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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Toxic Exposure to Chlorine
Answered by
MN
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Toxic Exposure to Chlorine
by LT72, Oct 29, 2007 11:35AM
I have had a toxic exposure to chlorine. I would like people to know that this can happen at home, outside, etc and not just in industry. It happened 2.5 months ago, I've had a lot of the symptoms that alot of people think can't be traced to anything, as listed in this forum. Chlorine exposure causes dyspnea, shortness of breath, random lung pain, etc. First they thought I just had pleuritis and it could be alleviated with an inhaler, but I still was not able to breathe and passed out. Then I was placed on steroids. I have a perfectly excellent x-ray, and cat-scan and my PFT came back with only a minor obstruction.
Yet I still can't breathe correctly and every day its different! They are saying its Reactive Airway Dysfunction Syndrome and they seem to think it will heal.
My question is that I have slowly been healing but I can't seem to get there completely. Everytime I get off of steroids or start to taper the tightness in my chest increases. The quick acting inhaler seems to help but not always. I don't know if that means I should be keeping my steroid level higher or my body will eventually adjust and keep the inflammation at bay by itself. Am I hurting anything by creating a dependency on using the steroids and the inhaler? What will happen if I abandon them?
Yet I still can't breathe correctly and every day its different! They are saying its Reactive Airway Dysfunction Syndrome and they seem to think it will heal.
My question is that I have slowly been healing but I can't seem to get there completely. Everytime I get off of steroids or start to taper the tightness in my chest increases. The quick acting inhaler seems to help but not always. I don't know if that means I should be keeping my steroid level higher or my body will eventually adjust and keep the inflammation at bay by itself. Am I hurting anything by creating a dependency on using the steroids and the inhaler? What will happen if I abandon them?
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish Health, Nov 08, 2007 05:13PM
, Nov 08, 2007 05:13PM
Your doctors are correct in suspecting reactive airway dysfunction syndrome (RADS). This is a respiratory disease that is caused by any of a large number of respiratory irritants. RADS presents as the sudden onset of asthma and the treatment is very much the same. The majority of cases of RADS eventually resolve completely or nearly so but this can take as long as 6 to 12 months. That you have noticed signs or symptoms of healing is a good sign, as is the near normal PFTs. For the time being, you should continue to use the steroids and inhaler. It will be safe to "abandon them" when your signs of obstruction either subside or remain constant and your symptoms resolve.
Good luck
Good luck
