Lung inflammation

[Mkochkarian]

Hello everyone, I am new to health unlocked, and I was wondering about some questions I have. I am a post Covid patient, and i have lung inflammation that just won't go away (3 months already), I had no fever, was not hospitalized, did not develop pneumonia, but just inflammation and trouble breathing. I have a pulmonologist appointment today and I've been reading about how prednisone helps lung inflammation. So I'm assuming maybe he will prescribe me that today. So I was wondering how fast does prednisone work to decrease inflammation, will I feel that I am able to breath almost instantly ? Or does it take weeks to kick in? I would appreciate some insight from people who had lung inflammation and were put on prednisone! Thank you :))

[BreatheasyBe]

Oh Steroids - I am not a covid patient so not sure your experience will be anything like mine. I have to say from personal experience I usually feel like Wonder Woman gifted with super powers and breathing is much better and the one band whistling (wheeze) has gone out of town. Downside is you have to come off them as they can have terrible long-lasting effects if taken for a prolonged period on certain doses. Some people are lucky enough not to suffer any ill effects but for me it’s weird some times I’m fine no problems and then even a short 5 day 40mg dose and I’m awake all night full of energy and hungry OMG no self control- if it’s in the cupboard/fridge it’s gone by morning. I also have energy to give the house a good spring clean. I hate coming off the steroids as reality sets in and I’m back to my usual limitations. The benefits definitely outweigh the negatives for me. Good luck with your recovery.

[Mkochkarian in reply to BreatheasyBe]

Thank you for the quick response! And may I ask why were you put on prednisone? To see what are the reasons usually people are put on prednisone

[BreatheasyBe in reply to Mkochkarian]

I have respiratory diseases from birth - the usual born premature, lungs not developed, incubated- probably over ventilated, pneumonia at a year old... asthma in primary school years, Copd -primarily bronchiectasis. Recurrent stubborn chest infections is the recent I’ve been prescribed short courses of steroids in the past.

[Mkochkarian in reply to BreatheasyBe]

I'm so sorry to hear that! Stay strong! I hope your condition is manageable, I know nothing about these things or how they affect people! I'm here to learn more and be conscious

[BreatheasyBe in reply to Mkochkarian]

Hey don’t be there no holding me back x

[2greys]

It takes a couple of days to feel the full benefit. But they will be loath to prescribe oral steroids on a permanent basis at first unless there is no other option. There can be some horrible side effects, is a dangerous drug and tightly controlled.

You do not mention if you already have a lung disease and already have treatment with any inhalers. They might want to try you with a preventer inhaler that contains inhaled corticosteroids, this can take up to a month to begin working and you may be put on prednisolone for a few weeks whilst the preventer inhaler builds up.

I have stage 4 Emphysema and have problems with inflammation and my existing preventer had it's inhaled corticosteroids content doubled, which helps.

Totally unrelated to my Emphysema, I also had Covid in April and had lingering problems for 4 months or so, this has largely gone now so I can empathise.

A big tip, if you are given steroids (Prednisolone) then take it with food, as early in the morning as you can, insomnia is one of the side effects, take it too late in the day and you will have trouble sleeping at night. If you start to feel strange thoughts especially of suicide see your doctor immediately, another, mind bending ,side effect.

[Mkochkarian in reply to 2greys]

Hello! Thank you for the response. Actually I was never diagnosed with anything lung related ever. I've always been an active athlete (brazilian jiu jitsu fighter) and never had issues with my lungs except one time 5 years ago I had a mild infection because of second hand smoking (had a bf who smoked like a chimney around me) which cleared up in a few days after an ER visit and the right meds.

After I got covid 3 months ago, I did 2 xrays which showed inflammation. I went to the ER and was given a nebulizer then put on ventolin and symbicort, they didn't do anything as I couldn't inhale well enough to have them reach my lungs, so I bought a nebulizer which also did not have a lot of effect on me, it only made me slightly better (about 20%), been on it for 2 months and no signs of improvement so I booked an appointment with a pulmonologist. Then I found this forum and thought maybe I can get some insight before I go to my appointment as this is my first time ever seeing a pulmonogist. Anything I should look out for in asking him? Any recommendations?

[2greys in reply to Mkochkarian]

Because your problem started with novel Covid I doubt he would have any answers, all he can do is to treat your symptoms. As I suggested he may give you a short course of oral steroids which will help your breathing enough to start taking inhaled steroids and then cease taking oral steroids. There is a steroid only inhaler (spray) that asthma suffers take, as well as combined bronchial dilator/steroid spray inhalers. You should ask him for a "metered dose ICS" inhaler. Hopefully this not going to be a permanent ailment for you.

[Mkochkarian in reply to 2greys]

Thank you for the insight! I will definitely ask about those, I'm sure he will know, he is a consultant and has worked with Covid patients. I know it's a new virus, and almost everyone told me not to bother to see a doctor because he/she will do nothing for me. But honestly I went to these covid survivor pages on fb and almost everyone who had breathing problems like me were prescribed short steroid doses and are fully recovered. I just think exhausting all my options at this point is best and seeing a doctor never hurts, at least like you said to treat my symptoms. And thank you for the good wishes, I really hope this has not caused me any long term issues.

[Troilus]

Hi Mkochkarian, I have had quite a few doses of prednisone. I am usually prescribed a five day course for lung inflammation due to asthma. I find them amazing. Yes, you get side effects. For me, it is restless nights, bloating and I can eat for England!

However, it is not for long and my breathing improves dramatically. I find I usually see an improvement around day two or three, but this can continue after I have finished the course.

I also take a steroid inhaler on a daily basis.

[Mkochkarian]

Thank you for the response Troilus! Yes I heard of these side effects. But honestly at this point I would try anything regardless of side effects because the breathing issue is causing me to be more depressed than anything right now, it has hampered my daily life, can't work, can't sleep, can't talk 2 sentences without becoming breathless and feeling like passing out! I really hope something will come out of my appointment today with the pulmonologist!

[corriena]

It usualy takes 2or 3 days of pred to start to notice the differance. I have emphcemia and get all sorts of side affects but they realy do make a big difference. I hope you are recovered soon

[Mkochkarian in reply to corriena]

Thank you so much for the insight!

[Biofreak]

Have you had a CT scan of your lungs to see if there is any damage to your lungs as a result of Covid19. Inflammation would be obvious on x-ray but damage would probably show up as a scarring effect (looking like ground glass) on a CT scan. I would think that the course of Prednisone might do the trick of removing the inflammation fairly quickly if there is no damage other than inflammation. Hope all goes well and you regain the ability to breathe easily.

[Mkochkarian in reply to Biofreak]

No I have not had a CT, every doctor I went to before I booked my appointment with the consultant told me there is no need to do one and be exposed to so much radiation for nothing since this is just inflammation. What is so sad is that i keep asking them if can i develop any kind of damage to my lungs from this inflammation they said no (but to be honest these doctors i saw are very questionable and I think their license should be revoked) But eventually I thought what do they know? They aren't pulmonologist. I am going today to the appointment and I will see if the pulmonologist will ask for a CT but so far have had only xrays.

I hope there won't be any damage and the consultant will give me good news! And thank you for the good wishes !

[Biofreak]

I really think that you should have CT scan if for no other reason than confirming there is no damage and then at least you can set your mind at rest that you are only dealing with inflammation which can heal and you have no long term detramental effects. Please push for it as I can speak from experience when I say missing lung damage now at an early stage can lead to big problems as you get older. I am impressed you have been able to see a pulmonologist so quickly. My husband has been waiting for almost 12 months and is still waiting with catastrophic consequences. I don't mean to worry you at all but only trying to make sure you get the right attention now when you have the opportunity. Good luck.

[Mkochkarian in reply to Biofreak]

Okay I will push for it then! I think the consultant will definitely order me one, we will see, and btw I do not live in the UK and I am going to see a private doctor that will cost me a fortune which is why it was so quick. Plus he gave me an appointment 2 weeks from now but I begged to be seen earlier as I am not well at all, and he agreed! I am lucky but my husband's pocket will suffer which I nor he care as long as I get the care i need.

[Biofreak in reply to Mkochkarian]

Aaah that explains it. I am glad you are able to do this and hope you get the treatment you need quickly if necessary. Hopefully the Prednisone will do it's job and you are back to good health soon.

[Mkochkarian in reply to Biofreak]

Thank you so much! And I hope your husband will be able to get treated soon as well!

[Biofreak in reply to Mkochkarian]

Thanks.

[Elephantstraw]

Works in six hours, then you feel you can climb mount Everest, but sometimes feel down a few days later and backache. That is my experience but I swear by them!

[Mkochkarian in reply to Elephantstraw]

Thank you so much for the insight!

[Elephantstraw]

All the best, I have had Asthma since 1983

[Kristicats]

Hope your appointment went well ? And the pulmonologist has given you something to get your lungs working properly again. Let us know how you got on if possible ?🤞🤞

[Mkochkarian in reply to Kristicats]

Yes it went absolutely amazing!! I haven't had good news in 3 months, the doctor was absolutely so helpful and told me I had developed really bad allergies (I live in a dusty place) and covid just heightened this and made it worse. So he put me on meds and fingers crossed it works! He told me there is no damage to my lungs whatsoever. He gave me singulair, symbicort, told me to wash with sinoclear, and use nasonex for the nasal allergies, and put me on nexium because I'm having gastric refluxes, and that's it! He said this is plan A and we will see how it goes for 2 weeks

[Kristicats in reply to Mkochkarian]

Well done for getting it sorted. Hope you get back to normal soon. Take care.

[Mkochkarian in reply to Kristicats]

Thank you so much!

[HungryHufflepuff]

Hello and welcome 😊 I found your post somewhat belatedly. Im glad your appointment went well. Hoping you start to feel better very soon.

[Mkochkarian in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Thank you so much!