fourcatmom Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 I had a scary incident this evening with my breathing and I am feeling like things are getting worse. In the past two weeks this is the second episode that required treatment. I was diagnosed with lung problems last year so breathing is something that I struggle with daily but as long as I pace myself and take breaks I can usually do okay. That being said, I spend a lot of time at home and I take about a 2 to 3 hour nap daily. I went to the grocery store tonight, came home, then went back downstairs to take out the garbage. Usually when I get home from shopping I am so out of breath that I can't even have a conversation, I just have to sit and wait until my breathing becomes normal again. The girls are really good at helping and wait for me to drive up and then come out to help me carry everything. I felt okay when i got home and I always like to have the garbage done after I get home so that I can toss anything from the frig that was old. By the time I got back upstairs I could hardly breath and started into a coughing fit. The fits get so bad and it's so hard to breath that if I can't start a treatment right away then I will usually throw up. Tonight was different, my eyes were literally dripping with tears - falling down like I was sobbing although I was not crying. I was shaking and couldn't even get the meds in the tube. Anyway, the meds make me shaky and now I have been laying down for about 2 hours. I still feel shaky but at least I can breath. The incident a week ago was just walking to the park and that ended in a coughing fit and treatment as well. I don't know if this is the asthma (which most doctors say I don't have) or the reduced lung volume doing it but it really scared me tonight. My DH was really upset (he's an EMT) and said that from now on the girls need to go to the store with me and he didn't want to leave for work but I was feeling better so he went in. My nephew is also an EMT and he was at the incident a few weeks ago and he was really concerned. I guess it's good that I am surrounded by EMT's! Just thought talking it through might help. I don't know if I should go back the Pulmy Dr or the Immunologist (he prescribed the breathing machine) and check in with them. I know the Pulmy wanted to do a lung biopsy but I am not ready for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 :grouphug: I think you're a point where you need to be aggressive in diagnosing and treating this. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourcatmom Posted April 9, 2013 Author Share Posted April 9, 2013 :grouphug: I think you're a point where you need to be aggressive in diagnosing and treating this. :grouphug: I have multiple diagnoses and the only treatment I have been given is a breathing machine and some things to try and prevent it from coming on. I am actually starting to wonder if I have COPD. Chronic cough, increased mucus production, shortness of breath, fatigue...I feel like I have all the symptoms and things are getting worse. Right now it is just classified as lung disease but I have always felt like they were waiting for it to progress to call it something else. Going to bed, very drained. tired. scared. frustrated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomatHWTK Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 sounds terrible :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 Oh honey, I'm so sorry. I hope today is better for you. I only have experience with asthma, in my son--his was the coughing type, and he had a couple of exercise-induced incidents, but these were at school and I was not present for them. Are you on preventative steroids? Do you monitor peak flow a couple times a day? These were helpful for us. It sounds scary and I'm sure you will have to be very brave now, for you and your family. Can you ask a supportive person to go with you to the Dr and get the care you need? Tons of hugs and good thoughts-- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catherine Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 Just thought talking it through might help. I don't know if I should go back the Pulmy Dr or the Immunologist (he prescribed the breathing machine) and check in with them. I know the Pulmy wanted to do a lung biopsy but I am not ready for that. I'm saying this gently, but your instincts are right in that they are waiting to call it something else. They have incomplete information without the biopsy, and don't actually know what, specifically, is wrong. That means that it could be progressing. Getting the biopsy done, and knowing for certain what the diagnosis is, will help you. More definitive treatments would be possible. PLEASE screw up your nerve and get the lung biopsy done. It sounds so frightening, I know. But it's the only way to even know for sure what is wrong with your lungs. ((hugs)) I am thinking of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmrich Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 Please go to the dr. You need to be able to go to the store without bringing on an attack. A good friend is going through this now. Lots of allergies were discovered along with asthma. I hope you come to a resolution soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabella Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 :grouphug: Please do go and get that biopsy soon. They will not know how to treat it until they know exactly what to treat. You could quite easily be suffering so terribly when you could have a more effective treatment/preventative. Hugs to you, mama - you sound like you're trying to hold it all up so well! You need to look after yourself now. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 :grouphug: :grouphug: I hope things are better this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiramisu Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 I'm so sorry you're going through this. I know the idea of a biopsy is scary, but it seems like it would be worth it if you could find an answer and a way to make you feel better. I believe there are people on this board with kids with atypical asthma, who had a tough time getting diagnosed. Perhaps one of them can help you figure out if that's something you could be dealing with. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourcatmom Posted April 9, 2013 Author Share Posted April 9, 2013 Thank you, I feel better this morning. Had a good nights sleep. I email my dr. last night and he said it sounded like an asthma attack. I just have never had them come on that quickly and that intense. I am going to make an appointment to go back to both doctors that have been treating the lung disease/asthma. This is also coming off the tails of being sick and the first episode was at the beginning of getting sick last week, so I know being sick makes it worse. Sorry I was debbie downer last night - felt so scared, shaken and spent. I do appreciate the feedback. Needed to write this morning so made a blog post about how I was feeling. I Am Not Done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 It is scary! You were right to be frightened! Praying you get the answers you need, and that the doctor visits go well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.