Postpartum shortness of breath with asthma

[betseymoore]

I gave birth 5 days ago in the hospital. No pain medications were administered during my labor or vaginal delivery. My water was broken manually about 5.5 hours before delivery.

I have a history of moderate-severe asthma (when I get ill it can become severe.)

I felt fairly normal immediately after delivery and for the first 48 hours; however, about 3 days ago I started feeling short of breath, with some accompanying wheezing. I started taking a Xopenex MDI for wheezing, PRN. Unfortunately, the shortness of breath has worsened and the wheezing has disappeared. I upped my dose of Advair to 500/50 (from 250/50) and have been taking Pulmacort breathing treatments at home BID. I haven't needed to take the MDI very often.

I am noticing that the shortness of breath is worse when I'm lying flat and immediately after getting out of bed. I've noticed use of accessory muscles of ventilation after getting out of bed, until I've taken time to do breathing exercises. I've tried diaphragmatic breathing which I know should help, and have been coughing deeply in spite of pain, but I've been doing this for the last couple days and have not experienced improvement. Also, I have developed flu-like symptoms: headache, night sweats, and occasional chills. So far I have not caught a fever on a thermometer, but I've been taking 600mg Ibuprofen every 6 hours for tearing.

My OB doctor prescribed me antibiotics, but has not expressed much knowledge or interest in my respiratory issues. My current symptoms are unlike anything I've experienced before with my asthma. How much longer should I wait before calling them again in regards to this issue? Is there anything more that I can be doing to take care of this? Should I be concerned about a more serious condition (ie: amniotic emboli)?

Thank you for your time.

[Sunny602]

Have you seen your regular physician about this yet(not an OB, an internist)? 40lbs is quite a bit to drop right after a baby, how much total did you gain...It sounds like you need a really good exam by your doctor..I cannot even begin to really guess what may be going on with you. I hope that you get answers soon and that you see your regular doc very soon. Sunny

[betseymoore]

An additional fact about what has been happening: I've dropped 40 pounds since I've had the baby (less than 2 weeks.)

[maggiemag]

You definitely need to see a  physician asap.  If your OB isn't interested, contact your primary physician, or maybe another OB in your group will be on call this weekend.  If it worsens please go to the ER.  You need an echo, imo, although I am not a doctor.