Asbestos exposure from being a navy ship engineering officer

Posted by jraengr @jraengr, Sep 26 7:08am

I was a navy ship engineering officer back on the early 80s and started having shortness of breath and was diagnosed with emphysema and copd about 15 years ago. I used to play soccer and had to quit due to getting short of breath and the same thing started happening when I ski. I used to ski the Alps, west coast and Banff, Canada, and also began getting short of breath skiing 1k ft mountains. I have seen a couple of pulmonologists, including at the Mayo clinic on Jacksonville, FL, and no one can tell me if I have problems due to asbestos exposure. I can't even ride a bicycle on a trainer for more than 5 minutes when I used to be able to for 20 minutes a year ago. The doctors tell me there's no way to tell if I have asbestos exposure unless I am diagnosed with mesothelioma and have cancer. Anyone have similar experience and have any have any improvements? I don't want gor my lungs to get worse. Thanks.

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jraengr | @jraengr | Sep 26 7:09am

Btw I was also in the shiyard when they removed asbestos from the engine rooms.

jlk12 | @jlk12 | Sep 27 7:21am

Sorry to hear about your Emphysema and COPD diagnosis. I did not know that the Docs can’t pinpoint if it is from asbestos exposure or not. No matter the cause of your condition, it will continue to get worse. The progression of the disease varies from person to person. Exercise is important to keep your lungs as strong as possible. 5-10 minutes of stretching and exercise daily is good and try to keep walking or riding your exercise bike. Don’t let this disease take you down. Stay positive. I’ll say a prayer for you! Keep on breathing!

jraengr | @jraengr | Sep 27 7:55am

Thanks.

caseymydog1226 | @caseymydog1226 | Sep 27 11:46am

In reply to @jraengr "Thanks." + (show)

@jraengr Get a pulmonologist right away if you don't already have one. You will get tested for lung capacity and so on. You probably need inhalers and then start doing breathing exercises which you can find on YouTube. I do seated exercises because I am older than dirt. LOL So wobbly. You on the other hand I am sure you can do standing and those are lots on YouTube.
All the best. Hope this bit of advice is of help.

stevelc | @stevelc | Sep 27 12:11pm

Your situation seems a lot like mine. In the last two years my O2 levels have dropped significantly with any exertion. My pulmonologist can’t tell me what caused it and CTs indicate it is not cancer which is great. All that I have been told is that I have major scarring in both lungs. I’ve worked oilfield, construction and remodeling old houses so there’s no telling what I’ve been exposed to over the years. My Breztri inhaler helps along with breathing exercises and staying active. Even if you don’t have cancer, you might at least contact a lawyer to file a claim. That could help you with expenses for help that you otherwise might not have needed. I am on the verge of doing this myself after talking to some of the patients while at the pulmonologist.