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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Restrictive airway disease?
Answered by
MN
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Restrictive airway disease?
by benurse, May 13, 2008 02:07PM
I am post-chemo 4 years for breast cancer, had history of asthma prior to treatment. For the last three years I have had shortness of breath (increases with exertion) following URI, that lasts for months, have had CT scans that are negative, Cardiac work-up negative and pulmonary function test are not that bad, pulmonary physician begins methylprednislone 40mg qd tampers off as symptoms improves, usually takes 3-6 months. Last year started mid January lasted til October, this year began allergy injections, shortness of breath did not start til April. Am currently on Spiriva, Advair, Singulair, Zyrtec, Astelin nasal and rhinocort. Any ideas of something to try, or any help at all
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish Health, May 16, 2008 04:46PM
, May 16, 2008 04:46PM
The explanation for your sustained shortness of breath may reside in your pulmonary function, the testing of which, "...is not that bad". Accurate, serial pulmonary function measurements and measures of peak flow, might demonstrate subtle worsening of your asthma in response to the upper respiratory infections (URIs) possibly associated with increases in bronchial hyperreactivity. This would also be consistent with the improvement in breathing you experience with the administration of methylprednisolone.
There is not always a close correlation between measures of pulmonary function and the experience of shortness of breath with exertion. There is a somewhat better correlation between the sensation of shortness of breath and the work of breathing; that is, relatively mild worsening of airflow, not infrequently accompanied by a significant increase in the work of breathing, may be associated with a lot of shortness of breath.
An exercise study, with careful measures of pulmonary function during the exercise, might help sort this out and might even demonstrate pulmonary function changes due to the chemotherapy that might predispose you to shortness of breath, as a result of a superimposed URI.
Finally, whatever the cause of your shortness of breath, it is likely to be diminished by your engagement in a regular exercise program. This has been confirmed with other pulmonary diseases, most notably, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which it appears you do not have.
Good luck.
There is not always a close correlation between measures of pulmonary function and the experience of shortness of breath with exertion. There is a somewhat better correlation between the sensation of shortness of breath and the work of breathing; that is, relatively mild worsening of airflow, not infrequently accompanied by a significant increase in the work of breathing, may be associated with a lot of shortness of breath.
An exercise study, with careful measures of pulmonary function during the exercise, might help sort this out and might even demonstrate pulmonary function changes due to the chemotherapy that might predispose you to shortness of breath, as a result of a superimposed URI.
Finally, whatever the cause of your shortness of breath, it is likely to be diminished by your engagement in a regular exercise program. This has been confirmed with other pulmonary diseases, most notably, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which it appears you do not have.
Good luck.
