quote:

Originally posted by Rey HRH:


They also have some gizmo (I don't know whether they got it from the doctor or bought it from a drugstore). You blow into it and it measures how strong you blow. I suppose making the thing measure higher is an exercise.

Spirometer Volumetric device. When I was in the hospital with Covid, they gave me one to use a lot every day and night. It came home with me and I used it for quite some time. I still have it.

It's actually a very simple device, you blow out and a little ball rises and gives you a reading.

LINK

Even Walmart is selling them, but you'd better have a Doctor advise you to use one first, but this is the exct same one I have. LINK
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Sportshooter, you may know that I'm a cardiologist, now retired.
Regardless of what your cardiologist's PA says, you should tell your cardiologist your symptoms, it is his/her job to direct you to appropriate testing, which likely should include a chest x-ray and an echocardiogram.
It's not normal to be as short of breath as you are this long after bypass surgery, and the most likely causes are first cardiac (heart failure) and then pulmonary.

Just a thought
During the Covid lockdown,I was waking up with my right nostril plugged. Laying back down made things worse, to the extent of having a panic attack. Vaporizer, inhalant etc. really did nothing. Saline rinse helped.
My doctor finally looked up my nostril. Seems I had a very small passage and it was almost close. He thought allergies and prescribed fluticason propionate spray. Used regularly, no problems.

You need to be back in your cardiologists’ office TODAY!

This is not the expected outcome of a cardiac bypass.

Get thee to your cardiologist, or better still a different cardiologist.

Be completely honest with them about your commitment to physical therapy. Simple put, you get out what you put in.

When I have those symptoms it's usually because I'm in atrial flutter. I'm out of rhythm. Not so bad that I can actually feel anything in my chest but I get very short of breath with minimal effort. Listen to sjtill.

Sjtill is a heck of a guy and definitely 100% correct here (Like there was any question? ) I am not a cardiologist so take my advice with that in mind, but I am an advanced practice respiratory therapist in the COPD capital of the country. I have worked with patients who can't breathe for various reasons for many years, and I am also a college professor on multie subjects in this category, including cardiac diagnostics.

What you are describing does not sound like a lung issue at all. Your breathing issues sound like a symptom of a cardiac issue. Sounds to me like potential congestive heart failure, or atrial arrhythmia of some kind (Afib, A Flutter)? I would highly recommend following up with a cardiologist to get a work up. EKG, Echo, Chest XR, and potentially a stress test if those are inconclusive.

Usually seeing a PA is fine post surgery (I'm married to one) but in this instance I think he is wrong and you should see the supervising Physician.

Good luck, if I can be of assistance I would be more than happy to chat with you. My email is in my profile.

How often have you been changing your HVAC air filters?

If they haven't been being changed often enough, there could well be crud in your ducts.

One way to see if duct-dust is an issue may be to go try to change the filter and see if the symptoms get worse.

There are a lot of other possibilities, as noted earlier in the thread, so even if this is an issue, it may well not be the only one.

As someone with heart issues, please look into if you have fluid buildup.
I would do this asap, before any thought of doing ductwork.
Fluid buildup, and severe anemia will both cause shortness of breath, from mild to dangerous levels.

I have similar issue. Email sent.

SportShooter, please listen to Sjtill and go into your cardiologist as soon as possible. If you came into my ER presenting as you are, I'd have the same perspective as Sjtill.

It's not easy to diagnose anyone over the internet which is why most doctors don't. Since this is more of a family, Sjtill has given you wise and caring advice, along with other members who are basing their comments on professional experience.

OKCGene— ya got it backwards,, you inhale slowly with an Incentive Spirometer and keep the ball up for as long as you can. You’re trying to increase the lung volume and keep it inflated.
And another vote for sjtill recommendation to see your Cardiologist.

I believe Sigfest is right, at least about the one they gave me in rehab. My wife located it and I’ve started using it with a little more dedication to try to increase my lung volume.

My unsteadiness or drop in BP may have caused a fall that cracked some ribs and produced a dab of internal bleeding. After that, I was not keen on any physical exercise. At 76, I don’t want to break any more bones. Did some reading after posting and apparently being a layabout can get you in the habit of shallow breathing. A bit of exertion might be what triggers my near anxiety panting. Hopefully, the breathing thingy will help.

The suggestion to try Musinex was very helpful. The results have been pleasing.

Will see the cardiologist Jan 19. I’d like to hear the results and the results of all those tests I’ve had.

Your kind responses have astonished me and redirected my thinking. Thanks for the emails and taking the time.

^^^^^ That's very interesting ^^^^^^

My Respiratory Therapist was very clear in her instructions, and each time she was giving me a breathing treatment and using the Spirometer she told me, and made sure, I removed the tube from my lips, breathed in as much air as I could to expand and clear my lungs, then put the spirometer tube to my lips and blow steady and hard for as long as I could to get the ball as high as I could and hold it there for as long as I could.

I don't know, maybe there are different therapies, ways of doing things, depending on what they are trying to accomplish.

Anyway, glad you are seeing the Cardiologist soon. Can you ask them to call you early if there is a cancellation?
Best wishes to you.
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Sounds like you have congestive heart failure. Do you take any vitamins like CoEnzymeQ10, magnesium, NAC, etc?

https://heartmdinstitute.com/h...stive-heart-failure/

quote:

Originally posted by 41:
Sounds like you have congestive heart failure. Do you take any vitamins like CoEnzymeQ10, magnesium, NAC, etc?

https://heartmdinstitute.com/h...stive-heart-failure/

Me? No, this was while I was in the hospital for Covid.
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^^^^^^
I was directed at the OP.

Depending on your age, you still meed these these supplements to live a long life. Dr Sinatra is one of the best and had a health newsletter in the early days.

Thanks 41. That is an enlightening piece of information.

I’d heard of the term congestive heart failure, but it was from my family doctor not my cardiologist.

My family doctor is a little woman who stayed after me to keep me on Dr. Esselstyn’s diet. She got me off of ALL the medications for diabetes that I had been taking for the past 25 years.
Now, I wish I had started sooner and paid more attention.

It’s not my intention to harp or test anyone’s gag reflex, but hearing what Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn has to say could be the best use of your time. Link

quote:

Originally posted by OKCGene:
^^^^^ That's very interesting ^^^^^^

My Respiratory Therapist was very clear in her instructions, and each time she was giving me a breathing treatment and using the Spirometer she told me, and made sure, I removed the tube from my lips, breathed in as much air as I could to expand and clear my lungs, then put the spirometer tube to my lips and blow steady and hard for as long as I could to get the ball as high as I could and hold it there for as long as I could.

I don't know, maybe there are different therapies, ways of doing things, depending on what they are trying to accomplish.

Anyway, glad you are seeing the Cardiologist soon. Can you ask them to call you early if there is a cancellation?
Best wishes to you.
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There are 2 different types of spirometry,

Incentive spiromety is used to initiate what we call an inspiratory capacity maneuver (Basically making you take the deepest breath you can) this is done at a slow steady pace. It used correct and prevent atelectasis (Collaps of the little air sacks where gas exchange occurs). Very commonly used post surgery to not let you get pneumonia by keeping secretions from settling.

The other Spirometry (What you experienced) is kind of a broad term used to describe tests generally used to assess lung function (Used in diagnosis of lung disorders, often the ones that cause COPD). They are also used to assess if specific lung treatments are working to improve your lung function and will be done multiple time during a hospital visit (I'm guessing this was your experience).

Anyway that's why it was different for each of you.

Colloidal Silver is also excellent for your lungs.

I don’t think I’m ready for some of that.
The folks at the link raised some questions about it.

Link