New and sudden shortness of breath: What should I do?

@bbrodney, welcome to the Lung Health group. You said that you are 80 and that all of the sudden you cannot walk to the mailbox without getting short of breath. How sudden is sudden? Did this just happen today?

It started about six months ago [My pulmonary Spec retired in Dec , have to wait until April 1st for new one, I have been putting off going to primary doc, But getting worse

Sounds like you should make an appointment with your primary doctor on Monday. Worsening symptoms need attention.

@bbrodney. You might ask your doctor to do a chest x-ray to see if either of your lungs is too high. If so, you might have a paralyzed diaphragm, which causes shortness of breath after exertion. If your lung is raised, you will need to get a SNIFF test to see if you have a paralyzed diaphragm and go from there. It is a rare condition that most doctors don't know much about...but these two steps will rule a paralyzed diaphragm as the cause of your shortness of breath in or out. Please do see a doctor! I hope you will keep us posted.

@bbrodney- I'd also like to welcome you to the Lung Health Group. It's never a good thing when our breathing changes. There can be a multitude of reasons and none of them should be ignored. Heart problems can show up in this way. I suggest since you can't get a doctor's appointment for a while you should visit the ER to make sure that your heart doesn't need additional attention. Can you do this?

I went to urgwent care they put me on IPRATR ALBUT 0.5 Via a nebulizer That is supposed to be better than ALBUTEROL Sul 2.5 / ?

Albuterol Sulfate is a long-acting beta agonist, which relaxes the airway muscles to relieve wheezing. Irpatropium Bromide (the other ingredient) is an anti-cholingeric. Both are bronchodilators, and used in combination are often more effective in treating severe asthma and/or COPD.

The issue of nebulizer versus inhaler is again related to difficulty to treat. Nebulized medications, inhaled over a period of 10-20 minutes tend to be better for treating long-term or difficult shortness of breath or severe cases as the medication gets inhaled more deeply into the lungs. I find nebs especially helpful if I have a cold or bronchitis along with my asthma & bronchiectasis. The inhaler should a still be used for quick help when SOB strikes (hence the term "rescue inhaler") and is often effective in place of a nebulizer for mild or moderate breathing issues.

Do you have a history of asthma, chronic bronchitis or COPD, or is the shortness of breath a new issue for you?
Sue

I'm so glad that you went to urgent care. Did you have many tests? Do you feel relief from IPRATR ALBUT 0.5 Via a neb.?

New issue for me at 85, still play golf .swim. hot tub just past six months will see sprcialist soon.
Thank you SUE