Hyperinflated Lungs?

I didn’t have hyperinflared lungs. My X-ray started with a couple nodules (ordered by Urgent care), a CT confirmed and suggested a f/u CT in a year. That CT showed trees-in-bud,mucus plugs,etc.
I’m sorry it took you a long time to get diagnosed. If Urgent Care hadn’t ordered that x-ray. I hate to think how long it would have taken for me.

I have COPD and sever asthma. About 8-10 years ago, if I remember the time, I also had hyperinflated lungs. For about 15 years I have been taking Albuterol, Budesonide, Brovana all on the nebulizer, Spiriva respimat. Nothing worked and I was on prednisone off and on for many years. That didn't help either. Things got really bad about 5 years ago and I was in the hospital with respiratory failure, O2 level was 84. For about a year I hadn't been able to walk 10 ft at a time. Finally got out of the hospital and was so very hyperinflated and that continued UNTIL FINALLY my pulmonary doc said why don't we try Dupixant. This is the truth, within 2 weeks I was in the basement helping my husband paint sealer on the walls!!!!!!! I hadn't even been able to go in the basement for 2 years because I couldn't breathe to come back up the steps. This saved my life! I still continue my neb meds and Spiriva and never had prednisone again, no really hard times breathing ever again ever. . Oh, and immediately after starting Dupixant the hyperinflation went away. Good luck to you! And my belief is a good pulmonary doc will make sure you get a chest or lung scan at least one time a year.

My x rays always show hyperinflation. Diagnosed with MAC and bronchiectasis in 2022.

Thanks for the responses. I’ve been fortunate so far with using airway clearance regularly and other methods that have kept me infection free for over a year.

My oxygen levels are very good and always have been. I share my story as an example of someone who had been very fortunate in life ( no real health issues ) but how quickly that can change when we’re not getting the best care and not insisting on treatment or getting other opinions.

We want to believe our physicians are doing what’s right for us, but their own egos get in the way at times. Grateful for the pulmonary specialist. I was always good at advocating for others; now better at advocating for myself. I always hope that more awareness of symptoms of lung disease will help in the future. Maybe hyperinflation of the lungs is not as common as I thought.

A positive has to be the new AI technology that might be part of the solution for early diagnosis.

@nellacarsonevans551
It’s great that the medication has had such a wonderful impact on your health!
It was only mildly hyper-inflated lungs on my inital x rays before I was diagnosed and was given information. Maybe due to infection and lots of mucus in my lung? I was still functioning but was very fatigued and had very real symptoms that were dismissed by my doctor.

We must be good advocates for ourselves. Thanks for sharing and all the best to you!

I know exactly what caused my hyperinflation. I was always so short of breath I OVER DID IT in the inhaling and then didn't exhale very well.

A 40 year nurse told me in 1995,,,,"you are your own best advocate, never be afraid to say something to a doctor or ask questions"

Yes, I am sure my Xrays back 20 years ago showed hyperinflation. I was told that it was attribute that athletes had and others...at one point someone diagnosed emphysema...but then that was reversed (thankfully). I started coughing around 2000. It wasn't until about 2015 I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis...suggested by a female GP, whereas the specialist for years was trying to force me to use asthma medications. I do have mild asthma but the medications were never doing anything for me.

I just saw I had hyperinflation when I went for my yearly pulmonary function test. I asked my doc and he didn’t know why and said it wasn’t a concern. I have no idea if I should be concerned or not?

I was given asthma medication for a few months as well and it made no difference with my cough or other symptoms. I don’t have asthma. Lung function tests have always remained normal.

Then the thought was it was acid reflux. Meanwhile symptoms continued and weren’t considered as a ‘whole set’ of symptoms. It seems so obvious now that I know more about the disease. There was no further exploration of mucus etc I’m very fortunate because it is very mild Bronchiectasis at this point, I’m told, but I must clear my lungs twice a day. The cilia in my lungs are probably damaged or partially destroyed. There will always be inflammation there because of the mucus production.

I’ve noticed that my initial experience is not that dissimilar to others who have shared on this site. Very grateful for meeting a pulmonologist who actually listened and sent me for a CT scan!

I have read different information. It should probably be used as a piece of the puzzle in a diagnosis? It appears if someone already has a respiratory condition, COPD or other heart conditions your lungs may be hyper inflated or at times hyper-inflated. Probably nothing to be concerned about, but you could always ask for more information.

Here’s one Clinic’s info:
Hyperinflated lungs are when your lungs expand beyond their usual size due to air being trapped inside. It's common in people with COPD and other respiratory conditions. It causes symptoms like difficulty inhaling and shortness of breath.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org
Hyperinflated Lungs: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment - Cleveland Clinic