Hi all,
TLDR - I have (probably) mild COPD, but for the last month, I've been very symptomatic with shortness of breath doing anything at all and even at rest. I'm in shape and don't suspect anything is wrong with my heart. I had a LDCT scan of my chest yesterday, and (though I believe they were primarily looking for blood clots) there were no incidental findings on the scan. Is it more likely my recent symptoms could be anxiety based or a reaction to Luforbec (Fostair)? The general doctor (not a pulmonologist, but had worked in respiritory in the past) said based on the radiology report and his own view of the scan, plus my spirometry, this wouldn't explain the breathlessness I was having. I'm 45, and otherwise fit.
45M here recently blew FEV 67 - am having a repeat spirometry tomorrow. I've had SOB from exercise for a while and never suspected anything, however since my diagnosis of 'possible COPD' (the reversability test for asthma wasn't performed) and being put on a Fostair (generic of) inhaler around a month ago (which would improve my symptoms if the obstruction WERE asthma), my SOB has got MUCH much worse - IE, I really notice when I'm talking and moving around that the oxygen is just running out, and sometimes even sat at rest. I smoked a lot of cannabis for a while when I was younger, vaped a fair bit recently (stopped all that 4 months ago) - certainly havent abused my lungs as much as some people I know, but I guess there's a genetic component to this also. I'm a father of 2 little girls who are the light of my life (and my beautiful wife), and this new constant SOB and the fact that this looks like 'the new normal', only likely to get worse and not better, has made me very anxious as I mentioned on another post, and is making it hard for me to function. I find generally tasks and dealing with my kids over this last month to be challenging, and I worry that my frustration will ultimately have an impact on how they grow up. I know it's in my gift to control, but it's a struggle when my brain is receiving regular panic signals when I get the SOB. I'm very impressed by you folk that are able to keep so positive - l currently I feel like I've got a mountain to climb just doing normal life in the next decade or so - raising my kids, keeping a job and a wife that isnt stressed or resentful.
As I write this I realise it's slightly self-indulgent and not getting to the point - apologies, I guess it kind of helps to talk about feelings, though perhaps it would be better in a journal or something rather than subject the forum to it! Will add a TLDR at the top...
Anyway I went to the ER recently (or A&E, as we call them) as I'd had some chest pains with the breathlessness. I also fainted a week or so ago. I mentioned this and they did a battery of tests mainly related to my heart, all fine. They also did a LDCT looking for clots I think, and I was surprised to hear it had no incidental findings (I haven't yet seen the report but the doctor told me this). I had assumed due to my breathlessness that I would have a degree of emphysema. I asked him specifically on this. He said he had looked at the scan personally, he's not a radiographer or pulmonologist but had worked in respiritory before - I said 'no emphysema at all?' and he shook his head, then said 'couple of tiny little spots in the upper lobes. All ex-smokers have it'. So, sounding like nothing much to worry about from the scan (I mentioned bronchial wall thickening which he seemed less clued up on, but presumably if this had been obvious it would be on the report).
So I was encouraged by this. I know Spirometry is the Gold standard. But on a scan, my lungs look more or less fine (I realise LD probably doesnt give vast detail small-airways-wise though). Which is good news. This general physician said the scan and my FEV/FVC of 67 (2 points below the LLN) doesn't explain my symptoms. Hes referring me for an echo of the heart, to see if I could have had a 'silent' heart attack or if I have Pulmonary hypertension, and these are the reasons my oxygen is limited. Hopefully not!
Anyone have any ideas on this? I can exercise well, my lungs feel ok apart from a wheeze on exhale on the right, I don't cough much. I do regular 20min HIIT sessions that get me panting, but I can do them fully, which most people probably wouldnt manage. Or running a few K up an incline. And yet, I get up and walk through to the next room to speak on the phone and I'm winded.
I'm still hoping to find a way that this constant winded state is not 'the new normal', as if this is me at 'mild', the future looks rough. I'm exercising more, but as I say I was already pretty active so unfortunately I don't believe exercise can make such a big difference in my case as it will in some.
Thanks for sticking out the world's longest post! I appreciate all of you regular posters and responders, doctors and other members for all you do and share here.