Breathing and overall health issues

[mkwins]

For two years now I have trouble with shortness of breath at rest.  I also now have it somewhat during exercise.  I have a lot of phlegm throughout the day.  Many mornings I have orange of pink tinged phlegm even when not coughing.  My ears feel affected too when I am constantly having to clear my throat or yawn ( which I do costantly).  I have had reflux surgery hoping it would help and numerous tests.  My PFTs have decreased some the Dr. said but now drastically.  I have been told I have mild airway obstruction.  I have been through Cardio Pulmonary test and showed levels good in blood test.  I have tried numerous inhalers which always make my breathing worse.  I have been told they should work for me.  I am including my PFT results.  CT scans were normal except small nodule. There was mild atelectasis.  I have never been told exactly what is wrong or what I can do to feel better.  I now have lower abdominal pain at times.
FVC Pred 2.91 Best 3.02 Post RX 2.93  FEV1 Pred 2.45 Best 1.94 POST  2.06 FEV1/FVC 85 Best 64 Pre rx Pols 70
FEF25-75% Pred 2.82  Pre Best s.05  Post 1.43 FEF 50%  3.43 Pre Best 1.48 Post 2.27 PEF 5.70 Best 4.07 Post 4.43 MVV Pred 103  Best 72 Post 68
Lung Volumes 4.40 Pred Best 4.35 RV 1.47 Pred Best 1.33 RVTLC 34 Best 31
FRC PL 2.22 Best 1.4 DL Adj 22.2  Best 14.4  DLCO/VA  4.17 Best 2.75  DL/VA  2.75 VA Liters 5.24
I would appreciate an opinion.
Thanks

[National Jewish Health]

I agree with the interpretation of your PFT’s that stated, “mild airway obstruction”.  Chronic obstructive lung disease of this degree, be it asthma or COPD (suggested by the borderline diffusing capacity (DLCO) seldom would account for shortness of breath, especially at rest and this suggests to me that something else may be causing your shortness of breath.  The production of “orange or pink-tinged phlegm is definitely abnormal but your lungs may not be the source of this phlegm.  It could be coming from your nose or sinuses and, if  so, excessive phlegm production from either of these two sites could also account for your having “constantly ..to clear my throat”.  For starters, you should probably have a good examination of your nose and throat by an ENT specialist, along with a CT scan of your sinuses.  You should also ask your doctors to send your phlegm to the laboratory for culture, for routine bacteria and TB and also for examination for malignant cells.  The latter is just a precaution, like a PAP smear would be, for your story does not really suggest any type of cancer.

As for the inhalers, if they don’t work for you or make your breathing worse, the problem could be the medication or it could be that you are not using optimum inhalant technique;  you might want to check with your doctor or his/her nurse about this.

The normal CT Scans (presumably of your lungs) is a good sign.  Your abdominal pain is probably unrelated to all of the above and you should definitely have this carefully and completely evaluated, either by your family doctor or by a gastroenterology (GI) specialist.

Good luck

[gardengram]

I have recently had similar symptom and was tested and diagnosed with Alpha 1 deficiency.  This is a genetic lung condition and all folks with breathing disorders should be tested.  You CANNOT be diagnosed with this by anything other than a genetic blood test, not by history or on exam.  The test is simple and can be ordered from the Alpha 1 network and taken to your Dr.  It is a simple finger stick blood test.
Get tested.  
Alecia Sharp