Hi, For about 5-6 weeks now i have had a cough, sometimes i clear a small amout of phlegm but this is only after i have coughed very hard many times and in some cases started choking.
At night, if i lay on my left side it feels like i am not getting enough breathe and start feeling slighty light headed, this has been for about 6 months now. Since the cough started this has become worse. I have noticed i feel more tired, i get breathless if i walk a fair bit.(ie) shopping, dog walking. If i jog it cant only be for a few yards before it feels like my chest is caving in. I also get the sweats every night in bed, especially my back which gets very wet. windows open. I am not over weight so i know this is not a factor.
Hi Pepper: Do you have any other lung conditions as of right now?? I have Bronchiectasis and had Mac Lung Disease. I highly recommend that you go to a good pulmonolgist if you haven't done so yet and have them check you for both Bronchiectasis and Mac Lung disease. This is usually done by Cat Scan of the lungs and a bronchoscope and sputum samples that they send out for AFB testing make sure they put AFB on the sputum sample if it's a good pulmonary Dr. They will know this. I would also see a good infectious disease Dr. General practionars just don't know enough to get good answers. Hope this helps If you have any questions feel free to write back.
Pepper-Andy,
Hi. I agree with Nikongirl2, in that a general practitioner cannot help you get all the right answers. Mine is equipped to administer the medications I need to maintain my severe asthma/COPD, but it takes a pulmonologist for the overall correct diagnosis.
I would add that seeking help from a good allergy specialist is of great importance also since these symptoms are new. You may have developed allergies to something in your environment. I took the allergy shots and for the first time in my life, I am able to actually live with an indoor dog without it hurting me. A blood test proved this. This is a miracle for me!
Yes, having less oxygen causes fatigue big time! I understand those violent coughing spells too. I have more than once thrown out one of my ribs from coughing so hard and long and when I am like that, I tend to stay away from public places because it is embarrassing to me; plus people think I am contagious when it is only my asthma/COPD acting up.
Also, drinking lots of fluids everyday and staying away from dairy products helps because dairy produces mucus which makes it harder to breathe and makes more to cough up.
Please stay in touch with us so we can support you in any way we can!
Dawn U.S.