Breathless some coughing - pred related?

[1602]

Hi all

Have had a spasmodic cough for several weeks now and some breathlessness after 3years on pred [gone from 80mg to 12mg] wonder if the 2 are connected?

comments appreciated

[PMRpro Ambassador]

They could be and perhaps you should get your doctor to check your chest. But at this time of year - I've just had the cough and breathlessness from hell!! Even my neighbours, younger and fitter than me, have had it for about 4 weeks.

[1602 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for answering - I think my brain is frazzled I should have said I haven't had a full blown cough and it has been going on for weeks, not as bad now. I did see a GP afew weeks ago [about something else] he checked my chest and said it sounded clear. The week after I had my spirometer check which confirmed my mild COPD. It was just that I noticed the breathlessness when doing anything a little bit more than usual. I will be seeing my own GP in 2 weeks but if I get worried I'll get an emergency appointment. One day I may even get to see my rheumatoligist!!!!! Who knows. [Again sorry about that but having seen him last June and told I would see him in 6 months === now 9 months and no appointment, backlog I'm told.

Thanks everyone for letting me blow off a bit of steam. Just feel as if no backup sometimes. I don't post often but do read the posts.

Thanks again

Cath

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to 1602]

I would want to have some input from the rheumy as to whether this is a flare of the GCA/LVV that I assume was the original diagnosis. If chest arteries are affected it can lead to cough and breathlessness and in combo with COPD - I think speaking to a chest physician would be a good idea. Not a GP.

[1602 in reply to PMRpro]

Oh ok thanks again

[SheffieldJane]

I would really want an XRay to make sure that all was well. I had some coughing in the early days of PMR and I have certainly experienced breathlessness.

[1602 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks for that see my reply to PMRpro xxx

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Definitely get your chest checked by your GP. The cough going around this winter really hangs on, and can be, as PMRpro described it, "the cough from hell". I had it for 3 weeks in November and it kept my next-door neighbours awake!! And hubby wasn't impressed either! In fact he thought I was going to injure myself coughing. Really hurt my stomach muscles and rib cage, and breathlessness was part of it. So do get it checked.

[1602 in reply to Celtic]

Thanks for reply please see reply to PMRpro xxx