Very Low blood oxygen, shortness of breath, weakness in young adult

[jmuell]

My daughter, 37, a healthy person living in Vail, CO has had Oxygen levels in the 70's for the past 2.5 weeks. She is short of breath upon exertion and is weak and not able to care for her 1/1/2 year old child. She has had a dry cough for about 9 months and has not really felt well since December 2006. The family doctor ordered EKG, bloodwork, chest xray, echocardiogram, PFT, CT scan, and CT scan with contrast. All came back normal except the CT scan. It had a lot of light areas that should be dark.

We saw a pulmomoligist on 3/7 and the oxygen levels were still in the low 70's. He wants to do another CT scan with contrast on 3/15 to see if there are any changes in the lungs. He called her PFT test 'wildly abnormal'. If there is no change in the CT scan, then he will order a lung biopsy.

He said his first instinct is that she had an atypical infection that turned to pneumonia and will take time to heal. He does not feel her bloodwork, age, etc. would suggest any connective tissue disease, ILD, or Lupus. He does not want to treat with steroids or another 'Z' pack until the scan on 3/15 is read. She has been on oxygen, 5 liters, 24/7 for 2 weeks.

What do you suggest, please.

[aea71]

I have been experiencing the same symptoms since Oct 2005.  I went to the er and ended up being in the hosp for 2 weeks.  I was discharged as there was nothing more that could be done for me.  I have been on oxygen since then.

I am now 36 yrs old and the docs have no idea what is causing my problem.  I have been to 4 hospitals and what I am told is I have shunting in my upper lungs.  They can't seem to figure out why and where it is coming from.  I have been to heart, lung, pulmonary, blood and liver doctors and still have had no success.

Best of luck to you and your daughter.

[dmrp]

I have low oxygen level in the 80's. I found that doing keniesiology and taking supplements has helped. I am told I have a chronic viral infection -- is that possible with your daughter? I also have tried Hyperbaric Chamber treatments which have been helpful, raised my oxygen level at the time. I have not had one since January and now my oxygen level stays low. What happens with the chamber is that it saturates the cells with oxygen that lasts up to 24 hours.
Vail is very high. Could your daughter go to a lower area to see if that also helps her condition. Hope this is somewhat of a help for your daughter.

[National Jewish]

This is a complicated case that will require the expertise of those who see these types of problems often.  I would suggest seeing one of the Pulmonary and/or Infectious Disease physicians at National Jewish Medical and Research Center to evaluate this further.

[ozark]

have they checked her for pulmonary hypertension? just a thought