happy new year

By wally2

1 min read

Hello all,

Over Christmas I have been getting more and more out of breath, so rang the doctor and he left prescription for antibiotics plus steroids. The problem I have is my oxygen levels show average 98 but I'm so out of breath - but I'm told I'm okay. What should I be asking my doctor? I really do need to get it sorted but I don't want to keep bothering them.

Any advice please,
Wally

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Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
Hi wally2 and thanks for sharing your concerns. Althouhg you don't mention it, is it fair to think that you've been diagnosed with COPD? As you may be aware, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, sometimes referred to as 'dyspnea' are characteristic symptoms of COPD (emphysema and/or bronchitis. You can experience these symptoms even when your oxygen saturation level is good, as you said yours is. Since your physician prescribed the medication (antibiotics and steroids) without seeing you, it would be prudent, now that the holidays are behind us. for you to visit with him. In view of your concerns about asking questions, I thought this article might provide you with some ideas that you can then use if they apply to your situation: <a href='https://copd.net/living/questions-for-pulmonologist/' target='_blank'>https://copd.net/living/questions-for-pulmonologist/</a>. Please do check back and let us know how you're doing. All the best, Leon (site moderator)
wally2 Member
thanks for reply leon, yes I have bullies empherseyma, had lung reduction and most of time ok but this is 3rd chest infection in 3 months wally
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi wally2 - three infections in three months is difficult to deal with, that's for sure. I'm sorry you're going through all this. We are here to assist you in any way that we can. Warmly, Leon (site moderator)
mopar Member
Same here, very short of breath, ventolin, does nothing, steroids help a bit, gasping when I do anything. Even walking from room to room.
1. Lynida Jo Harper, MPA, BSRT, RRT, AE-C Moderator
 Hi mopar - I'm so sorry you've been so short of breath. Do you have any ideas what the cause might be? Do you think it might be a virus that's taken hold? As you know, inflammation in the airways caused by a virus or another infection can certainly lead to shortness of breath. You didn't mention whether or not you're on oxygen. If not, next time you see your doctor be sure and mention how short of breath you've been. There are tests that they can do to determine if oxygen would be helpful to you. Warm Regards, Lyn (moderator)

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