Breathing Problems - COPD?

[Ern007]

Well I have breathing problems, not the normal COPD Flare Ups.

For a while now I have been getting short of breath to easily. Feeling worse in myself also.

I made an appointment with my excellent GP - She listened to everything

I had to say. My BP normally low was normal, my O2 sats no worse than normal. She know I have AF and she checked my pulse for heart sound changes. I also have a leaky valve and angina.

She listed to my chest for all of 20 seconds then said, come to surgery for bloods Monday and she will also order an echocardiogram but they take a while.. I THINK she suspects Heart Failure .

My main concern is I have a Bladder Cancer and I need regular ops - With heart failure I have to wonder, am I fit enough but, I can't not have the ops. I may not have CHF then what I wonder have I got...... Garden is doing well, I will post a photo also I have started painting again, helps no ends..

The main reason I think I may have CHF is I booked a holiday to isle of Man and Dr told me, I advise you not to fly - That was not good as my lady wife had been looking forward, Stay on the mainland she said.

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Hi sorry to hear about your problems I do hope they get them sorted soon. I would love to see a picture of your garden and your wonderful paintings. Have a good night and take care 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx 🌻🌻

[Ern007 in reply to Damon1864]

Thank you, I will be posting a photo soonx

[sassy59]

I do hope you can get all the help you need dear Ern and I’m very sorry to hear about your problems. Your GP seems to be very good and I’m sure all of your health issues will be taken into consideration. Thinking of you. Xxx💕

[Ern007 in reply to sassy59]

Thank you Sassy, she is very good and I go for an urgent test tomorrow, so grass not growing x

[CDPO16]

Thinking of you Ern and wishing you well x

[Ern007 in reply to CDPO16]

Thank you x

[Bevvy]

Sorry to hear your not well. Try not to overthink things. If gp strongly suspected heart failure then I would think an echo would be done quickly and wouldn’t “take time”.At this stage gp is just doing tests to rule things out. Could also well be that because tests are being done gp doesn’t want you to fly whilst things are unclear.

Is a real shame about the holiday and hope you can rebook soon.

[Ern007 in reply to Bevvy]

Thank you, I hope so - She was not against holiday, just advised to stay on mainland.

[MoyB]

Your blood test should give a quick indication of HF, if you have it.

My GP thought I had HF last year but the blood test showed it isn't. My breathing difficulties don't really have an answer, except that breathing has improved tremendously since taking a course of Clarithromycin, an antibiotic I've only had once before with the same dramatic effect. No bugs showed up in my sputum test prior to taking it, but it was prescribed anyway. I'm due to see my Resp consultant in the next week or so and intend to flag this up to him as I think it may indicate that I need a regular antibiotic,

I am also anaemic, which causes breathelessness, and my GP is doing all sorts of blood tests to find out if there is anything 'weird and wonderful' (her words!) going on as recent basic blood tests threw up a few unusual 'out of range' results.

I'm not trying to make this all about me! I hope that telling you my experience may alleviate some of your fears about the HF.

One thing that has really helped put my mind at rest is seeing my results on Patients Know Best and it is very clear from that that I DON'T have HF.

Find out what your blood test results are before you worry too much about things.

Regarding your flight, your GP may have been over cautious, but given your existing heart conditions, she was probably playing safe until your results come back.

I hope things go ok for you so that you can continue to have the ops you need. xx Moy

[Ern007 in reply to MoyB]

Thank's MoyB - My bloods are tomorrow and normally take just 24.48 hours. Think with AF and leaky valve. they will be worried about HF - I will be updating.

[Izb1]

So sorry to hear of your recent problems Ern and hope that you can get a correct diagnosis so that you can at least take it from there, it is no doubt worrying not knowing what is going on but it sounds like you have a good doctor that can get things moving quickly if necessary, as Moy says try not to worry before knowing what is wrong. As regards your holiday could you travel by coach if you cant fly? seems a shame to miss out. I wish you all the best for a good outcome, please keep us updated x

[Ern007 in reply to Izb1]

Thank you, for sure will update. I think for the time being Southport will be a relaxing place to stay.

[Izb1 in reply to Ern007]

I think it will be too, anywhere near the sea will be good. Enjoy your time there x

[jackdup]

A couple of years ago I was sent for a echocardiogram which showed my EF at 41% which I believe is borderline for heart failure. I was then sent for a cardiolite which showed a normal EF but my doctor said the echocardiogram is the gold standard and the cardiolite showed I did not have blockage in my arteries. Three months after my first echocardiogram I had a second one and showed my EF was 61 which is normal. He felt I likely had Myocarditis so there can be other explanations, just hope and pray you do not have heart failure.

Apparently the COVID vaccination can also cause Myocarditis

cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nc...

[Ern007 in reply to jackdup]

Thank you - Interesting about Covid.. Not surprised,

[horseygirl_0103]

Oh dear I really hope your issues are sorted out really soon .

[Ern007 in reply to horseygirl_0103]

Thank you horseygirl_0103

[horseygirl_0103 in reply to Ern007]

youre welcome

[horseygirl_0103]

I hope your issues are sorted out really soon take care

[Ergendl]

Hoping your worst fears prove unfounded. There is always the ferry to the Isle of Man, to get back in your wife's good books.

[Alberta56]

I'm sorry to read that your health problems are messing up your holiday plans and will keep fingers crossed for a good outcome of the tests. There are coach holidays to the I of M, which presumably involve a ferry ride, but with everything sorted out for you. I hope you get there eventually. Meantime there are some stunning places on the mainland, including Northumbria which I recently returned from. Good luck on both the holiday front and with your health problems,

[Ern007 in reply to Alberta56]

Thank you, she said not just don't fly, she advised me to stay on mainland. Not 100% sure the exact reason.

[Alberta56 in reply to Ern007]

Perhaps medical services on the IoM are not as suitable for people like us as on the mainland. Just as guess.

[Ern007 in reply to Alberta56]

Or lack of integration with mainland hospitals, my dr was pretty clear in her advice, she want's me to stay on the mainland.. I hope that advice changes soon.. I take your point, there is a hospital in Douglas where I would have been staying.

[horseygirl_0103]

I hope you get your issues sorted really soon I hope yo9u find a way for you to go on holiday

[Ern007 in reply to horseygirl_0103]

Mainland will be fine for now, just as we are used to abroad until 3 years ago, IOM seemed a decent compromise .

[horseygirl_0103 in reply to Ern007]

hope it goes well