Jump to content

Menu

How can you tell (medical question)


creekland
 Share

Recommended Posts

How can you tell the difference between a basic lung lower capacity issue and something else (anything else one can think of).

 

Eons ago (ok, decades ago) I was kicked out of the AF for having asthma after not being able to complete one run.  It didn't matter that I had completed others and Field Training the previous year and similar.  It only mattered that a Navy hospital ran tests that showed I had asthma and a lower lung capacity than I should have and wasn't where I should be medically.  They told me at that time that as I got older, it would get worse.

 

Fine.  Move on with life.

 

And now I'm older.  No doctor since has heard anything even remotely resembling asthma.  There have been exactly zero attacks.  I take no meds. The last doc I saw said she was going to list that I had outgrown childhood asthma - even though I never had it as a child and rode horses + ran track in the off season.  (The Navy docs said I was probably fine because I had kept in shape so my body was used to it.  I had gotten out of shape the 2-3 months prior to the unfinished run - a little thing called getting married.)

 

Two or three years ago I did one of those health fitness things (mobile set ups they encourage folks to do) and all was well except lung capacity.  The lady doing the tests thought their tube was probably malfunctioning since I'd passed everything else with flying colors.  I told her it probably wasn't due to the AF thing.  It said my lung capacity was typical of a 60 year old.  I would have been 47 or 48.

 

I've lost a ton of my ability to walk hills or climb stairs - really evidenced in Jordan since Amman is built on HILLS - but even noticeable here where we walk daily and have relative molehills to go up.  I can't go from my basement to second floor bedroom without breathing heavily.  That's normal.  I can walk for miles - as long as it's flat or downhill.  When doing even our local walk my pulse goes up considerably to walk (was 107 today vs hubby's 79 right after the exact same walk - and I exercise more than he does overall).  When in Jordan and getting hills in (albeit slowly) it took a good day or day and a half before my pulse returned to normal, which for me at rest is in the lower 60s - there it stayed in the 90s for quite some time.  (Due to whatever issue I can hear it, checking it is not an obsession - it's just super obvious).  After a normal walk here (rate in the 100s) it will drop back to lower 80s within 5 minutes of stopping.

 

I've chalked ALL of this up to what the Navy docs told me roughly 30 years ago and just plowed through with it.

 

Then today it's cold... and I can't do a thing without breathing heavier - including just working with ponies in their stalls.  I don't feel like I'm going to die or have to sit down. I got my 10,000+ steps in for the day, etc.  It's just really annoying.

 

Bending over causes problems too - even on normal temperature days.  I have to catch my breath afterward.

 

Is it normal for my past?  Or should I be concerned it's something else?

 

I had pretty much convinced myself to call a doc today to see about getting it checked when my neighbor stopped to talk.  Turns out her mom (older than me) has the same thing going on - even got a pacemaker to "fix" it, but it didn't - and hers is worse.  She can't do 3-4 steps.  My usual is around 2 flights.  The specialist she just saw wondered why she was there... and essentially was telling her nothing is wrong.  

 

So... do I go with that and assume what I've been assuming saving myself the annoyance of appts?

 

If so, I need to step up our plans to move south for the colder months.  It's really mentally aggravating to be able to do so little.  It's annoying enough on good temperature days.

 

Or is there something else I can look for or check to try to determine if there's a problem or if it's just my body?  I've only connected it with pulse and then it seems like my heart is doing just what it should - ramping up significantly to get extra oxygen when I need it and coming back down at rest.  It just has to ramp up much farther than other family members, but that seems to be plausible with lower lung capacity... or am I wrong about that?

 

I had planned on waiting to ask my med school lad after he'd had enough classes to be able to answer it for me.  But today was really annoying and it's just the start of winter.  (sigh)

 

So... any Boardie with knowledge willing to share?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If your insurance is good, no high deductible to meet or coinsurance, I'd see a pulmonologist... if only for peace of mind.  Being the end of the year, hopefully you're somewhat towards meeting whatever deductibles you have so if you needed testing, it wouldn't be as bad.

 

 

  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It sounds so much like me. I am later 40s and overweight. I can walk 6 miles without stopping on the level but stairs kill me and my lungs.

 

It HAS gotten quite a bit better since my primary care doctor put me on Symbicort (a steroid inhaler), Flonase, and Allegra daily.

 

It seems like I had a chronic lower lung function but it was so normal for me I never realized it.

 

Do you know anyone with asthma? If so, see if they have an oximeter where you can measure your oxygen levels quickly at rest, while walking , after climbing stairs, etc.

 

If they have a peak flow meter do that several times and see where your highest is. There are charts online that say what yours should be based on gender, age, and height.

 

Those 2 things can tell you a lot.

 

I do agree though this is doctor worthy.....and I avoid them as much as I can for myself.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

You take no meds? Only checking. This would be a simplistic solution, but IĂ¢â‚¬â„¢ll share anyway.

 

I was diagnosed with asthma (at an AFB clinic by coincidence), about 16 years ago. I had never had it before, but now was huffing and puffing just going up a flight of stairs. It was horrible. Finally, many months later, a new doctor looked through my records when I asked about why would I get asthma like that. He recognized that a certain medicine I was on (Celebrex) for joint inflammation was known to have a side effect of breathing difficulties. He took me off it and my Ă¢â‚¬ËœasthmaĂ¢â‚¬â„¢ was gone.

 

Hope you find some help.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It sounds like you may have some type of respiratory problem, but without the proper testing there's no way to know for sure what it might be. You should go see a pulmonologist and request a full pulmonary function test. That will tell you if you really have a problem and whether it is a restrictive one (asthma) or obstructive (emphysema, etc.). If they think asthma is likely they may want to do a methylcholine challenge test to get a definitive answer.

 

Also, you might have something like hyper-reactive airway syndrome, which is very much like asthma, but not caused by the same thing.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

If your insurance is good, no high deductible to meet or coinsurance, I'd see a pulmonologist... if only for peace of mind.  Being the end of the year, hopefully you're somewhat towards meeting whatever deductibles you have so if you needed testing, it wouldn't be as bad.

 

No insurance to worry about.  We're with health share.  I'll pay for the first visit and if the doctor determines there's anything wrong, the rest should be covered.  If not, that first visit won't mess us up financially.  It might actually be easier to get in after the first since many people try to get health things in before the end of the year.

 

But then I'd have to deal with more winter between now and then.  The next two days are supposed to be nice.  I guess I can see what happens on our next cold day.

 

I would go see a pulmonologist and get a definitive answer, with tests. If you were out of shape, I would think deconditioning, but it sounds like you do enough for that to not be the case.

 

FWIW, I have asthma, but have only very rarely been on meds, and it only flares when I have a cold or allergy drainage. I've never wheezed. But I know some of that out of breath feeling you're talking about. And when I've been bothered by that, using an inhaler before exercise has helped.

 

I'm definitely not out of shape compared to others I walk with - the same walk around our place.  I'd never be able to run a marathon (or 5K) or climb stairs/hills though, but my step count (target between 6000 and 10,000 per day) and general minutes of activity is almost always better than theirs.  I also have no problems walking 10+ miles in a day - as long as it's flat.

 

It sounds so much like me. I am later 40s and overweight. I can walk 6 miles without stopping on the level but stairs kill me and my lungs.

 

It HAS gotten quite a bit better since my primary care doctor put me on Symbicort (a steroid inhaler), Flonase, and Allegra daily.

 

It seems like I had a chronic lower lung function but it was so normal for me I never realized it.

 

Do you know anyone with asthma? If so, see if they have an oximeter where you can measure your oxygen levels quickly at rest, while walking , after climbing stairs, etc.

 

If they have a peak flow meter do that several times and see where your highest is. There are charts online that say what yours should be based on gender, age, and height.

 

Those 2 things can tell you a lot.

 

I do agree though this is doctor worthy.....and I avoid them as much as I can for myself.

 

This does sound similar.  I'm not sure if our overweight compares or not.  I ought to lose 25lbs, but it can be super tough to do because my metabolism has slowed to match my lack of eating.  :cursing:  I can (and do) skip meals at home to keep weight off, but when I'm with other people they expect one to eat three meals per day.  That adds up quickly meaning I bounce between 160 and 180.  I'm just under the higher end lately with all of our travels (and eating expectations).

 

I don't know anyone with an oximeter.  I know my phone used to tell me mine is often low, but at doctor offices it's always fine so they've told me not to worry about my phone (very unreliable).  I haven't worried about it - or measured it via my phone - since.

 

You take no meds? Only checking. This would be a simplistic solution, but IĂ¢â‚¬â„¢ll share anyway.

 

I was diagnosed with asthma (at an AFB clinic by coincidence), about 16 years ago. I had never had it before, but now was huffing and puffing just going up a flight of stairs. It was horrible. Finally, many months later, a new doctor looked through my records when I asked about why would I get asthma like that. He recognized that a certain medicine I was on (Celebrex) for joint inflammation was known to have a side effect of breathing difficulties. He took me off it and my Ă¢â‚¬ËœasthmaĂ¢â‚¬â„¢ was gone.

 

Hope you find some help.

 

No meds at all.  Not even a daily vitamin since I found out the extra iron caused massive chest (and joint, etc) pains.  I wasn't on meds back in my AF days either.  Other than occasional antibiotics (as needed - certainly not often) and trying acid blockers due to thinking the chest pains could be heartburn, I've never taken anything.  It's been a long time since the acid blockers too.

 

It sounds like you may have some type of respiratory problem, but without the proper testing there's no way to know for sure what it might be. You should go see a pulmonologist and request a full pulmonary function test. That will tell you if you really have a problem and whether it is a restrictive one (asthma) or obstructive (emphysema, etc.). If they think asthma is likely they may want to do a methylcholine challenge test to get a definitive answer.

 

Also, you might have something like hyper-reactive airway syndrome, which is very much like asthma, but not caused by the same thing.

 

Sounds like a consensus, so I will try to look one up around here - someone different than my neighbor's mom saw.

 

If it's anything that could be fixed or improved, that would be nice.  If not, at least I'll know to move up our plans for snowbirding.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would definitely find a pulmonologist (or allergist as that is how both of mine were originally diagnosed). Both of my dc have had varying forms of asthma. Not all types are the huffing and puffing while exercising kind but can cause issues if left untreated. Oldest is the only one that still has symptoms and that is usually only when ill or anxious. He can run and exercise but needs help sometimes via an inhaler. 

 

Hope you find some answers. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

You may want to research 'reactive airway disease'.  I don't have asthma perse but definitely have reactive airway.  One trigger for me is air with large irritating particulates in it (ie Cotton wood, Lilly pollen, artificial scents, cinnamon scented pine cones, pine pollen etc) and the most significant is going from indoor heated air to outdoor sub-freezing air.   I was diagnosed with it because I show no signs of asthma unless I have specific triggers.  Reactive airway can also be triggered by stress

 

In a common conversation, I will say I have asthma because people understand that but to my doctors, I say reactive airway because it is more specific and explains my normal breath sounds on examination. 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I didn't read all of the replies as I have midgets in my face 24/7, but I did want to reply that a lot of this sounds similar. My lung function is that of an 80yo. BUT I also have twitchy lungs at times.

 

Your lung function can feel normal because it's all you're used to. You might be surprised at how you feel after some daily controlling medication. And a lot of the medication isn't overly bothersome.

 

Regarding the breathing test, did they do just one round of testing or did they (at any time) give you breathing medication and test again? Because if there's no obstruction reversal, it's something completely different than asthma.

 

The reaction to cold and exercise is also similar to what I deal with. Though, I can only manage half a flight of stairs.

 

I'd also encourage you to see a doctor, but I wouldn't necessarily say only pulmonologist. Allergists also deal with asthma a lot so a good allergist could probably manage your symptoms as well. If your primary care doctor is pretty decently versed in asthma, s/he can manage it as well.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think you can be fit, but if you don't do sprints (stairs are a form of sprints), then your body isn't trained to do them and you will struggle on stairs, hills, etc...

 

I would forget anything a Navy doc told you about asthma 30 years ago. That doc examined you to determine if your body would be able to perform in harsh conditions without the need for medical assistance of any kind; A person having an asthma attack in battle/wartime environment might use resources which are needed elsewhere. It's a very specific mindset/rubric that really isn't used elsewhere, to my knowledge.

 

That said, you might still have asthma, or you might not. A general practitioner could do basic lung function test using spirometry, or might refer you to a pulmonologist.

 

If you want to do some "tests" on your own, you could try doing some kind of sprint/speed training by walking hills, stairs, running spirits, jumping rope, or doing burpees for a few weeks to see if they get easier.

 

Oh, one more thing: When you do get out of breath, are you 1.) out of breath/ breathing heavily, 2.) Experiencing air hunger, which means you are breathing heavily and craving oxygen 5-10 minutes or more after exertion, or 3.) Wheezing, meaning that you can hear or feel the air whistling in and out of the small spaces in your lungs?

Edited by trulycrabby
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

If your insurance is good, no high deductible to meet or coinsurance, I'd see a pulmonologist... if only for peace of mind.  Being the end of the year, hopefully you're somewhat towards meeting whatever deductibles you have so if you needed testing, it wouldn't be as bad.

 

I concur - see a pulmonologist. I was referred to one when I did not respond as expected to asthma meds.   Lung Doc. tried different meds - I still wheezed.  He had a lung function test done - I had to sit in a small pressurized booth and breathe on command via a tube.  Results the opposite of someone with asthma so scans were done - I had a small foreign object deep in the lower right lobe. Duh!  That would make anyone wheeze.  Several failed attempts to get it removed later* I was referred to head of cardio/thoracic at a bigger hospital for another test and doc decided that either he had to crack my chest and remove the lower lobe or - since it was really embedded and not going anywhere and not infected just leave it be.    We all figure I inhaled either a bit of window glass during the car crash a couple years earlier or (hubby's idea) I swallowed gum during the crash.  I can nto remember if I was chewing gum that day (usually don't).

 

Anyway - has anyone ever scanned to see if you, like moi, are Cracker Jack with a prize inside?

 

BTW I don't get out of breathe going up and down stairs here (like I do if have pneumonia) but I feel like I can't breathe well if I lay down flat. I sleep as close to a 45+ degree angle as I can manage.

 

* all this testing happened in January/Feb and by med-Feb. I had met my deductible!  Needing to repeatedly go to the hospital to be knocked out and have a tube shoved down into one's airway to try and remove something deep in a lung will do that.  Apparently little doodad is rock hard and slippery and can't be grasped by medical thingamabob used in brontoscops,  broncocposy oh I can not spell it. Sounds like a dinosaur.

Edited by JFSinIL
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree with Trulycrabby on the sprint thing.  I can walk all day, and I can walk quite fast without stopping, but when I went on a mountain hike with my kids last year, I could barely walk 100 yards uphill.  It was really bizarre!  But I think in my case, my body is just really out of shape for that kind of exercise.  I still don't do sprints, but I've been thinking that I could practice by running up our stairs every day (starting slowly, of course!).  Our town is also full of stairs that I could practice on, but my problem is that I hate to exercise alone!

 

In your case, it could be a lung problem too.  We have a variety of asthma conditions in our family (in my kids), but rarely wheezing.  My kids have been under the care of a great allergy doctor for years, although they don't need to see her very much anymore.  

 

In my kids now (all in their 20's), their asthma is mostly controlled, nearly gone.  But under the right conditions, it kicks in.  But it only kicks in as a lack of energy -- no wheezing.  When my dd had her first asthma attack, it was right about this time of year.  It didn't seem like an attack at all.  It was just a gradual loss of energy over a few days.  To the point where raking leaves became almost impossible.  I thought she was just trying to get out of working!  When I finally brought her into the clinic, I couldn't believe it when they told me how low her oxygen level was in her blood, and that she had asthma!

 

Now, it only kicks in for her 1) this time of year -- I think it has something to do with mold on old leaves or the crops (we're in a farming area), 2) sometimes in extreme cold, and 3) when she's in a closed-in area with a cat.  

 

She tends to go all fall with a lack of energy though, and I'm pretty sure it's related to a mild asthma/lung reaction that kicks in in the fall.

 

Sometimes I can tell before she can if her asthma is kicking in, by looking at her eyes.  She gets dark shadows under her eyes.

 

Another dd has some adrenal problems.  If she even turns her head quickly, it throws her off.  And standing up from being bent over would throw her off too.  It might cause a momentary change in her breathing.  It just takes her body a little longer to adjust to the changing environment -- whether it's positional or whatever.  

 

One other thought is that both she and my dh have migraines.  Sometimes my dh has many of the symptoms but the headache.  One of the symptoms they both get with their migraines is shortness of breath.

 

Anyway, not sure if any of this is helpful or not!  Just wanted to throw it out there for you.  I hope you find a good doctor who can sort it out for you!

 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

You may want to research 'reactive airway disease'.  I don't have asthma perse but definitely have reactive airway.  One trigger for me is air with large irritating particulates in it (ie Cotton wood, Lilly pollen, artificial scents, cinnamon scented pine cones, pine pollen etc) and the most significant is going from indoor heated air to outdoor sub-freezing air.   I was diagnosed with it because I show no signs of asthma unless I have specific triggers.  Reactive airway can also be triggered by stress

 

In a common conversation, I will say I have asthma because people understand that but to my doctors, I say reactive airway because it is more specific and explains my normal breath sounds on examination. 

 

I googled this yesterday when it was first mentioned.  Other than getting worse with cold, it doesn't really match.  It doesn't happen at any other time except an extra pull on the oxygen levels (to do more).  Then it seems to get worse with cold.  I have no other allergies or times when breathing is an issue.

 

Regarding the breathing test, did they do just one round of testing or did they (at any time) give you breathing medication and test again? Because if there's no obstruction reversal, it's something completely different than asthma.

 

This was 29 years ago and having lost a ton of my memories from radiation (at least it seems like a ton, esp details), I don't recall.  I remember they expected to find exercised induced asthma and were surprised to see my results actually got a few percentage points better with exercise, not worse.  I also remember seeing what a normal bell curve of a breath was - and mine - significantly lower in volume and with a sharp cliff of a decline instead of the nice curve it should have been.  It never occurred to 21 year old me to doubt their findings or ask for more details.  I was a bit more concerned about wondering what was next in my life with the AF out of the picture.

 

Since then I've wondered, but way too late to go back and ask.

 

And only in the past 3 or maybe 4 years has it started to become a problem.  It hasn't been among my major health issues/concerns and seems/ed explainable, so I've more or less ignored it and just dealt with it.

 

When you.go to the doctor have them measure your oxygen level after you job a few minutes or of they have stairs after you do a few flights. That would give them more information.

 

I mentioned it to one of the doctors back when I used to think they cared and would believe anything they were told (vs doubting what they hear) and he had me walk one lap around the examining rooms (not much different than walking around a house).  The level went from 100% to 98% and he said that was fine.  That's the most that's been done with it because, quite honestly, other things have been more important (to me).

 

Like you, I thought 10,000 steps daily was enough..but it isn't, one needs sweat inducing exercise.  I started running and that improved my lung capacity to the point the doctor no longer asks if its getting harder to breathe each time I visit.   I can do stairs and uphill hiking  easily now, biking uphill is easier, but havent tried swimming.

 

My walking partner also runs now.  Walking is just not enough.  We think that 10,000 step advice is aimed to sedentary 70+ people, not to people wanting to maintain their fitness level.

 

I can see your point if I wanted to improve my fitness level, but I don't.  I'm quite content just being active without being "fit" or able to do 5Ks or similar.  Upon reading The Blue Zones book, it's general activity throughout the day that helps longer life in those areas - not gym memberships or jogging or whatever.  The stairs I do, I do daily (or close to it anyway).  The hills I walk I do at least once per day, often more than once.  No one else has trouble with them, not even older folks or those who do far less than I do.

 

If it were merely a case of doing these things more often, then why is my body's reaction the same on the first trip as it is on the last?  Why does it react the same when we return from a trip whether we're doing more exercise on the trip or far less?  I should be able to do what's normal for me without breathing issues if my body were normal.  My body should have adjusted to that level.  It's certainly had enough time to do so.  I go from our basement to our second floor every time I do laundry or clean litter.  When traveling and staying in motels (happens pretty often), we always do stairs (up to 7 stories anyway).  We were on the 7th floor in the Bahamas for a month doing stairs at least once daily.  I can do 5 flights before needing to rest a bit vs lower just breathing heavily.  Nothing changes.  Not on the first day of the 30, nor the last.

 

Typing this out more I think I'm settling back into my belief that it's just the way my body is (for whatever reason).  The constant-ness of it all seems pretty telling.

 

The cold thing could be just from that hyper-reactive bit.  The simplest solution seems to be to snowbird.

 

Oh, one more thing: When you do get out of breath, are you 1.) out of breath/ breathing heavily, 2.) Experiencing air hunger, which means you are breathing heavily and craving oxygen 5-10 minutes or more after exertion, or 3.) Wheezing, meaning that you can hear or feel the air whistling in and out of the small spaces in your lungs?

 

Probably the first.  Mostly it's breathing more heavily - not being able to talk while continuing to walk, etc, and if I keep going without flattening out, then sooner or later I need to stop and rest.  If it flattens out, my body can catch up while still walking.  I'm not sure about the craving oxygen part.  I know there's absolutely no wheezing and never has been unless I also have a cold that's moved into my lungs.

 

Anyway - has anyone ever scanned to see if you, like moi, are Cracker Jack with a prize inside?

 

Back with the Navy testing they did a chest x-ray.  The doc said it was the cleanest one he'd ever seen.  At some point a few years back when I had unexplained chest pains they did one too - nothing amiss.

 

Your issue sounds absolutely frustrating!  :grouphug:   Mine is just annoying.  We've been wanting to snowbird anyway.  This will entice me to move up our plans as much as I can.  This year we've got Feb and March planned in the south (pending my mom's health).  Next year I'll see if we can start in Nov.  If my mom passes away (as we've been told will happen), then it should be something we can do.  I can handle one more winter.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you can access medical care reasonably, then I'd do it. My asthma/allergies doctor tests my lung function every time I'm in there (usually q6 months). You blow into this thingy blowing out candles on a computer screen. It is painless and takes just a couple minutes. He uses that to track how well my meds are working. We once tried to cut back my Advair to once a day from twice a day, but, nope, my lung function plummeted (to something like 80% of normal vs typical 97% of normal when on the 2x/day Advair). So, I went back to 2x/day and next check up was all good.

 

DR also has advised me that it's really important to STAY ON TOP of asthma and keep your lung function as good as you can (via meds, etc.) because otherwise . . . if I get say a bad chest cold, then the normal scar tissue that can form will sort of "freeze" my lung function at the diminished capacity. Thus, then I'm screwed. Apparently this is why it's so important to properly monitor and treat all asthma. I am relatively new to the asthma world, as I was newly diagnosed just maybe 5 years ago, so I'm no expert . . .

 

Anyway, my personal asthma causes me NO PROBLEMS unmedicated except if I get a little chest cold, then I start getting wheezy/etc. Or when I run . . . But, I *could* manage all that with the little rescue inhalers and probably be fine . . . without the zillion dollar Advair. BUT, now that I understand the potential severe consequences of not keeping my lung function in tip top shape, I am committed to keeping on the Advair until/unless something better comes along. 

 

But, I was really flabbergasted by what my doc said about scarring/etc. permanently reducing your lung function if you aren't keeping on top of the asthma. I'd been seeing him years by the time he made that comment. It made me realize how many people don't understand that  . . . like my friend who refuses to treat her kid's asthma and just has her lie still for a week whenever she's sick  . . .

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

<snip>

 

But, I was really flabbergasted by what my doc said about scarring/etc. permanently reducing your lung function if you aren't keeping on top of the asthma. I'd been seeing him years by the time he made that comment. It made me realize how many people don't understand that . . . like my friend who refuses to treat her kid's asthma and just has her lie still for a week whenever she's sick . . .

Stephanie, I agree with your entire post and your final paragraph is so true.

 

I had a really, really bad case of bronchitis a couple of years ago that left me with some diminished lung capacity. Usually, IĂ¢â‚¬â„¢m fine and can go about my personal and professional life without issues. However, changing weather - usually to colder weather - and/or the merest hint of a URI really throws me for a loop. I start wheezing and coughing. At that point IĂ¢â‚¬â„¢m on symbicort and albuterol MDI.

 

My doctor sent me to a pulmonologist who confirmed what my primary told me. Right now I donĂ¢â‚¬â„¢t need to be on Advair daily; however, both my primary doc and the pulmonologist say that as I age I probably will be. <grrrr>

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you can access medical care reasonably, then I'd do it. My asthma/allergies doctor tests my lung function every time I'm in there (usually q6 months). You blow into this thingy blowing out candles on a computer screen. It is painless and takes just a couple minutes. He uses that to track how well my meds are working. We once tried to cut back my Advair to once a day from twice a day, but, nope, my lung function plummeted (to something like 80% of normal vs typical 97% of normal when on the 2x/day Advair). So, I went back to 2x/day and next check up was all good.

 

DR also has advised me that it's really important to STAY ON TOP of asthma and keep your lung function as good as you can (via meds, etc.) because otherwise . . . if I get say a bad chest cold, then the normal scar tissue that can form will sort of "freeze" my lung function at the diminished capacity. Thus, then I'm screwed. Apparently this is why it's so important to properly monitor and treat all asthma. I am relatively new to the asthma world, as I was newly diagnosed just maybe 5 years ago, so I'm no expert . . .

 

Anyway, my personal asthma causes me NO PROBLEMS unmedicated except if I get a little chest cold, then I start getting wheezy/etc. Or when I run . . . But, I *could* manage all that with the little rescue inhalers and probably be fine . . . without the zillion dollar Advair. BUT, now that I understand the potential severe consequences of not keeping my lung function in tip top shape, I am committed to keeping on the Advair until/unless something better comes along. 

 

But, I was really flabbergasted by what my doc said about scarring/etc. permanently reducing your lung function if you aren't keeping on top of the asthma. I'd been seeing him years by the time he made that comment. It made me realize how many people don't understand that  . . . like my friend who refuses to treat her kid's asthma and just has her lie still for a week whenever she's sick  . . .

 

It's interesting what one learns from The Hive... you have me intrigued - not sure that's the right word - mind spinning might be more like it.

 

All I've heard from doctors since those Navy hospital days years ago is that I don't have asthma.  They don't hear it.  No breathing tests (from them - ever), nothing else.  Then they move on.  This last doctor said she was going to list it as outgrown.  No test of any sort.

 

I'm pretty sure they said my lung capacity was lower than 80% back with that Navy test... and I was told it would get worse with age.  I've no idea at all what it is now - just with that mall medical testing group it tested out as average for a 60 year old when I was 47 or 48.

 

There always seems to be what The Hive says with medical issues, then what really happens with a doctor appt.  The two rarely match, for me anyway - or my mom.  Perhaps it's genetic.   :cursing:  It's really frustrating.  I'm not sure to do with it.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'd also suggest getting it checked out, but I will add that what is accepted as normal for a person of an age/gender isn't always the case.  I struggled to get asthma under control for a few years and had really had a hard time getting nurses and doctors to listen to me when things were worsening. They'd always point to my peak flows and say "Look you're in the green (or yellow), so you should be fine." In the end it turned out that my normal lung capacity is higher than expected, so even when I was struggling I was measuring higher on tests than the norm. Finally my allergist redrew my "norms" to match how I was feeling, not how I was measuring. 

" 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

One thing to check is iron levels as breathlessness can be a symptom of low iron.

 

Iron levels as per blood tests twice per year and the basic anemia check with donating blood (as recently as a month ago) are fine, but thanks for the thought.

 

If you were content to be active without being fit, you would be happy as you are.  Fit includes lung capacity.

 

My theory on walking is that its not enough.  I walked for years. Did nothing for leg strength or lung capacity. I couldn't do Couchto5k. My stair climbing ability never changed. Had to move to weights and get the leg strength up. Lung capacity...I had to go to biking and running to increase lung capacity. 

 

These older folks you compare yourself too...are they also same % overweight, same menopausal status, same gender, and a med history including radiation?

 

And I suspect this is the reason why doctors don't believe anything I say either.  It sounds too wrong to be true.  I look fit.  Blood numbers are fine.  No lung tests have been done, but they don't hear anything off via their stethoscope, so why do them?   When I mention something they say I need to get in shape.  When I tell them I can easily walk 9 or 10+ miles on the beach they say I must be fine.  Even with my military career 30 years ago, if I hadn't missed that one run, they'd have probably never noticed.

 

Every single person I've actually walked hills or done stairs with from college kids (mine and their friends), to neighbors/friends, to my family notices it and (usually) asks about it, but I don't walk with doctors.

 

If getting in shape were the answer, I should have been fine to do a couple of flights of stairs at home after doing seven flights at least once daily - no misses - for a month on a trip.  It wasn't.  There was no change.  It wasn't even easier to do the first five of the seven flights.  Yet those we did the stairs with had no problems.

 

Eh, I think it's probably best if I go back to Plan A and wait for middle son with med school.  At least I don't have to spend time convincing him.  And it's not like I think this is going to kill me (unless it does mentally(!) as it gets colder, but we have southern trips planned).  Then too, if I found out something should have been being done all along to not reach this stage, that won't go over well in my mind either.  I doubt it's connected at all to my other health issues, but it seems to have reached the same stage of "I'm better off not knowing," because if it is bad, that will make me furious and not change a thing - aka, can't be fixed.  

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

How can you tell the difference between a basic lung lower capacity issue and something else (anything else one can think of).

 

Eons ago (ok, decades ago) I was kicked out of the AF for having asthma after not being able to complete one run. It didn't matter that I had completed others and Field Training the previous year and similar. It only mattered that a Navy hospital ran tests that showed I had asthma and a lower lung capacity than I should have and wasn't where I should be medically. They told me at that time that as I got older, it would get worse.

 

Fine. Move on with life.

 

And now I'm older. No doctor since has heard anything even remotely resembling asthma. There have been exactly zero attacks. I take no meds. The last doc I saw said she was going to list that I had outgrown childhood asthma - even though I never had it as a child and rode horses + ran track in the off season. (The Navy docs said I was probably fine because I had kept in shape so my body was used to it. I had gotten out of shape the 2-3 months prior to the unfinished run - a little thing called getting married.)

 

Two or three years ago I did one of those health fitness things (mobile set ups they encourage folks to do) and all was well except lung capacity. The lady doing the tests thought their tube was probably malfunctioning since I'd passed everything else with flying colors. I told her it probably wasn't due to the AF thing. It said my lung capacity was typical of a 60 year old. I would have been 47 or 48.

 

I've lost a ton of my ability to walk hills or climb stairs - really evidenced in Jordan since Amman is built on HILLS - but even noticeable here where we walk daily and have relative molehills to go up. I can't go from my basement to second floor bedroom without breathing heavily. That's normal. I can walk for miles - as long as it's flat or downhill. When doing even our local walk my pulse goes up considerably to walk (was 107 today vs hubby's 79 right after the exact same walk - and I exercise more than he does overall). When in Jordan and getting hills in (albeit slowly) it took a good day or day and a half before my pulse returned to normal, which for me at rest is in the lower 60s - there it stayed in the 90s for quite some time. (Due to whatever issue I can hear it, checking it is not an obsession - it's just super obvious). After a normal walk here (rate in the 100s) it will drop back to lower 80s within 5 minutes of stopping.

 

I've chalked ALL of this up to what the Navy docs told me roughly 30 years ago and just plowed through with it.

 

Then today it's cold... and I can't do a thing without breathing heavier - including just working with ponies in their stalls. I don't feel like I'm going to die or have to sit down. I got my 10,000+ steps in for the day, etc. It's just really annoying.

 

Bending over causes problems too - even on normal temperature days. I have to catch my breath afterward.

 

Is it normal for my past? Or should I be concerned it's something else?

 

I had pretty much convinced myself to call a doc today to see about getting it checked when my neighbor stopped to talk. Turns out her mom (older than me) has the same thing going on - even got a pacemaker to "fix" it, but it didn't - and hers is worse. She can't do 3-4 steps. My usual is around 2 flights. The specialist she just saw wondered why she was there... and essentially was telling her nothing is wrong.

 

So... do I go with that and assume what I've been assuming saving myself the annoyance of appts?

 

If so, I need to step up our plans to move south for the colder months. It's really mentally aggravating to be able to do so little. It's annoying enough on good temperature days.

 

Or is there something else I can look for or check to try to determine if there's a problem or if it's just my body? I've only connected it with pulse and then it seems like my heart is doing just what it should - ramping up significantly to get extra oxygen when I need it and coming back down at rest. It just has to ramp up much farther than other family members, but that seems to be plausible with lower lung capacity... or am I wrong about that?

 

I had planned on waiting to ask my med school lad after he'd had enough classes to be able to answer it for me. But today was really annoying and it's just the start of winter. (sigh)

 

So... any Boardie with knowledge willing to share?

I would get a cardiac issue ruled out right off the bat. Your symptoms sound as if they could be heart-related. Do you retain fluid, puffy feet or face? Push down on a fingernail with one from tbe other hand, let go, and see how long it takes for the normal color to reappear. The faster, the better.

 

(Not a doctor, just a nurse with a mom who had heart problems.)

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

You need to tell the doctor you have "a decrease in exercise tolerance". That is the magic phrase that means you need further work up. Both cardiac and lung. 

 

And no, decrease in exercise tolerance is not something you wait on, that's something you get looked at. Emphysema, COPD, lung cancer, cardiomyopathy, etc etc etc all need to be ruled out. 

 

Sorry. 

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would get a cardiac issue ruled out right off the bat. Your symptoms sound as if they could be heart-related. Do you retain fluid, puffy feet or face? Push down on a fingernail with one from tbe other hand, let go, and see how long it takes for the normal color to reappear. The faster, the better.

 

(Not a doctor, just a nurse with a mom who had heart problems.)

 

Cardiac should be fine.  There are no other cardiac symptoms. The chest pain is on the right side, not the left, and never correlates with exercise.  90% of it went away when I dropped the iron & multivitamin and I seriously wonder if the little bit that is left is from iron in my diet, but I haven't done any controlled eating to test that hypothesis.  There's only one thing chest pain wise that has me wondering and that's descending from our recent flights.  When off Sudafed (cause the flight was more than 12 hours and I forgot to take another dose onboard) the pain was pretty strong.  It was considerably less when on Sudafed though, so inflammation?

 

No retained fluid or puffiness, no fatigue, and an instant return to color with that fingernail test you mentioned that I just did.

 

My mom had heart issues too before they found her cancer.  I've seen what you are talking about and have none of it.

 

Then too, when I first mentioned the chest pains 3-4 years ago the doctor I was with at that time insisted upon a stress test even though I still doubted cardiac issues.  The test showed no problems, and nothing showed up on an EKG, of course.  That was some time ago, but I think the results would be the same now.

 

IF the chest pain is related, it's probably lung or liver related, but I have my doubts about those too since it doesn't change with exercise (or rest) and liver numbers on blood tests are fine.  My best guess is either iron in the diet or perhaps something associated with inflammation.

 

The people you did stairs with were fitter.  I am no fitness expert, but a month is not enough for me to have a change in lung capacity -- it took six weeks at a certain aerobic effort once I was able to run. The person I take my advice from would say if you are working that hard, you aren't getting a fitness benefit -- you need to be in a goldilocks zone where your workout energizes you, instead of stresses you, and leaves you feeling like you could do more. Thats a particular amount of effort,  and it needs to be combined with eating well so the muscles get the nutrition they need. 

 

it could be related to your other health issues.   fixing the genetic issue that caused my health issues helped me more than anything, but it is annoying that the side effects of the meds vary so much that no one is able to parse out whats the med, whats the fitness, whats the effect of previous treatments, just how metabolically active is the excess flab, etc.  perhaps you could drop the weight and eat well in the meantime.

 

Some of the people I did stairs with are far more likely to get tired before I do on the longer walks, and to have muscle issues from farm chores or sand walking - or even after doing several flights of stairs.  I never get sore muscles from any of those - even farm chores I haven't done in a while.

 

I know it's been a while, but back in my active days of riding and track it never took all that long to get into condition, esp for basic everyday activities that one does every single day.  I've never seen anyone (without a health issue) have problems doing activities they do every single day.

 

YMMV

 

You need to tell the doctor you have "a decrease in exercise tolerance". That is the magic phrase that means you need further work up. Both cardiac and lung. 

 

And no, decrease in exercise tolerance is not something you wait on, that's something you get looked at. Emphysema, COPD, lung cancer, cardiomyopathy, etc etc etc all need to be ruled out. 

 

Sorry. 

 

Now that's a good thought... learn key phrases that convey better meaning.  Thanks for the suggestion!  I've never smoked in my life nor been in a smoking environment regularly, so hopefully that gives better odds on some of those, but it would be nice knowing what the issue is and if it can be improved or fixed. Old age happens, but... I have mentioned perhaps getting it looked at to hubby and he's 100% in favor of it.

 

Ă¢â‚¬â€¹The thought is not lost on me that my mom has never smoked nor been in a smoking environment in her life either, yet somehow got esophageal cancer.  But this is hopefully not progressing fast enough to be a cancer, so I'm not terribly worried.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cardiac should be fine.  There are no other cardiac symptoms. The chest pain is on the right side, not the left, and never correlates with exercise. 

 

 

Now that's a good thought... learn key phrases that convey better meaning.  Thanks for the suggestion!  I've never smoked in my life nor been in a smoking environment regularly, so hopefully that gives better odds on some of those, but it would be nice knowing what the issue is and if it can be improved or fixed. Old age happens, but... I have mentioned perhaps getting it looked at to hubby and he's 100% in favor of it.

 

Ă¢â‚¬â€¹The thought is not lost on me that my mom has never smoked nor been in a smoking environment in her life either, yet somehow got esophageal cancer.  But this is hopefully not progressing fast enough to be a cancer, so I'm not terribly worried.  

 

Things like cardiomyopathy can come on from a virus, and don't cause chest pain, just a decrease in exercise tolerance. 

 

And yes, absolutely, learning to "speak the lingo" can make all the difference. 'I get a bit winded when i do stairs" doesn't signify anything to them because MOST of the people they see get a bit winded on stairs. But "decrease in exercise tolerance" is a symptom of several things, and should get you more attention. 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I once had asthma for a few months, following a bout of pneumonia.  That winter, cold air would make my lungs feel tight-- so I would hold my breath while walking from car to store, and wore a scarf over my nose and mouth if I had to be outside in the cold (since rebreathed air is warmer... although the higher CO2 level might be bad for asthma, not sure). 

Pulse Oximeters are very cheap now-- you can buy them on Amazon for $12-$40. They clip on a fingertip and give a constant readout.  Or for more money (about $90), the COMTEC CMS50F will save and download your pulse and oxygen saturation history.  You could record yourself walking up stairs, up hills, etc. If your saturation drops, you could show that data to the doctor. 
 

Edited by shoponl
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Things like cardiomyopathy can come on from a virus, and don't cause chest pain, just a decrease in exercise tolerance. 

 

And yes, absolutely, learning to "speak the lingo" can make all the difference. 'I get a bit winded when i do stairs" doesn't signify anything to them because MOST of the people they see get a bit winded on stairs. But "decrease in exercise tolerance" is a symptom of several things, and should get you more attention. 

 

I just finished looking that one up online and at least I don't have most of the symptoms, so hopefully that's not it, but I definitely am 100% sure something is wrong.  Whether that something comes from the Navy finding 3 decades ago - just with aging - or whether it's newer and something else I don't know.  Sooner or later it would be nice to find someone willing to check it out for me, esp the more I get bugged by it.

 

I just got off the phone with middle son (typical phone call, not about this).  He's making good contacts there (med school) already so if I ever get the idea that 6 hours away from home isn't too far to go for a dr appt :glare: , I have that option.  It is appealing at times, but then I remind myself it's hardly "one" appt and my mom plus my in-laws are at a very needy time of their lives for the next year (or probably less), so I've pretty limited and not terribly "schedule-able in advance" time.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Pulse Oximeters are very cheap now-- you can buy them on Amazon for $12-$40. They clip on a fingertip and give a constant readout.  Or for more money (about $90), the COMTEC CMS50F will save and download your pulse and oxygen saturation history.  You could record yourself walking up stairs, up hills, etc. If your saturation drops, you could show that data to the doctor. 

 

Hmm, filed under "What a Science Geek might put on their list for Christmas gifts."

 

I love science (and learning new science "stuff").  I wonder if getting something like this would lead to too much obsession or if it would be useful for the situation.

 

Or... I might see if our anatomy class at school has one they aren't using for a few days.  I bet they do.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've read replies now. Ă°Å¸Â¤â€œ

 

So, I wouldn't push you to get more in shape. If you're happy with how you are and your lungs aren't "twitchy" I wouldn't rock the boat. I will say I have similar symptoms with stairs and running. In fact, I also have issue she with cold air, sleeping, laughing, coughing, and walking quickly. And I'm also legally handicapped. Because I've got the documented lung issues, I have had MANY lung tests. And my lungs have been through spells of twitchiness.

 

Re: the exercise, I'd say listen to your body. For me, when I try to run and try to do stairs really quickly, my oxygen saturation actually drops.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hmm, filed under "What a Science Geek might put on their list for Christmas gifts."

 

I love science (and learning new science "stuff"). I wonder if getting something like this would lead to too much obsession or if it would be useful for the situation.

 

Or... I might see if our anatomy class at school has one they aren't using for a few days. I bet they do.

I would be cautious about using a pulse ox, or breath sounds as the only tools to determine whether things are OK. 

 

As a baby, my kid with asthma could be breathing twice as fast as a typical baby, with retractions at ribs and throat, head moving forcefully with every breath but his pulse ox would be 100%. 

 

As a preteen when puberty his and his meds stopped working, he was breathing at 50% of expected capacity but his pulse ox was still 100%.

 

The body is designed to preserve oxygen levels, even at great cost, and you can be very sick before the pulse ox changes.

 

Same kid never has audible wheezing, even with a stethascope.  Well he had it once, once in 18 years, but at that point his breathing was so labored that he didn't have the energy to suck on a bottle and got severely dehydrated.  His pulminologist says that you get wheezing when the airways are narrow, and in my son's case areas are either open or closed.  

 

Despite this, the fact that he's got decreased stamina, occaisional coughing that sounds really "wrong", and poor PFTs that respond positively to asthma medication, is enough that none of his doctors doubt that it's asthma. 

 

You need to see a pulminologist or allergist.

 

Edited because I am not skilled at posting on my phone, and so my first attempt was a mess.  

Edited by Daria
  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just finished looking that one up online and at least I don't have most of the symptoms, so hopefully that's not it, but I definitely am 100% sure something is wrong. Whether that something comes from the Navy finding 3 decades ago - just with aging - or whether it's newer and something else I don't know. Sooner or later it would be nice to find someone willing to check it out for me, esp the more I get bugged by it.

 

I just got off the phone with middle son (typical phone call, not about this). He's making good contacts there (med school) already so if I ever get the idea that 6 hours away from home isn't too far to go for a dr appt :glare: , I have that option. It is appealing at times, but then I remind myself it's hardly "one" appt and my mom plus my in-laws are at a very needy time of their lives for the next year (or probably less), so I've pretty limited and not terribly "schedule-able in advance" time.

Others are depending upon you? Then you need to take care of yourself, or you may not be able to help them in the future. It becomes selfish on your part to not go to the doctor and take the tests needed.

 

Reading stuff online is no substitute for medical care. Ok, is this post mean enough to get you to go get checked out to prove me wrong? Then it's done its job. Your symptoms are not normal.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I haven't read the replies, just the OP.

 

Having seen this in an elderly relative of mine who has struggled with unexplained lung issues for decades, it's quite depressing. Her doctors have basically thrown steroidal inhalers and nasal sprays and various asthma meds at her for years, none of which have really helped, and now she's on a ton of stuff and they still can't tell her what the problem actually is. Sure, they'll tell her she has a reactive airway, or COPD, but I can't really see how those names are just medical jargon that describe her symptoms.

 

Sorry I sound so pessimistic. I feel like if you want to try to alleviate symptoms, a doc will help. Finding the root cause? I'm not so sure.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've read replies now. Ă°Å¸Â¤â€œ

 

So, I wouldn't push you to get more in shape. If you're happy with how you are and your lungs aren't "twitchy" I wouldn't rock the boat. I will say I have similar symptoms with stairs and running. In fact, I also have issue she with cold air, sleeping, laughing, coughing, and walking quickly. And I'm also legally handicapped. Because I've got the documented lung issues, I have had MANY lung tests. And my lungs have been through spells of twitchiness.

 

Re: the exercise, I'd say listen to your body. For me, when I try to run and try to do stairs really quickly, my oxygen saturation actually drops.

 

Thanks.  For now my philosophy has been to go back to what the Navy docs said - that I could do what I did prior to their testing without it being an issue because I kept in shape.  We continue to walk the (small) hills around home daily and do larger hills or more flights of steps instead of elevators when available while traveling to try to keep the status quo - and for others traveling with us to keep in shape too, of course.  I don't think that level is hurting, albeit I wonder when pushing a lot more on trips, even with slowing down, mainly because of how long the pulse can take to return to normal, but it hasn't killed me yet, nor have I ever felt like I was about to die (or pass out or similar).

 

I would be cautious about using a pulse ox, or breath sounds as the only tools to determine whether things are OK. 

 

As a baby, my kid with asthma could be breathing twice as fast as a typical baby, with retractions at ribs and throat, head moving forcefully with every breath but his pulse ox would be 100%. 

 

As a preteen when puberty his and his meds stopped working, he was breathing at 50% of expected capacity but his pulse ox was still 100%.

 

The body is designed to preserve oxygen levels, even at great cost, and you can be very sick before the pulse ox changes.

 

Same kid never has audible wheezing, even with a stethascope.  Well he had it once, once in 18 years, but at that point his breathing was so labored that he didn't have the energy to suck on a bottle and got severely dehydrated.  His pulminologist says that you get wheezing when the airways are narrow, and in my son's case areas are either open or closed.  

 

Despite this, the fact that he's got decreased stamina, occaisional coughing that sounds really "wrong", and poor PFTs that respond positively to asthma medication, is enough that none of his doctors doubt that it's asthma. 

 

You need to see a pulminologist or allergist.

 

Edited because I am not skilled at posting on my phone, and so my first attempt was a mess.  

 

BTDT with your last statement!   :lol:

 

Thanks for figuring it out and adding though.  I'll skip asking about the oxygen meter.  I think if mine were to get low, I'd get fatigued (pulling on my Bio knowledge of what that oxygen is used for in cells).  I don't, except right after a monthly cycle, but I don't think that's abnormal.  I think my body has adjusted quite well for what it has to do.  It's just having to do a bit more now due to "whatever" changing, so 'tis probably time to see if it can be assisted.

 

Others are depending upon you? Then you need to take care of yourself, or you may not be able to help them in the future. It becomes selfish on your part to not go to the doctor and take the tests needed.

 

Reading stuff online is no substitute for medical care. Ok, is this post mean enough to get you to go get checked out to prove me wrong? Then it's done its job. Your symptoms are not normal.

 

Hmm, I actually didn't read your post as "mean" at all, so no.  But logic tends to work with my mind.  It's why I post things on here to sound out other's (more knowledgeable folk's) thoughts.  I'm extremely aware that what I've been dealing with is not normal (as is my family/friends).  What I've been unsure about is whether it's normal "for me" considering the background I have or whether there's something else.  I'd been assuming the former.  My mind has wondered for a bit - enough to post on that last cold day.

 

Then the next truly logical part to overcome is the fact that the doctors I've seen (for other issues) have not considered this a problem (or the other issues - except for the brain tumor docs and they aren't part of the picture anymore).  I can word it differently now, but will that cause them to believe what I'm saying - or go back to their assumption that I'm just a hypochondriac caused by experiencing the brain tumor?  MOST things in my health life are just fine and tests come back fine (no lung or breathing tests).  Anyone at our recent get together can attest that I look normal (at least health-wise  :lol: ).  I have to actually be believed by a doctor to overcome that hurdle since I can't get any of those types of tests by myself.  Having been at that roadblock with my other issues too recently in the past (like wanting them to check into why I hear my pulse to see if it's connected to other issues and being told "no, they see no reason to do it - here are anti-anxiety meds if you want them,") if it happens again, it's going to be a massive mental issue on my part.

 

I chose to walk away from that past and only go to a doctor again if it's incredibly obvious that one is needed - no question at all by anyone (bleeding, broken bones, infections, etc).  It hasn't helped the other issues one bit - they continue to progress slowly, but it's certainly reduced stress (except on really bad issue days).

 

Which side of that line is this one going to fall on?

 

That's where my mind is stuck.  And that's why it sees middle son as a possibility in the future.  He can't help personally since we're related, but his knowledge of both situations (other issues and this one) and contacts to "new" (not tainted) doctors would be helpful due to his word carrying weight with them over whatever is written on my chart.  Right now though, he's six hours (one way) away and it will be at least three years before he might be closer, so if this is more critical than that, I have to make another choice.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Philips Respironics Personal Best Peak Flow Meter, HS755-001  I'm missing if somebody suggested this, but you can get a peak flow meter for $17. Greatest thing ever, super cheap, and it will let you take data across settings, any time. 

 

I think the age-norms charts are kinda iffy. I'm like you are, actually at the high end of your weight (176 pounds), and I get out of breath going up stairs too if I'm not careful, simply because, hello, I'm hauling 50 pounds more than some similarly fit women. I lift weights, run a mile with weights, do vigorous classes at the Y with names like "BodyShock"... and I get out of breath because I'm just hauling, kwim? It's just a wicked hard task.

 

One, you would have to make your legs stronger if you want stairs to go better. Set up a stable chair in a safe place and practice going up and down it, working each leg, 50 on each side total. This will make your legs stronger. Then do things 3 times a week that get your heart rate up higher than it is when you're walking. If you have stairs in your home, you could do them more vigorously, 3 times up and down, several times a day. I have stairs but I only do them a few times a day. 

 

We have this killer stair master at the Y. For as much as I work out, I can only do that thing 5 minutes before I keel over, woof. I know a skinny chick who does it for 25 minutes!! 

 

My asthma is now well-controlled. When I started with the pulmonologist and was making data with that peak flow meter, I was only about 15-20% below age norms, so I really felt apologetic, like I shouldn't be saying it was a problem. And remember, this is the woman who's going to Body Shock (which is really as vicious as it sounds), etc. etc. The pulmonologist said do it anyway, it's asthma anyway. After we got me on meds and got things stabilized, my readings on that meter more than DOUBLED!

 

I must have big lungs. And I have scarring probably from pneumonia that I didn't realize and let go. And I work out. So now I consistently am 530-540 on that meter. When I'm not controlled, like before I got care, I was around 200, I forget. I think 240 was the "norm" for my age, so you wouldn't THINK I was that low, right? 

 

So the charts are crap. I don't know if it's your lungs or your weight or your heart. Personally, as a woman, I'd be concerned it's your heart, because they so underidentify heart problems in women, from what I've read. That would be the one I wouldn't want to miss. I think talking with your ds is a great idea! But get the meter so you actually have some data,kwim? Take data before you do the stairs, and after. If you have any known allergens (dog, dust, anything), take data before and after exposure. Take data before and after you want and take data before and after something with more exertion (7 flights, whatever).

 

That's really fascinating that you can hear your pulse btw. For my ds we talk about interroception and being able to recognize how you feel. I wouldn't be good at any of that, so me, I use the meter and make data. I was pretty shocked when it started going up and then stabilized. So now, when I have an issue and it drops, we don't go oh but the chart says this is normal. If I'm dropping 20% for *me*, we're gonna treat aggressively, boom. And I don't even need an inhaler all the time now. We figured out my triggers and how to get it back in check.

 

Yes, if your docs are saying that you'd be less out of breath hauling less weight, well no joke. Our Y has a scale that will kick out % body fat. You might see if your ds has access to some tech like that. A university will have a tank you can actually get in, where you displace water. It's kind of, um, shocking, but at least it's the truth. For me it's important, because my weight is staying the same (176, 176) even as I've been lifting more and more weight. I made a benchmark on that % body fat scale and we'll go back to it and see. But yeah, of course it's more WORK for me to haul that much weight up the stairs, no stinkin joke. And I'm not a great lover of the cardio, I admit it. You do what's important to you, and apparently strengthening my cardio to do things breathlessly isn't important enough. Actually it's more than that. i don't WANT to do tons of cardio and blow my knees, kwim? I think I'd rather be 176 and have my knees than skinny without. So there.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks.  For now my philosophy has been to go back to what the Navy docs said - that I could do what I did prior to their testing without it being an issue because I kept in shape.  We continue to walk the (small) hills around home daily and do larger hills or more flights of steps instead of elevators when available while traveling to try to keep the status quo - and for others traveling with us to keep in shape too, of course.  I don't think that level is hurting, albeit I wonder when pushing a lot more on trips, even with slowing down, mainly because of how long the pulse can take to return to normal, but it hasn't killed me yet, nor have I ever felt like I was about to die (or pass out or similar).

 

 

BTDT with your last statement!   :lol:

 

Thanks for figuring it out and adding though.  I'll skip asking about the oxygen meter.  I think if mine were to get low, I'd get fatigued (pulling on my Bio knowledge of what that oxygen is used for in cells).  I don't, except right after a monthly cycle, but I don't think that's abnormal.  I think my body has adjusted quite well for what it has to do.  It's just having to do a bit more now due to "whatever" changing, so 'tis probably time to see if it can be assisted.

 

 

Hmm, I actually didn't read your post as "mean" at all, so no.  But logic tends to work with my mind.  It's why I post things on here to sound out other's (more knowledgeable folk's) thoughts.  I'm extremely aware that what I've been dealing with is not normal (as is my family/friends).  What I've been unsure about is whether it's normal "for me" considering the background I have or whether there's something else.  I'd been assuming the former.  My mind has wondered for a bit - enough to post on that last cold day.

 

Then the next truly logical part to overcome is the fact that the doctors I've seen (for other issues) have not considered this a problem (or the other issues - except for the brain tumor docs and they aren't part of the picture anymore).  I can word it differently now, but will that cause them to believe what I'm saying - or go back to their assumption that I'm just a hypochondriac caused by experiencing the brain tumor?  MOST things in my health life are just fine and tests come back fine (no lung or breathing tests).  Anyone at our recent get together can attest that I look normal (at least health-wise  :lol: ).  I have to actually be believed by a doctor to overcome that hurdle since I can't get any of those types of tests by myself.  Having been at that roadblock with my other issues too recently in the past (like wanting them to check into why I hear my pulse to see if it's connected to other issues and being told "no, they see no reason to do it - here are anti-anxiety meds if you want them,") if it happens again, it's going to be a massive mental issue on my part.

 

I chose to walk away from that past and only go to a doctor again if it's incredibly obvious that one is needed - no question at all by anyone (bleeding, broken bones, infections, etc).  It hasn't helped the other issues one bit - they continue to progress slowly, but it's certainly reduced stress (except on really bad issue days).

 

Which side of that line is this one going to fall on?

 

That's where my mind is stuck.  And that's why it sees middle son as a possibility in the future.  He can't help personally since we're related, but his knowledge of both situations (other issues and this one) and contacts to "new" (not tainted) doctors would be helpful due to his word carrying weight with them over whatever is written on my chart.  Right now though, he's six hours (one way) away and it will be at least three years before he might be closer, so if this is more critical than that, I have to make another choice.

The allergy doctor we see would pretty quickly be able to run tests, check on your lung capacity, oxygen level, etc.  It would be pretty easy then for her to see if there is an issue in one initial visit.  I can't imagine a doctor telling you that it's all in your head!  At the very least, they should be able to explain why your body works differently than the norm.

I wish you could meet with my db.  He is a heart-lung research doctor.  He'd put you on a treadmill and hook you up to lots of machines and figure out what was going on.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

One more possibility to rule out would be pulmonary hypertension.  I have an extended family member who specializes in that disease; I'm no expert myself, but I do know that it 1) COULD explain what you are describing and 2) is notoriously hard to diagnose.

 

I too would gently encourage you to see a doctor and see if you can't get some answers.  Good luck!

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

 

I chose to walk away from that past and only go to a doctor again if it's incredibly obvious that one is needed - no question at all by anyone (bleeding, broken bones, infections, etc).  It hasn't helped the other issues one bit - they continue to progress slowly, but it's certainly reduced stress (except on really bad issue days).

 

Which side of that line is this one going to fall on?

 

 

 

Heart and lungs fall in the "needed" category. Skin rash and such can be wait and see. 

SaveSave

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's really fascinating that you can hear your pulse btw. 

 

Hmm, fascinating isn't even on the list of words I would use for it.  It took a long time to get used to it and even now I do much better when I have noise (TV, radio, outdoor noise, etc) so I don't.  When we go camping for a month one of the biggest aggravations about coming home is sitting inside or lying down in bed and hearing it again - reminding me it's still there.

 

As for the rest - thank you!  I can see what sort of things might be going on and go from there. I have no known allergies. I don't think I'm ever going to drop a lot more weight since my body has adjusted to my eating less (Biggest Loser Style of metabolism change), but such is life.  I should be able to get back into the 160s without much effort though - except, a bit will depend upon how much I'm home and how much I'm at my mom's (less exercise and more food at mom's).

 

For the time being I get my "gym" exercises on our farm.  Hay bales, water buckets, gardening, etc.  If we sell the ponies, a lot of that will disappear, so I'll figure out what to replace it with.  For today - I'm going to be out jogging ponies (not long distance) for videos - so it'll be interesting to see what happens with the breathing and how long it takes the pulse to return to normal after that workout.

 

FWIW, if I were to eliminate our daily walks (and hiking, etc), use elevators, ditch the farm chores, and move to a Southern Climate for winter, for at least a little while nothing would seem to be wrong (with the breathing stuff - nothing else changes with the other things).  I'm already actively working to sell the ponies and snowbird for longer periods over the winter.  I don't know that I'm willing to give up the walks.

 

 

The allergy doctor we see would pretty quickly be able to run tests, check on your lung capacity, oxygen level, etc.  It would be pretty easy then for her to see if there is an issue in one initial visit.  I can't imagine a doctor telling you that it's all in your head!  At the very least, they should be able to explain why your body works differently than the norm.

I wish you could meet with my db.  He is a heart-lung research doctor.  He'd put you on a treadmill and hook you up to lots of machines and figure out what was going on.

 

It blew my mind and that of family + friends too, but it also made sense at first.  Their reasoning is once someone has something major go wrong (brain tumor in my case) they become super sensitive to anything else going on, most of which is either normal or normal due to side effects.  Seemed logical so I went with it - for at least 6 months.  I was told things would improve given time.  They didn't.  There's actually slow progression instead.  Basic tests were done (with the other issues) checking for further head damage mostly.  Those results came back fine.  Some of it I could have told them would be fine knowing basic bio (ie, no ear damage due to no balance or hearing loss), but they did the tests anyway - twice.  It's only when I asked them to go to the next plausible possibility (vascular), discovered by me due to a fellow Boardie giving the suggestion, that I hit the fence.  Google tells me that's the most likely possibility of hearing pulse if tumors and cysts, etc can be ruled out.  Drs told me to stay off Google and it doesn't need to be checked because I don't get tired.  End of conversation unless I want anti-anxiety meds - or nerve suppressing meds that might stop some of what I'm feeling (and make me tired + some other unwanted possibilities).

 

In my ideal world I could find a place to have the tests done myself - just me getting results.  If they show nothing, then fine, I'm wrong, but there's some peace of mind and at least I know I tried.  If they show something, I could find someone who would deal with it having the results in hand.  But I can't do that.  We minions are not in control of our own health for most things.  We can deny things, but not request things (other than blood tests, but these aren't blood tests).

 

It doesn't help that a good friend at school has a doctor who is the total opposite of mine.  Hers will investigate anything outright telling her the same thing about super sensitivity, but knowing it helps her to have that piece of mind.  I've asked.  Since I don't have cancer, I can't switch to him. (sigh)

 

So... whatever "it" is is real (at least to me), is uncommon (no one doubts that), and in practically everything my body does not follow textbook reactions - from pregnancy to carpal tunnel to radiation - pretty much making it incredibly difficult to figure things out.  It's easier for doctors to think it's in my mind and that probably matches most of what they see considering the uncommonness and unusual reactions.  It's easier for me to give up and deal with it than pursue it - far, far less stressful.

 

I will never say that's the best answer, it's just the best I have to choose from for all the other stuff.

 

Then there's this, which I think is unrelated.  With my history, I'm thinking I already have two or three strikes against me due to their perceived "cause" of the other stuff.  I'm not sure anything will be real to them without it being super obvious to the whole world - not just those who know me.

 

FWIW, my mom is the same way with weird body reactions.  Her doctor also said everything was stress - all the way until in desperation she pleaded for a Lyme test.  That test showed her hemoglobin count at 6 (normal is 12).  On that visit he told her to go home and relax (same thing he told her on all other visits), but gave in to her plea for the test.  Without the blood test she would have gone home, finally passed out, and died.  He also missed a heart issue with her.  NOW he believes what she says, but now it's pretty much too late considering the blood loss was caused by her terminal cancer.

 

I don't think I have anything as bad as my mom, but when one's body does not react like the textbook says it should, it's pretty impossible to be believed and once not believed, it's a really high hurdle to overcome even when something is super obvious to all others around.  (Her heart issues were classic and even that was counted as stress.  She's persistent and willing to beg.  I'm not.  I'd rather die than beg. )

 

Sorry for a lot more being typed out than you probably wanted to know!

 

 

One more possibility to rule out would be pulmonary hypertension.  I have an extended family member who specializes in that disease; I'm no expert myself, but I do know that it 1) COULD explain what you are describing and 2) is notoriously hard to diagnose.

 

I too would gently encourage you to see a doctor and see if you can't get some answers.  Good luck!

 

I will have to google this later... but thanks for the idea in advance!  I need to go out and jog (ponies) now.  It's a nice clear day and both hubby and I are home, so... it can't wait.

Edited by creekland
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hmm, fascinating isn't even on the list of words I would use for it.  It took a long time to get used to it and even now I do much better when I have noise (TV, radio, outdoor noise, etc) so I don't.  When we go camping for a month one of the biggest aggravations about coming home is sitting inside or lying down in bed and hearing it again - reminding me it's still there.

 

As for the rest - thank you!  I can see what sort of things might be going on and go from there. I have no known allergies. I don't think I'm ever going to drop a lot more weight since my body has adjusted to my eating less (Biggest Loser Style of metabolism change), but such is life.  I should be able to get back into the 160s without much effort though - except, a bit will depend upon how much I'm home and how much I'm at my mom's (less exercise and more food at mom's).

 

For the time being I get my "gym" exercises on our farm.  Hay bales, water buckets, gardening, etc.  If we sell the ponies, a lot of that will disappear, so I'll figure out what to replace it with.  For today - I'm going to be out jogging ponies (not long distance) for videos - so it'll be interesting to see what happens with the breathing and how long it takes the pulse to return to normal after that workout.

 

FWIW, if I were to eliminate our daily walks (and hiking, etc), use elevators, ditch the farm chores, and move to a Southern Climate for winter, for at least a little while nothing would seem to be wrong (with the breathing stuff - nothing else changes with the other things).  I'm already actively working to sell the ponies and snowbird for longer periods over the winter.  I don't know that I'm willing to give up the walks.

 

 

 

It blew my mind and that of family + friends too, but it also made sense at first.  Their reasoning is once someone has something major go wrong (brain tumor in my case) they become super sensitive to anything else going on, most of which is either normal or normal due to side effects.  Seemed logical so I went with it - for at least 6 months.  I was told things would improve given time.  They didn't.  There's actually slow progression instead.  Basic tests were done (with the other issues) checking for further head damage mostly.  Those results came back fine.  Some of it I could have told them would be fine knowing basic bio (ie, no ear damage due to no balance or hearing loss), but they did the tests anyway - twice.  It's only when I asked them to go to the next plausible possibility (vascular), discovered by me due to a fellow Boardie giving the suggestion, that I hit the fence.  Google tells me that's the most likely possibility of hearing pulse if tumors and cysts, etc can be ruled out.  Drs told me to stay off Google and it doesn't need to be checked because I don't get tired.  End of conversation unless I want anti-anxiety meds - or nerve suppressing meds that might stop some of what I'm feeling (and make me tired + some other unwanted possibilities).

 

In my ideal world I could find a place to have the tests done myself - just me getting results.  If they show nothing, then fine, I'm wrong, but there's some peace of mind and at least I know I tried.  If they show something, I could find someone who would deal with it having the results in hand.  But I can't do that.  We minions are not in control of our own health for most things.  We can deny things, but not request things (other than blood tests, but these aren't blood tests).

 

It doesn't help that a good friend at school has a doctor who is the total opposite of mine.  Hers will investigate anything outright telling her the same thing about super sensitivity, but knowing it helps her to have that piece of mind.  I've asked.  Since I don't have cancer, I can't switch to him. (sigh)

 

So... whatever "it" is is real (at least to me), is uncommon (no one doubts that), and in practically everything my body does not follow textbook reactions - from pregnancy to carpal tunnel to radiation - pretty much making it incredibly difficult to figure things out.  It's easier for doctors to think it's in my mind and that probably matches most of what they see considering the uncommonness and unusual reactions.  It's easier for me to give up and deal with it than pursue it - far, far less stressful.

 

I will never say that's the best answer, it's just the best I have to choose from for all the other stuff.

 

Then there's this, which I think is unrelated.  With my history, I'm thinking I already have two or three strikes against me due to their perceived "cause" of the other stuff.  I'm not sure anything will be real to them without it being super obvious to the whole world - not just those who know me.

 

FWIW, my mom is the same way with weird body reactions.  Her doctor also said everything was stress - all the way until in desperation she pleaded for a Lyme test.  That test showed her hemoglobin count at 6 (normal is 12).  On that visit he told her to go home and relax (same thing he told her on all other visits), but gave in to her plea for the test.  Without the blood test she would have gone home, finally passed out, and died.  He also missed a heart issue with her.  NOW he believes what she says, but now it's pretty much too late considering the blood loss was caused by her terminal cancer.

 

I don't think I have anything as bad as my mom, but when one's body does not react like the textbook says it should, it's pretty impossible to be believed and once not believed, it's a really high hurdle to overcome even when something is super obvious to all others around.  (Her heart issues were classic and even that was counted as stress.  She's persistent and willing to beg.  I'm not.  I'd rather die than beg. )

 

Sorry for a lot more being typed out than you probably wanted to know!

 

 

 

I will have to google this later... but thanks for the idea in advance!  I need to go out and jog (ponies) now.  It's a nice clear day and both hubby and I are home, so... it can't wait.

 

The body is such a puzzle.  I'm sorry yours has been extra puzzling.  One of my dd's has an extra puzzling body too -- meaning lots of strange and seemingly unrelated symptoms, but we've always guessed there must be something that connects everything.  And we've been told that if there's an anti-immune thing going on, that can deplete the body of the energy it needs to fight other things, so then you ARE more apt to get other weird things.  But, they can be turned around too.  No one's ever been able to figure out the root of my dd's problems, and in fact she has a call into Johns Hopkins now. (They've been trying to find an appointment time for her for several months now, actually.  She'll be seeing a very specialized neurologist who only has sparse openings, usually when she's not available!)

My body has always had atypical reactions too, things that have made doctors nervous at times.  But I know that for me they're normal.  Doctors don't know everything.

At the same time, if you ever feel a desire to go to Mayo, I can probably get a contact for you and would even try and meet you there!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you can access medical care reasonably, then I'd do it. My asthma/allergies doctor tests my lung function every time I'm in there (usually q6 months). You blow into this thingy blowing out candles on a computer screen. It is painless and takes just a couple minutes. He uses that to track how well my meds are working. We once tried to cut back my Advair to once a day from twice a day, but, nope, my lung function plummeted (to something like 80% of normal vs typical 97% of normal when on the 2x/day Advair). So, I went back to 2x/day and next check up was all good.

 

DR also has advised me that it's really important to STAY ON TOP of asthma and keep your lung function as good as you can (via meds, etc.) because otherwise . . . if I get say a bad chest cold, then the normal scar tissue that can form will sort of "freeze" my lung function at the diminished capacity. Thus, then I'm screwed. Apparently this is why it's so important to properly monitor and treat all asthma. I am relatively new to the asthma world, as I was newly diagnosed just maybe 5 years ago, so I'm no expert . . .

 

Anyway, my personal asthma causes me NO PROBLEMS unmedicated except if I get a little chest cold, then I start getting wheezy/etc. Or when I run . . . But, I *could* manage all that with the little rescue inhalers and probably be fine . . . without the zillion dollar Advair. BUT, now that I understand the potential severe consequences of not keeping my lung function in tip top shape, I am committed to keeping on the Advair until/unless something better comes along.

 

But, I was really flabbergasted by what my doc said about scarring/etc. permanently reducing your lung function if you aren't keeping on top of the asthma. I'd been seeing him years by the time he made that comment. It made me realize how many people don't understand that . . . like my friend who refuses to treat her kid's asthma and just has her lie still for a week whenever she's sick . . .

The scarring and permanently reducing lung function is absolutely true. My husband had outgrown his pretty severe asthma as a teenager, but as an adult, he had two severe colds in a row and possibly untreated pneumonia, and still kept working long hours and exercising. One day in the midst of exercising, he found that he couldn't breathe and immediately went to urgent care. He was told exactly what you were by your doctor. He will now likely be on various asthma medications for the rest of life.

 

Creekland, I hope you get some good answers soon.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The body is such a puzzle.  I'm sorry yours has been extra puzzling.  One of my dd's has an extra puzzling body too -- meaning lots of strange and seemingly unrelated symptoms, but we've always guessed there must be something that connects everything.  And we've been told that if there's an anti-immune thing going on, that can deplete the body of the energy it needs to fight other things, so then you ARE more apt to get other weird things.  But, they can be turned around too.  No one's ever been able to figure out the root of my dd's problems, and in fact she has a call into Johns Hopkins now. (They've been trying to find an appointment time for her for several months now, actually.  She'll be seeing a very specialized neurologist who only has sparse openings, usually when she's not available!)

My body has always had atypical reactions too, things that have made doctors nervous at times.  But I know that for me they're normal.  Doctors don't know everything.

At the same time, if you ever feel a desire to go to Mayo, I can probably get a contact for you and would even try and meet you there!

 

I hope your DD gets answers.

 

Mayo is 15 hours away.  While tempting, it makes 6 seem like a piece of cake. 

 

My schedule will free up a ton at some point, but can't say I want that point to come anytime soon.  We may be ambitious in our thoughts, but we're hoping my mom can go south with us in March.  Time will tell.  So far I haven't scheduled January.  I'm quite possibly going to see if I can get this looked at here that month (pending mom's December PET scan) and will either be surprisingly pleased that someone agrees to do it or writing a thread venting at how what's supposed to be happening doesn't really happen.

 

You can order blood tests through HealthCheckUSA.com I have before, totally legit, works great. 

 

Yes, I can get pretty much any blood test I want and it's even easier around here to keep up with blood numbers because two different hospital systems offer community events allowing one to get oodles of tests for $35 - $65 total, not each test.  We try to do those twice a year to keep up on all basics.  I've never found a place where one can get any other type of test done though (MRIs/MRAs, lung tests, or even x-rays, etc).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Same with my husband. No puffiness or water retention, not overweight, no family history. He had no prior symptoms, but would complain that walking uphill across our property, however slight, would be a struggle. It didn't really dawn on us until later, tho. He didn't even have any of the classic heart attack symptoms, just began with bad pain in his little finger of the left hand, then odd heart pains.

 

I wouldn't be opposed to them deciding to check that out again given the circumstances, but I also really don't feel it is cardiac related.  I never did check pulse today after jogging (yes, a considerable chore to go even a very short distance - less than a tenth of a mile, but x 6 with rests in between), but by the end of all stuff accomplished outside today (only the jogging part out of ordinary) it was 90 and about 2 hours later here having sat for a while catching up with my mom on the phone and here on the computer, it's 65.  The heart seems to be doing just what it should to get oxygen sent around as needed.  I'm not exhausted or the least bit ready for bed tiredness wise.  We're getting supper (granted, Chinese Take Out) and will probably catch at least the first half of the VT/Miami game tonight (or until VT is losing enough to cause me to lose interest).  I'll go out and walk another mile yet because I don't have my 10K steps in (none of the jogging steps counted since my phone was being used for the videos and our family has a "most steps" competition we do - I can't lag behind or make excuses saying I really have more - even if I do!).  I know the exact same breathing issues will happen on the small hills along the route as if I hadn't done a thing else besides watch TV today.  Well, they might be worse from the cold actually.  Time will tell on that, but it still won't vary due to the rest.

 

Inflammation (or whatever) issues are still a problem sitting here - made worse from the extra today - or from who knows what, but those are all in my mind or due to stress.   :glare:   It's a good thing I'm used to those now - less mental stress than when they were new, and I can't change those when they're bad.  Nothing works to lessen them.  It's not like "quit walking up hill" or "turn on noise" and all will be fine.  Even "move south" won't change those.  They're life.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Your mother having cardiac issues ups your risk factor, too. Women don't tend to have the same symptoms as men with heart problems. We tend to feel a bit of indigestion, maybe some upper back pain, extra sweating.

 

The things that concern me are the stair climbing issue, and the fact that your pulse takes suuuuuch a long time to return to normal after exercise. You said it was something like 111 after an hour post- exercise? Add your mom's heart history and the fact that you've had chest pains in the past, and I don't like it at all. Many women ignore these types of symptoms, and are more likely to suffer sudden cardiac death than men. Waiting years until your son is a doctor does not sound like a fabulous idea.

 

K, I'll hush now.

 

Sincerely,

 

RN who formerly worked in Cardiac ICU and whose mother coded on the ER table at 54 yo after dancing at a wedding. Luckily my cousin had taken her to the hospital, for she was shocked back to life and lived another 32 years with a 3/4 heart.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Your mother having cardiac issues ups your risk factor, too. Women don't tend to have the same symptoms as men with heart problems. We tend to feel a bit of indigestion, maybe some upper back pain, extra sweating.

 

The things that concern me are the stair climbing issue, and the fact that your pulse takes suuuuuch a long time to return to normal after exercise. You said it was something like 111 after an hour post- exercise? Add your mom's heart history and the fact that you've had chest pains in the past, and I don't like it at all. Many women ignore these types of symptoms, and are more likely to suffer sudden cardiac death than men. Waiting years until your son is a doctor does not sound like a fabulous idea.

 

K, I'll hush now.

 

Sincerely,

 

RN who formerly worked in Cardiac ICU and whose mother coded on the ER table at 54 yo after dancing at a wedding. Luckily my cousin had taken her to the hospital, for she was shocked back to life and lived another 32 years with a 3/4 heart.

 

Oh I can add to your concern.  My dad has heart issues too - more severe than my mom - and his dad died from his.  I'm older than my dad was when he had his first heart attack.  ALL of this has been told to the doctors.  The first one ordered the stress test (and EKG) that came back fine and determined that the chest pains must be heartburn, even though meds for that did absolutely nothing and no symptom other than chest pain matches.  None of the others have cared.

 

The last one mentioned being happy that my chest pains decreased considerably when I quit taking iron, so there's that.  (And it is nice that they've decreased that much.)

 

If we could have a true Hive medical facility with some of y'all in it, I'd probably be able to get rid of my, hmm, not quite sure which word to use - lack of trust? - of the medical system we have pretty quickly.  Just what y'all talk about has not been my dominant experience IRL, esp after the tumor and wishing they had looked more into other issues the tumor docs say are not related (the other docs disagree).

 

But I will probably try again.  January is a mostly free month (pending mom's needs) and I don't see this getting any better on its own.  The worst that can happen is I get even more aggravated and I guess I'm pretty used to that now.

 

I'm still betting lungs more than cardiac, but I could be wrong.  Something is off and it's not due to being out of shape.  I'm out of shape to run a race or climb a mountain.  I shouldn't be out of shape to do what I normally do.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Your mother having cardiac issues ups your risk factor, too. Women don't tend to have the same symptoms as men with heart problems. We tend to feel a bit of indigestion, maybe some upper back pain, extra sweating.

 

The things that concern me are the stair climbing issue, and the fact that your pulse takes suuuuuch a long time to return to normal after exercise. You said it was something like 111 after an hour post- exercise? Add your mom's heart history and the fact that you've had chest pains in the past, and I don't like it at all. Many women ignore these types of symptoms, and are more likely to suffer sudden cardiac death than men. Waiting years until your son is a doctor does not sound like a fabulous idea.

 

K, I'll hush now.

 

Sincerely,

 

RN who formerly worked in Cardiac ICU and whose mother coded on the ER table at 54 yo after dancing at a wedding. Luckily my cousin had taken her to the hospital, for she was shocked back to life and lived another 32 years with a 3/4 heart.

 

Ok, so maybe this morning didn't turn out as "normal" as it really should have after yesterday's extra jogging with the ponies and that, coupled with your post (and a few others) got me reconsidering how much I'm "sure" it's not heart issue.  Given a few things I can't ignore (like the pulse staying higher for a longer time than maybe it should with my more active days, esp if you're saying an hour is long, and the way it hurt a bit descending in the airplane - even some with Sudafed - something totally new for me, but it happened each time with the last trip, there and back), I decided to hop on line seeing what appointment times were available - and there's one tomorrow morning at 7:20.

 

It happens that I'm not working tomorrow, only Tues-Fri this week - and so far I have all of next week off (wasn't sure if I'd be heading to Mom's - she's on a trip with her sisters this week).  So I guess I'll soon know if this doctor (fairly new to me - I've only seen her once) considers this to be a problem.  I'm positive something is wrong - as is hubby (and my boys, etc).  I'm NOT positive it's cardiac, but y'all have planted a few doubts.

 

Now... what exactly should I be saying to be understood correctly?  This will be a new issue to her, and it shouldn't be on my chart from before.  The asthma is/was (considering she listed it as outgrown).  The chest pains were.  The getting out of breath so easily is not something I've brought up as it's relatively new, slowly progressive, and seemed explainable based on the Navy prediction for the future.  Up to recently it hasn't been "my" most concerning health issue either, but it's pretty "up there" now.  It's getting very annoying.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

"I've had a history of chest pain that in the past I haven't been concerned about, but now I'm having a significant decrease in exercise tolerance. I'm getting out of breath much more easily than before, and my pulse is staying elevated for quite some time after exertion. Given the history of heart disease in my family I'd like to rule out any possible cardiac issues, as well as any lung issues. "

 

Say this to both the nurse or whomever takes your history, and again to the doctor. Once those phrases are in your chart I would hope they'd refer you for some testing, if only to cover their own butt. I mean, heaven forbid you have a cardiac event and it comes out they didn't refer you for testing and your chart shows you said this....yeah, that would be malpractice and they don't want that. 

 

 

edited AGAIN: Given your family history and symptoms I'd want a referal to a cardiologist. A stress test isn't enough, you need an echocardiogram to rule out cardiomyopathy. If regular doctor will do that, fine, otherwise you need a cardiologist. 

Edited by ktgrok
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

"I've had a history of chest pain that in the past I haven't been concerned about, but now I'm having a significant decrease in exercise tolerance. I'm getting out of breath much more easily than before, and my pulse is staying elevated for quite some time after exertion. Given the history of heart disease in my family I'd like to rule out any possible cardiac issues, as well as any lung issues. "

 

Say this to both the nurse or whomever takes your history, and again to the doctor. Once those phrases are in your chart I would hope they'd refer you for some testing, if only to cover their own butt. I mean, heaven forbid you have a cardiac event and it comes out they didn't refer you for testing and your chart shows you said this....yeah, that would be malpractice and they don't want that. 

 

 

edited AGAIN: Given your family history and symptoms I'd want a referal to a cardiologist. A stress test isn't enough, you need an echocardiogram to rule out cardiomyopathy. If regular doctor will do that, fine, otherwise you need a cardiologist. 

 

 

And make sure it gets put in the chart. I had a doctor leave all sorts of things out, and it's been a hassle. 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

"I've had a history of chest pain that in the past I haven't been concerned about, but now I'm having a significant decrease in exercise tolerance. I'm getting out of breath much more easily than before, and my pulse is staying elevated for quite some time after exertion. Given the history of heart disease in my family I'd like to rule out any possible cardiac issues, as well as any lung issues. "

 

Say this to both the nurse or whomever takes your history, and again to the doctor. Once those phrases are in your chart I would hope they'd refer you for some testing, if only to cover their own butt. I mean, heaven forbid you have a cardiac event and it comes out they didn't refer you for testing and your chart shows you said this....yeah, that would be malpractice and they don't want that. 

 

 

edited AGAIN: Given your family history and symptoms I'd want a referal to a cardiologist. A stress test isn't enough, you need an echocardiogram to rule out cardiomyopathy. If regular doctor will do that, fine, otherwise you need a cardiologist. 

 

I have to leave the pulse part out.  Once I put that in anywhere it's an automatic "this patient is overly obsessed" cue.  It's difficult for most folks to understand if it's quiet I can hear my pulse, so if I'm sitting in a chair with the computer and no radio/TV noise, or sitting on the john, or lying in bed I just know.  They think I must be taking it multiple times per day.  I only have to use my phone (or wrist) to take it if it's noisy and I'm curious.  That doesn't happen too often as I don't think about it - even if I think I want to, I often forget to do it.

 

If there's one thing I've learned, it's that I can't be too honest.  I don't ever want to lie (or the quick result getter would be to tell them I get fatigued, but I can't bring myself to lie about it).  However some things just need to be left out or they pull the attention the wrong direction and it's impossible to redirect.

 

The rest sounds like something I can say that shouldn't cause problems.  I'll see what happens.  I'd really like to know what it is (and fix it).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

Ă—
Ă—
  • Create New...