1. < Lung Health

Lung Rumble- Should I take Prednisone?

Posted by fracturedd @fracturedd, Nov 23, 2020

I've been dealing with this lung rumble/congestion for a couple months. I'm definitley not as active since the begining of the pandemic. Over the summer I went on prednisone which cleared up the lung congestion. Started at 15mg for 1 week,10 1 week, 5 1 week, 2.5 1 week and then 2.5 every other day for 2 weeks. For the most part my lungs felt pretty clear. Now I'm about 3 weeks no prednisone and this darn left lung is rumbling. It's driving me crazy because I have so much time to think about it. I'm trying everything alternative-- and it seems to help-- a bit, but it's still there on and off throuhout my day. My pulmonoligist said maybe i should just stay on a low dose long term- but I'm scared that will be the begining of the end... I hate taking medicine. Anyone on long term prednisone? Should I throw the towel in and start the prednisone again or any other suggestions? (I haven't been able to go see my doctor because I have trouble wearing a mask for extended time)

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fracturedd | @fracturedd | Nov 27, 2020
In reply to @merpreb "@fracturedd- I have a lot of mucus, somedays more than others. I find that if I..." + (show)
@merpreb

@fracturedd- I have a lot of mucus, somedays more than others. I find that if I don't drink enough water the next day is worse. Have you found this to be true?

I'm glad that you trust your doctor and by all means follow her advice. Please let me know how the cages work!

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@merpreb Yes, warm water helps me alot. There are "things" I could be doing I just have to be more diligent! I ordered the cages, they were on black friday sale, lol. I will keep you posted.

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Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Nov 27, 2020
In reply to @fracturedd "@merpreb Yes, warm water helps me alot. There are "things" I could be doing I just..." + (show)
@fracturedd

@merpreb Yes, warm water helps me alot. There are "things" I could be doing I just have to be more diligent! I ordered the cages, they were on black friday sale, lol. I will keep you posted.

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lol- me too!

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fracturedd | @fracturedd | Nov 27, 2020
In reply to @nla4625 "This is probably a stupid question, but does a CT scan show what's causing the rumblings..." + (show)
@nla4625

This is probably a stupid question, but does a CT scan show what's causing the rumblings or crackling in the lungs? The doctors could never have figured out my problem with a paralyzed left diaphragm without the various xrays I had, and I should think they would be really important for diagnosis and monitoring purposes for everyone with lung problems. I've been postponing getting a mammogram and going to the dentist because I'm in three high risk groups for COVID and the people doing the procedures are right in your face. I know they are important but not life threatening. I didn't even consider not doing the xrays and tests to get to the bottom of my breathing issues, because they might have been life threatening. I hope you will think about getting the CT scan now if your doctors need the results to evaluate what's really going on with your lungs. A lot can change in a year. The x-ray technicians are masked and can stay several feet away from you; and the hospital where I had them done required masks and made every effort to allocate safe distancing between patients and clean surfaces. Good luck! Nancy

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@nla4625 May I ask, what were your symtoms leading up to the diagnosis your paralyzed left diaphram?

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nla4625 | @nla4625 | Nov 27, 2020

I went to the ER because I thought I was having a heart attack or stroke...periodic chest pain, breathlessness after climbing a flight of stairs, a never before experienced dizzy spell, fatigue, and feeling like death warmed over. They did the whole battery of tests to check my vitals, heart, neck arteries, brain, etc. Fortunately, those things were ok. The chest x-ray showed that the left hemisphere of my lung was elevated, so they called in a thoracic specialist/surgeon. He scheduled more tests, including a Sniff test, which confirmed the paralyzed left diaphragm. The main reason I've decided to have the plication surgery in the spring to flatten my floating left diaphragm is to keep my other organs that are moving up into my lung cavity and impacting my breathing in place. The x-rays showed my stomach is in a peculiar position, which the thoracic specialist/surgeon said could be causing my periodic chest pain...something to do with changes in pressure in my chest cavity. Mayo Clinic radiologist's reports from chest x-rays going back 20 years all mentioned an elevated left hemisphere; but it never bothered me. Something must have happened in the past few months to upset the status quo and cause my shortness of breath after minimal exertion, etc. This is something new and worrying. Anyway, as I mentioned before, I'm really relieved to have a diagnosis and feel as though I am in good hands. I was glad to read you think your doctor knows what she is doing and hope you will find another one you like and trust to replace the one who moved. One of the worst parts about moving from SE MN to SW PA was leaving my wonderful Mayo Clinic doctor of 20 years and the great care I received there. Take care! Nancy

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fracturedd | @fracturedd | Nov 27, 2020
In reply to @nla4625 "I went to the ER because I thought I was having a heart attack or stroke...periodic..." + (show)
@nla4625

I went to the ER because I thought I was having a heart attack or stroke...periodic chest pain, breathlessness after climbing a flight of stairs, a never before experienced dizzy spell, fatigue, and feeling like death warmed over. They did the whole battery of tests to check my vitals, heart, neck arteries, brain, etc. Fortunately, those things were ok. The chest x-ray showed that the left hemisphere of my lung was elevated, so they called in a thoracic specialist/surgeon. He scheduled more tests, including a Sniff test, which confirmed the paralyzed left diaphragm. The main reason I've decided to have the plication surgery in the spring to flatten my floating left diaphragm is to keep my other organs that are moving up into my lung cavity and impacting my breathing in place. The x-rays showed my stomach is in a peculiar position, which the thoracic specialist/surgeon said could be causing my periodic chest pain...something to do with changes in pressure in my chest cavity. Mayo Clinic radiologist's reports from chest x-rays going back 20 years all mentioned an elevated left hemisphere; but it never bothered me. Something must have happened in the past few months to upset the status quo and cause my shortness of breath after minimal exertion, etc. This is something new and worrying. Anyway, as I mentioned before, I'm really relieved to have a diagnosis and feel as though I am in good hands. I was glad to read you think your doctor knows what she is doing and hope you will find another one you like and trust to replace the one who moved. One of the worst parts about moving from SE MN to SW PA was leaving my wonderful Mayo Clinic doctor of 20 years and the great care I received there. Take care! Nancy

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Oh wow those symptoms sounds awful. I'm happy they figured it out. Best of luck with your surgery in the spring!

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nla4625 | @nla4625 | Nov 27, 2020

Thanks for your good wishes. Actually, I think the same thing when I read your posts and many of the other ones here describing symptoms relating to lung congestion, not being able to yawn or get a good breath, etc. -- those symptoms sound really awful and I genuinely hope they/you can find some relief. My symptoms to me are minor in comparison. Take care. Nancy

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