Crackling popping lungs when breathing

[Jen3675]

Hi, after a little advice or similar experience....

5 weeks ago I developed a really tight chest and non productive cough out of nowhere, no illness. Stole my husbands fostair inhaler 3 days in as really struggling and couldn’t see go, got through it but it was horrendous, really uncomfortable and could breathe.

I was a smokers of 22 years with a few years off in between. I haven’t smoked a single cigarette since, that is how bad it was.

Thought it was getting better but got worse again, felt like I couldn’t get a breath in, especially on one side. Back to the GP, possible infection, antibiotics for 7 days, slow improvement, still cough and crackly chest but much looser. Had 2 days where I was ok, mild chest tightness but no cough. Thought I was fixed.

Cough now returned, more productive with white phlegm, crackling badly when I breath in, worse when laying down, slight tightness. On steroids now and ventalin. I feel much less breathless despite my musical chest.

Clear chest x-ray (done as one vigorous coughing episode led to blood in phlegm)

Could this be a hang over from an infection, I am not convinced as I was sick? COPD? Effects of giving up smoking? Definitely not covid as numerous negative tests.

The crackling popping makes me anxious, 😥

[Jen3675]

Just going to give my post a little bump 😊

[Petrie21]

When I have a noise chest it’s usually a chest infection .

[Jen3675 in reply to Petrie21]

Thank you....would a lingering infection show on the chest x-ray?

[Petrie21 in reply to Jen3675]

I would think so , but I am not a doctor .

[Hidden]

Crackling and popping I would say needs further investigation, you should speak again with your GP about your symptoms, cannot guess your diagnosis, seek professional medical advice.

Hope you will recover ok. Phone 111 if you get into any difficulty over the weekend but hopefully you will have made contact with your GP before then.

Best wishes BK

[Jen3675 in reply to Hidden]

I have spoken to the GP and practice nurse 3 times this week and just started the steroids today. Listened to my chest on Monday. They really don’t seem too concerned and I am trying not to over react!

I think the fact the X-ray was clear and I am definitely less breathless than I was, that things are going the right direction are reassuring to them?

I am not sure if I am worrying other nothing or should push for it to be looked at more.

[Hidden in reply to Jen3675]

As you are already being treated nothing further to do until you have finished your course of steroids except if things worsen contact 111 after hours. Hope you find the course of steroids does the trick.

[Jen3675]

That’s my thinking too....was just curious if others had experience similar 💕

[Alberta56]

Hope you soon feel better. I'm afraid I can't help with the crackling, but it does sound disconcerting.

[Jen3675 in reply to Alberta56]

Thank you for taking the time to reply 😊

[Hidden]

I have the same problems. It can be COPD or even worse pulmonary fibrosis. But it can also be GERD or an infection. I have asthma but by GP also suspect PF+asthma caused by vaping. Lung cracklings especially when laying down are common in pulmonary fibrosis. Xray may came up clear in early PF. CT scan can be the only answer

[Jen3675 in reply to Hidden]

I am sorry to hear you are going through similar. Funny you mention vaping, I vaped for 2 days before this began and am convinced this has something to do with it.

Definitely not GERD, on PPI’s, have been for years, reflux is well controlled.

Steroids haven’t really help, maybe slightly less crackling, mostly on deep breathe only.

No indication of asthma, inhalers make no difference.

Not ready to consider PF.

Similar history to me?

Funnily enough, I am less breathless than I have been for years.

[Hidden in reply to Jen3675]

There are several user with the same lung crackles in this forum, they usually suffer from IPF. I know one in particular he was a vaper and he suspected copd. Unfortunately vaping is a know cause of lung scarring. If you vape stop asap. Stay close to your GP and explain the problem to him/her. All my lung problems started with vaping.

I'm on Aliflus 250 MDI max daily dose (1000) + NAC 600mg. Inhaled steroids may help but they are not enough. I think they will put me on prednisone to slow the damage. Now tell me

Did you cough/breath/tightness get worse when you move?

Do you have muscle/back pain?, stiff sensation on back?

Do you have flu like symptoms without fever?

Did this lung crackles start when you laying down for a bit and then you can hear them when you take inhale with a deep breath? Do this bring up mucus?

If you find yourself in this situation you may have PF. Talk with your GP. Is not an easy disease to diagnose

[Jen3675 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for coming back to me. I have never vaped for Very long....a few weeks on several occasions at most then back to smoking. In regular contact with GP but they aren’t overly concerned, Still think it’s an infection but this isn’t like anything else I have had. I am feeling pretty anxious about it all which I am sure isn’t helping.

Cough worse in the morning but not on movement. Walked up a huge hill today, hardly any difficulty breathing. No shortness of breath now.

No back sensation.

No flu symptoms

It alway there if I laying down, clears after 1-2 breaths. Happens in upright position too, Bring up white mucus during The day but no so much at night.

Sound familiar? Sucks you are going through this Too.

[Hidden in reply to Jen3675]

These are good news to hear. If the crackles clears after 1-2 breaths and are not permaments, if no back stiff/back pain and no flu like symptoms you may not have it

Bring up white mucus during The day but no so much at night --> this is usually a tipical sign (but not limited to) of copd. It may be an occasional infection. Good luck. Keep monitoring your health status for the moment.

[Jen3675 in reply to Hidden]

Really do appreciate your input, freaking out slightly! And I hope things improve for you 😊

Whatever it is, I will never smoke/vape again.

Hopefully it’s just a touch of COPD.......never thought I would say that.

I wish you the best of luck too x

[Hidden in reply to Jen3675]

If you vape and smoke at the same time this is even worse. Even if you have copd if you quit you can stop the progression and live a normal life. Pls stop asap and god bless you

[Jen3675 in reply to Hidden]

Haven’t touched a cigarette or vape in 6 weeks, I am done 😊