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Bending over post lobectomy causes significant shortness of breath?
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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Hi Pam @pb50, Sometimes we get so focused on the cancer, that other concerns might get neglected. Has your heart been checked possibly unrelated to the cancer?
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2 ReactionsMy CT scans are specifically tracking my nodules but also report everything else picked up.
Did your pulmonary function test include stepping up and down a step? That is where mine shows drop in oxygen levels. There is also an oxygen titration test that shows if oxygen needs are being met.
Exercise does help increase capacity.
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3 ReactionsPulmonary function seems acceptable, but to be fair it doesn’t evaluate under any stress conditions. CT didn’t comment on anything remarkable , though it was really screening for repeat lesions. But presumably everything anatomical made sense.
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2 ReactionsMe too. When I am getting ready to go out and maybe picking up a few things I also have increased shortness of breath. I think bending is compressing the diaphragm, lower lungs. That is what my Pulmonologist said too.
Have you done a pulmonary function test since your lobectomy?
Do your CT scan reports indicate any other issues with your lungs?
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