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pulmonary embolism
Nov 18, 2008 09:03AM in the Respiratory Disorders Community
I bet he had it for awhile since you report that he has had shortness of breath for quite some time. Some people with PE's are very ill very quickly after they throw a clot, yet some are like your dad. As a former nurse, I have taken care of both of these extremes. I would ask his doctor when it would be safe to fly. He may have to wait a bit, but I don't kno...
Help to Quit Smoking
Nov 18, 2008 08:56AM in the Respiratory Disorders Community
First of all, I am happy that you are making the decision to quit, that action is probably the most important for your lung health.I would talk to your doctor about smoking cessation, there are medications that can be tried along with psychotherapy (some people do well with hypnotism and other methods). One thing is certain, you need to have a good support sy...
Early Pulmonary Emphyzema
Nov 16, 2008 10:17PM in the Respiratory Disorders Community
I am not a doctor, just a former RN, anything I say is just a personal opinion. I would bring this up with your doctor. I wouldn't go by that diagnosis solely by the interpretation of that chest xray (I could see if it were advanced, but you said it was early). You need a full work up complete with breathing tests to determine your lung functions to get an ac...
copd
Nov 16, 2008 10:07PM in the Respiratory Disorders Community
I too can sympathize with what you are feeling Christy....sometimes it is hard for people to understand that you are having problems with breathing if you are "looking too good".. I guess they reconsider if they see you lug an O2 tank around, but many people with breathing problems don't require O2 so it in a sense becomes an invisible disease. People like to...
Drugs
Nov 16, 2008 09:46PM in the Respiratory Disorders Community
Ask your doctor if he can order a sputum culture for you to check what bacteria/ fungi are growing in there. I have mild bronchictasis (due to atypical CF) and chronically culture pseudomonas along with other critters, the effectiveness of antibiotics varies because the sensitivities change frequently. I guess I am saying, that the best way your doctor can pr...
should I be on oxygen
Nov 16, 2008 09:37PM in the Respiratory Disorders Community
I would ask your doctor to check your O2 levels while you are walking around. Your FEV is definitely low, you could be saturating fine at rest though but not while you move around. It also would not hurt to ask him to test your O2 levels while you sleep to make sure you are oxygenating well enough during deep sleep. As far as getting air out, have you tri...