1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Are the lungs or heart causing shortness of breath and no energy?

Posted by mirsy @mirsy, Oct 6 10:01pm

My husband has been diagnosed with Bronchiostatis and also Pseudonomas which was treated several times with antibiotics in the hospital and at home. The coughing stopped after that but now it is back again and sounds very congested again. He has given 3 sputum samples but evidently there was something wrong with them or a miscommunication between doc and lab. He will be 80 in Feb and also has congestive heart failure and is very tired most of the time and experiencing shortness of breath. He gets an infusion 1/x /mo. for CLL and then gets a little more energy. He just saw the cardiologist who said He is not sure if the no energy and shortness of breath is caused by his lungs or his heart. He has ordered additional heart tests and we are trying to get a sputum sample. Do any of you with brochiostatis and possible pseudomonas have any shortness of breath or tiredness? I feel like we are just spinning our wheels here and my poor husband is not getting any better. Thank you so much for your help. Miriam p.s. he calls himself "a medical wonder" 🤣

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mirsy | @mirsy | Oct 9 9:38pm
In reply to @sueinmn "The heart can cause shortness of breath as well. For example, inefficient pumping (eg fluid in..." + (show)
@sueinmn

The heart can cause shortness of breath as well. For example, inefficient pumping (eg fluid in pericardium or damaged heart muscle) = not enough oxygen transport, and thus SOB.
In this instance, the person has both heart and lung issues - it is up to the doctors to determine which is causing the specific symptoms. It could be the congestive heart failure, or the bronchiectasis, or the infection, or a combination of all three.

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Yes, not an easy thing to figure out. Hopefully all the upcoming testing will determine something. Thanks for your reply.

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mirsy | @mirsy | Oct 9 9:40pm
In reply to @wangling "Interesting discussion. When we have lung conditions, it is always murky whether the elevated heart rate..." + (show)
@wangling

Interesting discussion. When we have lung conditions, it is always murky whether the elevated heart rate and shortness of breath are caused by the heart or lungs. I would do all the necessary tests to make sure it is not a heart problem. I went through that too. A test I have not done yet is a CT scan of my heart to see if there is any blockage.
Wish you the best!
Ling

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Thank you for your reply. He actually has a slow heart rate. Hope you will get your situation figured out also.

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mirsy | @mirsy | Oct 9 9:42pm
In reply to @blm1007blm1007 "@irenea8@sueinmn and all who come to our Mayo Clinic Connect posts. How I wish it weren't..." + (show)
@blm1007blm1007

@irenea8@sueinmn and all who come to our Mayo Clinic Connect posts.
How I wish it weren't so for all of us.....how one thing can lead to another , how things can become more complicated, and then there is all we have to do, decide to do, such as managing to plug along and teach ourselves. push ourselves, to keep ourselves in a positive mindset and attitude.
Wishing easy/easier days for all ...as well as strength, courage and determination.
Barbara

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Thanks for your reply. Everyone on this site has been kind and helpful. I really appreciate it and the extra knowledge is very helpful. It's nice to know you are not the only one fighting such a health battle. Thanks for your kind words!

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mirsy | @mirsy | Oct 9 9:44pm
In reply to @sueinmn "Barbara and @irenea8 and @wangling and @mirsy Yes, when multiple organs have issues, it becomes a..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Barbara and @irenea8 and @wangling and @mirsy

Yes, when multiple organs have issues, it becomes a 3-D jigsaw puzzle to put it all together! But most of the time, I choose to take my meds, do my exercises and as Barbara so aptly says "to plug along and teach ourselves. push ourselves, to keep ourselves in a positive mindset and attitude." That's one of the things we do best here at Connect - help one another roll with the punches.

Today I watched a livestream as my younger sister delivered the eulogy I prepared for my oldest cousin - I intended to do it myself, but a recent injury halted my plans to fly to Texas - it helped me put things in perspective. For the past 55 years, her life was beset by challenges, she faced health, economic and family issues, but maintained her faith and continued to serve others, all with a wickedly fun sense of humor and a smile. Here is the picture from her funeral program, and it perfectly depicts her joyous spirit.
As I face aging and an uncooperative body, she is one of my role models. So today, instead of feeling sorry for myself, I celebrate her life, and the fact that I have a wonderful family, great support community on Connect and an excellent medical team all watching out for me.

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Thanks for your reply. You have a wonderful attitude and that will surely help you deal with these darn medical problems. We too try to stay positive and really appreciate the help we have received here at this site!

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pegs | @pegs | Oct 10 9:28am
In reply to @sueinmn "Barbara and @irenea8 and @wangling and @mirsy Yes, when multiple organs have issues, it becomes a..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Barbara and @irenea8 and @wangling and @mirsy

Yes, when multiple organs have issues, it becomes a 3-D jigsaw puzzle to put it all together! But most of the time, I choose to take my meds, do my exercises and as Barbara so aptly says "to plug along and teach ourselves. push ourselves, to keep ourselves in a positive mindset and attitude." That's one of the things we do best here at Connect - help one another roll with the punches.

Today I watched a livestream as my younger sister delivered the eulogy I prepared for my oldest cousin - I intended to do it myself, but a recent injury halted my plans to fly to Texas - it helped me put things in perspective. For the past 55 years, her life was beset by challenges, she faced health, economic and family issues, but maintained her faith and continued to serve others, all with a wickedly fun sense of humor and a smile. Here is the picture from her funeral program, and it perfectly depicts her joyous spirit.
As I face aging and an uncooperative body, she is one of my role models. So today, instead of feeling sorry for myself, I celebrate her life, and the fact that I have a wonderful family, great support community on Connect and an excellent medical team all watching out for me.

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Sue, your comments are very uplifting and encouraging. Thanks for sharing and many condolences for your loss.

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manorhill22 | @manorhill22 | Oct 13 1:46pm
In reply to @sueinmn "Barbara and @irenea8 and @wangling and @mirsy Yes, when multiple organs have issues, it becomes a..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Barbara and @irenea8 and @wangling and @mirsy

Yes, when multiple organs have issues, it becomes a 3-D jigsaw puzzle to put it all together! But most of the time, I choose to take my meds, do my exercises and as Barbara so aptly says "to plug along and teach ourselves. push ourselves, to keep ourselves in a positive mindset and attitude." That's one of the things we do best here at Connect - help one another roll with the punches.

Today I watched a livestream as my younger sister delivered the eulogy I prepared for my oldest cousin - I intended to do it myself, but a recent injury halted my plans to fly to Texas - it helped me put things in perspective. For the past 55 years, her life was beset by challenges, she faced health, economic and family issues, but maintained her faith and continued to serve others, all with a wickedly fun sense of humor and a smile. Here is the picture from her funeral program, and it perfectly depicts her joyous spirit.
As I face aging and an uncooperative body, she is one of my role models. So today, instead of feeling sorry for myself, I celebrate her life, and the fact that I have a wonderful family, great support community on Connect and an excellent medical team all watching out for me.

Jump to this post

She looks to be a delightful positive person. I might add that I see all her traits in you. Thanks for sharing

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