Guest guest Posted August 14, 2002 Report Share Posted August 14, 2002 I’ve been with this group for a very long time but haven’t been able to keep up and especially to write, but try to read as much as I can. Al, I also have breathing problems that eluded diagnosis for a long time. A very brilliant lung doctor (considered one of the best in the world) wisely told me that although medicine has come a long way and we continue to know more and more, the truth is that there is more we don’t know in medicine that what we know. Putting a definitive diagnosis on breathing problems can be very difficult and take years, unfortunately. I currently have a few “partial” diagnosis for breathing problems including RA causing pulmonary fibrosis (this is a “best guess” dx that all of my doctors concur with, and I am accepting because to prove would mean a very invasive surgical procedure I’m at poor risk for and I’m not willing to have when it won’t change anything). I’m on oxygen 24/7 and have compromised immune system from auto-immune diseases (RA plus others) and meds (Cytoxan, prednisone). The weak lungs and compromised immune system make me a prime target for frequent pneumonia and “frequent hospital day awards” (too bad they don’t give some sort of bonus for days spent in hospital because I’d have racked up many). Bottom line ----- keep looking for the reason for your breathing problems. If you need to get a second or third or fourth opinion, don’t hesitate. Your lungs are too precious and breathing too vital to give up without a good fight. Sometimes a PCP that is a talented diagnostician can zero in on the diagnosis and the pulmonary folks can confirm it with tests. Have you had a “walking pulse oximetry” done? I have gotten short of breath with exertion for about 5 years. In the first year or so my pulse ox always was 100% until a doctor finally had me walk through the office with a nurse holding the pulse oximeter. Sure enough my oxygen quickly dropped to the 80’ s. Do you snore? If so, has anyone ever suggested you might have sleep apnea? I ask because that can be the cause of a disease that causes shortness of breath, especially with exertion. Hope you don’t mind I stuck my nickels worth in, but I’ve been following your posts with great interest since lungs are one of my weak points too. Elaine in Vegas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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