Advice on early detection

[rb55]

Partner has been short of breath and experiencing unrelenting shoulder and chest pain. Heart stuff being looked into but all good so far. His oxygen on finger monitor usually around 94/95. We have photos of it going lower than 90 but nobody at hospital cares. He can barely move/ speak without shortness of breath. He says its like breathing through a straw. Chest xray all clear. He has a rescue inhaler but this doesn't do anything Waiting months for spirometry.

How do we get anyone to take him seriously? What tests should be done at this point. Seems like if xray is clear you are chucked out.

Thanks

[JHutton1994]

You should push for a chest CT. Stress the diminished quality of life, daily symptoms, and normal cardiac investigations, also that something is clearly not right and is only getting worse.

[rb55 in reply to JHutton1994]

It's took him over a year to get Mri of his heart. It showed some scaring and pericarditis. But this is new and different. We'll keep pushing. Nhs are just too stretched to be proactive. Thanks for your support

[Ergendl]

Has your partner checked his peak flow readings? It could be asthma-related, triggered by something introduced into his life shortly before things got this bad. You can buy a peak flow monitor for between £7 and £14 on Amazon. asthmaandlung.org.uk/sympto...

It could also be severe reflux. Does he have a lot of indigestion?

What does your GP say?

[rb55 in reply to Ergendl]

He has a peak flow chart to fill out. All good so far with it. Going back to gp tomorrow.Thanks for your advice

[Alberta56]

X-rays do not show what's going on in lungs. He needs a CT scan. Sorry you're having all this bother getting what you need.

[Mellywelly]

I am presuming his shoulder pain (although I'm not a professional) could be because he's trying to breath harder as I used to get that with my copd. I would seriously just bombard them with calls till you get someone to explain to you what's going on and what to do going forward 😒. Everything takes too long these days. Good luck to you both 😉

[Patk1]

He needs a ct scan of lungs.we r all finding that we are having to be proactive to access care we need.Is he using an aerosure spacer device with inhaler? If not,ask gp to prescribe one.

Has he been shown technique for using the inhaler - if not, tell gp.

Without this,he won't be getting full dose.

Do ask gp about treatment for heart probs they've found.

Hubby and yrself, may find useful advice on aluk website,and videos - my go to is " controlled pursed lips breathing technique ". It's so useful to maintain airflow+ a real help when struggling to breathe x

[rb55 in reply to Patk1]

Thank you we will look into this technique. You don't feel so alone when you post a question and people kindly respond. Used health unlocked before and its been a life saver

[Nula2]

Hi rb55, can't add any more to all the brilliant advice already given but just wanted to say I hope all goes well and you given the tests you need xx

[soppysokes]

just a thought, and I know it shouldnt be the case, but if you get nowhere with gp/nhs and if it could be ‘doable’ for you a private MRI scan can be done and the report then taken to your gp for further treatment if needed. The private MRI is not so very expensive we were really surprised when we had possible need to use it. If not possible for you, just keep pushing, nicely at least at first with the gp, it goes against the grain for alot of us but its often the only way to get noticed unfortunately.Or,dare I say it, A&E when symptoms are bad.

[soppysokes in reply to soppysokes]

oops sorry meant CT scan!