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Bending over post lobectomy causes significant shortness of breath?

Posted by pb50 @pb50, Dec 27, 2023

I’m 7 months from lobectomy of left lower lobe. By and large I do pretty well from a pulmonary function perspective. Not as great as the docs led me to expect, since I absolutely do not have 99% of my capacity back, nor do I see evidence the other lines are taking up the slack.
So that’s an “is”. But what I don’t understand is why bending over causes a severe loss of capacity.
I notice it just wiping up a spill or sponging off baseboards. Stuff like that.
Does anyone else experience that?

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jannam | @jannam | Oct 20, 2024
In reply to @denzie "Demand that you have your heart evaluated. For three years I begged my pulmonologist for supplemental..." + (show)
Profile picture for denzie @denzie

Demand that you have your heart evaluated. For three years I begged my pulmonologist for supplemental oxygen when I would be exerting myself. I continually managed the 6 minute pO2 walk test without dipping below 92. A new pulmonary function test demonstrated that there was no further loss of lung function.

After a bad fall I experienced increased trouble breathing. I was admitted to the hospital where a series of tests were performed. It turned out I was experiencing heart failure and placed on a diuretic. Within a week I was breathing easier than I had in a couple of years.

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Thank you for sharing. I thought I was having a heart attack in March of this year, but the blood results in ER came back normal. Do you remember what tests you did for heart failure?

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jannam | @jannam | Oct 20, 2024
In reply to @vic83 "With only 3 weeks apart, that must have been difficult. Did you have wedge resection or..." + (show)
Profile picture for vic83 @vic83

With only 3 weeks apart, that must have been difficult. Did you have wedge resection or did they take the lobes? Surgery would have reduced lung capacity.
By Tagresso becoming toxic do you mean pneumonitis?

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Thank you for your reply….

I had wedge sections removed from each lung, which is called VATS. Lung function has been OK….. But breathing poor since surgeries in 2020. Very strange!

Toxicity: I was sick on only 40mg. Targresso With blood results concerning. Also in and out of the ER. I had to stop Targresso after 1 1/2 years.

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denzie | @denzie | Oct 20, 2024
In reply to @jannam "Thinking of you! I had 2 VATS on LUNGS in 2020…..LL and UR, 3 weeks apart...." + (show)
Profile picture for jannam @jannam

Thinking of you!

I had 2 VATS on LUNGS in 2020…..LL and UR, 3 weeks apart. Unfortunately, I have had shortness of breath since surgeries which has worsened thru the past 4 years!
I had NO radiation to Lungs but was on Targresso which became very toxic to me by 2022.

I am now on daily Nebulizer treatments (inflammation), Oxygen during the day this year, and liquid Morphine to help with breathing and tricking my brain that I am not suffocating.

I honestly think that the surgeries caused my breathing issues! The Oximeter reading is always normal BUT I can’t breath…..

Please feel free to comment or ask questions. YOU are not alone! 😉

Jump to this post

Demand that you have your heart evaluated. For three years I begged my pulmonologist for supplemental oxygen when I would be exerting myself. I continually managed the 6 minute pO2 walk test without dipping below 92. A new pulmonary function test demonstrated that there was no further loss of lung function.

After a bad fall I experienced increased trouble breathing. I was admitted to the hospital where a series of tests were performed. It turned out I was experiencing heart failure and placed on a diuretic. Within a week I was breathing easier than I had in a couple of years.

REPLY
2 replies
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vic83 | @vic83 | Oct 17, 2024
In reply to @jannam "Thinking of you! I had 2 VATS on LUNGS in 2020…..LL and UR, 3 weeks apart...." + (show)
Profile picture for jannam @jannam

Thinking of you!

I had 2 VATS on LUNGS in 2020…..LL and UR, 3 weeks apart. Unfortunately, I have had shortness of breath since surgeries which has worsened thru the past 4 years!
I had NO radiation to Lungs but was on Targresso which became very toxic to me by 2022.

I am now on daily Nebulizer treatments (inflammation), Oxygen during the day this year, and liquid Morphine to help with breathing and tricking my brain that I am not suffocating.

I honestly think that the surgeries caused my breathing issues! The Oximeter reading is always normal BUT I can’t breath…..

Please feel free to comment or ask questions. YOU are not alone! 😉

Jump to this post

With only 3 weeks apart, that must have been difficult. Did you have wedge resection or did they take the lobes? Surgery would have reduced lung capacity.
By Tagresso becoming toxic do you mean pneumonitis?

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jannam | @jannam | Oct 16, 2024
In reply to @fontspec "I've had a double lobectomy, starting in 2014 on right side, then on the left side..." + (show)
Profile picture for fontspec @fontspec

I've had a double lobectomy, starting in 2014 on right side, then on the left side in 2018. My lungs have expanded, but I'm still having shortness of breathe, especially during exercising e.g. pickle-ball, walking up a flight of stairs. My Dr. states it is due to the radiation I had done in 2021. I'm not sure if I will ever get back to not having shortness of breath. Side note to this, I just had a stress test on Friday of last week, and during the test, had shortness of breath. Waiting to hear back from the Dr.

Jump to this post

Thinking of you!

I had 2 VATS on LUNGS in 2020…..LL and UR, 3 weeks apart. Unfortunately, I have had shortness of breath since surgeries which has worsened thru the past 4 years!
I had NO radiation to Lungs but was on Targresso which became very toxic to me by 2022.

I am now on daily Nebulizer treatments (inflammation), Oxygen during the day this year, and liquid Morphine to help with breathing and tricking my brain that I am not suffocating.

I honestly think that the surgeries caused my breathing issues! The Oximeter reading is always normal BUT I can’t breath…..

Please feel free to comment or ask questions. YOU are not alone! 😉

REPLY
2 replies
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denzie | @denzie | Oct 16, 2024

Vic83 hit one of the reasons right on the head. When you bend over you are compressing the lung's ability to expand further and the diaphragm can't fully expand or contract.

This is something I learned in pulmonary rehab. I don't understand why rehab is not standard of care. It is in heart disease.

Insist on a pulmonary function test (PFT) to establish a new baseline. Your insurance should pay for both the test and the rehab.

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qrp | @qrp | Oct 16, 2024
In reply to @lls8000 "Welcome to Mayo Connect @qrp. Sorry to hear that you've had to face multiple cancers. Both..." + (show)
Profile picture for Lisa, Volunteer Mentor @lls8000

Welcome to Mayo Connect @qrp. Sorry to hear that you've had to face multiple cancers. Both of which certainly take a toll on your body. Has your doctor had any suggestions moving forward? Any suggestion of therapies that may be helpful to try?

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No therapies or suggestions recommended.

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Mentor
Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Oct 15, 2024
In reply to @qrp "Thank you for your response. I did not require any treatment after the lobectomy. (Bilateral mastectomies..." + (show)
Profile picture for qrp @qrp

Thank you for your response. I did not require any treatment after the lobectomy. (Bilateral mastectomies 1996 & 2005) The lobectomy space has filled in with expansion of the remaining lung.

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Welcome to Mayo Connect @qrp. Sorry to hear that you've had to face multiple cancers. Both of which certainly take a toll on your body. Has your doctor had any suggestions moving forward? Any suggestion of therapies that may be helpful to try?

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1 reply
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qrp | @qrp | Oct 15, 2024
In reply to @flusshund "@qrp, I'm sorry to hear of your physical challenges. Believe me, I can relate. Having part..." + (show)
Profile picture for Matthew K @flusshund

@qrp, I'm sorry to hear of your physical challenges. Believe me, I can relate. Having part of your lung removed is major surgery, and it's not unusual to have long-term side effects. Several things could contribute to your shortness of breath, even beyond the fact that you've lost 20% of your lung capacity! My first question would be, "What is your follow-up treatment?" For example, if you're on Tagrisso for an EGFR mutation, then Tagrisso is also lowering your red blood cell count.

I had the same procedure six years ago. The best thing that I've found to help is deep breathing exercises. Your doctor probably encouraged you to do them after surgery but don't stop. My Spirometer is still on my nightstand, and I try to beat my last maximum at least three times a week. Of course, I don't, but the benefit is in trying.

My surgeon told me that, over time, the other two lobes will expand to fill the void left by the missing upper right lobe. Another doctor told me it can be up to two years before you start noticing. And I do know one woman who returned to running long distances. She doesn't do marathons anymore but still does 5Ks and half marathons.

Best of luck with your continuing recovery. I don't think it ever ends. Recovery is a process, not a place.

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Thank you for your response. I did not require any treatment after the lobectomy. (Bilateral mastectomies 1996 & 2005) The lobectomy space has filled in with expansion of the remaining lung.

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frouke | @frouke | Oct 15, 2024

I look at myself after my surgeries as the new normal, a UL lobectomy and later a wedge section in LL. I feel blessed to be alive and grateful that we have these options today. I’m in my early 70’s and changing physically as well as mentally just from aging, some changes are frustrating and others are more tolerable, I try very hard to accept who I am today, mindset can be very helpful at the worst of times. I am very happy to be alive and living in a time where so much is available to help me and others to keep surviving.

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