Hyperinflated Lungs?

Thank you for responding… I read info. From the link you sent, interesting… my last 2 pulmonologist appointments were virtual since he’s been out on medical leave so no one has actually listened to my lungs lately. My next appt is in 6 months. But I’ll see my pcp in June.

I was a competitive runner for about 20 years and my lungs were hyper inflated for all those years and still show hyperinflation now. I’m 80 years old.

@jnmy this is kind of a technical discussion and its not clear to me if everyone responding is using terms the same way. Hyperinflation is the result of air trapping. There are different readings on a PFT that show air trapping. BE can cause air trapping. My first PFT showed moderate air trapping, my second PFT showed mild air trapping (I honestly don't think there was any difference in my lung function, just better couching on the second PFT). My first PFT did not mention the air trapping in the report's summary, it had to be pulled out of the data. My pulmonologist breezed right over it during my appt. but when I had more time I studied my PFT closely and saw that my air trapping was considered significant as measured on that first PFT. The way the air trapping is measured is a bit voodoo IMO and I don't experience shortness of breath so I have not spent too much time worrying about it. Then it improved on my next PFT, again really due to coaching. But I know from this that I have some obstruction (I only have BE/MAI, no asthma, no COPD) and that motivates me to stick my AC program and exercise regularly. If one's PFT show air trapping and they are experiencing shortness of breath, I highly recommend pulmonary rehab.

@bayarea58
Very interesting information . Thanks. I have BE, but no asthma, no MAC or COPD but I had some air trapping, so related to the respiratory disease.

You mention coaching.
Is that a breathing technique coaching that is different from air clearance techniques?

Thanks!

That is an amazing story. So pleased for you.

I believe lungs are hyperinflation. I know 40 years ago I had to have extra lead in my scuba gear to keep me down. Then after an xray about 15 years ago I was told it was OK, in actual fact athletes also had big lungs (although I am not an athlete)! I did some kind of trial around 2010 where they said I had some kind of eosinophilic inflammation. I had been on all sorts of inhalers for asthma, like you, which had made no difference...and so I was non compliant with them. I was finally diagnosed with Bx about 2015, and when I started airways clearance around 2019 I have had a huge volume of
mucus expelled through nebulising.

They still say that my Bx is mild and it couldn't account for the volume of mucus and still seem to think that it is related to asthma...despite the inhalers not affecting it@

So I am wondering about this Dupixent for me! There must be a huge amount of inflammation going on in my lungs. I have recently started using turmeric and also lignosis...yet to see much difference.

Dupixent is a biologic that takes away inflammation. I don't have eosinophilic asthma but it works.

When the doc first suggested it I came home and googled it. The price at that time was $3,000 something a month for 2 pens. I called them back and said I can't afford that and my part d would not cover it. They told me no one can and the give out paper work for people to fill out to get approved for an assistance program.

Approved almost immediately and the specialty pharmacy shipped out my first 90 days worth of pens. Like I said, it has saved my life!

There are now different brands, Fasenra and a few others. Same idea and I'm guessing same results.

Thank you. I am in Australia and it is on.our Pharmaceuticals Benefit Scheme here, so we can get it at very low cost particularly if a pensioner. I am trying to get in to get an opinion from my GP before I take off on a 6 month trip away in
my van.

I also think it's now $5,000 something a month.

Wow...expensive!

So pleased it is helping you without side effects.

There are a number of trials of drugs to prevent inflammation for Bx patients, but I hadn't heard of this product.

Best wishes

From what I was told, Dupixant was originally for Excema and then some of those patients that had lung issues starting spreading the word that they were getting better. So they did a trial on asthma first and them COPD. and it worked! Believe the company is Sanofi. There is one in Boston but maybe originally in France. Not sure. All I know is my oxygen level went from 84 to 99 and still staying there!

Very expensive and I don't know who would have $5,000 laying around every month to pay but they right away tell you to file for financial aid. I've never done that before but think they set a limit on how much your yearly income is, how many people live in your house and a doctors recommendation. I was having all my other meds and treatments, which weren't working, PLUS steroid dependent, which wasn't working. I have had no prednisone since starting the Dupixant.