Can't breathe

[cherinyc]

Yay! We are all awaiting the diagnosis!

It is a great thing to be able to breathe freely.

My asthma went away when I moved out of ratty old apartments with carpeting into my house with wood floors and no carpeting. I have not had to use albuterol for two years.

So if you have carpeting, it may be a good idea to look for a place without it when you move to Colorado (or am I getting you confused with someone else?)

Tulip - you have it right. BTW - when ya coming to Princeton?
I am moving to Colorado in the fall (november-ish) and both my bf and I hate having carpet - but here in NJ, since we are renting, no choice.

I really think there is a mold problem around here. Maybe that's getting to me. I have never seen mold grow so quickly in a toilet that gets used regularly. Seriously, after only 1 week, this black fuzzy stuff is growing, and we have those clorox tablets in the tank too. This mold or mildew is impermeable to it. A lot of the riding I do is along the road, so maybe automobile exhaust is getting to me. (I have so many theories)

On a positive note, I have only been cycling for about a month, and went on a 15 mile ride this morning with my boyfriend. My lungs struggled a couple times, but my AVG mph w/ the hills was ~15. So I am getting better. My bf, who has been riding for years, says he thinks once I get my lungs figured out, I will probably start to kick his @$$.
That's what I'm talking about ladies!!!!

[cherinyc]

So - I am still not completely clear what's wrong with me, and the doctor has prescribed a bunch more tests.
The first thing I did was breathe into this machine - which gave me a "Spirometry Report" I asked for a photocopy (like I actually understand anything on it), so if anyone wants to know anything about my breathing - I have all the report data in front of me.
Anyway - the # that the Doctor was concerned about was my lung exhaling output (or something) which was only 55%.
He also heard a heart murmer - and wondered why no one had told me that I had it until now (I'm 31).
So he wrote Rx's for Albuterol, Asmanex, and a Peak Flow meter.
He wants a chest X-ray, an echograph test, and a halter test done.

That's it. I took a couple puffs of the albuterol before my ride this morning, and had a lot of phlegm and mucus - which I don't usually have. Does that mean the albuterol is working?

[Bron]

Sounds like he's taking you seriously then. That's good. Fingers crossed that it's not anything serious.

He also heard a heart murmer - and wondered why no one had told me that I had it until now (I'm 31).

I had this too. Apparently some doctors are better at picking these things up than others. If nobody has noticed it before, the chances are that it won't be anything too bad (in my case it's a slight mitral prolapse which, according to the cardiologist is nothing to worry about, won't make me ill, slow me down on my bike or affect me in any other way).
I hope it all works out well for you too.
Bron

[maillotpois]

That "lung exhaling output" thing - is that what was measured with the peak flow meter in the office?? Mine is also very low, and it seems they're still trying to figure out why. (The doctor does not believe my pulmonary emboli would affect that.)

I'm interested to hear if the treatment helps.

Glad you went ot a doctor!

[Bikingmomof3]

Continue to keep us postd. It sounds as though your doctor is being very thourough,. I had a Holten test about a year ago, when I began seriously exercising I started to feel an occassional flutter near my breast bone-it was weird. We discovered I had Exercise Induced Cardiac Arrhythmia.

[cherinyc]

I had a Holten test about a year ago, when I began seriously exercising I started to feel an occassional flutter near my breast bone-it was weird. We discovered I had Exercise Induced Cardiac Arrhythmia.

Gosh - and I thought all this cycling was going to make me healthier. Why do I feel like I am falling apart all of a sudden.

[Bikingmomof3]

Oh try not to think that way. I cannot speak on your breathing issues as I do not have them. As for my Exercise Induced Cardiac Arrhythmia, I was told by the cardiologist that is is extremely common and I do not worry now that I know what I have. It worried me prior to finding out and when I was sent to the Dayton heaert Hospital for testing I totally freaked out. For about 2 weeks after diagnosis I only exercised when someone else was home, you know, just in case (yes I was paranoid). Now It only bothers me when I really exerct myself, but knowing what it is, I no longer freak out.

Your doctor sounds like a great doctor, covering all basis. Once you know what you have, you can take the appropriate measures and will feel so much better.

[eclectic]

Gosh - and I thought all this cycling was going to make me healthier. Why do I feel like I am falling apart all of a sudden.

Have faith you are not falling apart Just think you have been running around w/ 55% output. You will feel so much better w/ proper treatment.

I was at 65% and did not realize how bad I was, you just get used to not being able to breathe. I told my riding partners "lookout if I ever am able to breathe!" (the last 2 days on new meds have been great and now they are looking out!)
My peak flow on Sunday was 380 - 400 where it always has been for the last year on a good day, today it is 430, best it has been in years Yippee I know it will just get better and better now !

The albuterol is doing its job if it is loosening everything up.
Albuterol is not to be over used so be sure to take the other med as prescribe I assume it is some type of preventative but I really don't know.

I ran the full gamut of tests last summer, allergy test both prick and blood, lung xrays, cat scan, a breathing test where I sat in a bubble like machine then another that measured specific output using some type of gas.
Glad I had good insurance!

The verdict "yup you have allergies and asthma". I knew that from the get go To be fair the doc was ruling out any other more serious lung diseases.

I feel so much better now and although the meds are about $120 per month after insurance it is worth it! AND I can ride up hills faster than I have ever done

Side benefit, I no longer get heartburn. Apparently heartburn is a side effect of asthma, go figure

Thanks for updating us and let us know what else you find out

[Denise223]

Hi Cheri!

The good thing is you have a doctor who is taking your symptoms seriously. That's exactly what you want!

There are some doctor's who will just prescribe meds & say they'll see you in six months time.

Originally posted by CHERINYC: Anyway - the # that the Doctor was concerned about was my lung exhaling output (or something) which was only 55%.
He also heard a heart murmer - and wondered why no one had told me that I had it until now (I'm 31).
So he wrote Rx's for Albuterol, Asmanex, and a Peak Flow meter.
He wants a chest X-ray, an echograph test, and a halter test done.

Your exhaling output was low @ 55%.
When you did that, did the doctor (or nurse) "cheer you on", saying, "blow, blow, blow..."?
I've seen doctor's with their patients doing the peak flow test, (I've had them too), and they usually stand right there cheering you on so that you get ALL OF THE AIR out of your lungs. The "cheering" will help you to get your best reading.

A 24-48 hour holter monitor test is a wonderful non-invasive study. That will give your doctor a 24-48 hour EKG (electrocardiogram) reading, while you go about your day & night. (they usually want you to do everything that you normally do, while you have the monitor on -- and, you are given a sheet of paper to document everything that you are doing.)
Example: say if you're going on bike ride from 10am-11am, and from 10:20 - 10:30 you had a little chest pain or lots of difficulty breathing, you would document that on paper -- and when the physician reads your study, they will find that exact time, and see what (if anything) is going on with your heart.

An echocardiogram will be good to see what's going on with your murmur. Did you hear, or did your doctor say what "grade" your murmur was? Some murmur's that are small - some doctor's will be able to hear them and some won't.
I have a very small heart murmur (grade I/VI), which doesn't cause any problems for me.

Originally posted by CHERINYC: Gosh - and I thought all this cycling was going to make me healthier. Why do I feel like I am falling apart all of a sudden.

When we start new activites, our bodies will respond, whether favorably or not. And, all of what's going on here with your symptoms, might actually be a good thing, Cheri. Perhaps there is some underlying problem that you wouldn't have known, unless you started up with cycling?? (I'm just guessing).

With the Albuterol, (which I take before exercise, and as my "relief" inhalor), that you started. Have you had any cough symptoms before you started the Albuterol? Perhaps you had an upper respiratory infection (viral/bacterial), OR some bronchitis - and that's why you're coughing up some phlegm.

Please keep us posted, Cheri! When are you scheduled to have your echo & holter monitor?

Just remember, things will get better !

Have a peaceful day.

Denise

[cherinyc]

So - I am still not completely clear what's wrong with me, and the doctor has prescribed a bunch more tests.
The first thing I did was breathe into this machine - which gave me a "Spirometry Report". The # that the Doctor was concerned about was my lung exhaling output (or something) which was only 55%.
He also heard a heart murmer - and wondered why no one had told me that I had it until now (I'm 31).
So he wrote Rx's for Albuterol, Asmanex, and a Peak Flow meter.
He wants a chest X-ray, an echograph test, and a halter test done.

I quoted the above, just as a refresher, and 1 1/2 mths later, here's my report. The Asmanex seems to doing what it's supposed to for me. My lungs seem to be healing, I guess. I can blow up to 430 on my peak flow meter (w/o any Albuterol). I went back to the doc last week to take that Spirometry test thing - and the report showed an overall improvement. One of the lung power measurements actually went from a 55% before up to 99%. Basically doc said he was happy that I could begin treating somethimg that has been slowing me down for a long time (without me realizing it). I was a competitive gymnast growing up, and have always had this problem, I just thought it meant I needed to train harder. I paced myself according to my breathing. Doc said he is upset that no one ever caught this with me, or tested for it. It's a simple test to do but not all doctors find it necessary, so....he said it would've really made a difference in my athletic ability and most likely held me back.
As far as the tests though, clear chest x ray, and I have some kind of tricuspid regurg in my heart (no big deal - small murmer) and one of the ratio's w/in the cardiopulmonary tests was way off. Something to do with the pressure in my lungs and how the blood flows into the small chamber of the heart? I think. Doc says possibly off due to damge in my lungs caused from untreated prolonged asthma. Hmmmm. vicious cycle.
I am to stay on the Amanex. Blood work came back fine except for raised cholesterol.
Anyone out there have a really high HDL? I read that the avg HDL for women is about 50-60, yet mine is 91. The doc said my LDL was too high, 114, but I thought that the HDL's were supposed to be pushing the LDL's out. I seem to have some HDL to spare, how do I get them to go to work?

Yes - I am hoping to learn 12 yrs of medical training through sporadic websurfing and forum threads. Is that bad?

[Kano]

Anyone out there have a really high HDL? I read that the avg HDL for women is about 50-60, yet mine is 91. The doc said my LDL was too high, 114, but I thought that the HDL's were supposed to be pushing the LDL's out. I seem to have some HDL to spare, how do I get them to go to work?

I don't know much of anything about it, but as I recall, my father-in-law was once in some sort of research thing for high cholesteral. Nothing could ever bring it down, and apparently it's a family thing -- turns out his whole family has higher than normal numbers, but apparently the doctors eventually determined that in them, it's not something to worry about. Maybe you're one of that sort of person? It will be interesting to learn what happens with this too!

Good to hear the rest of it all!

KAren in Boise

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Blood work came back fine except for raised cholesterol.
Anyone out there have a really high HDL? I read that the avg HDL for women is about 50-60, yet mine is 91. The doc said my LDL was too high, 114, but I thought that the HDL's were supposed to be pushing the LDL's out. I seem to have some HDL to spare, how do I get them to go to work?

I had my cholesterol checked recently. It's a bit complex to understand.
My overall chol. count was 263...my husband said "That's TERRIBLE! Call your doctor!!".
But my doctor said no it's FINE, because:
My GOOD HDL was 108 (desirable= more than >60, borderline=40-59, At risk= <40)
My BAD LDL was 115 (desirable= <100, border line=130-159, and High risk= >160.
Thus, my bad LDL was not even in the borderline area, and yet my good HDL was sky high, that is what made my overall chol. count so high. My doctor said the higher your HDL, the better protection it gives you against heart disease. She said whatever I was doing, to keep doing it!

So perhaps that will lessen your fears over your test results.

[emily_in_nc]

Anyone out there have a really high HDL? I read that the avg HDL for women is about 50-60, yet mine is 91. The doc said my LDL was too high, 114, but I thought that the HDL's were supposed to be pushing the LDL's out. I seem to have some HDL to spare, how do I get them to go to work?

I can't answer your second question, but my last cholesterol test showed something crazy like 103 HDL, 70 LDL, which my doc said was the best cholesterol profile she'd ever seen! The HDL is pretty much off the charts, but she was thrilled with it. It's been three years (I'm 45 now) so likely isn't quite as good now, but I was pretty happy about it. The HDL is supposed to protect against the bad effects of LDL.

Congrats on your collosal improvement in lung function! I'm still blowing no higher than 390 on the peak flow meter (but that's better than a 350 max pre-Advair), but I can breathe much better on hills, so I'm very pleased.

Emily

[Pedal Wench]

Emily, so glad you're on the road again too!

I'm so glad that it's not just me! I've been riding for two years now too, and I feel like I can finally start training. My legs just need to catch up to my new lung capacity. I wonder how long it's gonna take!