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Don't Know What to Do Next: COVID & Lung Conditions

Lung Health | Last Active: Jun 9, 2021 | Replies (96)

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@pedrito

Your suggestion about NJH is very interesting but, perhaps, not practical for some. My wife is experiencing shortness of breath for two years now and every single test performed to her lugs and heart showed that these organs are working just fine. So, unless her doctors missed something, it appears that the cause of her problem rests somewhere else. I am considering asking for a second opinion to a doctor at Mayo in Jacksonville (we live two hours away) but don't know if we should see a cardiologist or a pulmonologist first. We also wonder if there is also a multidisciplinary approach at Mayo available for difficult cases when the cause of the issue cannot be determined. Perhaps you have some information in this regard. I feel lost and, frankly, don't know how the best proceed next. Anything you would have to say will be highly appreciated.

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Replies to "Your suggestion about NJH is very interesting but, perhaps, not practical for some. My wife is..."

cmi | @cmi | Jun 2, 2021

Pedrito, although I am a native Floridian, I haven’t lived there in over 15 years so cannot help you on logistics…but you are 100% correct and on the right track to find a multidisciplinary clinic/hospital setting that will explore other than cardiac and lung. Teaching Hospitals that are tied to good medical Universities are a good start. Mayo Clinic fits that description, Cleveland Clinic is big in Florida, University of Miami has an amazing and renown assortment of specialties.

I empathize with your frustration….although my illness is MAC…my doctors became puzzled because my lungs & cardiac workups are all good, clean, amazing. In spite of my healthy lungs housing 2 species of Mycobacterium Avium Complex…I have the pulmonary functions of a teenager. My cardiac system also passed just fine considering normal age (64+). So the doctors checked further…and explored my GI tract. Unpleasant 3 days of diagnostic work…barium swallow , esophageal fluoro, manometry, impedance testing and EGD…they found “silent reflux” which was causing a constant throat clearing and irritating cough (non productive) plus voice change, plus tissue changes in my esophagus around my sphincter muscle. RXs will adress these. Plus doctor dilated my esophagus which return my voice to what it use to be.

Have hope…you must be a loving and intelligent husband to stay so closely involved in the medical dynamic of your wife. Keep searching and asking…be assertive and clear in your goals. This forum is also rich in experience so keep asking the group for help.