COPD

[kali]

Hi again,

My husband has multiple heatlh issues all effecting his lungs. We are having an EXTREMELY hard time finding
answers. I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on what this means and how diagnostically it fits in with emphysema/COPD or Graft vs Host disease or ankylosing spondylitis or radiation therapy damage or scholiosis?

"Diffusion study could not be done - patient expiratory volume insufficient"

Thanks.

[deepcreek]

I have COPD stage3 pulmo.hpertenion highressure right side of heart

[Davy9]

Kali.... You're having a hard time getting clear answers because ALL of the things you mention can affect the lungs. The spondylitis can cause pain and splinting. Scoliosis can result in external restrictions that can compromise breathing. Emphysema directly impacts lung tissue. Radiation therapy to the lungs can cause consequences to the lung tissue. The combination of them all at once makes for a difficult and complex diagnosis.

You say that the diffusion study could not be done due to inadequate expiratory volumes. How did the rest of his pulmonary functions studies turn out? Does his oxygen levels drop when he walks? It would be interesting to know what his red blood cell count is too. This can be seen on a complete blood count (CBC) test. Look at the values called hemoglobin or hematocrit and see if they are normal, low or high. Does he sleep restfully or not? What is the status of his heart?

He could just tire with exertion from being de-conditioned. His work of breathing may be very high. His work of breathing could be too high while at rest. His lungs might be damaged enough to limit his exercise tolerance which would also result in increased work of breathing.

Answers are not easy. Ask your doctors if they feel your husbands breathing is fatigued while he is at rest. If so see if they can institute some form of relaxation for his breathing. They can use nasal masks to augment his breathing. They can use external negative pressure ventilators to give him some respite periods. If he could get a temporary break from his high work of breathing he should experience more stamina when breathing on his own. I am sorry to hear of your predicament and I am sorry that I cannot be more helpful.

[kali]

Thank you for your reply. This is frustrating. We go from specialist to specialist and then get sent back to the first specialist and start over. Nothing seems to be helping :(. Anyway, his RBC and hemoglobin are low normal (4.6, 14.1 respectively). His o2 levels at walking drop but not by much (100 percent at rest 95 - 97 when not at rest). Although the not at rest is not running marathons, just simply walking. He is very short of breath at this time. He says most of the time he sleeps fairly well. I occasionally will hear him breathe what appears to me to be more shallow breathing. But in honesty 2 years ago I was not staying awake at night listening to him breathe, so I do not know what to compare it to. The PFT that they could not do the diffusion the values were: FEV1 58% FVC 51% FEV1/FVC 91% He had an EKG done in the doctors office and that was normal. But I would like for him to go to a cardiologist (I guess just because I can not get enough of having way too many doctors giving way too many opinions and no one doing anything:(.

You commented below that his work of breathing might be very high. I have seen studies that say simple machines that exercise lungs are beneficial for some. One was called a powerbreather. I believe it was an inspiratory muscle trainer. Would something like that help? Or is that snake oil?

Thanks again for your reply.

[deepcreek]

try to get ecko on his heart.ITS LIKE A ULTRA SOUND WHEN YOU HAVE A BABY.iT TOLD ME .i HADHIGH PRESSURE ON RIGHT SIDE OF HEART WHICH WAS MAKING ME SLEEP ALOT AND TIRED.THEY DO IT AS A OUT PATIENT TEST AT HOSPITAL.tHEY PUT ME ON OXYGEN 18 HOURS A DAY AFTER THAT AND i FELT BETTER.
DEEPCREEK