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Bending over post lobectomy causes significant shortness of breath?

Posted by pb50 @pb50, Dec 27, 2023

I’m 7 months from lobectomy of left lower lobe. By and large I do pretty well from a pulmonary function perspective. Not as great as the docs led me to expect, since I absolutely do not have 99% of my capacity back, nor do I see evidence the other lines are taking up the slack.
So that’s an “is”. But what I don’t understand is why bending over causes a severe loss of capacity.
I notice it just wiping up a spill or sponging off baseboards. Stuff like that.
Does anyone else experience that?

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curley3 | @curley3 | Oct 22 12:34pm

I had my upper right lung lobe removed, which was 13 years ago, I too have the same problem

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qrp | @qrp | Oct 25 8:16pm

Does anyone use an inhaler for their shortness of breath? (sob) Is there anything at all that improves the sob?
I didn’t know before having a RUL that it was going to be an issue. I live in Florida and it is very humid in the summer. My surgery was 03/2024 and this summer has been miserable. I just wasn’t expecting this. Yes, I am very glad to be alive and lucky to not have metastasis or need any further treatment. It’s frustrating. If I need to learn to live with it that’s what I will do. Any suggestions or ideas?

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3 replies
pb50 | @pb50 | Oct 25 9:51pm
In reply to @qrp "Does anyone use an inhaler for their shortness of breath? (sob) Is there anything at all..." + (show)
@qrp

Does anyone use an inhaler for their shortness of breath? (sob) Is there anything at all that improves the sob?
I didn’t know before having a RUL that it was going to be an issue. I live in Florida and it is very humid in the summer. My surgery was 03/2024 and this summer has been miserable. I just wasn’t expecting this. Yes, I am very glad to be alive and lucky to not have metastasis or need any further treatment. It’s frustrating. If I need to learn to live with it that’s what I will do. Any suggestions or ideas?

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It’s very frustrating. My left lower lobectomy was May 2023 and I still have SOB when bending over. My situation was complicated because I am on a steroid for a different condition and I have gained 20 pounds. My long course ends tomorrow so I’m hopeful I can shed the weight. But that wont rid me of SOB I’m afraid.

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ladylennie | @ladylennie | Oct 26 7:08am
In reply to @qrp "Does anyone use an inhaler for their shortness of breath? (sob) Is there anything at all..." + (show)
@qrp

Does anyone use an inhaler for their shortness of breath? (sob) Is there anything at all that improves the sob?
I didn’t know before having a RUL that it was going to be an issue. I live in Florida and it is very humid in the summer. My surgery was 03/2024 and this summer has been miserable. I just wasn’t expecting this. Yes, I am very glad to be alive and lucky to not have metastasis or need any further treatment. It’s frustrating. If I need to learn to live with it that’s what I will do. Any suggestions or ideas?

Jump to this post

I too live in Florida. My lul lobectomy was in February.
I tried to stay inside in the heat and humidity. Have you considered trying pulmonary rehab? You need a referral but it really helps. And no Dr should have said 99% recovery. If you work at it you should be able ylto get about 90% of what you could do before. I don't think that's too bad.

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vic83 | @vic83 | Oct 26 10:25am
In reply to @qrp "Does anyone use an inhaler for their shortness of breath? (sob) Is there anything at all..." + (show)
@qrp

Does anyone use an inhaler for their shortness of breath? (sob) Is there anything at all that improves the sob?
I didn’t know before having a RUL that it was going to be an issue. I live in Florida and it is very humid in the summer. My surgery was 03/2024 and this summer has been miserable. I just wasn’t expecting this. Yes, I am very glad to be alive and lucky to not have metastasis or need any further treatment. It’s frustrating. If I need to learn to live with it that’s what I will do. Any suggestions or ideas?

Jump to this post

What do your pulmonary function tests say? And heart tests? I had shortness of breath before my VAT wedge resections. I have three reasons for my shortness of breath: interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, radiation pneumonitis and pulmonary hypertension and of course I have reduced lung function. It takes a specialist with specific expertise who will cross reference your tests to diagnose potential causes. Also have you caught anything like Covid?
You mentioned hot humid summers in Florida, I know how they are. If you were not exercising after your sugery (walking, and walking) you may also be deconditioned. They got after me for that!

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jannam | @jannam | Oct 26 11:24am
In reply to @denzie "Demand that you have your heart evaluated. For three years I begged my pulmonologist for supplemental..." + (show)
@denzie

Demand that you have your heart evaluated. For three years I begged my pulmonologist for supplemental oxygen when I would be exerting myself. I continually managed the 6 minute pO2 walk test without dipping below 92. A new pulmonary function test demonstrated that there was no further loss of lung function.

After a bad fall I experienced increased trouble breathing. I was admitted to the hospital where a series of tests were performed. It turned out I was experiencing heart failure and placed on a diuretic. Within a week I was breathing easier than I had in a couple of years.

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Thank you for sharing! I went into my cardiologist for testing and everything checked out good. It’s my Lungs…..

Take care!

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