Always Short Of Breath

[papa1220]

In the past year I have become very short of breath for some reason and my FAMILY Doc. cannot find a reason for it. outside of the fact I am getting older. I am 65 yrs. old. Any Ideas folks?

[Hidden]

Hi welcome to the site. From the information you have provided it's hard to know what to say. Have you had any tests such as a peak and flow test (asthma), spirometry (copd), x-ray, CT scan etc. If you have had these tests were they all ok?

There could be many reasons for being sob but as there are no medical experts on this site only fellow sufferers we cannot diagnose you, we can only give you the benefit of our experiences.

Can you come back in and tell us more please.

[papa1220 in reply to Hidden]

I had everything except the Copd and Asthma tests and all others were OK. I used to smoke but I quit in 1996 so I can't see smoking having any effect at this stage.

My health Probs. are hiatal Hernia, Fibromyalgia and swollen Prostate Gland.and I take Escitalopram for Panic disorder as well as Betahistine for Menieres Disease. I also take Quinine for severe nightly leg cramps..

I started to write this as my "only" Health problems but it actually turns out I have many problems.....

BTW Folks, I am a Newbie here so bear with me if I get long winded.

[sassy59 in reply to papa1220]

Hi and welcome. Just to say hope you get to the bottom of your SOB and get the right meds. Take care xxxx

[Hidden in reply to papa1220]

Papa1220 there are lots of folk on here who gave up smoking many years ago and still went on to develop lung problems. This is because the damage is already done and it can come out in later years.

I think you might have copd/emphysema so you need to ask for a spirometry test. This is just a machine that you blow into and it measures your lung function among other things.

Copd is usually the first thing doctors think of with smokers or ex smokers so I am surprised it hasn't been done yet.

[garshe in reply to Hidden]

This is correct. Giving up smoking does not mean for definite you won't develop COPD I in the future.I have a friend who hasn't smoked for 40 yrs and just be diagnosed with Mild COPD. .annoying I know but unfortunately True..

[shadow4me in reply to papa1220]

I would of thought the first test they would of done would of been Asthma and COPD even if just to eliminate them,I hope they get to the bottom of it for you

[papa1220]

I did every test going, I think. I did the Stress tests on the Bike and the Treadmill. I had the usual ECG.I had the Heart Dye test done to check for Blockage. I had blood tests done to check on enzymes that should not be there. All was OK. except I ran short of breath with the Stress Tests as usual.

As an aside I love my beer and always seem to have one in my hand. I am becoming concerned that may be the root cause of my troubles. Is that a possibility?

[Hidden]

Holding a beer is not going to be a problem if it is the same pint all night, if it is a fresh one every half hour all night then yes it will be a problem. As consultant said to me "I would also be out of breath if I was carrying a 4 year old child under each arm". He also sent me to the surgeons to have my hiatus hernia repaired as was more stomach in chest than in abdomen, compressing lung and causing reflux.

Was much better after surgery and weight loss.

[Tricity125]

I know it. Kind personal. But how is your weight. And do you live with people who still smoke. As. Passive smoking is a real. Issue. All the best. Paul

[papa1220 in reply to Tricity125]

I am skinny as a Bean Pole and we don't have any smokers around so I am good on that.

[papa1220]

I am going to ask Doc about that Spirometry test this week. As for my beer drinking it isn't really every day. I stretched it a bit. When I do drink it takes me hours to get thru a couple but I love the taste. I would have to start at 6 in the morning to make it thru a 6 pack before bedtime. People may be right about COPD though because of the smoking and over the past few years I have become far less active after Retirement so That probably doesn't help either.

[Ergendl]

Beware of suicide by sofa, papa1220 as Toci warned us all shortly after I joined the site two years ago. The more you sit, the more muscle mass you lose. Counter it by starting to do a bit more each day - you don't need to overdo things. If you don't walk much, go for a little walk. Then when you can cope with that, go for a slightly longer walk. That's really helped to transform my life despite my moderate COPD.