Hyperinflated lungs on x-ray...

[AeonFlux]

Hello lovely people.

Few days ago I posted about persistent chest tightness and breathlessness. Right now, two visits to urgent care and multiple conversations with GP I have a bit more info but also even more questions.

Two days ago I was told by a doctor that looking at my x-ray it seems that i have hyperinflated lungs. He said it's most likely COPD. He prescribed me with steroid inhaler and let me go home. Next day the pharmacy team told me they didn't get my prescription so I got nothing. Went to urgent care again as my lungs and throat felt like closing in again. 10 hours after waiting I got another chest x-ray and this other doctor tells me he doesn't think I have COPD and my lungs only look hyperinflated because I'm very skinny with small ribs. He advised it's anxiety. He said "your oxygen levels are 100-97, pH in blood is good and your lungs sound fine". Two docs giving me completely different expectations and it feels like juggling between life and death..

I am 26yo female without alpha 1 deficiency (got blood results today) and I've been smoking about a pack a day for about 11 years. 3 days ago I quit smoking and I'm confident in myself I won't come back to this nasty addiction. I still use disposable vape pod when I feel like scratching my skin from withdrawals but I gave myself an ultimatum of two weeks and then I'm quitting nicotine forever.

I've been around both smoking parents throughout my childhood, have an aunt and grandmother with asthma but never showed any signs of asthma as a child myself.

Currently I'm waiting for appointments for respiratory medicine, cardiologist and mental health specialist so I'm trying to stay hopeful and take care of myself in the meantime. Really struggling with taking deep breaths, they feel restricted, both inhaling and exhaling. Pursed lip belly breathing is the only thing that keeps me sane but I'm barely able to do simple tasks as washing dishes or eating food. So much energy is focused on managing my anxiety levels and staying calm. I'm breathless all the time, even laying in bed and and it's hard to breathe through my nose. My chest is so heavy every second of my day and I just want to escape my body and breathe all the air in the world..

Yesterday I talked to a lovely lady that works with BLF that put me on ease saying hyperinflation is also possible with asthma too. My problem with it is that my problem is consistent for 3 months and doesn't go away like asthma would. Another thing, the blue inhaler Salamol doesn't help me at all (I'm sure my technique is correct, using it with aero chamber).

People that are active here are very articulated so I'm sorry my post is all over the place. I guess I'm just curious what my case is about, especially with hyperinflated lungs and restricted breathing. Maybe someone has some thoughts? Also thank you for encouragement and sharing your thoughts, the support in this forum was the reason I pushed myself for further investigation and staying positive. Hope you all have a good evening x

[knitter]

Hi again , what a nuisance about the steroid inhaler prescription, have you managed to sort it yet. That’s the main thing that helps me , I take it regularly but my daughters are only prescribed it when they have a very rare flare up.Ventolin doesn’t work very well for me either…..one or two puffs are fine , but any more affects my breathing .

How many puffs do you take ?

Any mention that you may be over breathing , got into a habit of big breaths instead of relaxed gentle gentle breathing with a closed mouth if possible . There are ways of unblocking your nose using breath exercises , so it’s easier to nose breathe to warm and filter the air ….and help over breathing .

My O2 levels can be high but I still have trouble breathing at times.

No mention about the possibility of Long Covid either?

If you look at the BLF website it gives you tips on managing breathlessness, just to get you over this bad patch . Huge change for you stopping smoking too….well done .

I had a tape of rain storms and thunder which helped me at a bad time …now I listen to you tube relaxing music ….try Weightless by Marconi Union .

Meditation by Jon Kabat Zinn . Or Ohm sounds .

When you are listening try to relax and practice the gentle , gentle nose breaths ……not big breaths or tight upper chest breaths …..but gentle gentle gentle breathing.

Be kind to yourself .

Put one hand lightly on your upper chest one on your lower, breathe gently , the lower hand should move out more than the upper one .

Prop yourself up in bed with pillows , that may help.

Try and get the steroid preventer prescription before the weekend , and hopefully that will help .

Best wishes.

[AeonFlux in reply to knitter]

Hi knitter, thank you for your response. I think there was a miscommunication between the hospital and pharmacy, since then I stope to GP and she said that the reason of my symptoms is unknown and she wouldn't want me to use the inhaler. Still gonna try to get it tomorrow.I use my blue inhaler 1 or 2 times a day. It doesn't help me at all, but i still keep trying..

Also really like the idea of the storm sounds, I love it! Makes you want to curl up cosy in bed with tea and a good book.

[Alberta56]

I can't suggest anything helpful- my problems are different from yours. I just wanted to send you good wishes and hope that you get to see those consultants soon.

[AeonFlux in reply to Alberta56]

Thank you very much, Alberta x hope you're having a wonderful day