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Has anyone else been diagnosed with COPD after COVID?

Posted by bentleyoakguy @bentleyoakguy, Jun 13, 2022

Howdy,

I'm a 52 year old guy that was diagnosed with COVID on May 6th. I also tested positive for antibodies in Fall 2020. I'm not / nor have I ever been a smoker. I have no history of Asthma, but my mom has COPD (stage 2). After 2 weeks of rather mild covid (no breathing issues / fever) I developed what the urgent care dr told me was acute bronchitis. We started me on prednisone, Mucinex, and promethazine DM for cough. After a week, I had to go back and got another round of prednisone and Albuterol. I followed up with primary care and she prescribed Trelegy and said that this is likely Post Covid / COPD.

I'm having shortness of breath, wheezing, and cough with a little mucus. I'm being told to stay on meds and wait 3 months. I'm extremely down after fighting this for 6 weeks and now getting COPD on the table. I have asked for a pulmonary function test but beyond that, I'm lost on how to proceed. My pulse O2 is always above 95% and in the last 2 days, I forced myself to the gym (indoor track) for a brisk 2 miles, which I can do without exhaustion.

Does this scenario resonate with anyone? Is anyone else diagnosed with COPD after COVID? I'm staying on the primary Dr for a pulmonary function test to see what is going on with my lungs and get a baseline (sorry I'm an engineer and must have data).

Thanks for reading.

Jay

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

catherinej | @catherinej | Feb 7 7:51am

I have had Long COVID for about 4 years. Got both shot and booster, and caught COVID 3 timed. I am a runner since highschool. I was running 6 miles 3-5 days a week. First round of the virus I could not run without wheezing. I have been on Albuterol and an inhaler for 3 years now. Everytime I got COVID my 'smokers cough' got worse. It is one step forward 2 steps back. Currently I have not run for 2 weeks now (also because the temperature is too low which affects me as well). Like you, I never smoked. I am a very healthy 62 year old...or very healthy before COVID. Additionally I need to take cough medicine almost every night.

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REPLY
lori21 | @lori21 | Feb 7 3:50pm

I have really bad GERD, allergies and COPD. I have found that when my GERD is bad, my allergies are worse causing SOB & asthma. As well, the bloating from GERD compresses the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. As the stomach acid travels into the esophagus, irritates the airways, it causes the airways to restrict causing asthma/SOB.

MY COPD worsened considerably post-covid, but so did my GERD from the harsh medications which altered my gut biome. My SOB episodes now are mostly related to GERD and something I've eaten.

A relatively easy and harm-free fix is to take a good probiotic and alter your diet by avoiding trigger foods, eat smaller meals, and avoid processed and sugary foods.

I never associated my SOB with my gut, but knowing there is a relation and how to make it better has been a game changer for me! Best of luck!

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | 1 day ago
In reply to @lori21 "I have really bad GERD, allergies and COPD. I have found that when my GERD is..." + (show)
@lori21

I have really bad GERD, allergies and COPD. I have found that when my GERD is bad, my allergies are worse causing SOB & asthma. As well, the bloating from GERD compresses the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. As the stomach acid travels into the esophagus, irritates the airways, it causes the airways to restrict causing asthma/SOB.

MY COPD worsened considerably post-covid, but so did my GERD from the harsh medications which altered my gut biome. My SOB episodes now are mostly related to GERD and something I've eaten.

A relatively easy and harm-free fix is to take a good probiotic and alter your diet by avoiding trigger foods, eat smaller meals, and avoid processed and sugary foods.

I never associated my SOB with my gut, but knowing there is a relation and how to make it better has been a game changer for me! Best of luck!

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@lori21, you may also wish to follow the discussions in the Asthma support group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/asthma/

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