should I just ignore this? I really don't know what to do. I already have several diseases that are jacking me up. I also have mild to moderate sleep apnea where my oxygen levels stay between 81 and 89 for 91 percent of the time that I am asleep. Is it possible to blow such terrible numbers two times and it be a fluke? I do get shortness of breath and dizziness; but my lungs sound clear the doc said, and I do not have any crackling, or any other signs of lung problems. I also do not have any type of cough. The truth be told, I feel like a 91 year old man on most days, so it is hard to say what is causing what when it comes to symptoms. All of your advice is greatly appreciated.
Don't beat yourself up about the failed PF test. (I failed too) get the mindset that you've already made it past a ton of other stuff, and you're going to continue to fight for the best life possible! I do wish you the best, please keep us posted! 
CT scans suggest possible lung destruction in some asthmatics
Shadows on both lungs
Restrictive lung disease and copd. 
