In the circumstance you describe there are many possible causes of a reduction in p02, including but not limited to pulmonary infiltrates (pneumonia or heart failure or pulmonary emboli). I can’t tell from your description whether the 96% 02 was an oximetry level or the inspired oxygen concentration. If it is a saturation of 96% then there is a real discr...
I can only try to imagine how distressing all of this must be for you. Let me share some thoughts and recommendations.
First, to have such an enormous reduction in your exercise capacity, from running two miles to “I can hardly breathe, is most unusual. I suggest that you ask one of your doctors, preferably a lung specialist to explain to you the mechani...
A “shifted mediastinum” could be a reflection of congenital disease of the lungs (not asthma), the heart or the great blood vessels that enter and exit the heart. To answer your question, given that no sign of congenital disease has become evident over a ten year span, the X-ray finding at 5 months was probably not significant. Given the remote possibility ...
The use of a nasal steroid inhaler, in the recommended dose, is not likely to be harmful to your baby. You should , however, get your doctor’s approval prior to initiating any anti-allergy therapy, including unconventional therapies. Fortunately these inhalers and other anti-allergic medications are generally deemed to be safe during pregnancy.
Equally im...
The shakiness you describe is not a sign that we would ordinarily associate with asthma. But he may be experiencing exercise induced asthma and the shakiness a manifestation of anxiety associated with shortness of breath. In other words, the shakiness may be secondary to his being frightened by respiratory distress. The first step would be to have his doct...
There are a number of sleep disorders, other than obstructive sleep apnea, that could account for the need for supplemental oxygen at night. If only to be delivered at night, a tank would be an acceptable oxygen source.
But, in addition, you should request a more detailed explanation from your doctors about what is actually causing reduced nighttime oxyge...
With the exception of the diffusing capacity, which I would characterize as low normal, your pulmonary function measurements are within normal limits. As the only abnormal PFT value, it is unlikely to be of clinical significance, especially in the absence of other signs or X-ray imaging abnormalities. In other words, this one borderline value is not likely ...
By conventional standards, these are small nodules and, in the circumstance of no currently diagnosed cancer and seemingly good health, thus most likely are benign. If there is a pleural effusion as stated in your message, under Subject, that would increase the chances of these nodules being a reflection of more serious disease.
In this circumstance, a co...
Your description suggests the possibility of contact dermatitis, either to something allergic or an irritant. Another possibility would be neuro-dermatitis (see the following. Please don’t rely on me for a diagnosis, but give some thought to any generally unencountered substance that has recently come into contact with your hands.
Neurodermatitiss
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You should contact your doctor immediately and seek his advice before you take any more prednisone. A likely explanation for the diuresis is the effect that steroids may have on carbohydrate (sugar) metabolism, resulting in large quantities of sugar in your urine. This is an atypical response to steroid therapy and one that could result in a serious electro...