Abdominal squeezing

[CyprusPat]

Does anybody else suffer with your abdomen feeling as if it’s in a vice? Is this all part of emphysema or is it something else? Have you found anything that relieves it? Thanks in advance

[soulsaver]

It can be a side effect of some inhalers that work on relaxing smooth muscle in your lungs but some people have a (reputedly rare)side effect of it interfering with smooth muscle in peristalsis causing a bloated 'tucked up' trapped wind feeling.

What inhalers do you use?

Edit - just looked at your previous post - you've recently been changed to the ipratropium based inhaler Atrovent. Ipratropium and Tiotropium both can cause it, so Spiriva, See-Bri, Spiolto, Respontin etc will likely all affect you, too.

I know it can be unbearably uncomfortable. They list it as 'constipation' but it's higher up your digestive tract so doesn't feel like any prior experience of it.

See if formoterol based bronchodilator inhaler could be used.

[CyprusPat in reply to soulsaver]

That’s interesting and would explain things. I shall look into this further. I’m trying to get to the bottom of why I’ve deteriorated so quickly in just 3 years. I had my first CT scan in 2012 which diagnosed centrilobular emphysema. I had a 2nd in Feb 2020 which noted very little change. I’ve recently changed pulmonologist and he wants another CT scan. Just wondered If you had any thoughts as you seem to have your finger on the pulse 😉 thank you so much for your reply.

[soulsaver in reply to CyprusPat]

As a short term relief, if a good laxative shifts it, it's very likely as I said. It'll come back though if the source isn't addressed.

Edit - see my later post for a more definitive approach.

As an aside are you UK or EU 'national' resident in Cyprus? Paphos? It's an aspiration for me to either move there or maybe rent there for the UK winter. How is the health care? Affordable?

[CyprusPat in reply to soulsaver]

Expat with permanent residency living in Larnaca. Winters are pleasant with lows of 15 highs of 22. Jan /Feb being the coldest/wettest. Houses are not built for cold they are concrete and single brick. I have central heating! Health care system which is much better than NHS but like UK you need to contribute. As a pensioner with a S1 my treatment is the same as having paid in. I think you can only stay 90 days in 1 go thanks to brexit.

[Tia4209]

I read back over some of your previous posts and noticed that you had Gallstones and were due to have your Gallbladder removed a few years ago? Gallstones can cause all sorts of GI symptoms and pain. Even after Gallbladder removal some symptoms can still persist.

[CyprusPat in reply to Tia4209]

Thanks for the input. I had given this some thought

[O2Trees]

Hi CyprusPat, I have pan-lobular emphysema and in recent years have a tight sensation in the front of my body at bra level. I wonder if this is what you have as I relate strongly to your description of feeling you're in a vice. Over the last few years the feeling has got tighter and tighter and often feels like I wont be able to get a large enough breath, tho I actually always can do - for now anyway.

For me anyway, I believe it's due to hyperinflation distorting my lungs and, due to the alvioli losing their elasticity, becoming larger and larger. I am now what they call barrel chested which means the whole muscular skeletal structure of my upper body has changed to accommodate the grossly inflated and enlarged lungs. When I recently had a chest xray, despite the radiologist using the 'male' ie larger photo plates, I still needed two xrays in order to fit all my lungs in as they have got so large.

Not sure if this is helpful or not, but it's what came to mind from personal experience on reading your post.

[CyprusPat in reply to O2Trees]

Thanks for your reply. Although I know what you mean mine’s definitely lower than bra line. I also had to have 2 Xray’s a couple of weeks ago but they didn’t say why.

[Maricopa in reply to O2Trees]

Ditto. I’m aatd ZZ.

[Collie4 in reply to O2Trees]

I have this tightness in the same place too but can sort of take a deep breath most of the time. It’s very uncomfortable sometimes, and difficult to know how to ease it. I’m going to talk with my respiratory nurse when i can get an appointment. I used to get a letter when review was due but unfortunately due to the situation over the last almost 2 years everything has got delayed and we are left stressing.

[CyprusPat in reply to Collie4]

Please Let me know how you get on. Hope nurse has some ideas

[Collie4 in reply to CyprusPat]

Yes, i will. I hope she has some answers.

[goldieoldie in reply to O2Trees]

hi I can relate to the tight feeling ,but I am interested to know how you relate this to your gp/nurse whoever----im of the same age and though this may not have any bearing on the matter---im asthmatic but have only had one attack --also severe anxiety--GAD-- sorry to be so blunt,I dont come on this site often,in fact its been around a yearor more--im hoping you can relate to my question---and hope your reasonably well..

[O2Trees in reply to goldieoldie]

Im also asthmatic and have bronchiectasis though so far no heart attacks. I describe it to my nurse pretty much as I wrote about it above. She agrees with what I think, though also it could be something to do with the diaphragm as I think it's at that level. Nothing has been suggested - it seems to be part of natural progression of the copd and breaking down of alvioli plus lungs gaining in size to compensate. Sorry, this probably isnt much help. This must be much worse if you have anxiety, Im sorry you have that - I hope you can find answers.

[O2Trees]

Ok, understood. I really hope you can get something sorted CP. Good luck

[soulsaver]

Better idea than the lax: If you've got your 'old' inhaler go back to that for a few days: If the vice grip goes, you know pretty well for sure, the cause is your new meds.

Best wishes

[CyprusPat in reply to soulsaver]

Thanks I will try that.

[Patk1]

If its yr actual abdomen,i have long standing ibs and find " buscoan" tablets helpful for pain+ spasms of bowel. Its sold otc in uk.the active ingredient is ' hyosine Bromide' i think

[CyprusPat in reply to Patk1]

Thanks for your reply