Breathing problems, heavy sweating, persistent cough

[jjamie]

I have had difficult breathing with persistent cough.  I am wheezing quite often.  Any little exercise gives me shortness of breathe from climbing stairs to sexual intercoarse.  I coughed up a pink/red fleshy looking item that was in the shape and size of an almond.  It was spit into a toilet and it floated (this happened once last night).  I have limited energy.  These symptoms have been happening for about 1 yr but are getting worse in last 3 months.  What are the explanations for these symptoms?

[National Jewish]

What you have experienced could be signs of one of many different lung diseases.  Some of your symptoms might be explained by the diagnosis of asthma, possibly with an allergic reaction to a fungus, but you should not assume this to be the diagnosis.  Sweating does not occur with asthma and is strongly suggestive of infection and anyone of many infections could be superimposed on asthma.

What is clear is that your symptoms must no longer be ignored.  You need to seek medical care now, without delay.  Whatever lung disease you may have, it must be diagnosed and treated.  Whatever it is, it is serious and could lead to permanent lung damage.  In addition, if this proves to be a lung infection, others in close contact with you will also be placed at risk.  You should not place them, or yourself, at risk any longer.

Should you cough up any more mucus plugs or 'fleshy looking' material, take it to your doctor for examination as soon as you can.

[akaymik85]

Wheezing and SOB may indicate asthma.
Coughing up blood is not normal, see a doctor.  It was the shape of an almond? Was it mucus or tissue?  Sometimes when people cough up blood it could indicate a tumor of some sort.

How old are you? Do you have a history of smoking?

You should see a physician and have him run additional diagnostic tests.

[jjamie]

I am 38 years old and i do smoke.  i had asthma as a small child.  I do have an inhaler right now but it does not help me. (flucticasone prop).

[akaymik85]

First of all,  I think anyone would tell you to stop smoking.  There are smoking cessation programs available in most areas, it would be to your benefit to join one.  You may also want to contact your physician for any helpful medications and/or advice.

About the fact that you are coughing up blood- you MUST let your physician know.  Further tests might be needed.

Fluticasone is a steriod of , it wouldn't help you if you were to have an asthma attack. Fluticasone is a preventive medication.  You might want to ask about getting a bronchodilator such as albuterol to help you during an asthma attack.

The fact that you smoke (I don't know how much you smoke) and that you have severe SOB might indicate emphysema.  You would need a chest xray and further pulmonary function studies to know for sure. Emphysema is more predominant in a older population, you're young.

I'm sure you know that having asthma and smoking isn't a good combination. You should see your doctor right away and tell them your symptoms and ask for an inhaler such as albuterol to use as a resue inhaler during an asthma attack.  Your physician will want to run further diagnostic testing.

Take care,
Amanda