Blood Viscocity and SOB

[DinkyB]

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

[National Jewish]

Your pulmonary function tests (PFTs) do show mild to moderate emphysema.  This could account for your decreased DLCO.  The shortness of breath that you have described is certainly out of proportion to the degree of airway obstruction that has been measured by your PFTs.  Your doctors should observe your breathing during exercise.  You should have an exercise test to quantify the degree of shortness of breath and to check the oxygen levels in your blood.  Your doctors should also look for other causes of your shortness of breath, looking carefully at both your heart and lungs.

A high platelet count can occur without any serious problem.  However, it can cause abnormal blood clotting.  You could be having clots in your lungs, called pulmonary emboli, which may or may not be due to your high platelets.  A high platelet count is commonly seen in inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis.  You should discuss possible explanations for and possible consequences of your high platelet count with your doctor or with a hematologist.

Congratulations on quitting smoking.  Whatever turns up, please don't ever smoke again.

[starion]

Hi!  We're ALL different in how we perceive our condition & how much we're able to do.  If you're feeling SOB all the time, perhaps it would be sueful for you to get a re-evaluation at a large teaching hospital with a good respiratory department.  National Jewish, Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins are a few, but there are amny other good ones as well.

The doctors can re-test you as needed and help you develop an optimal treatment plan, that hopefully can help minimize your shortness of breath.

By the way, I have moderate to severe emphysema & my FEF25-75% is somewhere between 9-18%, so you're doing great!  I DON'T have SOB except when I climb LOTS of flights of stairs.  I do have an excellent treatment plan, which my docs & I modify as needed, as we learn more about my condition.  My primary doc is a wonderful pulmonologist at National Jewish (though he's 6000 miles from my home).
Aloha,
Starion

[DinkyB]

Thanks Starion.
BTW, how do you work with a doctor in CO while your in Hawaii? I live in MO. I have thought seriously about going to National Jewish for an eval. I would love to have a pulmonologist give input, but there is no way where I live. I am off every summer so I would have to wait until then. But I think I will feel better when I can get another opinion. I know my counts aren't that bad. I would like to keep it that way!! I would also like to explore if there could be another cause for my symptoms besides emphysema, such as blood viscocity. That if corrected could eliminate any symptoms. Anyway, thanks much for your reply.
Lynette

[DinkyB]

Dear NJC.
Thank you much for your reply. I have a DR. appointment the 28th. I am going to try and have a list of questions. This will definately help in preparing that list.
You all are very helpful.

With sincere thanks,
Lynette

[Ellis7]

Since you live in MO, you might consider having a lung evaluation at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St Louis, ranked #4 in the nation in respiratory disease by US News & Nat Report.

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/nycu/health/hosptl/rankings/specihqpulm.htm
Best Hospitals - Respiratory Disorders

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/nycu/health/hosptl/directory/hosp_6630930.htm
Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis

                     1 Barnes-Jewish Hosp Plaza
                     Saint Louis, MO 63110

                     Web site:
                     http://www.barnesjewish.org/

[DinkyB]

Dear Ellis7,
Thanks for the info. I did not do my homework. I did not realize that Barnes had such a good rating in the resp. field. I knew a lot of cancer patients went there, but that's all I knew. I will check into it. Thanks again.
Lynette