“Doctors can't find the cause of Shortness of Breath?”
My husband, 43 years old, quit smoking one year ago. Started having shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing at night and feeling extreme fatigue for almost one year without doctors finding the causes, symptoms getting worse even when resting. Exams of last year: ECG normal, blood test normal, x-ray normal, with small calcified granuloma of 4mm, pulmonary tests normal with the diagnose of Bronchitis, not specified as acute or chronic. Waiting for Sleep Apnea Test.
Two weeks ago went to ER, since shortness of breath got really worse, even when resting, ECG still normal, saturation levels normal too, x-ray normal with nodule of 7mm. Prescribed doxycycline, prednisone and inhaler albuterol. But after finishing antibiotics and prednisone, and still using the inhaler, the symptoms didn't go away.
Waiting for a CT Scan of lungs and heart investigation in the future in case CT doesn't show anything, according to family doctor the last appointment.
So what could be causing all those symptoms despite normal exams?
Two weeks ago went to ER, since shortness of breath got really worse, even when resting, ECG still normal, saturation levels normal too, x-ray normal with nodule of 7mm. Prescribed doxycycline, prednisone and inhaler albuterol. But after finishing antibiotics and prednisone, and still using the inhaler, the symptoms didn't go away.
Waiting for a CT Scan of lungs and heart investigation in the future in case CT doesn't show anything, according to family doctor the last appointment.
So what could be causing all those symptoms despite normal exams?
Male | 43 years old
Complaint duration: 1 year
1 Answer
Pulmonologist|PulmonaryDiseasePulmonologist
Hello, I'm sorry to hear about the issues with your husband's shortness of breath. The good news is that it appears serious causes have been sequentially checked off and ruled out, however, I agree that a CT scan (and particularly one with contrast to rule out a blood clot) would be appropriate at this time. Additionally, there is a detailed study called a Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test or "CPET" that is used in cases such as these to pinpoint causes of shortness of breath when typical common causes have been negative. A cardiologist or pulmonologist can order this and interpret the results. It helps differentiate between the heart, lungs, and possible muscular causes for refractory shortness of breath. I hope this helps answer your question and also wish your husband the best in his future studies.
Regards,
Dr. Maslonka
Regards,
Dr. Maslonka
