New member - Confused.com!!!

[jase5371]

Hi all, Need some help and direction please if possible. It is a long message so apologises from the off!!! I am 48 a non-smoker and always been fit and active. I climb one high altitude mountain each year for charity and I came back from Morocco in Feb having climb up to 14.000ft, before starting off the day before the climb I noticed I was getting short of breath on a short walk around the local village but brushed it off as tiredness from the journey. Although we had a successful summit the conditions were extreme at times -31 with blizzard/white out conditions and waist deep fresh snow so having to break in new routes. Anyway in Marrakesh I noticed that even going up a flight of stairs to a restaurant I was getting out of breath. So on return it was straight to my GP something wasn't right from training 35 -40k a week runs full days in the mountains once a week to nothing. Gp thought my asthma which has been dormant for years had comeback so inhalers were started ventalin and the brown steroid one. After 3 weeks no change so referred for heart scan and bloods that was clear but progressively things were getting worse SOB, Chest tightening, palpitations and pains in my leg muscles on climbing stairs or walking up an incline, tiredness and not feeling great in work. My heart feeling like it is strained as if the end of the day I have done to much and it's payback!!! I seen a cardiologist 2 weeks ago and he has arrange some tests treadmill stress test, holter monitor and hospital lung function test, I am also having a full sleep study done in July. The gp 2 days ago to help try and speed up the process put me through a spirometry test which has left me somewhat confused. The report states (nice):Normal but a lung age of 72, I have never smoke and 48 years old. The points the nurse highlighted was a FEV1 of 81%, FEV1/FVC of 76 base & FEF25-75 of 60%. Also my peak flow was 500. So not COPD and doubtful on the asthma because I don't have any wheezing or cough and for me that peak flow reading is good. I am being seen shortly by the pulmonary team and my doctors writing to try and rush that on. Just with the heart/chest pain I am worried there is a blockage that's putting pressure on the heart, any ideas or could you shed further light to why it would say lung age of 72 years. Thanks everyone Jx

[wheezyof]

Hello Jase, I'm not surprised your post is long or that you are confused. I'm sorry I can't help except to say wait for your test results.

I too am a non-smoker. I was fit, worked full time, was active, ate healthy food then Wham! I hit a medical brick wall. I developed chronic lung disease. It came as a shock.

However, I'm me, you're you and like everyone here we are all different.

When the results of your tests come back I'm sure life will get better again.

Maybe you have a lung condition, maybe not. Try not to worry about things yet, (I know easier said...)

Once you know what you are facing post on here again. Lots of us will try to help and you can get loads of advice from The British Lung Foundation.

Good luck, keep in touch xx

[jase5371 in reply to wheezyof]

Thank you

[jase5371]

Thank you

[Caspiana]

Hello jase5371 .

It is terribly scary not to know what's going on. For someone as fit as you, it must be a shock. Before I got diagnosed I was a teacher, I used to run up flights of stairs to get to class. 😑 By the time I had my first spirometry test I had a lung age of 95. 😕 I was so confused because I had always taken care of myself.

I am very pleased you are going to see your pulmonary team soon. I believe they are the ones who can plough through your numbers and figure out what is going on. It does take some time, more tests and backs and forths to the hospital etc.

I hope you will update us very soon. Oh and kudos to you for climbing for a charitable cause 👏. What a wonderful thing to do. Marrakesh sounds like a interesting place.

Warm wishes,

Cas xx 🙋🐕

[jase5371 in reply to Caspiana]

Thanks Cas, Marrakesh is a great place a lot going on and cheap. I will up date once I see the pulmonary team Jx

[Caspiana in reply to jase5371]

The best of luck jase5371 . xx 🌿

[megshafer]

Hi jase5371, I think 76% Fev1/Fvc..is pretty good. ..I too, do a good bit of charity work, locally. I enjoy it so. It sounds like you are in a very beautiful area.

Take very good care.

Meg💕💕

[jase5371 in reply to megshafer]

Thanks Meg

[zorro1]

Hi Jase Did they check your gas transfer? I have a genetic condition called Alpha 1 Antitrypsin deficiency that can affect lungs. My spirometry is normal but my gas transfer is not, this causes me to have problems on exertion. Alpha 1 is barely heard of yet is as common as cystic fibrosis. A blood test to check levels is quick cheap and simple. Im assuming theve already ruled out blood clots - this was suspected by my consultant becase of my lowered gas transfer.

Btw statins can cause muscle pain in folks who are very physically active in case you are on them. Hope you get to the bottom of your problems soon.

[jase5371 in reply to zorro1]

Thanks I will ask about alpha 1 J

[jase5371 in reply to zorro1]

No, it was the basic spirometry test seeing the hospital team soon for the full lung test. J

[zorro1 in reply to jase5371]

All the best for you appt. I do hope they get it sorted for you. Z