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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Pregnancy and lungs
Answered by
MN
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis
Pregnancy and lungs
by Yawnee, May 14, 2008 03:35PM
Hello,
I'm 24 and i am pregnant in 20 weeks now. Last year in december i started having a flu state, nothing serious. In late january (already pregnant in 5 weeks), I started having a cough with stripes of blood, dry cough that couldn't stop in the night, plus mild fever, very tired, body acking, chest and back pain which lasted for almost 2 months. I went to the doctor on my first cough and they said maybe it's the flu, they can't do an x-ray because of the pregnancy.
My bad state continued and i went for a bronchoscopy, the result being bilateral mucus edema. The doctor didn't worry about that. Also, the sputum analysis showed e coli, and a month after haemophilus spp. I did some treatment with amoxicilin. Nothing gave results. My blood count has high level of white cells (got to 18.000) and neutrphils (got to 14.000)
In march tough i started feeling better, back to myself, no gough at all. Since a month now i started having pain in my back, chest and mostly the left shoulder area. I have a general bad state, pain when breathing. My blood count is still on high levels, i know it's normal somehow in pregnancy, but i don't think this is normal.
Other things that bother me, i don't know if it's related but.. severe headache, blurry vision, stuffed ears.
I am very concerned, desoriented, have an obsession now on lung cancer and what's the worst, mainly because i was a heavy smoker, had numerous bronchitis, a nodule in my right lung (is not there anymore now). I don't have peace, i'm from Romania and here nobody can assume the risk of investigation if you're pregnant, no matter what the case is and if you ask for more information they tell you you're too young to think of this. Instead of focusing on my pregnancy, i worry about what's the worst, although i'm not the type to do so.
I would appreciate an opinion, advice or some idea. Thanks alot!
I'm 24 and i am pregnant in 20 weeks now. Last year in december i started having a flu state, nothing serious. In late january (already pregnant in 5 weeks), I started having a cough with stripes of blood, dry cough that couldn't stop in the night, plus mild fever, very tired, body acking, chest and back pain which lasted for almost 2 months. I went to the doctor on my first cough and they said maybe it's the flu, they can't do an x-ray because of the pregnancy.
My bad state continued and i went for a bronchoscopy, the result being bilateral mucus edema. The doctor didn't worry about that. Also, the sputum analysis showed e coli, and a month after haemophilus spp. I did some treatment with amoxicilin. Nothing gave results. My blood count has high level of white cells (got to 18.000) and neutrphils (got to 14.000)
In march tough i started feeling better, back to myself, no gough at all. Since a month now i started having pain in my back, chest and mostly the left shoulder area. I have a general bad state, pain when breathing. My blood count is still on high levels, i know it's normal somehow in pregnancy, but i don't think this is normal.
Other things that bother me, i don't know if it's related but.. severe headache, blurry vision, stuffed ears.
I am very concerned, desoriented, have an obsession now on lung cancer and what's the worst, mainly because i was a heavy smoker, had numerous bronchitis, a nodule in my right lung (is not there anymore now). I don't have peace, i'm from Romania and here nobody can assume the risk of investigation if you're pregnant, no matter what the case is and if you ask for more information they tell you you're too young to think of this. Instead of focusing on my pregnancy, i worry about what's the worst, although i'm not the type to do so.
I would appreciate an opinion, advice or some idea. Thanks alot!
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish Health, May 16, 2008 05:27PM
, May 16, 2008 05:27PM
You have provided good information and it is worrisome. The chest pain you continue to experience along with the continuing elevation of the white blood cell count suggests that you have an infection, most likely in your lungs. Your "severe headache", blurry vision and stuffed ears suggest that the infection may also be in your nose and sinuses.
For you to remain unhealthy during your pregnancy poses a much greater risk to your baby than would a chest x-ray. You should have an x-ray with a lead apron over your abdomen, another culture of your sputum, and culture of your blood.
The likelihood of lung cancer in a woman your age, even one who has smoked heavily, is very small. Do not worry about this but do try to get your doctors to take your symptoms more seriously.
Good luck.
For you to remain unhealthy during your pregnancy poses a much greater risk to your baby than would a chest x-ray. You should have an x-ray with a lead apron over your abdomen, another culture of your sputum, and culture of your blood.
The likelihood of lung cancer in a woman your age, even one who has smoked heavily, is very small. Do not worry about this but do try to get your doctors to take your symptoms more seriously.
Good luck.
