hyperextended lung at birth and chronic pnuemonia

[phoenix1]

I have been in the hospital as if it were a second home growing up.  I was told that I had a "hyperextended" lung since I was young.  I could almost set my calander to the lung infections I would get every year (started out with 2, then four, now sometimes I can get 2 a month).

Asthma, pneumonia and upper resp. infections, plus I tend to stop breathing in my sleep.  Lately I have been feeling really tired and worn down (getting worse for last 2 months).  

An ER doctor told me I would not live long and gave a range of years.  Last September I just proved him wrong :)  But now I am not feeling like I used to.  3 abuteral inhalers (on my 4th one now) and one nebulizer treatment in 1 month.  

Have a spirometer date for Monday at the free health clinic to see where I am.  

Very broke (10 years of paying your own medical bills will do that to you) and would just like information, a guess, an answer, a kick in the pants...anything that can lead me to a clue on whats going on.

Thank you for your time :)

[National Jewish]

Your description sounds like a condition that is known by several names including unilateral hyperlucent lung, unilateral bronchiolitis obliterans, and unilateral emphysema.  This is also referred to as Swyer-James (MacLeod) syndrome, named after the doctors that first described the condition.  This syndrome generally begins with viral bronchiolitis obliterans, which is common during childhood.  Most of the time it resolves without a trace.  Sometimes it causes a permanent change in the lung.  When this happens early in childhood the lung may fail to grow normally.  If this is unilateral, affecting just one side of the lung, that side may appear smaller.  Repeated lung infections can damage the airways.  This can result in bronchiectasis.

Bronchiolitis obliterans is a common lung infection in children.  It starts with sneezing followed by coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, and fever.  When children are younger than 2 years of age it is usually caused by an adenovirus, like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).  Generally it resolves on its own within a few weeks.  In those older than 2 years of age it is usually caused by bacteria, like Mycoplasma pneumoniae.  This is treated with an antibiotic.

Repeated lung infections can cause bronchiectasis.  This is a lung disorder where the airways become distorted.  This creates areas where mucus can collect in the airways.  It can be difficult to clear this mucus because of damage to the normal methods that the lung uses to clear mucus.  This can lead to episodes of infection.  So it is important that lung infections are treated.  If your recurrent lung infections are always in the same area of the lung, surgery to remove that portion of your lung may provide a cure.

Your comment

[phoenix1]

Thank you both :)

[starion]

Other possible sources of medical help include any church you might belong to, any large teaching hospital near your home, your Department of Health and Human Services.  Most states have free or low cost services for folks who meet criteria and apply.  Best of luck at getting the help you need.

[phoenix1]

Did some tests today.

I am 27 and 6'5" 192 lbs and Male.

My spirometer reading was 520 for the short burst testing.  I should be around high 600s.

The finger pulse/02 meter (Sp02's that deal with 95 to 100 being "good") showed a reading from 92 to 97 with most of the time spending on the range of 94-96 for 02.

My pulse was eradict at best ranging from 60 to 98.

Blood pressure was 102/140

Temp was 98.0 F   I usually do run a bit low if not even in the high 96/low 97 range.


I dont' smoke, I do excerise quite regularly and am not on any drugs nor OTCs.  (not even an excederine this day)

The only recourse was "you should see a pulmanary doctor" and a lecture about my life.

Seeing a doctor is *not* a financial option.  So any guessing would be a good thing.  Even to just confrim what I already think LOL