Shortness of breath and chest tightness. Normal X-Ray but low DLCO level.

[Hoola1]

I have been experiencing shortness of breath and chest tightness for 6 weeks now. I had a chest X-Ray that came back clear.

My breathing test, however, revealed a low DLCO level at 60.4% of predicted value and a DLCO/VA of 99.3% of predicted value.

My other respiratory levels are within the normal range - so it is only the DLCO that is low.

The doctor has ordered a CT Scan, which I am getting done Thursday, but I am petrified at the idea that these numbers could mean I have lung disease. My breathlessness is now constant.

I was running around, jogging, and was very active until 2 months ago when I started feeling numbness in my right leg. I was tested for muscle and nerve disorders and everything came back clear. A few weeks after that, the heavy chest and breathlessness started.

I am a 49 year old woman.

Has anyone else experienced anything similar? Needless to say, I am a nervous wreck.

Many thanks to anyone who can help.

[Neville33]

If I were you I would get a sputum done and s stain to grow s culture to make sure you haven’t picked anything else up...Xray doesn’t show everything...I would get a low density CT, same radiation as Xray, and shows everything...maybe blood wrk as well...