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937826 tn?1261333879

difficulty breathing

I have copd,asthma,severe pulmonary hypertension, the past couple of days I been having a hard time breathing I am on oxygen 24/7 4 liters on canula on days and at night I sleep with a oxygen mask at 8 liters but I been finding it is so hard to breathe my legs are swolling so bad I take lasix but nothing is happening I don't know if I should go to the hospital or not I am afraid to go I am only 40 I am gasping for air so bad but I am on oxygen it should be helping more shouldn't it any suggestions.
5 Responses
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1129962 tn?1261285029
I am so sorry you are having such a rough time with this. A mask might be more helpful to you because you would get more of the oxygen. I know when I had trouble with breathing, I would breathe through my mouth not my nose which didn't help me as I was on a cannula and the extra O2 wasn't going into my lungs. I hope this helps you and that you are able to tolerate the mask. Keeping you in my prayers and thoughts,
Jenn
Helpful - 0
937826 tn?1261333879
I had to go back to my doctors I was having a hard time breathing so they admitted me to the hospital for a couple of days just got out was in the icu they had to drain alot of fluid out of my lungs.they want me to use an oxygen mask instead of a canula for awhile but I don't know if I can stand using the mask for 24/7 I will give it a try.my breathing is still bad will see how the weekend goes.
Helpful - 0
1129962 tn?1261285029
I am so glad you went to your doctors, I have been thinking about you! Please make sure you take it easy and pace yourself. If you see that you are having more problems with breathing, make sure you see your doc as soon as possible.
Jenn :)
Helpful - 0
937826 tn?1261333879
Thankyou I went to my doctor for my difficulty breathing theysaid my lungs were95% filled with fluid.so they admitted me to the hospital to drain some of  it they told me my copd is very severe now and I have to be on 6 liters of oxygen now to help me breathe better. while i was in the hospital my oxygen level was as low as 55 they did extensive oxgyen therapy with a tight fitting mask to help me breathe I do feel better than I did now that alot of the fluid is gone there is still 45% fluid there which they said should go away on it's own I hope.so thankyou for your advice.
Helpful - 0
1129962 tn?1261285029
I honestly think you need to be seen as soon as possible because you are having such a hard time breathing. It definitely sounds like you are seriously fluid overloaded, perhaps your right heart failure is decompensating more than what your norm is and you need a change in meds.
You know your body, if the oxygen is not relieving your shortness of breath and neither is your Lasix then you need much more aggressive treatment.
Definitely go and get treated, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Jenn
Helpful - 0
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