5 Years of Congestion in One Lung... Need Answers...

[pcs0206]

I'm a 32 year old female and my left lung feels heavy and congested. I have no idea the cause or how to get it treated. I've just joined this site today hoping for some direction.

I felt perfectly healthy until about 5 years ago. I started seeing a doctor as many health issues seemed to arrive at once. I've seen 4 different doctors, was prescribed an inhaler which didn't seem to help and then mucus expectorants, also to no avail. I had a chest x-ray and it looked good. Acid reflux had been suggested, was prescribed a medication to sort it out, but still, no relief.

I finally saw a naturopath (after 4 years) and she determined I was extremely gluten intolerant. Also, I was riddled with giardia. I removed gluten from my diet and took many herbal supplements, went through a 'kill' and all health issues cleared up and I'm feeling great... except the thickness in my left lung. Just last week I had another chest x-ray (about 3 years since the last) and it looked great.

The congestion is relentless. I cough often in search of relief and I sometimes express phlegm but whatever phlegm is relieved seems to be instantly replaced by more phlegm and the congestion continues on.

The naturopath recently suggested we look into it being asthmatic and potentially a lung parasite. She is leaning more towards asthma/histamine issues. Can asthma be in one lung? Does this sound familiar to anyone?

Desperately seeking answers and direction.

Kind Regards,

Pamela

[hypercat54]

Hi I have never heard of it being in just one lung before though I guess one lung can be worse that the other? Having said that asthma is irritation and narrowing of the throat muscles rather than feeling thickness in a lung. I think so anyway but am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong.

The definite test for asthma is the peak and flow test so this should be done. If this doesn't show anything then a spirometry test should be done too.

If there is still confusion then you should be given a CT scan which should pick if anything is wrong in your lungs and is much more comprehensive than a chest x-ray.

Are you a smoker? Or have you been one and how old are you please.

I hope you get it sorted soon as it is always worrying not knowing what if anything is wrong x

[Weeannie]

I’d say not, you’d either have it in both lungs or not at all I’d assume. Have you tried cutting out dairy. Dairy can thicken and causemucus to become sticky and it can feel like you describe. Maybe a month or so off of it would help x

[nickpeters]

Regretfully your questions can only be truly answered by a doctor/ tests. However I can tell you there are medications available via your GP that will help thin sticky mucus, plus breathing techniques that will help bring up the phlegm (such as 'huffing') which will also reduce coughing.

The problem is when we feel unwell it is second nature to Google symptoms only to find they fit dozens of possibilities. Push for a diagnosis from your GP, only then you will know what you are fighting. Forums are an excellent way of gaining an insight into a illness, but you do need to be sure what is wrong with you first.

All the best

Nick.

[Matman]

Sounds like you may need a CT Scan which can better detect an unresolved infection that an X-ray may not clearly identify.

Some persistent lung infections can required months of continuous antibiotic treatment, ideally once the bacteria causing the infection has been accurately identified.

Ask your GP if a CT scan is warranted or - if you decide that it is - try insisting on one.

Another option is to request a referral to an nhs pulmonary consultant.

However, the waiting time maybe two, three or more months, unless your GP is convinced of some special urgency.

If you want to cut the waiting time you could consider going private. A typical consultancy fee is in the £300 to £400 range (you can get a quote first). However, that price will not include a private ct scan nor other private tests, and the tests can be expensive and will require a second visit to see the same consultant to review the results (so more fees for that second visit).

However, if an initial private pulmonary consultation leads to the conclusion that you need a ct scan, you could at the end of that appointment ask your consultant to confirm to your gp in writing that a ct is recommended. That should, at least, result in your gp then agreeing to refer you for an nhs ct scan if you have not previously been able to get him / her to authorise one.

[mal1245]

Hi Pamela

I picked up a viral infection back in February. It continued working on me for a few months. Eventually I was left with a cough in my left lung that sometimes produced mucus and sometimes not. Initially the cough was day and night but after a course of steroids it settled at night. In early May I seen a lung specialist who diagnosed me with asthma and I was put on an inhaler (seritide) and also on Montelukast tablet. I have continued to cough mucus from my left lung since the diagnosis, the inhaler has not helped in any way. I asked the same question as you, can asthma only be in one lung. I also had an X-ray in March and again in June both of which were clear and also a ct scan just a couple of weeks ago which has come back perfectly normal. I should say I don’t have shortness of breath or a wheeze. Over the last number of weeks I developed a burning in my arms and legs which I was putting down to anxiety. But last week I got suspicious of the inhaler after my symptons got worse when I increased my dosage as advised by GP in hot weather. So I quit the inhaler last Thursday and maybe it is just fluke but by yesterday my symptons has all but gone. It was simply the best day I have had since start of February. Lying in bed here this morning and no symptons as yet so praying for another good day.