Chest pain hyperinflated lungs

[T_A_A_T_J]

Can any1 understand this iv been told now I need another ecg and my spirometry results are lower than the normal and although iv been given a preventer(brown) inhaler to use for so many weeks the Dr feels it's not asthma nothing mentioned on copd again at the moment my bloods results are also on the low side of everything and Blood pressure and still getting breathless chest pain across to my sholder at times to and no one's explained my hyperinflated lungs either

[Ergendl]

Hi, T_A_A_T_J. Heart and lung problems are sometimes difficult to separate, so your doctor seems to be doing more tests to be able to give you a firm diagnosis. My COPD diagnosis took about a year, and since diagnosis in 2015 my chest measurement has expanded 2". That's involved lots of times when the tiny muscles between the ribs, the intercostal muscles, have overstretched and feel sore. Hyperinflated lungs are a part of some types of lung conditions. Try to give the doctor some time to work out what's really going on. Wishing you all the best.

[T_A_A_T_J in reply to Ergendl]

Thank you it's strange as I'm only 26 so very uncommon to get copd

[Katinka46]

Excellent advice from Ergendl . I had been pondering what to say and she has said it. Hyperinflation usually shows on full lung functions tests (PFT), in the section where they assess the total lung capacity. It can sometimes show to a certain extent on x-ray, when lungs appear to be large. I have hyperinflation from my condition. Which is not COPD.

All the best

[T_A_A_T_J in reply to Katinka46]

Hi My lung function test was lower than normal as was all my bloods thyroid ECT

[Katinka46 in reply to T_A_A_T_J]

Hello again.

I too think it is unlikely that you have COPD. But you need to be checked out for Alpha-1-Anti-Trypsin-Defieciency. This is done as a simple blood test. That is a rare genetic condition that can lead to emphysema and occurs in younger people. It is obvious that things aren't right and you must push for more answers. It does look as though your doctor is keen to get to the bottom of it.

All the best

Kate

P.S. Predictive text turned "more answers" into "masseurs". So I was advising you to push for "masseurs". You would have been scratching your head about that. Doh.....

[Superzob]

Your figures seem similar to mine. I have fixed small airways obstruction (with no known cause) and hyperinflation, which is the body's compensation mechanism when your small airways don't collapse properly on exhalation. I suspect your ECG is to rule out any heart-related problem causing your chest pain; I had one years ago, but my chest pain was caused by anxiety. I have had chest tightness (which feels different) as a result of the small airways obstruction, but that has subsided with treatment.

You may not have been taking the brown inhaler long enough to reduce any small airways obstruction, but any asthma would probably have responded by now, hence your doctor's view that the problem is not asthma. CT scan might be the next stage, as it's possible to see retained air in the lungs; that way, it should be possible to come up with a more definitive diagnosis and, more importantly, some effective treatment.

[T_A_A_T_J in reply to Superzob]

Hi how was your conditiin found i had an xray that initially showed my hyperinflated lungs and as the chest pain has continued he wants another ecg done and pump trial not made any real difference when I went to the hospital at one point due to Dr sending me as I got so breathless walking 20steps ish my sats dropped and my heart rate doubled still get the pain that travels across to my right shoulder sometimes I feel like my chest is sticky when taking a breath if that makes any sense and just always feel sick unsure if related all my bloods are on the lower side aswell I'm only 26 just with 3kids so can be stressful but done it for 10years so surly can't be that when I had the breathing test done it hurt to blow out and ran out of blow very quick lol

[Superzob]

Initially, my condition was recognised from poor peak flow (300 instead of 500), then sent for spirometry which showed some reversibility (hence 17% asthma) and the CT scan which showed the fixed small airways obstruction (normal X-Ray won't pick that up as it's too coarse a measure).

If your ECG shows nothing, then might be worth asking your doctor for a CT scan and some salbutamol (Ventolin) in the meantime, as it tends to act quicker than the brown inhalers (and you can take both). Hope you find an answer soon.

[Hidden]

Hi did you ever get to the bottom of your inflated lungs? I was told 4 years ago I had hyperinflated lungs too. My spirometers was worse than your in that the FEV1/FVC ratio was lower than it should be. A&E dropped the bombshell that I had COPD put respiratory doctor won’t give me the diagnosis as such. Just wondered how you were and if you are any closer to seeing why this showed on your X-ray. All the best x