breathless are my lungs damaged?🤔

[Nkdwine]

Hi Everyone,

I’m hoping some of you lovely people will be able to give me some advice.

It’s nearly a year to the day since I was rushed to hospital with a dissected aorta. After 2 OPH operations and a cardiac arrest, with everyone’s help and advice I returned to work and I have managed to get my fitness back to a reasonable level after pushing to get my blood pressure and beta blockers reduced😊👍. I could barely walk at first!

However a recent lung function test at my work said I had the lungs of an 85 year old, I’m 56 and previously my lung age was 50.

This would explain my breathlessness and inability to walk up a hill. My GP is referring me to respiratory and warned me that I could have permanent damage. To say I’m shocked and upset is an understatement. I did have to get chest drains fitted to remove the blood in lungs after my first operation, but no one has mentioned damage until now. Any advice greatly appreciated…🙏

[10gingercats]

Damage is a very broad statement.Did your GPnot offer any further explanation as to why you may be breathless?Did he/she ask any questions or listen to your chest with a stethescope.I wonder why he used that word?While you are waiting for respiratory to respond I would go back to the Gp and see if you can open up a conversation about why he said what he did?When you get your letter for a respiratory check up also put yourself on the cancellation list at the dept so that you can slip in when someone cancels. Always worth while.

[Nkdwine in reply to 10gingercats]

Hi Gingercats,, she did say there would be scarring, given what happened and I was also in an induced coma / on a ventilator for 48hrs so she was of the opinion that there would be damage but she was unsure to what extent hence the suggestion to refer me. She did not listen to my chest or suggest anything else now that you mention it! I have been seeing her every six weeks since being discharged from hospital but thanks, I’ll challenge it and ask to be put on the cancellation list…

[Sljp0000]

HiSorry you have been through so much. It sounds like you've worked hard to get back to where you are. Well done you!

Have you had checks to make sure your phrenic nerve wasn't damaged during OHS? Mine was severed and now I have a paralysed diaphragm meaning my left lung is compromised. A simple XRay would show an elevated diaphragm then more tests would confirm what was happening. Mine was missed initially as I had fluid on and around the lung and they assumed it was that showing up on xray. Maybe another xray needed?

Also, have you had respiratory physio?

Hope you get to the bottom of your breathlessness.

Susie

[Nkdwine in reply to Sljp0000]

Hi Susie,

Thank you for responding and the advice, sorry to also hear you had OHS and have a compromised lung as a result. I have not had an x ray since I left hospital in June last year, although I have a CT scan and heart echo every 4 months and nothing has been picked up🤔. Ive not had any respiratory physio, didn’t know it existed, but I will request it and also mention the phrenic nerve to my GP. Thank you😊👍

[Maxwall47]

I was told I have lungs of 85 year 10 years ago I get out of breath all the time now I've been told I have a heart block after reading what they meant it says it can make you breathless last time I went to cardiology they told me I have nothing wrong with my heart but on 17th April I was told I have a heart block so I do know how you feel I can't do anything with out getting dizzy and sick I've never smoked in my life

[Nkdwine in reply to Maxwall47]

Sorry to hear this Maxwall, I do hope they can help you and resolve your breathlessness issue.