Recurrent Pneumonia and Asthma Issues

[missstacylee]

My mother has been ill on and off for 5 years.  She is 54 years old and never been a smoker. She has had problems with sinus infections, colds, asthma and pneumonia.  She has recurrent pneumonia and gets it about every 3 months or so.  She always ends up in the ER with problems breathing and then goes on a round of antibiotics, usually zpak and prednisone steroids.  She will sometimes get a steriod inhaler to use along with her normal ventolin inhaler.  She will gradually get better and be able to breath normal, only to have the symptoms return in a  couple of months.  Each time she shes a DR she gets different answers.  The 1st time was you are allergic to your cat, so she got rid of her cat.  She quit her job working in a kitchen because they thought that was the problem, however this is still ongoing.  Her DRs dont seem to be overly concerned and tell her she just has colds often and her lungs get infected easily.  This has been very frustrating, any suggestions as to what we can do?  My mom requested to see a lung specialist but her DR said that's not necesary.

[missstacylee]

Thank you for your reply, my mother ended up in the Urgent Care again this week with trouble breathing.  Thankfully the Urgent care DR knew my mother personally as they grew up in the same town.  The DR immediately sent my mother up for some pulmonary function tests and they believe she has COPD.  I guess I don't understand since she has never smoked a day in her life but she was around second hand smoke as a child. She has follow up testing next week to get a firm diagnosis and plan of action.

[David Tinkelman, M.D.]

Contrary to what your Mother’s doctor allegedly said (“..that’s not necessary”), I believe that, if your Mother has indeed been having recurrent pneumonia every 3 months, she definitely should see a lung specialist, without further delay.  The most important question that should be asked and answered is, why do “her lungs get infected easily?”  What is the cause and can it be treated.   And, there are more than a few possible causes that should be considered and any good lung specialist will be familiar with them.  The essence of my recommendation is that an otherwise healthy 54 year old woman should not be having recurrent pneumonia.

I suggest that you ask her doctor to recommend a lung specialist (Board Certified Pulmonologist) and make an appointment as soon as possible.  If the first specialist is unable to see your Mother in less than 10-14 days, ask her doctor to intervene and if that doesn’t work, contact another lung specialist.

Whatever transpires, do not take no for an answer.  It is fortunate that you are there to serve as her advocate.

Good luck