SHORTNESS OF BREATH

morning star · Hamster Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Posts: 84 Location: oklahoma

I have a ? I have SLE and have chronic shortness of breath and chest pain that comes and goes it is not sharp but suttle. This has been going on since 3/07 and has been getting slightly worse. I've been using an inhaler Advair which has steroid in it. It helps somewhat but at times I'm still try to gasp for air just when sitting here at my desk. I've seen a cardiologist who said my echo came out normal and also said my lungs sounded clear but could tell I was having a hard time breathing. I've looked several things up and what I find the closest dx of is Pulmonary effusion. Does this sound possible. Question

I've been referred back to my pulmonologist who initially diagnosed me with asthma but my cardio. said it did not sound like asthma, in fact my Rheumie even said my lungs sounded clear but could tell I was trying to breathe Question

Thanks for your reply.

mnjodette · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 5:35 pm Post subject:

Have they ever done a pulmonary function test? That might help them pinpoint what's going on.
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morning star · Hamster Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Posts: 84 Location: oklahoma

NO BUT MY PULMON. ORDERED ONE TODAY IF MY INSURANCE APPRVS IT. HE SAID THE LUPUS MIGHT BE AFFECTING MY LUNGS.

Oluwa · Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 1:41 pm Post subject:

Hi Morning Star...

Mine goes like this...

I have left chest pain, coupled with back pain, left shoulder blade, shortness of breath prior I also had arm pain and intense pain under my sternum. I was thinking, oh dear another herniated disk...

My Rheumatologist diagnosed Pleurisy, prescribed Naproxen and Protonix for my GERD.

My PCP isn't certain it is that. He feels it maybe a few things going on inside. Part of the pain was from my GERD. Fixed that part with Protonix. I am thankful for that pill.

My PCP also injected cortisone into my rotary cuff for the arm pain. It work for my arm but not that left chest pain and back. I also have a order for a chest xray, which I will have done tomorrow.

But anyway..I am wondering if this is what I have and you too.. Pericarditis

It reads...If you have acute pericarditis, the most common symptom is sharp, stabbing chest pain behind the breastbone or in the left side of your chest. However, some people with acute pericarditis describe their chest pain as dull, achy or pressure-like instead, and of varying intensity. The sharp pain may travel into your left shoulder and neck. It often intensifies when you lie down or inhale deeply. Sitting up and leaning forward can often ease the pain. At times, it may be difficult to distinguish pericardial pain from the pain that occurs with a heart attack.

Other signs and symptoms often associated with pericarditis include:

Shortness of breath when reclining
Low-grade fever
An overall sense of weakness, fatigue or feeling sick
Dry cough
Abdominal or leg swelling

Humm..maybe...maybe not? Whacha think?
Oluwa

morning star · Hamster Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Posts: 84 Location: oklahoma

I'm not sure wouldn't the Echo show whether or not I had pericarditis or not. I just saw my pulmonologist and he has ordered a Pulmonary Function Test and said the the lupus may have affected my lungs, my primary symptoms are SOB, even when sitting, worse when exerting and tightness in chest and some pain but not bad. It's just bothersome to be SOB all the time. He did say I do have asthma but would you be SOB all the time even with inhalers with ashtma? This is so confusing, I hope they figure it out soon, it's been going on for about a year.

Oluwa · Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 11:19 am Post subject:

Hello Morning Star,

Oops...Yes, you are right it should display it. D'oh me! I do hope they find out soon for you.

My shortness comes and go, maybe I have perdicardium. I get confused too, one said pleurisy the other not. I trust my PCP more than my Rheumatologist because he has given me this blank stare on a few ocassions and he instructed me to stop taking Protonix. Which he doesn't recall. I was in terrible pain for months. Believing oh, swell..life with Lupus.

My GERD got worse than ever. Since being back on Protonix..it wasn't life with Lupus afterall, that I had to grin and bare it. If I had to, I think I would have gone totally stark raving mad.

Did your insurance approve it...and when are you scheduled? Do let us know the results.

Hope you find your wellness soon.
Oluwa

mtingler · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 3:31 pm Post subject:

I have just went through a series of tests with my pulmonary specialist. I had been dealing with SOB(upon exertion) for about a year now. After I read in the Lupus book, by Dr. Daniel Wallace, the seven different things that Lupus can cause with the lungs I decided it was time I get busy finding out what is wrong. She ordered a chest x-ray and the pulmonary function tests. At the office visit she pretty well told me that it was interstitial lung disease from the lupus. The tissue becomes inflammed and does not heal normal and produces more tissue, then turns to scar tissue, thus making that part of the lung useless. She then ordered the heart echo and ultra-sound, and CT scan of the lungs. That confirmed what she thought. I repeat all this 6 weeks after the first tests to see if she can determine the speed of the progression. I am on 10mgs of prednisone she put me on for now. She calls that a low dose, I don't. She thinks she may jack up the amount of prednisone. Nothing stops the inflammation, a miracle from God can. Of course they think the meds can slow down the progression. Laughing

I have been diagnosed for 12 years now and never had any organ involvment yet. That has been a blessing from God. I will be praying for you, SOB is not a fun thing. We must trust God, one day at a time. Hope this helps you out. Mel
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morning star · Hamster Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Posts: 84 Location: oklahoma

Thanks so much for your reply. I'm scheduled next week for my PFT Test. I was kinda thinking that I may have Interstitial Lung Disease or Pulmonary Fibrosis. Guess I'll find out soon, though, I hate to hear of you having this problem. God can work miracles. I sometimes feel as though I may be dying because of my breathing, just sleeping is hard if I don't use my inhaler before I go to bed I wake up struggling to breathe not wheezing just tightness and SOB. That's one thing I noticed though is my Advair does help probably because it has a steroid in it. My first noticable symptoms was 5 yrs ago after I had my daughter I had terrible joint pain went the to Dr and was told nothing was wrong after doing some lab. So I waited and after several months it's went away and didn't reappear until 2 years ago after I had a car accident. Well thanks for your reply and God be with you.

morning star · Hamster Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Posts: 84 Location: oklahoma

Well my shortness of breath has been still ongoing and still no one can find out what's going on, been to the ER, he thinks I've got ILD but since my chest xray/lab and ekg are all normal he couldn't do much but give me more steroids, that was thursday so by Monday gasping again, rheumie gave me another shot of steroids told me to find another pulmonologist which I have but cannot get into until 7/31, ordered a CT Scan and it came back normal, had another PFT test and the guy who did it said it didn't look like it was much worse than the one I had 6 mos ago. I'm at a loss, what is causing me to be soooo SOB???? Guess I'll have to wait and see this new Pulmon. although since I've been put on a steady course of steroids 20mgs and then taper down, it's been alot easier breathing, so I've obviously got some inflamm going on other than just asthma.....??? Confused

Oluwa · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 12:18 pm Post subject:

Hi Morning Star...

May there is something going on with your diaphragm...thoracic diaphragm...not the gadget.

Since it controls our breathing....maybe...a thought.

Or are you an anemiec?

Swollen limbs and ankles....congestive heart failure...shortness of breath my auntie had that...hummm...cardio would have found that..

Something in the air, in the ventilation? Is it all the time, in certain areas, workplace, home, outside?

I hope they find out the cause, as that can be alarming and for all this time, Morning Glory,
Hugs..
Oluwa
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laurid8967 · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 5:26 pm Post subject:

Morningstar -
I have had lung problems my whole life actually, and I have asthma. The SOB does not sound like its caused by asthma as there is no wheezing. There can be just SOB, but usually, the pul. will be able to hear crackles or wheezes somewhere. I have SOB on and off - just out of the blue BAM! I cant breathe. THis is a different feeling than when Im having a bout with asthma. I usually start wheezing long before Im really short of breath. Also, do you have an Albuterol inhaler (acute asthma) ? Not the inhaler you take every day, but the inhaler you use when you start breathing badly (acute attack)? If you do, and it does not help when you feel SOB, then its usually not asthma. This info, however, is with regular lungs NOT lupus lungs, so maybe its different, I dont know. If the steroid is working a little, then it sounds more like maybe the lining of the lungs is inflamed - pleurisy? THis is really common with lupus. Hopefully the steroids will give it a good kick and it will start to dissipate. I am on 20mg. daily, and its not too bad. Lousy sleep, but I feel so much better, its completely worth it.
I hope you feel better and find some answers soon. Hang in there!
Lauri
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The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference...

morning star · Hamster Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Posts: 84 Location: oklahoma

Thanks for the replies, I was on albuterol but my old pulmol. switched me to xopenex as I told him it wasn't worked as good as I was having to use it all the time and it didn't seem to do much good, I'm also on Advair 500 2 x day, I do wheeze sometimes but sometimes I don't and I'm alful SOB? Well I'm ending my course of steroids today so we will see how well I do. I think maybe it's a combination of asthma and sometype of lung inflammation from the lupus but what I'm not sure. Confused

Oluwa · Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 7:35 am Post subject:

Hi Morning Glory..

So, how has it been since you stopped taking your steroids on the 25th..notice any improvement?

I hope so...

Hugs,
Oluwa
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morning star · Hamster Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Posts: 84 Location: oklahoma

Oluwa, Thanks for asking, so far I'm doing ok, I'm still SOB if I walk very far, but that's always been that way(for at least several mo's that is), I just have to slow down or stop. But now I'm back to having my daily headaches, but so far ol Ibuprofen has been taking care of them, but every morning I wake up with a new one!!! Mad

I had chronic h/a's and migraines before starting the imuran(AZA) but now they are starting up again, kinda concerning. How are you doing? Well hope you have a good and pain free weekend coming up. Very Happy

take care...

Oluwa · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 9:43 am Post subject:

Good heavens...I felt like I replied to this..humm..I remember reading it, Morning Star...

Every once in a while I do a check of view posts I've posted and I find one or two that has slipped me by..

Still having the daily headaches? Sleeping in a crooked position? Too many or too few pillows? I had woke to a thumper the other day, didn't subside till I started another new day. I think I slept with my neck in an awkward position...

Hormone related? So many things that can give us a headache...do you have FMS?

Has the SOB stopped since you slowed down, or are you still running...

Enjoying your summer thus far...us here..movies and more movies and swimming. My summer is dull this year, so afraid of a flare...

Thinking of you..
Hugs..love,
Oluwa
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