12 years ago, I experienced terrible respiratory problems which went unresolved despite input from 5 different doctors. Various diagnoses. Symptoms were, inhale, no problem, exhale, could not. Felt like what it must be like to be drowning, almost. After months, using Albuterol inhaler, it came to a head on a Saturday night. I spent the night bent over my recliner from the back, gasping, grasping my inhaler which advised one squirt per 12 hours. By late night, I was doing one every 20 minutes, with no effect. 5AM, called out to my wife, take me to the ER! They shot chest X-rays (negative), 2 shots in the a$$ of steroids, it helped, sent home, "see your doctor". "My doctor", who had already been aware of my breathing problems, diagnosed "Emphysema". I disagreed. Went to specialists, one declared "Left Ventricular Thickening", next one said, "ridiculous". Allergy specialist proclaimed after the regimen of needle-pricks in my arms, "Return of Childhood Asthma". I disagreed. By then, pretty pi$$ed off. A doctor friend in Phoenix (we lived in MO), I conferred with (understand now that he had only seen me once, for other reasons, and leapt at my suggestion of Aspergilosis, a lung infection caused by Aspergillus, very common in MO. I pushed myself to the limit, breathing like a locomotive, to walk the mile over to the one-room (abandoned) schoolhouse and back, daily. Some mornings, I got only 100 yards, stopped by inability to exhale. After a year or more of this, symptoms gradually faded. Eventually, I was able to exercise, walk, breathe! with no difficulty at all. Symptoms gone about 2009. One or two years later, here in AZ, wife and I took off for a nice winter walk in the desert, nice cool temperatures, about 1/2 mile from home, it returned with vengeance! Couldn't breathe! I leaned against a powerpole, she RAN back to the house, returned with v ehicle. Took me to ER. They hemmed an d hawed, did the standard COPD treatment, metered Albuterol, watched BP, after 4 hours, sent me home. That was 3 years ago. Since then we have walked, exercised, climbed, every exertion imaginable; I have had no symptoms. Until yesterday. Pain in upper bronchial area, (lower throat), mucus difficult to cough up, no fever, general feeling of malaise, everything else feels normal. Signs I'm "getting close"? (I never smoked a cigarette in my entire life.) Or grass. Or banana peels. When "it's time to go, it's time to go", no ifs, ands butts, or otherwise. Won't "go" without a fight! Frank
Isn't it pneumonia? My niece had pneumonia last month and she was confined in the hospital for 9 days. Considering that she is only 25, that confinement seemed so long. And to add insult, she has a vaccine against pneumonia which was administered by her father who is a physician. With the mention of UTI, that was my problem before. I developed chill, feeling so cold that I thought I would not survive the trip to the hospital. And fortunately, the big yellow bulb placed by the side of the chair gave me warmth while waiting for the anti-biotic to kick in its effect. And then it was really a surprise that it was UTI that was bothering me.. which was a by-product of kidney stones. My husband used to be a heavy smoker. He said that he is very conscious of bronchial problems and throat issues as well. He said that he would quit smoking if it gives him a health problem. But he stopped anyway in 2007.
Sorry to hear of your breathing problems, @Frank Sanoica ! Hope you feel better today. I always thought AZ was the Mecca for people with trouble breathing. Hang in there!
Frank I had suffered many years with lung problems when I was young the doctor told my mother they need to live Arizona to stop the problem. I have ended in the hospital with lung problems and could not find the reason but slowly got better. When I was about 65 I listen to a doctor on the radio that gave me information and from that day to now I have no problems. My son had had asthma from very young the doctor said he would be on steroids for all his life. He when on the same as me and has not had an attack in 5 years and still not on any meds. This is my personal experience and not a diagnosis of yours. I found that I had gluten intolerance and my son as well also had difficult absorbing omega 3 fatty acids. My son and I take lots of omega 3,6,9 every day now.
@Martin Alonzo Martin, I certainly appreciate you telling me about gluten intolerance. I will look into Omega supplements. Frank
Whether or not it would help your other issues, @Frank Sanoica , Omega 3 is good for health in many ways, starting with cardiovascular. I have it on my store list for tomorrow... the gel caps. Hubby's been taking it, but I want to start, too. Higher levels of it help the heart... and yes, we can get it in eating fish, but my tummy truly has a problem with fish, so a supplement is the way to go for me. I really don't know anything about the other Omegas that @Martin Alonzo named. I *think* (don't quote me) that I read at one time that fish oil is also good for eyesight. Anyhow, check this link out if you want to... lists some additional benefits. Web MD info on Omega 3
When you pick up an old elastic band and when you stretch it, it breaks that is much like when you lung dries out and omega 3,6,9 is what gives it flexibility. There is a excepted health claim by the FDA that omega 3 or a balance of omega 3,6,9 will prevent heart attacks and stroke caused by blood clots.
I can easily believe that re: heart attacks and stroke. I don't believe the often "incredible" claims of herbs and potions and spices making a big difference, but vitamins and minerals, absolutely, especially the cardiovascular ones when we don't eat enough of the right foods to get them.