'mild obstructive ventalatory imairment'/spirometry. what could this mean?

[spidy]

I meet with my pulmonologist on monday and am needing answers and help to end this "trouble breathing/chest tightening" problem.  My spirometry and lung capacity results stated:  "spirometry data is consistent with a mild obstructive ventilatory impairment.  Lung volume are within normal limits.  The increased airways resistance is consistent with airway obstruction.  Following the inhalation of a bronchodilator, there is significant improvement in airway mechanics."  Does this sound like asthma?  Could it be anything else?  I had a chest X-ray this weekend when i was in the emergency room (lungs weren't moving air & right lung wheezed - they nebulized me), the X-ray was clear.  What else could this be???  I want to know what questions i should ask my doc and if there are any other tests i should do.  I'm feeling quite desperate at this point and am thinking of going to the mayo clinic.  What do you think?  Any ideas????

[National Jewish]

This does sound like asthma.  The chest x-ray is almost always clear with asthma.  In fact the lungs are sometimes enlarged, especially during an acute attack, and can appear clearer (darker) than usual on x-ray.  Other breathing problems that can mimic asthma are sarcoidosis, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, and chronic bronchitis.  However, asthma is much more likely to be the correct diagnosis.

Consider going to the Mayo Clinic, if asthma is not the diagnosis or your symptoms do not improve with the use of asthma medicine.  Otherwise going would be a waste of time and money.

[AndyRRT]

Relax spidy!!!

I'm a Registered Respiratory Therapist who is also credencialed as a Certified Pulmonary function Technologist (CPFT)

Your PFT sounds fine. You may have a component of Asthma or som type of reactive airways disease. But dont fret. You're condition is treatable and controllable simply by using bronchodialators. You need to speak with your doctor and have him explain to you in terms which YOU understand. Otherwise, you will continue to be lost and have all this unecessary anxiety!

-Andty, RRT,CPFT

[starion]

Calm down & TALK with your pulmonologist.  Have him/her explain the test results and figure out what treatment would be best for your condition.  Be aware that it may take a while & some "trial & error" to figure out the optimal treatment plan for your condition.  Also, the treatment plan may change as your condition changes.

Since your lung function did significantly improve after bronchodilator, that's GOOD & your doctor can help you with that so that hopefully you will have better lung function more of the time.

You can always get a second opinion & evaluation, but be sure you have a good understanding of the first opinion before you rush off to get another evaluation.

Aloha,
Starion