I was dx'd w/ Emphysema; Mild Obstruction, 8 months ago. Recently a new PFT dx'd Moderate obstruction.
Since first being dx'd in April, I have quit smoking, lost weight, changed my diet for the better, gotten well enough to begin exercising again.
Compared to how I felt in April, my airway feels sooooo clear. I feel pretty good. No cough, no sputum, no wheezing. Just SOB with ANYTHING I do. Even sitting, if I am not conscious of my breathing (PLB on exhale), I am SOB. I tire easily.
Despite the changes I've made, and despite that my airway feels clear, my dx is worse (though slightly). Granted, it's not that bad, really. My FEV1/FVC is 71% w/ 2% increase after MDI use. The worst reading is in my small airways (FEF25%-75%)@ 43%. My DLCO/VA is at 67%.
I am going to try and wade through this as I type as many thoughts are jumbled in my brain.
My question: Whenever I have labs done, my platelet count is always very high, 586,000 (the most recent). I know this is high, but I'm always told "Your labs are normal".
I'm wondering though, if my blood, due to high # platelets, could be thick enough to cause the lower DLCO. If maybe that is the cause the SOB.
People w/ "E" like me, and my doctor, don't seem to think my FEV1 is low enough to warrent the SOB I have. Makes me feel like they think I am making it up. Now, of course noone has said that, but if I mention SOB I get "the look". Maybe that's just guilt. Maybe I am fishing. I don't know. I do know I have SOB. Could it be the platelets?
Sincere Thanks,
DinkyB, MO