Re: now on prednisone

[Guest guest]

Donna,

Sorry to hear that you are so short of breath. I'm curious about your 6 minute walk. What were your O2 sats by the time you finished? How fast were you walking? I'm just wondering how close you are to needing O2. If you are close it might be worth while to ask your doctor to order a 24 hour oximeter to get a better idea of what your sats do in the circumstances of your normal daily routine. It might be that your sats drop below 90 at times and that could explain your shortness of breath

[Guest guest]



Beth,

Thank you for the explanation. My stats were in the 90s the whole walk. I used an overnight oximeter and the stats were good there, too. Hopefully it stays that way for awhile.

I had an echocardiogram a few weeks back and all is ok. I will keep an eye on it.

I have had the rash several times in the past. It is itchy and burns. They did some testing but never determined the cause. It is miserable. The rheumatologist says I do not have a inflammatory disease, but some of the blood work is off. Think my pulmonologist thinks I do. Would a flare up of that cause the extra shortness of breath? It is so confusing....

Re: now on prednisone

Donna,

Sorry to hear that you are so short of breath. I'm curious about your 6 minute walk. What were your O2 sats by the time you finished? How fast were you walking? I'm just wondering how close you are to needing O2. If you are close it might be worth while to ask your doctor to order a 24 hour oximeter to get a better idea of what your sats do in the circumstances of your normal daily routine. It might be that your sats drop below 90 at times and that could explain your shortness of breath

[Guest guest]

Donna, I had a rash for 2 years that took that long to go away and then I found out my present situation.To: Breathe-Support Sent: Sat, January 9, 2010 11:28:32 AMSubject: now on prednisone

I went back to the doc this week due to worsening shortness of breath. They gave me the walk test and determined that I do not need 02 yet. That is good news. I have a nasty rash on my legs and upper arms also. They think something new is going on. The pulmonologist decided to go ahead and treat with prednisone. I started with 60 mg on Tuesday. The rash is some better. Does it take awhile to start working?

I do not understand why I have shortness of breath yet still have oxygen in the 90% range. I thought shortness of breath meant low )2. Guess I do not know much about this yet. Can someone explain?

[Guest guest]

Donna, I had a rash for 2 years that took that long to go away and then I found out my present situation.To: Breathe-Support Sent: Sat, January 9, 2010 11:28:32 AMSubject: now on prednisone

I went back to the doc this week due to worsening shortness of breath. They gave me the walk test and determined that I do not need 02 yet. That is good news. I have a nasty rash on my legs and upper arms also. They think something new is going on. The pulmonologist decided to go ahead and treat with prednisone. I started with 60 mg on Tuesday. The rash is some better. Does it take awhile to start working?

I do not understand why I have shortness of breath yet still have oxygen in the 90% range. I thought shortness of breath meant low )2. Guess I do not know much about this yet. Can someone explain?

[Guest guest]



,

I am sorry I am new here. Do you mind me asking what your situation is now?

Donna

now on prednisone

I went back to the doc this week due to worsening shortness of breath. They gave me the walk test and determined that I do not need 02 yet. That is good news. I have a nasty rash on my legs and upper arms also. They think something new is going on. The pulmonologist decided to go ahead and treat with prednisone. I started with 60 mg on Tuesday. The rash is some better. Does it take awhile to start working?I do not understand why I have shortness of breath yet still have oxygen in the 90% range. I thought shortness of breath meant low )2. Guess I do not know much about this yet. Can someone explain?

[Guest guest]

Donna, I have UIP. Was dx in 11/09. Two years ago I got my first rash. It did not itch but was weird in color. It started out small and spread to my arms, legs. I spent time going to dermatologist and rheummatologist and was told time again that they didn't really know what it was even though I had biopsies of my skin and went under alot of testing. Not until I went to a cardiologist did I find out that I was having some kind of problem with my lungs. And here I am with this disease. Don't under estimate your cardiologist if you go see him. maryTo: Breathe-Support Sent: Sat, January 9, 2010 12:49:19 PMSubject: Re: now on prednisone.



,

I am sorry I am new here. Do you mind me asking what your situation is now?

Donna

now on prednisone

I went back to the doc this week due to worsening shortness of breath. They gave me the walk test and determined that I do not need 02 yet. That is good news.. I have a nasty rash on my legs and upper arms also. They think something new is going on. The pulmonologist decided to go ahead and treat with prednisone. I started with 60 mg on Tuesday. The rash is some better. Does it take awhile to start working?I do not understand why I have shortness of breath yet still have oxygen in the 90% range. I thought shortness of breath meant low )2. Guess I do not know much about this yet. Can someone explain?

[Guest guest]

Donna, I have UIP. Was dx in 11/09. Two years ago I got my first rash. It did not itch but was weird in color. It started out small and spread to my arms, legs. I spent time going to dermatologist and rheummatologist and was told time again that they didn't really know what it was even though I had biopsies of my skin and went under alot of testing. Not until I went to a cardiologist did I find out that I was having some kind of problem with my lungs. And here I am with this disease. Don't under estimate your cardiologist if you go see him. maryTo: Breathe-Support Sent: Sat, January 9, 2010 12:49:19 PMSubject: Re: now on prednisone.



,

I am sorry I am new here. Do you mind me asking what your situation is now?

Donna

now on prednisone

I went back to the doc this week due to worsening shortness of breath. They gave me the walk test and determined that I do not need 02 yet. That is good news.. I have a nasty rash on my legs and upper arms also. They think something new is going on. The pulmonologist decided to go ahead and treat with prednisone. I started with 60 mg on Tuesday. The rash is some better. Does it take awhile to start working?I do not understand why I have shortness of breath yet still have oxygen in the 90% range. I thought shortness of breath meant low )2. Guess I do not know much about this yet. Can someone explain?

[Guest guest]

Donna,

It's really impossible for me or anyone other than your doctors to say what the sob is from. If you do have some type of inflammatory condition I would guess that is a possibility. I'm assuming your rheumatologist has done a full auto-immune/connective tissue disease workup. Sometimes it takes a very long time to piece this all together. It is a very trying process.

Beth

Moderator

Fibrotic NSIP 06/06 Dermatomyositis 11/08

To: Breathe-Support Sent: Sat, January 9, 2010 12:22:21 PMSubject: Re: now on prednisone

 Beth,

Thank you for the explanation. My stats were in the 90s the whole walk. I used an overnight oximeter and the stats were good there, too. Hopefully it stays that way for awhile.

I had an echocardiogram a few weeks back and all is ok. I will keep an eye on it.

I have had the rash several times in the past. It is itchy and burns. They did some testing but never determined the cause. It is miserable. The rheumatologist says I do not have a inflammatory disease, but some of the blood work is off. Think my pulmonologist thinks I do. Would a flare up of that cause the extra shortness of breath? It is so confusing... .

Re: now on prednisone

Donna,

Sorry to hear that you are so short of breath. I'm curious about your 6 minute walk. What were your O2 sats by the time you finished? How fast were you walking? I'm just wondering how close you are to needing O2. If you are close it might be worth while to ask your doctor to order a 24 hour oximeter to get a better idea of what your sats do in the circumstances of your normal daily routine. It might be that your sats drop below 90 at times and that could explain your shortness of breath

[Guest guest]



,

My rash is purplish and weird looking. I had it twice before both last year.

I had an cardiac artery stent inserted in September. That is when they found the diffuse scarring in my lungs. I need to have a lung biopsy but need to wait until I can go off the Plavix.

Thanks for your help...I appreciate it. I sure get confused. Just when I think I have a clue, I really don't.

now on prednisone

I went back to the doc this week due to worsening shortness of breath. They gave me the walk test and determined that I do not need 02 yet. That is good news.. I have a nasty rash on my legs and upper arms also. They think something new is going on. The pulmonologist decided to go ahead and treat with prednisone. I started with 60 mg on Tuesday. The rash is some better. Does it take awhile to start working?I do not understand why I have shortness of breath yet still have oxygen in the 90% range. I thought shortness of breath meant low )2. Guess I do not know much about this yet. Can someone explain?

[Guest guest]

sometimes it may take a week or two to see results from prednisone

because of the controlled environment when doing the 6 minute walk, my SAT's are always better than when walking outside, or going upstairs, or on the treadmill, or changing positions

sometimes i can be using O2, the SATs in the high 90's, yet i still get a short of breath feeling -- it's a funny feeling that is hard to describe, it's very weird

i think mary beth explained the reason for this one time

but i don't remember the whole explanation

Pink Joyce R (IPF 3/06) IFA 5/09 Pennsylvania

Donate Life Listed 1/09 Inactive 4/09

www.transplantfund.org---

Subject: now on prednisoneTo: Breathe-Support Date: Saturday, January 9, 2010, 11:28 AM

I went back to the doc this week due to worsening shortness of breath. They gave me the walk test and determined that I do not need 02 yet. That is good news. I have a nasty rash on my legs and upper arms also. They think something new is going on. The pulmonologist decided to go ahead and treat with prednisone. I started with 60 mg on Tuesday. The rash is some better. Does it take awhile to start working?I do not understand why I have shortness of breath yet still have oxygen in the 90% range. I thought shortness of breath meant low )2. Guess I do not know much about this yet. Can someone explain?

[Guest guest]



It's good to know I am not the only one. It is weird. My lungs must be pretty stiff...

Thanks!!

now on prednisoneTo: Breathe-Support Date: Saturday, January 9, 2010, 11:28 AM

I went back to the doc this week due to worsening shortness of breath. They gave me the walk test and determined that I do not need 02 yet. That is good news. I have a nasty rash on my legs and upper arms also. They think something new is going on. The pulmonologist decided to go ahead and treat with prednisone. I started with 60 mg on Tuesday. The rash is some better. Does it take awhile to start working?I do not understand why I have shortness of breath yet still have oxygen in the 90% range. I thought shortness of breath meant low )2. Guess I do not know much about this yet. Can someone explain?

[Guest guest]

make sure they do all other tests first, and really think hard about the lung biopsy. I don't remember what your diagnosis was, but weigh everything out Gascoigne SD, 50 yrs old, Renaud's 2008, IPF 7/2009To:

Breathe-Support Sent: Sat, January 9, 2010 12:15:47 PMSubject: Re: now on prednisone



,

My rash is purplish and weird looking. I had it twice before both last year.

I had an cardiac artery stent inserted in September. That is when they found the diffuse scarring in my lungs. I need to have a lung biopsy but need to wait until I can go off the Plavix.

Thanks for your help...I appreciate it. I sure get confused. Just when I think I have a clue, I really don't..

now on prednisone

I went back to the doc this week due to worsening shortness of breath. They gave me the walk test and determined that I do not need 02 yet. That is good news.. I have a nasty rash on my legs and upper arms also. They think something new is going on. The pulmonologist decided to go ahead and treat with prednisone. I started with 60 mg on Tuesday. The rash is some better. Does it take awhile to start working?I do not understand why I have shortness of breath yet still have oxygen in the 90% range. I thought shortness of breath meant low )2. Guess I do not know much about this yet. Can someone explain?

[Guest guest]

Donna,

Yes that's the kind of thing I was talking about. Our lungs don't move smoothely or willingly. Especially when inhaling they resist opening because of the scarring. They are stiff and that makes them difficult to open and I suppose it's fair to say they "clap closed quickly". That could make you feel short of breath.

Beth

Moderator

Fibrotic NSIP 06/06 Dermatomyositis 11/08

To: Breathe-Support Sent: Sat, January 9, 2010 5:51:22 PMSubject: Re: now on prednisone

 One of my docs said my lungs clap closed quickly due to hardening. Would this cause sob?

now on prednisoneTo: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. comDate: Saturday, January 9, 2010, 11:28 AM

I went back to the doc this week due to worsening shortness of breath. They gave me the walk test and determined that I do not need 02 yet. That is good news. I have a nasty rash on my legs and upper arms also. They think something new is going on. The pulmonologist decided to go ahead and treat with prednisone. I started with 60 mg on Tuesday. The rash is some better. Does it take awhile to start working?I do not understand why I have shortness of breath yet still have oxygen in the 90% range. I thought shortness of breath meant low )2. Guess I do not know much about this yet. Can someone explain?

[Guest guest]

"lungs clap closed quickly"

what does this mean?

C_53_Familial IPF_5/09, Washington

HOPE doesn't disappoint!

To: Breathe-Support Sent: Sat, January 9, 2010 2:51:22 PMSubject: Re: now on prednisone

 One of my docs said my lungs clap closed quickly due to hardening. Would this cause sob?

now on prednisoneTo: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. comDate: Saturday, January 9, 2010, 11:28 AM

I went back to the doc this week due to worsening shortness of breath. They gave me the walk test and determined that I do not need 02 yet. That is good news. I have a nasty rash on my legs and upper arms also. They think something new is going on. The pulmonologist decided to go ahead and treat with prednisone. I started with 60 mg on Tuesday. The rash is some better. Does it take awhile to start working?I do not understand why I have shortness of breath yet still have oxygen in the 90% range. I thought shortness of breath meant low )2. Guess I do not know much about this yet. Can someone explain?

[Guest guest]

,

What type of rash did you have? They cannot get to the bottom of my rashes either.

Gale

To: Breathe-Support Sent: Sat, January 9, 2010 11:33:40 AMSubject: Re: now on prednisone

Donna, I had a rash for 2 years that took that long to go away and then I found out my present situation.

From: Donna <dmkemper (AT) comcast (DOT) .net>To: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. comSent: Sat, January 9, 2010 11:28:32 AMSubject: now on prednisone

I went back to the doc this week due to worsening shortness of breath. They gave me the walk test and determined that I do not need 02 yet. That is good news. I have a nasty rash on my legs and upper arms also. They think something new is going on. The pulmonologist decided to go ahead and treat with prednisone. I started with 60 mg on Tuesday. The rash is some better. Does it take awhile to start working?I do not understand why I have shortness of breath yet still have oxygen in the 90% range. I thought shortness of breath meant low )2. Guess I do not know much about this yet. Can someone explain?

[Guest guest]

,

I took it to mean that after inhaling and expanding her lungs, once she starts to exhale her lungs 'clap closed quickly' because of the hardeining and lack of flexibility. I've never heard that before but it sort of makes sense if you think about it. Something that's stiff and scarred is going to resist changing shape and when the pressure to expand or change it's shape is removed it's going to revert quickly to its original state.

Donna will correct me if I misinterpreted what she meant but that's how I understood what she wrote.

Beth

Moderator

Fibrotic NSIP 06/06 Dermatomyositis 11/08

To: Breathe-Support Sent: Sat, January 9, 2010 7:46:32 PMSubject: Re: now on prednisone

"lungs clap closed quickly"

what does this mean?

C_53_Familial IPF_5/09, Washington

HOPE doesn't disappoint!

From: Donna & Monte <dmkemper (AT) comcast (DOT) net>To: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. comSent: Sat, January 9, 2010 2:51:22 PMSubject: Re: now on prednisone

 One of my docs said my lungs clap closed quickly due to hardening. Would this cause sob?

now on prednisoneTo: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. comDate: Saturday, January 9, 2010, 11:28 AM

I went back to the doc this week due to worsening shortness of breath. They gave me the walk test and determined that I do not need 02 yet. That is good news. I have a nasty rash on my legs and upper arms also. They think something new is going on. The pulmonologist decided to go ahead and treat with prednisone. I started with 60 mg on Tuesday. The rash is some better. Does it take awhile to start working?I do not understand why I have shortness of breath yet still have oxygen in the 90% range. I thought shortness of breath meant low )2. Guess I do not know much about this yet. Can someone explain?

[Guest guest]



He says they "slam" shut after I exhale because they are stiff from scarring....

now on prednisoneTo: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. comDate: Saturday, January 9, 2010, 11:28 AM

I went back to the doc this week due to worsening shortness of breath. They gave me the walk test and determined that I do not need 02 yet. That is good news. I have a nasty rash on my legs and upper arms also. They think something new is going on. The pulmonologist decided to go ahead and treat with prednisone. I started with 60 mg on Tuesday. The rash is some better. Does it take awhile to start working?I do not understand why I have shortness of breath yet still have oxygen in the 90% range. I thought shortness of breath meant low )2. Guess I do not know much about this yet. Can someone explain?

[Guest guest]

me too...

now on prednisone

Donna.....glad to hear you don't need o2 yet but sorry about the new rash........looking forward to better weather so we can meet for lunch.

Patti Indianapolis IPF 2007

[Guest guest]



Beth,

That is how the doc described it. Well put....

Donna

now on prednisoneTo: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. comDate: Saturday, January 9, 2010, 11:28 AM

I went back to the doc this week due to worsening shortness of breath. They gave me the walk test and determined that I do not need 02 yet. That is good news. I have a nasty rash on my legs and upper arms also. They think something new is going on. The pulmonologist decided to go ahead and treat with prednisone. I started with 60 mg on Tuesday. The rash is some better. Does it take awhile to start working?I do not understand why I have shortness of breath yet still have oxygen in the 90% range. I thought shortness of breath meant low )2. Guess I do not know much about this yet. Can someone explain?

[Guest guest]

Wow! I thought it was just me being whiney. I have the same experience with

good sats and SOB. I really never thought the process through but it makes

perfect sense that we don't have the reserve in there to draw on like healthy

lungs.

ann

> >

> >

> >>From: Donna <dmkemper (AT) comcast (DOT) net>

> >>Subject: now on prednisone

> >>To: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. com

> >>Date: Saturday, January 9, 2010, 11:28 AM

> >>

> >>

> >> 

> >>I went back to the doc this week due to worsening shortness of breath. They

gave me the walk test and determined that I do not need 02 yet. That is good

news. I have a nasty rash on my legs and upper arms also. They think something

new is going on. The pulmonologist decided to go ahead and treat with

prednisone. I started with 60 mg on Tuesday. The rash is some better. Does it

take awhile to start working?

> >>

> >>I do not understand why I have shortness of breath yet still have oxygen in

the 90% range. I thought shortness of breath meant low )2. Guess I do not know

much about this yet. Can someone explain?

> >>

> >>

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Gale,It is so hard to explain. It started out as 2 small reddish rash in the shape of a circle on both sides of my upper chest area. Shortly there after it spread to my arms, back,knees and legs. It changed in color to a reddish purple. Never itched. The first rash was biopsied and came back as granduloma annulare and a reaction to meds. When the rash got worse I went to another dermatologist and the next dx was lupus. However, the rheumatologist said that they (pathologist) weren't sure if that was it either. I guess the rash was purpish red in big blotches.To: Breathe-Support Sent: Sat, January 9, 2010 7:51:17 PMSubject: Re: now on prednisone

,

What type of rash did you have? They cannot get to the bottom of my rashes either.

Gale

From: Terry Oettinger <iltopaint (AT) yahoo (DOT) com>To: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. comSent: Sat, January 9, 2010 11:33:40 AMSubject: Re: now on prednisone

Donna, I had a rash for 2 years that took that long to go away and then I found out my present situation.

From: Donna <dmkemper (AT) comcast (DOT) .net>To: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. comSent: Sat, January 9, 2010 11:28:32 AMSubject: now on prednisone

I went back to the doc this week due to worsening shortness of breath. They gave me the walk test and determined that I do not need 02 yet. That is good news. I have a nasty rash on my legs and upper arms also. They think something new is going on. The pulmonologist decided to go ahead and treat with prednisone. I started with 60 mg on Tuesday. The rash is some better. Does it take awhile to start working?I do not understand why I have shortness of breath yet still have oxygen in the 90% range. I thought shortness of breath meant low )2. Guess I do not know much about this yet. Can someone explain?

[Guest guest]

ok, I'd never heard of our lungs clapping closed. I understand inflate and deflate of the lungs, and inhale and exhale....but never knew they actually open and closed. Maybe I'm still confused?

C_53_Familial IPF_5/09, Washington

HOPE doesn't disappoint!

To: Breathe-Support Sent: Sat, January 9, 2010 5:16:39 PMSubject: Re: now on prednisone

,

I took it to mean that after inhaling and expanding her lungs, once she starts to exhale her lungs 'clap closed quickly' because of the hardeining and lack of flexibility. I've never heard that before but it sort of makes sense if you think about it. Something that's stiff and scarred is going to resist changing shape and when the pressure to expand or change it's shape is removed it's going to revert quickly to its original state.

Donna will correct me if I misinterpreted what she meant but that's how I understood what she wrote.

Beth

Moderator

Fibrotic NSIP 06/06 Dermatomyositis 11/08

From: worth <hope2thend (AT) yahoo (DOT) com>To: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. comSent: Sat, January 9, 2010 7:46:32 PMSubject: Re: now on prednisone

"lungs clap closed quickly"

what does this mean?

C_53_Familial IPF_5/09, Washington

HOPE doesn't disappoint!

From: Donna & Monte <dmkemper (AT) comcast (DOT) net>To: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. comSent: Sat, January 9, 2010 2:51:22 PMSubject: Re: now on prednisone

 One of my docs said my lungs clap closed quickly due to hardening. Would this cause sob?

now on prednisoneTo: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. comDate: Saturday, January 9, 2010, 11:28 AM

I went back to the doc this week due to worsening shortness of breath. They gave me the walk test and determined that I do not need 02 yet. That is good news. I have a nasty rash on my legs and upper arms also. They think something new is going on. The pulmonologist decided to go ahead and treat with prednisone. I started with 60 mg on Tuesday. The rash is some better. Does it take awhile to start working?I do not understand why I have shortness of breath yet still have oxygen in the 90% range. I thought shortness of breath meant low )2. Guess I do not know much about this yet. Can someone explain?

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I was sent back to the emergency room because they thought I had a spontaneous pneumothorax, (collapsed lung) after a VATS biopsy. It can supposedly happen in many instances. From illnesses to hardening of the lungs, luckily it was only an infection, luckiy I did not understand this at the time(lol)… Erna

more informato in this search link: pulmonary fibrosis pneumothorax

1992 bird fanciers syndrome

CAD & MI 2004

ILD 2008 NSIP 2009

Washington State

To: Breathe-Support Sent: Sun, January 10, 2010 11:58:47 AMSubject: Re: now on prednisone

ok, I'd never heard of our lungs clapping closed. I understand inflate and deflate of the lungs, and inhale and exhale....but never knew they actually open and closed. Maybe I'm still confused?

C_53_Familial IPF_5/09, Washington

HOPE doesn't disappoint!

From: Beth <mbmurtha (AT) yahoo (DOT) com>To: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. comSent: Sat, January 9, 2010 5:16:39 PMSubject: Re: now on prednisone

,

I took it to mean that after inhaling and expanding her lungs, once she starts to exhale her lungs 'clap closed quickly' because of the hardeining and lack of flexibility. I've never heard that before but it sort of makes sense if you think about it. Something that's stiff and scarred is going to resist changing shape and when the pressure to expand or change it's shape is removed it's going to revert quickly to its original state.

Donna will correct me if I misinterpreted what she meant but that's how I understood what she wrote.

Beth

Moderator

Fibrotic NSIP 06/06 Dermatomyositis 11/08

From: worth <hope2thend (AT) yahoo (DOT) com>To: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. comSent: Sat, January 9, 2010 7:46:32 PMSubject: Re: now on prednisone

"lungs clap closed quickly"

what does this mean?

C_53_Familial IPF_5/09, Washington

HOPE doesn't disappoint!

From: Donna & Monte <dmkemper (AT) comcast (DOT) net>To: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. comSent: Sat, January 9, 2010 2:51:22 PMSubject: Re: now on prednisone

 One of my docs said my lungs clap closed quickly due to hardening. Would this cause sob?

now on prednisoneTo: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. comDate: Saturday, January 9, 2010, 11:28 AM

I went back to the doc this week due to worsening shortness of breath. They gave me the walk test and determined that I do not need 02 yet. That is good news. I have a nasty rash on my legs and upper arms also. They think something new is going on. The pulmonologist decided to go ahead and treat with prednisone. I started with 60 mg on Tuesday. The rash is some better. Does it take awhile to start working?I do not understand why I have shortness of breath yet still have oxygen in the 90% range. I thought shortness of breath meant low )2. Guess I do not know much about this yet. Can someone explain?

[Guest guest]



This is what I found on the internet...

The entire process of inhalation is driven by the diaphragm, a large muscle below the lungs. When the diaphragm is at rest, the lungs open wide, drawing in oxygen. When the diaphragm tenses up, the lungs are compressed, ejecting carbon dioxide. This process repeats continuously, even while we are asleep.

now on prednisoneTo: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. comDate: Saturday, January 9, 2010, 11:28 AM

I went back to the doc this week due to worsening shortness of breath. They gave me the walk test and determined that I do not need 02 yet. That is good news. I have a nasty rash on my legs and upper arms also. They think something new is going on. The pulmonologist decided to go ahead and treat with prednisone. I started with 60 mg on Tuesday. The rash is some better. Does it take awhile to start working?I do not understand why I have shortness of breath yet still have oxygen in the 90% range. I thought shortness of breath meant low )2. Guess I do not know much about this yet. Can someone explain?

[Guest guest]

,

I think we're talking semantics here. The lungs don't really "open" and "close" in the way that we're talking about here. They aren't like baloons so much as they are like sponges that fill with air.

When we inhale our lungs expand, or try to as they fill with air. When one has scarring as we do our lungs are stiff and resist expansion. Donna's doctor was trying to make the point that her lungs resist expanding or changing shape (or "opening") and when they are allowed to they resume their "deflated" or "closed" shape quickly.

Don't worry over much about the specific terminology. Doctors will use different explanations and analogies to help us understand what's happening with our lungs. None of it is exact but it can serve to help us gain a greater understanding.

Beth

Moderator

Fibrotic NSIP 06/06 Dermatomyositis 11/08

To: Breathe-Support Sent: Sun, January 10, 2010 2:58:47 PMSubject: Re: now on prednisone

ok, I'd never heard of our lungs clapping closed. I understand inflate and deflate of the lungs, and inhale and exhale....but never knew they actually open and closed. Maybe I'm still confused?

C_53_Familial IPF_5/09, Washington

HOPE doesn't disappoint!

From: Beth <mbmurtha (AT) yahoo (DOT) com>To: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. comSent: Sat, January 9, 2010 5:16:39 PMSubject: Re: now on prednisone

,

I took it to mean that after inhaling and expanding her lungs, once she starts to exhale her lungs 'clap closed quickly' because of the hardeining and lack of flexibility. I've never heard that before but it sort of makes sense if you think about it. Something that's stiff and scarred is going to resist changing shape and when the pressure to expand or change it's shape is removed it's going to revert quickly to its original state.

Donna will correct me if I misinterpreted what she meant but that's how I understood what she wrote.

Beth

Moderator

Fibrotic NSIP 06/06 Dermatomyositis 11/08

From: worth <hope2thend (AT) yahoo (DOT) com>To: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. comSent: Sat, January 9, 2010 7:46:32 PMSubject: Re: now on prednisone

"lungs clap closed quickly"

what does this mean?

C_53_Familial IPF_5/09, Washington

HOPE doesn't disappoint!

From: Donna & Monte <dmkemper (AT) comcast (DOT) net>To: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. comSent: Sat, January 9, 2010 2:51:22 PMSubject: Re: now on prednisone

 One of my docs said my lungs clap closed quickly due to hardening. Would this cause sob?

now on prednisoneTo: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. comDate: Saturday, January 9, 2010, 11:28 AM

I went back to the doc this week due to worsening shortness of breath. They gave me the walk test and determined that I do not need 02 yet. That is good news. I have a nasty rash on my legs and upper arms also. They think something new is going on. The pulmonologist decided to go ahead and treat with prednisone. I started with 60 mg on Tuesday. The rash is some better. Does it take awhile to start working?I do not understand why I have shortness of breath yet still have oxygen in the 90% range. I thought shortness of breath meant low )2. Guess I do not know much about this yet. Can someone explain?