1. Community
  2. Chest and lungs
  3. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

PFT and x-rays, big difference

Posted , 3 users are following.

maryterese
maryterese

I have symptoms of copd (mild sob at times) and have had bronchitis several times.  My X-rays show inflated lungs so my doctors have diagnosed me.  However, a pulmonologist gave me spirometry and results were very high. 93/116.  He says he cannot clinically diagnose me.  Any experience with this or opinions?  I do take Advair, switching to Breo.  Thank you.

1 like, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • onlineherbalpil
    onlineherbalpil maryterese

    Posted

    Your pulmonogist given a guidance that not to diagnose clinically so you should go about medical management as you have switch to breo you must continue it un interruptedly.
  • gpgp
    gpgp maryterese

    Posted

    Are you a smoker or ex-smoker? Do you have a cough? How old are you? You cannot diagnose COPD on just a chest X-ray. 
    • maryterese
      maryterese gpgp

      Posted

      I am an ex-smoker. Smoked for a long time. I do have a cough, but it is occasional.  When I do get it, it is heavy.  My sob seems worse.  Doctor said lungs look moderately bad on chest x-Ray after my third bout of bronchitis.  ( few months ago)

      I don't know if pft results will be the same when I visit pulmo next month since I feel worse.   I know that clinically with those numbers I am not "officially" diagnosed.  Non-pulmo docs just look at me like I am crazy when I tell them my pft's.

      I  grateful for your reply.  I think my symptoms are indicative.  However, pulmo said air flow is very good for now.  I pray that I am not clinical although all other docs tell me I have it

    • gpgp
      gpgp maryterese

      Posted

      A friend of mine, ex smoker had SOB and did not have lung disease. Turns out they looked elsewhere and found he had heart problems instead. With normal PFTs your generalist could do worse than send you to a cardiologist.

      sorry if that causes you distress.

  • DawnDedee
    DawnDedee maryterese

    Posted

    Hi maryterese,

    I also use Breo and it works fabulously for me. Spiriva helps me also.  I take Tessalon Pearls to keep my tendency towards violent coughing jags under control and it also contains a mucus thinner.  I avoid dairy as it creates mucus and feel ten times better when I do not injest it.

    What I would add that has helped me greatly is to see an allergy specialist as they are often times, in my personal experience, more helpful after the pulmonologist has rendered a verdict.  I was born with severe asthma and by age 27 I had lost 50% of my lung capacity to permanent damage and by my 30's lost a total of 70% of my lung capacity.  So, now at age 56, I have functioned all this time at 30% lung function and while it is tough, I refuse to let it bring me down.

    Please stay in touch on here so we can support you.

    Take care,

    Dawn U.S. 

    • maryterese
      maryterese DawnDedee

      Posted

      Thank you.  I have to say that here in the states there is a black box warning that Breo should not be used for asthma.  I don't know, I guess it is different there as far as regulations.

      In any case, sounds like you have had a rough road but are doing ok.  I am not familiar with the cough medicine but will investigate.  Thank you for the tips and I wish you well!

    • DawnDedee
      DawnDedee maryterese

      Posted

      Surprisingly, my doc said, after asking about that black box warning, that all of this type of inhalers say that.  As I have aged, the COPD seems more predominant.   It works so well that I am willing to take the risk since my condition is so severe and has required 30 years of intermittent use of corticosteroids which killed both hip and shoulder joints causing the need for replacements.  If I can avoid steroid use with Breo then I am all in.

      You take care too!

    • maryterese
      maryterese DawnDedee

      Posted

      Wow, I am so glad that the Breo works so well for you.  I am starting it's soon as Advair is gone.  I agree with the steroid use.  I have used them several times for bronchitis.  That is terrible that you had to have joint replacements.  You sound very strong, indeed.  When I get going on the Breo I will check in. 
    • DawnDedee
      DawnDedee maryterese

      Posted

      No, not as of yet anyway.  Using Breo helps me so much that I rarely use my emergency inhaler.  Sudden flareups so far have gone down about 80%.  For me that is tremendous.  
    • maryterese
      maryterese DawnDedee

      Posted

      That is great news for you!  You must be thrilled!  Very glad for you.  I am looking forward to starting it in about a week. 
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.