Hi, I am a newbie here and very much out of my depth when it comes to concerns relating to the lungs but I am now faced with a problem. I went to see my doctor a few months ago because I thought I had developed asthma;I found myself short of breath with accompanying hay fever symptoms. To cut a long story short after having a spirometry test which gave a very poor result I was told it was not asthma but suspected COPD. I have smoked previous so I had half anticipated this. However, because my symptoms did not tally with the test results I was referred to a specialist. The original symptoms have now subsided, I am only short of breath only when walking up hill or a flight of stairs. I am also probably nearly two stone overweight . The specialist was baffled by my results in relation to the symptoms not adding up. However, when he examined me he could hear fine railes. What could this mean ? I am waiting for a CT scan. Any advice appreciated.
🤷♀️ Confused: Hi, I am a newbie here... - Lung Conditions C...
🤷♀️ Confused
Welcome to this forum. When you say that your symptoms don’t add up with the results do you mean that your symptoms are better or worse than the results? My symptoms are much worse than my Spirometry results would suggest. This because I do not have COPD but a small airways disease.
Do you have a copy of the test numbers?
All the best
K
Hi, sorry I don’t have results there with the consultant, I didn’t understand them but was just told they were very poor but I feel my breathing doesn’t reflect the results. I don’t seem to have trouble breathing except going up the stairs etc. The doc gave me a basic inhaler but not sure why and it doesn’t appear to do anything. I have had a heart attack 7 years ago but had a heart scan about 4 years ago and that was fine with no problems. During the test I couldn blow out much air that all I remember.
Thanks for getting back to me. So the doctors think that your breathing difficulties should/would be much worse than they are according to the results. Hmmmm... odd.
Errr.... lucky you?
These things are very individual and each case is different.
It would be advantages to always get copies of results for your records. That way you can refer back to them when needed and to see lung function tests over time.
Thank you, yes a good idea.
Hi Fergusov, welcome
Its good you have been referred to a specialist consultant and that you have had a CT scan as that is going to reveal a lot about what is happening in your lungs. I would say the best thing for you to do is wait to hear about those results I am sure that things will be made clearer once those results are in.
I believe the expression fine rales is same as when crackles can be heard in the lungs, when the doctor hears crackles with someone diagnosed with COPD it usually suggests a lung infection, then antibiotics and steroids are prescribed. As you have not as yet been diagnosed it could be a number of different things but the CT scan should show what is happening.
You say your symptoms have improved so if there was a lung infection for instance it could be that is now under control. But the doc still hearing crackles suggests something is still not quite right.
If your symptoms return phone up the consultant or your GP and let them know asap and if you are coughing up anything try to provide a sputum sample for testing. You can up sterile pots from the GP or your Consultant. I always think its good to have one at home in case something starts to develop.
Spirometry tests do not always reveal lung damage just the forced expiry volume in 1 second, so that could be why results not tallying with symptoms, the CT scan will reveal much more.
Good luck with your results and your next consultant visit.
Keep in touch.
Best wishes BK
Thank you for the info, as I said I just find it all confusing but you are right the scan will show any problems and the consultant is also arranging for me to have a series of lung function tests so it’s a case of wait and see. My oxygen levels in my blood are also on the low side. Something curious though, I am on Bisoprolol after a heart attack years ago and they work by blocking B1 & B2 receptors in the heart. Curious, that we have B1 receptors in the lungs. Just maybe coincidence but be interesting to find out if the meds are causing a problem too. ! Something is amiss in any event. I definitely do not have a lung infection, only had one before and will never forget that.
Hi again Fergusov, check the information leaflet that comes with the med to view side affects, or if its a UK medicine this sites provides a lot of information. This page shows the 2.5mg dose, so if yours is different research with same dose: medicines.org.uk/emc/produc...
Some lung infections can be silent Fergusov and without coughing or mucus. only when you try to over exert is the problem noticeable. I usually describe these as lung inflammation myself but the docs when they hear crackles they put that down to a lung infection, but that is when you already have a diagnosis of course. Other lung infection can include pneumonia and they are horrendous.
Take extra good care.
Thanks for this, I will do a bit of research from the link you have provided. Yes, it does state on the leaflet that it can cause breathing difficulties but I’ve been on them years so strange for this contra indication to present itself now. Curiouser and curiouser🤨
yes I know sometimes people are ok on a drug for years then for some reason the body objects. Good luck with your results.
Apparently you can develop allergies or adverse reactions to all kinds of things, not just medications. Who would have thought you could suddenly become allergic to something you’d previously been fine with all your life. The body is a strange thing!
I sadly developed an allergy to my kittens after having a cat most of my life; I also reacted to dressings neatly and painstakingly applied by the nurse and literally had to rip them off; I looked like I was wearing lovely red boots.
With regard to my chest I don't have any symptoms but I turn a lovely shade of blue and my sats were extremely low; my being over weight has caused this and it crept up on me silently.
One positive to come from this isite the forum of lovely peeps x
That’s so sad about becoming allergic to your kittens 🐱 Well, not great about everything else too, but that really is sad. Isn’t it strange how our health taking a turn for the worse has brought us all together here. I’ve only relatively recently found this forum and the lovely people and can’t think how I coped without it. Well the world just felt very lonely and scary before. Now things just seem a lot better knowing I can hang out here and get health advice or sloth facts or laugh about flu viruses. And everything else in between. Not something I would have imagined just a while ago.
Thank you for this, yes the consultant did ask if I had any pets, which I do two dogs and thinking back it did affect my breathing slightly when I first had them four years ago. I am also overweight which I presume could be another reason my function test and oxygen levels are low.
Welcome to the forum, it's a bit puzzling for and no wonder you are confused. I'm not sure I could offer any advice, but I'm sure someone on here would be able to help you. I hope you continue to post we are a friendly and supportive lot and we certainly love to welcome new members. Looking forward to seeing your post. Take care 😊 Bernadette xx
Thank you for you kind welcome, yes I have been reading some of the posts and realise just how much some people have to cope with. Me, matters of the heart (medical) I know all about but the lungs I know very little. It may well turn out that my problem is related to my heart as I did have a heart attack some years ago. Anyway, I will know soon enough. X
Well the CT scan should hopefully clear things up for you. I would agree with Bkin that chest infections are not always obvious. I had one recently that I was not aware of. I thought my asthma was being a bit troublesome, nothing major so only mentioned it at an asthma check up, but a sputum check confirmed a bacterial infection. With regards to breathlessness, if it’s a gradual change it can be easy to get used to the new norm and dismiss it, especially if you have been worse and then improved at bit. My asthma tends to worsen very gradually and I often don’t notice how bad it’s getting as I quickly adjust. My husband is often the first to notice. I have a tendency to forget that I don’t normally get out of breath going upstairs or doing basic household chores like putting the washing out. Doubly so when I’ve been particularly bad and then improve because I forget what normal is and just think well I’m a lot better than I was last week.
I totally understand where you are coming from. Perhaps as you say my breathing has detiorated but I’ve come to think of it as the norm. I will just be glad to find out why the consultant has picked up on the noises, fine crackles, in my lungs. Scan Thursday so hopefully not too long to wait to find out. The only lung infection I had was about 6 years ago and I felt like I was dying. At the moment I have no cough, no mucous as such and feel moderately ok. I have a feeling this could be either heart related or an adverse effect to the medication I am taking.
Hi Fergusov, it's really great that the medics are taking you seriously and you've got that all important CT scan coming up plus the lung function tests. Brilliant, you'll hopefully soon know where the problem lies. Re the noises, there are different sounds heard through the stethoscope. There are also several lung diseases.
I'm surprised they haven't referred you for for heart test considering your history just to confirm its not something like angina although the lowered O2 level does suggest lungs.
All the best with your results and do let us know in a new post, how you get on. P
Welcome to the site, just to wish you best wishes with the scan . It is always a little confusing when something new occurs hopefully all will be much clearer after the scan .
You are being looked after very well. The CT scan will give the information that will put your mind at rest with the knowledge of what to do next.
Dan
It would be wrong to guess but a chest infection? I am still wondering what I have got. Good luck and keep us informed 😀
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