constant shortness of breath - Lung & Respiratory Disorders / COPD Message Board

madison55 · 06-23-2003, 08:22 PM

I'm writing about my Dad. He is 84. About 18 months ago, he was hospitalized with what the doctor called severe bronchitis. I actually think that he had pneumonia. Since then, he has had constant shortness of breath. In addition, he had another "attack" of wheezing about 12 months ago. That doctor said he had asthma. He has never had asthma in his life and as I said, he is 84. But he has this chronic shortness of breath. If he sits still, he is OK, but I still hear him wheezing sometimes. When he walks - even from room to room in the house, he get breathless. He has had a full pulmonary work up and cardiac catheterization with no definitive answers. He uses Advair daily. His O2 levels always run around 98%. Any ideas? Please help.

HRATL · 06-23-2003, 08:42 PM

Keep making those Doctors do more tests...sounds like heart to me!

kellie2 · 06-23-2003, 10:00 PM

Hi Madison - Does your dad smoke? I assume you would have said so if he did but wanted to ask.

Honestly, it sounds like asthma to me, also. I would have thought heart like the other poster but you say they've checked that. You can get asthma at any age, even 84. It's because he wheezes that makes me think this. I have a cousin who is almost 60 and was hospitalized last year with chronic bronchitis, beginnings of emphysema, and asthma. The asthma was a new diagnosis for her, but having all three things going on in her lungs made it very difficult for her to breathe. She too, would become out of breath just walking around. Her doctor has her on Advair and it took awhile for it to work but she's doing much better now. Advair is a pretty good asthma medicine, but maybe he needs a higher dose. It comes in 3 different strengths - 500, 250 and 100. If your dad is on one of the lower ones, he may need to go up one for awhile. Also, he may not be inhaling it all the way into his lungs, which then would make it hard for it to work. You or his doctor may want to watch him use it to be sure he's inhaling it correctly.

madison55 · 06-24-2003, 09:00 AM

Kellie, My Dad smoked years ago but quit. It's been 35 years since he smoked. Madison

phillydale · 06-28-2003, 03:30 PM

If it was heart he would have problems when lying down. I have CHF and that is a common symptom. So my guess is asthma as well. Has he had a Pulmonary Function Test? That would tell the tale.